ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - June 2, 2026

Episode Date: June 2, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, breaking stories from overnight and this morning, and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. It is 5 a.m. or game day. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Tuesday, June the 2nd. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. Breaking news right now. Russia bombing Ukraine, killing around a dozen people across the war-torn country. New video showing the aftermath as crews work to save people trapped beneath the debris. Plus back here in our area, controversy at Clayton High School, the valedictorian silenced on stage during her graduation speech. We'll tell you why coming up. And we have team coverage of tonight's Stanley Cup Showdown.

The Carolina Hurricanes versus the Vegas Golden Nights. We'll have a preview plus a closer look at all the watch parties. Getting ready for the big game. Time for a first check of weather and traffic together. There is meteorologist Quaylin Murphy. wearing her black today a funeral for the Las Vegas nights. Well, red and black. That's right.

I know. Look at us. We were, I looked at him to see if he was wearing any red and black and I was like, oh, good. Well, we got at least. We got at least four games. At least you're matching. I long to think about in the morning. You do.

Wow. Great job, guys. Thank you. 5-01 is the time. We're tracking some great weather today for the Canes game, Telgating especially. So be prepared for some 70s for highs this afternoon. We're going to have a bit more cloud cover this morning,

but I do expect to see sunshine by the afternoon. And note, I do have a 10% chance of a shower in the triangle. That'll be early this morning if we see that material lies. Right now we're tracking mainly cloudy skies, a little clearing off towards I-95. Here's the front that came through yesterday. So all that shower and storm activity is off to the south and east of us. Through 10 o'clock, we'll see some clouds. And then we'll see some breaks in those clouds by late day today.

It's cooler this morning with temperatures running 5 to 10 degrees lower at this time, 62 degrees at RDU. Out the door to 50s for Wake Forest. Now Zebulin 58, 63 in Durham, 58 in South Hill, 64 degrees in Fayetteville. Looking at this afternoon, temperatures will be in the 70s for tailgating time by game time. Temperatures still holding in the 70s, but afterwards we're down to 60 degrees. Chilier tomorrow morning. I'll have more than that coming up in a few minutes right now.

Back to you. Right now, the road's really quiet, Quaylan. We're not seeing any issues as far as crashes or congestion. Lots of green on the map, which is a great way to start your Tuesday morning commute. We'll take a live look outside at the DOT cameras now. This is 40 and Jones Sausage Road. One thing I do want to note is even when I was coming in this morning, I did see a lot of cars out on the road with me,

and that's what we're seeing on the cameras too. So it could get busy later on today. Tonight's the night. The countdown to Puck Drop is on for the Stanley Cup final live from Raleigh. Our Carolina Hurricanes versus the Vegas Golden Knights, and you can only watch it here on ABC 11. We've got team coverage this morning looking ahead to tonight's big showdown, Tamara Scott,

Live inside Lenovo Center. She's going to set the scene for us. Bianca Holman following all the fan action over on Moore Square. We'll check in with her in a few minutes. But first, let's start with Tamara. Inside Lenovo. Tamara, what can we expect tonight? Hey, good morning, Joel. I mean, it is so quiet in here.

And that's, you know, just one of those things you know. It is not going to stay this way all throughout the day. Later tonight, when that plug drops, this is going to be the loudest place here in in Raleigh and North Carolina, for sure. The wait finally over tonight, Carolina, hurricanes taking on the Las Vegas nights for game one of the Stanley Cup final here. And this is an exciting game for fans here because the canes are coming into the final as one of the hottest teams in hockey right now.

They won 12 of its 13 playoff games sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia before knocking out Montreal and coming over to the Stanley Cup final. Now in Vegas, meanwhile, they edged Utah and Anaheim in six games each before pulling off a stunning four game sweep against the avalanche in the Western Conference final. So only three players on Carolina's roster this year have ever played in a Stanley Cup final. And odds makers like Carolina's chances, the hurricanes are entering the series as favorites to win the Stanley Cup. But they do have to get through Vegas team who is also looking to add another championship to its resume. We're going to play for all those older guys who have been here for those eight years since Rod's been here. And we're going to do it for them. Obviously, we wanted to as younger guys.

But the people have done it here or have been here for a while, they deserve it. We're going to work for those guys. So the countdown is on. Pug dropped at 8 o'clock. Back to you. And we will all be here to watch it. Tamara Scott. Thank you.

There is Bianca Holman. She's standing by over on Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, where the city is hosting a free watch party later tonight. Bianca, good morning. Hey, good morning, Jill. So this is one of several happening all across our area. So the excitement is building. And of course, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance,

if we're going to come here to Moore Square tonight around 7 o'clock, They want you to bring your own blanket, bring your own chair, because they're going to have the watch party here. So now here goes a rundown of some other events happening all across the city. We've got watch parties happening at the Carolina Alehouse in Kerry and several bars in downtown Raleigh. You can also get if you can't get into the Lenovo Center, you still want to go there. There will also be a watch party on the South Plaza right after the concert from Grammy-winning duo Brothers Osborne at 530. Fans across the city say they believe it's time for Keynes to take the cup. The excitement level is just incredible.

Being in here is amazing. We're going to get a sparkly hurricanes jersey and I mean, we don't have plans to go to the game if we find tickets and my brother can land them. We are 100% there. Yeah, so again, several different watch parties happening all across the area. If you can't land those tickets, it's okay. They are kind of pretty expensive. But again, we have a full list of them listed on our website at ABC11.com. Back to you.

Expensive, but I have a feeling you're not going to be. but I have a feeling you're not going to have a hard time finding a place to watch it. Bianca, thank you. Meanwhile, Wake County Commissioners have approved a nearly $2.3 billion budget, but comes with a property tax increase. The plan raises taxes by two cents, adding about $90 a year for a $450,000 home. Leaders say the move wasn't easy, citing rising costs, inflation, and uncertainty at the state level. You know, we understand that many of our citizens, you know, it's tough times right now.

You know, as I always like to tell folks, I got a 97-year-old mom that lives here in the county. So these types of things affect mainly our senior citizen, those that are living in our communities that need assistance. The budget also includes an additional $25 million to help fund Wake County Public Schools. 506 now in a high-stakes hearing will soon get underway on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers head to grill Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the Iran War. as President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clash during a heated phone call. Plus an update on the Ebola outbreak spreading across parts of Africa.

Good morning, Kuala. Good morning. Temperatures right now, 50s and 60s. A bit more cloud cover is still, but we'll see some breaks by the afternoon with highs in the 70s today. Heating up later this week, I'll have more on those 90s in my forecast. A really quiet start to your Tuesday morning commute. No crashes you need to worry about. Now let's take a look at this traffic hotspots.

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There's a runner out there this morning on Six Forks Road. We have mainly cloudy conditions, a comfy field, too, with temps in the 50s and 60s out the door. These clouds won't linger all day long. We'll start to see some breaks by the afternoon. There's a weak disturbance to the north around the apps and there in West Virginia. And some of those showers will track into the mountains later today.

Maybe a sprinkle here at home, but aside from that, we're dry. 60s continue through 8 o'clock this morning. High temperatures in our area, upper 70s, from Raleigh to Fayetteville, Charlotte 702, some 60s in the mountains at the coast today. Temperatures ranging from the low 70s to the upper 70s, kind of breezy along the coast, too. Heading into tomorrow temperatures in the 80s, but we'll have still low humidity with that wind coming in for the north. Brighter skies for tomorrow, too, just a comfortable midweek hump that we get over. Flight checks showing dry conditions and no delays here for these select sites.

But we do have some storms out to the west and just east of the Rockies. That's where the risk for severe storms will be today. And isolated severe threat parts of southern Georgia, Alabama, Florida Panhandle included. 70 in Chicago with sunshine, a few storms for Denver, Dallas 93 with storms, 91 in Orlando. New York City, upper 70s today. Unfortunately, we finished off May with a deficit at RDU almost two inches under. And that just continues to compound with the unfortunate fact that the drought continues for our region. This month so far, starting off with the drought as well.

And I have really limited rain potential through Saturday. Sunday is the next best shot. And it's not a lot of rain potential. I have more details on that coming up. Joel, back to you. Quaylin, thank you. We're over in the breaking news center now. Russia launching a massive attack on Ukraine this morning.

New video showing the devastation. Early reports put the death toll at a dozen people. Dozens of others injured and critical infrastructure destroyed. Moscow launching the assault overnight, unleashing a barrage. of missiles and drones on the capital city of Kiev and other regions. Ukrainian officials have been pushing allies for more air defense weapons to counter Russia's ballistic missile attacks. New dramatic video just in this morning showing the Kilauea volcano erupting on Hawaii's

big island. It started spewing lava early yesterday and the eruption intensified hurling molten rock, hundreds of feet into the air. This marks the 48th episode in the volcano's ongoing eruption, which started in December of 24. The flowing lava cycles on and off and can last up to eight hours. Time now 512 and a large sinkhole closing down a road in Raleigh this morning video showing the crews working to repair that section. We'll get the update coming up next half hour. Plus one airline suspending a flight from RDU to Las Vegas. We'll tell you why coming up. Back at 515 and health officials warning the Ebola

outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be far worse than official numbers show the international Committee says delayed detection and limited contact tracing are hampering efforts to contain the virus. Authorities have confirmed hundreds of cases, but aid groups believe many more infections may be going undetected. The outbreak is also spread into neighboring Uganda. Americans traveling from those countries and South Sudan can only enter the U.S. through four airports for mandated screenings. Happening today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to testify before Congress. It will be the first time he'll face questions from lawmakers since the start. of the Iran war. This comes as the conflict in Lebanon complicates fragile peace talks between

Washington and Tehran. President Trump tells ABC News a deal could happen within a week, even after Iran threatened to walk away from the negotiating table amid Israel's conflict with Lebanon. And we've learned he clashed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call yesterday. Sources say President Trump lashed out accusing Netanyahu of being ungrateful and calling him crazy. Back here at home, the chaotic commencement. ceremony in Johnston County, a Clayton High graduate addressing the crowd until she is abruptly cut off by school officials. Clayton High School senior Lee Hijaz was delivering her pre-approved remarks during the ceremony last week. But then she went off script addressing Palestine and ICE.

Whether it's the million suffering in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan, and so many other countries around the world. So you can see that moment there, the microphone taken away from her. Johnston County Public Schools issued a statement saying in part this action was not about limiting a student's voice, but about ensuring that a school-sponsored event remained consistent with its intended purpose. JCPS respects students' rights to express their views and encourages thoughtful dialogue in appropriate settings. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that official school events remain inclusive, respectful, and focused on celebrating all graduates. Eyewitness News did reach out to the student involved, but we have not heard back. 518 now time for weather and traffic together we had another pretty beautiful day yesterday but now you're saying those rain chances yeah unfortunately i mean it's great for things like tailgating today like another game on ferreuse like your weekend plans like a wedding this weekend maybe but yeah big picture we need some rainfall let's talk about the tropics no development expected in the next seven days we're in day two of hurricane season in the atlantic bays and a lot more of the season to go of course still while we We have these blue sky days. Great opportunity for you to make preparation for the season. It's not over until November 30th peak, September 10th. We got a big game tonight. Cains at Lenovo at 8 o'clock with the puck dropped low 70s beforehand. 60 degrees afterwards with clear skies. So it's going to be chilly later tonight. I do have a stray shower chance this morning. But aside from that comfy tailgate weather for you today. Get ready to sweat, though. As we get into the end of the week. The 90s returned Friday through your weekend. And as I mentioned, we do have that dry stretch. I don't have the

next shot at some showers until late Sunday night. Here's a live look into downtown Raleigh. Temperatures are ranging from the upper 50s in Goldsbrough to low 60s in the triangle, 61 in Roxburgh, 64 Fayetteville, Sanford. Good morning. You're at 62. We had a front come through yesterday. It didn't bring a whole lot of rain and storms. The best coverage overall was south of the triangle overall.

We have a cold front offshore now, and we're still seeing some lingering clouds for the time being. There's a little weak disturbance to our north. It may bring a stray shower to western area. this morning, but aside from that we're dry. I think a few little spotty showers in the mountains, too, through late tonight. Skies clear out into tomorrow. That's going to lead to some chillier air out the door tomorrow. So as you prepare for today, expect the bit cloud cover this morning, 60s through 9, low 70s by noon today.

Perfect for lunch outside. 76 degrees at 3 o'clock. Tomorrow morning rolling into the 50s in the triangle, but if you're north of the triangle, expect more of a chill tomorrow to develop. Average high is 84. You can notice that we're a stair-step. our way into the 80s starting tomorrow, upper 80s Thursday, and then 90s breakout Friday, mid-90s into your weekend. There's a bit of good news with the heat. It's that the humidity

values will be on the lower side. So in the pleasant range, but still hot. And then by Sunday, those humidity values will climb a little bit higher. So what's driving our forecast in the upper levels, we have a troughing action set up right here that continues through tomorrow. But by Friday, this big ridge of high pressure slides over. And that's what's going to help lead to the heat and the hot conditions. Rain chances into the weekend. That's where they climb a little bit higher. 70s for highs today. Tonight we drop into the 40s in areas like Rocksboro, Sanford and Henderson, 50s for Raleigh. Here's your 70 forecast. We're tracking those beautiful conditions tomorrow. Still upper 80th Thursday and then heat through the weekend. Monday's high still 90 degrees.

Weather and traffic together. Anna back to you. Quailan, it has been nice and quiet on the road so far. We haven't seen any issues that you need to worry about, which is a great way to start your Tuesday morning commute. But if you are getting ready to head out, you're definitely not going to be alone. Let's take a live look outside of the DOT cameras because this is a live look right now at 40 and Trailwood Drive. You can see that we do have lots of traffic on the road. Good news though, no slowdowns at this point. 521 and countdown to the Canes game is on. And one super fan known as the sign lady is bringing the spirit. We'll take a closer look after the break.

Alerting you first. First alert weather on ABC 11. feature from Apple will make it easier to split bills. Here's ABC's Hannah Battag with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, Apple is making it easier to split the bill. Bloomberg says the company is launching a new feature that will let you take a picture of your restaurant check, assign items to different people, and send out payment requests. It's expected to be part of the next Apple Cash Update. Next AI company Anthropic is set to go public.

The San Francisco-based firm has filed for what is expected. expected to be a very lucrative IPO. Company behind the chatbot, Claude, is expected to be among three high-profile businesses to go public this year, including SpaceX and OpenAI. And some details on Sony's new gaming hardware. The Flex Strike Fight Stick will be available starting in August for $200. Also, Sony's new 27-inch PlayStation branded gaming monitor will launch later that same month for $350. A pair of sneakers is expected later this year.

Those are your tech bites. I'm Hannah Patel. I have a great day. If you've been to a canes game, you have likely seen Sue Bonesack. She's from Clayton, and if not her, you've definitely spotted one of her festive homemade signs. It's a necessity to cheer on the canes. It started with one sign and one turned into hundreds. And each game, she's got a different sign. But the message is the same. Let's go Keynes. She invited us into her home for a peek at her process, from her brain to the boards with the help of her husband and a cricket. machine her creations come to life her next few signs will be the most important though of the season since we're playing Las Vegas I decided to go with a slot machine instead of lemons apples and everything it's just cane symbols that you'll see and it'll say canes win then I have a different one ready in my mind for Thursday the sign started five years ago but the fandom

started well before then with autographed hockey sticks puck's pictures bobbleheads and even a cup lamp. You can catch Sue on the Jumbotron for game one tonight with her new sign. And tennis legend Serena Williams returning to tennis at the Queens Club where she will compete in the doubles. 44-year-old never officially announced her retirement, but it's been nearly four years since her last match. And months later, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champ gave birth to her second daughter. Serena is set to play on June 8th. Taylor Swift's new song will soon be available on the big screen. The 36-year-old's track, I knew it. I knew you, will be the in the upcoming Toy Story 5 film.

Swift says she's always dreamed about writing a song for the characters in the film that she's adored since she was five years old. Toy Story 5 is scheduled to hit movie theaters June 19th. The movie is produced by Pixar, owned by Disney, our parent company. 527 now, and we have team coverage of tonight's Stanley Cup final. We're tracking all the excitement across the triangle. Stay with us for our preview from the Lenovo Center. Plus the Way County School Board holding a major meeting today. Details on that straight ahead.