ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - June 25, 2026

Episode Date: June 25, 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. All right, it is 5 a.m. time to wake up. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Thursday. It's June 25th. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. Housing bill tanked this morning on eyewitness news. The bait of a landmark housing bill aimed at fixing the nation's housing. crisis is now uncertain why it was rejected by the president despite bipartisan support. And a murder suspect nearly escapes from a local jail, what we're learning about the close call. And earthquake aftermath, powerful quakes bringing down buildings in Venezuela's capital,

and tremors also shaking up things in California. 5 a.m. time for a first check of weather and traffic. We'll do it all together. Meteorologist Kualin Murphy is here. Yesterday was a nice break. It was refreshing. I think I used that work more than once yesterday. We're going to take our hand gently and ease us back into the serious heat. Yeah, back. Well, not so. Well, no, down the line. It's going to only keep going up.

It's going to keep going up. Next week, 100 for the high. But we're not there yet. We're not there. Today, upper 80s, low 90s, we've got partly cloudy skies through the afternoon. A small difference in humidity. Yesterday, we were in the comfortable range.

Today, we're back to the 60s on dew point temperature, so slightly more humid this afternoon. Right now, it's not too bad. 68 degrees. It still feels. really nice out right now. The wind's coming in from the south at three miles per hour under partly cloudy skies, but there are still more 50s on temperatures out there. For Sanford, you're at 59, Silor City, 58 55 in Roanoke Rapids, mid to upper 50s from Roanoke, Roxburgh to Oxford,

South Hill. 65 degrees in Irwin. Some patchy fog early this morning, but limited to two patchy instances. That's it. Winds coming in from the south through the day today. We have a little batch of clouds tracking over areas south and east of the triangle, another round of cloud. to the west. So this morning, I think mainly cloudy skies before we see a little bit more sunshine by the afternoon. Mid-70s at 9. We're into the low 80s at noon today. It'll still feel really nice out there near 90 degrees at 3 o'clock. And we break into some sunshine late day. Overnight temperatures will be in the mid-60s to low 70s. Tomorrow is going to be hotter, 95 degrees, and we do bring back a chance for isolated storms. And Saturday, as our next front approaches, it's going to bring some late-day storms.

A few could be a little gusty. There's an isolated severe threat. But 90s. on Saturday. And then Sunday, some late day storms, the high temperature 95 degrees. We are tracking rainfall potential, of course, and the drought monitor. This is last week's drought monitor, showing extreme to exceptional drought over spreading more of central North Carolina. We'll get another update in later this morning. I don't expect any major changes. Your full 70 forecast is coming up in a few. Our first check of weather and traffic together. Anna, back to you. Quaylin, our crash count sitting at zero right now and lots of green on the map. So that means things are moving nicely. Let's take a live look outside of the DOT camera.

This is the 45-40 interchange where things are definitely starting to fill in. New this morning, a landmark housing bill is now in limbo. President Trump abruptly pulling the plug on a signing ceremony yesterday, canceling over political grievances with Congress. The 21st century Road to Housing Act had sailed through both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill included dozens of provisions to cut red tape, boost home building, and bring down housing costs. Now its future is anyone's guess. Back in Raleigh, House Republicans voting to override several of Governor Stein's vetoes, among them a controversial immigration enforcement bill requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE.

The bill also strips governmental immunity from any city or county that adopts a sanctuary ordinance. Republicans also overriding three separate bills banning DEI in hiring practices and eliminating DEI offices and instruction in both K through 12 and higher education. Governor Stein responding, saying lawmakers are, quote, stoking the culture wars that divide us rather than fulfilling their long overdue responsibility of passing a budget. We're learning more about an attempted escape from the Vance County Jail over the weekend. Investigators say Milan Hebron somehow got his hands on some keys and then made his way to the roof and then tried to jump over to exterior security fences, but he didn't make it and wound up hurting himself in the process. Hebron landed in some gravel between the two fences. and never got out of the secure perimeter. Hebron is now in jail charged with killing his girlfriend,

37-year-old Tiffany Lasseter in Henderson on Christmas Eve last year. His attempted escape comes a few weeks after two other inmates escaped from the jail. Investigators are working to figure out if Hebron got a hold of the jail keys. Now to the threats against religious centers on the rise across the country. And today, Wake County is taking action, bringing faith leaders together to fight back. And Tamara Scott is live in Raleigh with more on today's safe faith conference. Tamara, good morning. Now this last time the conference was held like this was in Wake County back in 2002.

The Wake County Sheriff's Office is bringing together faith leaders. Again, when the time when law enforcement says that places of worship continue to face threats across the country. Now more than 200 people are expected to attend today's sold-out conference. The Sheriff's Office says the event is designed to give churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith community tools. resources and technology to better protect their campuses and congregations. Across the country, anti-defamation league says the anti-Semitic incidents reached a record high last year with more than 6,200 reports of assault, harassment, and vandalism. And just last month, federal investigators say two teenage gunmen who opened fire at it in his Lasmic Center in California shared white supremacist's views online and expressed hate towards different races and religions. Mayor, Major Wayne Beattie with the Wake County Sheriff's Office helped organize the original conferences back in 2000 and 2002.

He says bringing it back now is intentional. We have the spectrum in attendance. And we know that it's been 20-some years, but we really expect to use this as a catalyst for moving forward and building a, you know, we hear that. the phrase community engagement. Now North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is expected to be the keynote speaker. This event begins at 9 o'clock this morning. Back to you. Tamara, Scott and Raleigh, Tamara, thank you. Now to those strong earthquakes rocking Venezuela and Northern California. In South America, a magnitude 7.1 quake collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas.

At least 32 people are dead and hundreds hurt. Venezuela's acting president declaring a nationwide state of emergency. In California, a magnitude 5.6 quake rattling homes and businesses, knocking up Howard for thousands. Multiple injuries and aftershocks were reported. The quake lasted 30 seconds and was felt as far as San Jose, 180 miles to the south. Good morning, America. We'll have much more on the aftermath coming up at 7 o'clock. Time now 507 in the busy summer travel season getting underway. What you need to know if you're planning a trip through RDU this summer. And the Stanley Cup final delivering a multi-million dollar boost.

to Wake County. We're hearing from local business owners on the impact. And good morning, Quaylin Murphy. Hey, good morning, Joel, Anna. We're tracking some clouds for you today at times, but also some late day sunshine and tap bit warmer this afternoon with highs, upper 80s, a low 90s. Hotter tomorrow's storm chance goes up to more on that, my forecast. And right now the roads do look good, lots of green on the map. No crashes you need to worry about. Now let's take a look at those traffic hotspots brought to by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Glenwood Avenue. Fred Anderson Toyota. Fred Anderson, Fred Anderson, Nissan,

all home of the Fred Anderson family plan, including lifetime oil changes, lifetime car washes on all new Toyota's Kia's Nissan's and hundreds of used cars. The Fred Anderson family plan saves your family thousands while giving you lasting value with every mile you drive. Thinking of selling or trading your current vehicle, Fred Anderson wants to pay you more even if you don't buy from us.

Get the family plan at Fred Anderson, Toyota, Fred Anderson, Kia, and Fred Anderson, Nissan, Nissan, all on Glenwood Avenue. 510 welcome back on this Thursday we're tracking late levels of course and I'm in the black right now there we go our lake levels right now falls like just but below six feet below full pool Jordan Lake Carr on Lake Gaston really area lakes across our entire board looking at lower levels since late last week breeze we're tracking some dry weather right now with some pretty quiet conditions too winds from the south some clouds rolling in this morning we will see mainly cloudy conditions overall throughout the day today lunchtime temperatures low to 80 still in the comfy side, although just a bit more humid highs today, upper 80s and low 90s.

At the coast today, low rip current threat temperatures in the 80s this afternoon. A few spotty showers in the mountains blowing rock and boon in the 70s this afternoon, 80s for Asheville and Bryson City. We're seeing unsettled weather developing from the Rockies to areas around the Great Lakes this morning and still that flash flood risk

for areas to the south. Also introducing another risk for severe storms from Denver all the way to St. Louis and that also includes areas around the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes today. New York City pretty quiet this afternoon. 82 degrees, 84 in Atlanta, Dallas at 94, Orlando 92 with a few storms in the afternoon. Los Angeles 76 degrees. Chicago 76 as well under mainly cloudy skies. Tracking more 90s as we go through the weekend with more storm potential but triple digit temperatures on the way next week. More on that my 7A forecast and I'm back to you.

Quailan thank you. Breeze Airway is announcing new destinations from RDU Airport. Travelers can now book flights from RDU to Dayton, Ohio, Provo, Utah, and Vero Beach, Florida. The nonstop flights begin in the fall with prices as low as $49 one way. Breeze serves 41 nonstop destinations from RDU. And those new routes come as RDU is in the middle of some major upgrades. And RDU official telling eyewitness news work on a runway expansion near Terminal 2 is moving fast. Cruiser elevating the new runway to meet federal standards. And despite construction, expansion of Terminal 2 and new parking in the economy three lot travelers say they are not slowing down. It's just been a really relaxing time and it's beautiful. He went over to the lake and got on a boat

at a wonderful time. We haven't had like a good vacation on military so we just moved to Wilmington last year and we were up in Philly area before that and so again my wife's from Kansas so and the cost is doesn't make it easier for sure for airfare and all that stuff it makes it hard. As for the numbers, TSA says official summer travel totals will be released next week. 513 now, and the Great American Fair is now underway. It's part of this celebration of America's 250th birthday, but it is not all fun in games. Why some of the events, musical guests, are backing out. And coming up in our 7 a.m. streaming hour, the surprise wedding proposal,

why the would-be groom waited until after a romantic Italian vacation to pop the question. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. 516 on your Thursday morning, a live look outside. If you were downtown Raleigh from the Pendo Sky Cam at 301, Hillsborough Street, temperatures in the 60s now headed back into 90s territory today. Three sold out games, 6,700 hotel rooms booked and 112,000 people at local watch parties. The Hurricane Stanley Cup run wasn't just good hockey. It was good business for Raleigh bar owners and staff across the city say they saw a significant boost and the timing couldn't have been better.

Summer was typically a slower stretch, families on vacation, college students gone. But the Keynes changed that in spots like My Way Tavern near Glenwood South say that energy hasn't stopped. World Cup starting right around the same time as all that was wrapping up. Everybody's just kind of still right in that wave of kind of hanging out going out watching the sports and the matchups and wanting their team to win. All told the Cain's run drew visitors from all 50 states and two countries. The economic impact estimated it more than $13 million. The White House is kicking off the 250th anniversary of America's founding with a massive event

along the National Mall. It is called the Great American State Fair and ABC's Christiane Cordero was there for the grand opening. President Trump took center stage in the nation's capital to kick off the Great American State Fair, a two-week event led by the White House. Ten days from now, our country will celebrate one of the most monumental milestones in human history. We will mark 250 years of glorious American freedom. The celebrations included military flyovers and a Marine band rendition of one of Trump's favorites, the YMCA.

It's fondest day in the YMCA. A Ferris wheel pays homage to the World's Fair, and exhibition halls are set to feature tributes to each state and territory. The fair was also supposed to include concerts from a series of artists, but when at least four musical acts pulled out citing politics, Trump instead held a political rally. We have reclaimed our sovereignty, regained our liberty, restored our prosperity, and we have saved our country in all things. We're once again putting a thing called America first.

A campaign-style speech in front of a crowd of supporters. The American dream is alive again. That's something that nobody thought they'd be saying when you went through that last four years of incompetence. The Great American State Fair runs here on the National Mall until July 10th. It is free to attend. Cristiano Cordero, ABC News, National Mall. All right.

Good to see you. Back in effect. Had some time. Was it? What? Well, I missed you. We all missed you. He didn't want to do traffic anymore. I know. So good. Weather and traffic together. I'm tired. Anyway, I can relax today. Yeah. Temperatures getting warmer. Yeah, back to the 90s today. Not too, too bad, though. Humidity is a little bit higher this afternoon. Our new average as up today, 90 degrees. We're going to be right around that mark this afternoon. Tomorrow, temperatures heading into the mid-90s. Saturday, mid-to-to-up early. Nights. And we hold on to those loaded mid-neties right into early next week. Humidity will continue to. to climb as well. So tomorrow I think you'll really notice the difference. But Saturday, that tropical air mass is heading in until the cold front passes. And once that passes Tuesday, look at

the humidity values back down into the pleasant range. Here's a live look downtown. So this morning, we are starting off in some spots a little bit cooler than yesterday. We're in the mid-50s to the low 60s for areas around Roxborough and Sanford, Goldsboro, 63. Fayetteville 66, upper 60s right now around the triangle. Here's our radar on satellite composite, all dry and we'll stay drive through the day today. Some clouds rolling through. We're seeing some breaks in the triangle, but there are more clouds to the west. So expect mainly cloudy to partly cloudy conditions this morning. Visibility showing up with some fog patchy around Goldsboro and also Lewisburg, also Sanford down to seven miles. But not a bad day overall. We're into the

upper 70s at 10 year. Lunchtime temperature low 80s, upper 80s, low 90s through late day, 84 degrees at 8 o'clock this evening. Brighter skies by then. Now tomorrow there's a chance for isolated storms of the afternoon. If you have evening plans Friday, I think the coverage will be a little bit higher with a disturbance tracking through. And then our weekend front starts to move closer. So Saturday and Sunday I have a chance for showers and storms. And with Saturday's potential, there's a level one of five risk for damaging wind. So a few storms could be a bit gustier on Saturday with some downpours too.

Here's that front back to the west still. It's going to get hung up a little bit more. So it's going to take its time. Let's jump to Friday. This is where the rain chances go higher in the afternoon. Morning is dry. Winds from the south. There's your isolated storm chance.

Friday afternoon, but by the evening, again, the coverage will increase a little bit more. Some of these storms will hang on late Friday night. Saturday morning starts off dry for us again, and then by the afternoon we're going to see rain and storms developing with some gustier conditions. But overall, the seven-day rain totals, one inch or less. Our next drought monitor update will come out later this morning. I don't expect any big changes still extreme to exceptional drought for us. So we really could use some rainfall. Forecast high temperatures today, upper 80s to the low 90s, bit warmer tonight.

mid-60s to low 70s into early Friday morning. 94 Friday, Saturday, an alert possible day with that chance for a few stronger storms, 97 the high 95 on Sunday. And then we're drying out Monday, but still hot low 90s, mid-90s 2, say July 1st is Wednesday, the high near 100 degrees.

And we're gonna have more of those triple-digit temperatures possible Thursday and Friday of next week, which takes us through July 3rd, July 4th, high temperature around 97 degrees. Back to you. Quaylan, right now the roads look really good. We're not seeing any issues to slow you down. Our crash count still sitting at zero.

Things are moving nicely in most spots. This is a live look right now, 40 in Kerrytown Boulevard, as traffic slowly starts to fill in. 522 now on Google settles a lawsuit over at social media platforms. We'll talk about that in your morning. Tech News. Also, the new clues about where and when Taylor Swift in Travis Kelsey could tie the nut. This episode is brought to you by L'Oreal Group.

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Here's ABC Sophie Play with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, pricing information has just been released for Grand Theft Auto 6. Pre-orders open today, starting at $80 for the standard edition. Many gamers are upset that the physical version of the game doesn't come with an actual disc, just a download code. The Honda Element is apparently making a return. The boxy and affordable mini-suV hybrid is reported. reportedly being revived in 2029.

The element would battle the Ford Bronco sport for off-road drivers. Honda discontinued the model in 2011 due to declining sales. And YouTube has settled a case focused on the harm social media can cause kids. Terms of the deal are confidential. YouTube still has thousands of similar cases pending. Lawsuits filed by the same plaintiff against meta,

snap, and TikTok start next month. Those are your Techbytes. I'm Sophie Flay. Have a great day. Swifties, it is finally happening. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey apparently will be tied the knot in New York City at Madison Square Garden. The New York Times reports that Swift has rented the iconic sports arena for July 2nd through July 4th. Also, several members of the chiefs have booked hotel rooms in the area around the same time. The event is

listed for between 500 and 99 people. There's no confirmed wedding, but the permit is the first sign preparations could be underway. 527 now a plan to combine 911 services in Cumberland County why the city of Fayerville is calling it a hostile takeover and what we're learning about the punishment for two Wake County elections officials over their decision to count ballots from voters who died