ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - May 22, 2026

Episode Date: May 22, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local newsleader, 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. 5 a.m. wrapping up your work week on a wet note. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Friday. It's May 22nd. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. The rain continues overnight, and we are expecting more showers through the holiday weekend. Yeah, just keep your showers. You're at rain gear handy. We have some rain. This morning we'll see some breaks at times and then more rounds of rain, which could be locally heavy. More on that by forecast. And we are going to be keeping a close eye on the wet roads as the Memorial Day travel rush begins.

What you need to know ahead of your morning commute. And investing in Durham new details on the Bull City's bold new plan to build child wealth. And the Carolina hurricanes fall flat at the start of the Eastern Conference finals this morning. We'll hear from fans who aren't losing hope just yet. 501 after a tough gnaw last night at Lenovo. Let's do a first check of weather and traffic together. Meteorologist Quailan Murphy on a wet Friday morning. Yeah, good morning. We have damp roads out there as we saw showers and storms overnight.

But some of you are catching a break this morning. We have some showers still lingering north and east of Raleigh. Also back to the west. We're seeing some of that rain too. We'll have a shot at terrain fog, I think, with steady widespread showers up until around sunrise. And then the rain chance in general today will be lower through the afternoon hours, 20, But by this evening, another chance for showers and storms with their front nearby triggering more of that activity. Notice there's more moisture to the west, not so much to the south at this time. I think there's even a chance that we see a little bit of sunshine with some breaks in the clouds.

But notice into the evening hours, there's your sour and storm chance starting to build once again. We're looking at temperatures that are lower than yesterday at this time, low visibility. That's a live view into Durham right now. We're in the 50s north of the triangle. Sixies in Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh as well. as well, 70 degrees in Clinton, Burlington, 59 degrees. And at times, visibility are low, especially where we still have some of that rain lingering.

So on the way into school, some scattered showers possible. Just a stray shower on the way home, 73 degrees. And mainly cloudy as we roll into your evening hours, scattered storm chances increasing for your weekend. We're gonna see a little bit more of a warm up. We'll talk more about that and how much rain we can see in the next seven days that's coming up. Right now, our first check of weather and traffic together.

Anna, back to you. I have a feeling it might be a little bit busy today. You see all of the green on the map, which is where you're going to see those wet roads. Make sure you're extra careful this morning. Let's take a live look outside because we do have reports of a car fire. This is at 40 eastbound in White Oak Road. It's at the bottom of your screen. That's what all those flashing lights are.

It looks from what I can tell on the camera that the fire is out now, but first responders still on the scene working there. So I will keep an eye on this throughout the morning. Memorial Day weekend is here. And if you are hitting the road, get ready to feel it at the pump. AAA says North Carolinians are paying more than 423 a gallon for gas this morning. Sean Coffey has been digging into what this holiday travel surge means for your wallet, and he's live and Breaking News 1. Sean, what are drivers going to have to face this weekend?

Yeah, guys, they're going to face some seriously high prices, as we know. We're driving on Capitol Boulevard north right now outside of downtown. Raleigh, I'll flip the camera around so you can see what we see, which is not a lot of cars on the road, which is understandable at 5 a.m. But we are expecting some major volume out of the roadways. Memorial Day holiday. AAA says that the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $1.40 cents higher than it was one year ago

over Memorial Day 2025. That means depending on your vehicle, most people are paying anywhere from $20 to $30 to fill up their tank. And that's having an impact, but mostly on those without set plans. In fact, AAA says they still expect to see record-setting travel with more than 1.3 million North Carolinians traveling more than 50 miles from home this weekend,

and 90% of those doing so on the roads. But for those who like to make their holiday weekend trips, a sport of the moment event, they're expecting those high prices to have a real impact. Those last minute travelers that decided the last minute, hey, I want to go to the beach, or they might want to make that last minute trip. What we think will happen is those folks will more than likely go, I might want to just stay closer to home. I might, you know, delay my trip, or, you know, I might do a staycation because of high gas prices.

Right says, despite the high volume of drivers, they expect to see over the course of the next three days, They are seeing an uptake in people booking things like cruises and train fare as well just because of the high gas prices we're seeing. We'll have more on that later today on Iowa News. But no really getting around it, guys. You're going to be paying more if you're hitting the roads this week. That's for sure. Sean, thank you.

And this morning, Amanda's in the hospital after a shooting and robbery in Raleigh. Just before 7 o'clock last night, officers responded to the 2,500 block of Newboldt Street. When officers got there, police say they found a man who not only was shot but robbed. Unfortunately, he's expected to be okay. Police have not made any arrests at this time. Joseph Savarino, the grandson of longtime Duke basketball coach Mike Shashefsky, is facing new charges in connection with the crash that killed a 15-year-old boy last month in Durham. Savarino was already charged with driving while impaired in connection with the April 18th incident. He's now charged with felony death by motor vehicle and voluntary manslaughter and failure to reduce speed. Police say Savarino was on Coal Mill Road when Jack O'Shea entered his path while riding an e-bike in the

same direction. O'Shea attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh. He died at the scene. Meanwhile, North Carolina is taking electric vehicle maker VinFAS to court. The state awarded the company grants nearly four years ago to build an EV and battery factory in Chatham County with the deadline of 2026. Now, VINFAS says that facility won't be ready until at least 2028, two years late, and the state has had enough. We reached out to VINFAS for comment. So far, no response. New this morning, generational wealth a new initiative in Durham wants to make sure every child in the city starts adulthood with money in the bank literally Tamara Scott live at Durham City Hall this morning detailing the new program that could put $1,250 in the hands of Durham kids before they ever set

foot in the classroom. Tamara tell us more hey good morning Joel yeah mayor william says that he wants to change the entire trajectory of families here in Durham and that starts by investing in its youngest residents so at noon Mayor Leonardo Williams, city leaders and national partners will gather to launch Invest America, Durham. The initiative is designed to help children build long-term wealth through new federally backed investment accounts known as 530A accounts. Under the new program, babies born between 2025 and 2028 could qualify for a $1,000 investment funded by the U.S. Treasury. City leaders say the goal is to sign up every eligible child in Durham by July 6th, potentially reaching more than 36,000. thousand children ages 10 and younger. At the same time, the city is also in launching a

$9 million fundraising campaign to help match contributions for local families. Mayor Leah Williams says they're focusing on elementary school age kids because it will compound the most, but acknowledges that this may be a learning curve. The process of signing up, you have to upload an ID, you have to get a link sent to your phone, and I mean it's fairly easy if you're technologically savvy. And so it's going to be all the hands on deck. Trust is going to to be the biggest thing but I cannot let the fear of trust stop this opportunity from being present and available for this children in Durham. And children born between 2016 and 2024 may qualify for a $250 deposit funded through the

Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, but more on this announcement will come later today at noon. Back to you. Tamara, we'll be listening and turning now to the canes and there may be a downside of having too much rest last night the canes fell flat at home to Montreal, Losing big in game one of the Eastern Conference final. Montreal scored early and often. It got ugly, but the Caniaks still believe. 21-year season ticket holder Russell Reed says he's confident this is the team to finally get back to the cup.

It is infectious. It's a wonderful thing, and it's getting stronger by the year. They have the strength. They have the system, and they've got the specialty players. Carolina now zero and zero. seven all time in game one at the Eastern Conference Finals. This one felt the most shocking, though, after two consecutive sweeps and playing at home. Still, they'll have to shake it off quickly.

We'll have a full recap of the game in our next half hour. I was about to get down on the canes and then I heard from Russell Reed and now I feel re-invigorated. There it is. 508 is the time. More Senate Republicans are pushing back against President Trump's $1.8 billion fund to four political allies. New details on the growing controversy. A new report shows only.

one UNC school system is not financially healthy. We'll take a look at the reasons why. And I'm tracking some rainfall on the forecast. This is the last 24 hours and a lot of locations picking up one to two inches of rain. There's more on the way. I'll have more on that my forecast. It's going to be a rainy commute or if you're heading out for travel, you may have to deal with that rain as well. We've also got a car fire at 40 eastbound in White Oak Road.

I'll tell you more about that in just a bit. But now let's take a look at those traffic hotspots. Brought to you by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Glenwood Avenue. Toyota, Fred Anderson Kia, 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. ABC. 512, welcome back. It's Friday and we're tracking some damp roads out there, damp conditions with some showers. Not everybody's seeing rainfall right now, but you will run into some wet conditions early. We will see a break from the rainfall.

I'm going to hold on to some drizzle potential between 8 a.m. and roughly early afternoon. But we're going to see a big range of temperatures today. 80s in the Sand Hill 70s in the Triangle 60s, northern counties with that front settling in. We'll see temperatures in the upper 70s tomorrow. I think more widespread storm. and some rain around through the holiday.

Four forecasts coming up. Joel. Quaylin, thank you. Hey, make sure you stay around four. Good morning, America. Ahead at 7 o'clock, a reality check on all the hype surrounding injectable peptides. And the newly obtained police dash cam video from Britney Spears' arrest. What the pop superstar told the officers who pulled her over. We turn now to Washington in what's being called a Republican revolt.

Senators appearing to turn their backs on President Trump when it comes to his nearly $2 billion IRS settlement fund. Here's ABC's Lionel Moise. This morning, more Senate Republicans are expressing anger over President Trump's $1.8 billion so-called anti-weaponization fund. The fund stems from his settlement with the IRS for leaking his tax returns. It would use taxpayer money to compensate people who say they were unfairly investigated by the Biden administration. Those people could include rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6th and assaulted police officers. These people don't deserve restitution.

they many of them deserve to be in prison. This is just stupid on stilts. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Republicans skeptical about the fund. Sources say there was yelling, with senators worried about November's elections. Sources say one stood up telling Blanche, you created this expletive sandwich. You got to figure it out. Senators reportedly feel Blanche failed to guarantee the fund would exclude people prosecuted for crimes on January 6th. Did he make that guarantee to you all in the meeting?

I did raise that. issue and that seemed to be what he was saying but you know we haven't seen language you want more clarity I do Trump allies are already lining up for payouts from the fund I'm Mike Lindell inventor of the world's most comfortable pillow my pillow CEO Mike Lindell who made false claims about the 2020 election says he believes he and his employees are owed money for losses his company suffered I was bad to see it might be a faster way to get my employees that all were hurt. Some of them lost everything. And so I think it's a real good thing for everybody.

But back on Capitol Hill, concerns about the fund, as well as President Trump's controversial ballroom project, have now prompted Republicans to delay approving one of the president's top priorities, his immigration enforcement bill. Lionel Moyes, ABC News, New York. 517. now let's take a live look at the Bull City as this rain continues it was raining hard last night I remember telling my husband take the dog out yeah take the dog get out now needs to listen what he looked outside and he was like oh he'll know next time he's going to have several

days of hearing he'll learn eventually maybe not today but he will we do have some rain around still this morning but I do have some breaks for us coming in the next couple of hours There are some showers to the north east of Raleigh right now. Also more rainfall off to the west in Alamans County. Some of that will track into parts of person county here as well. Temperatures in the 60s right now and some 50s north. We'll be in the 70s in the triangle today for highs. And then we'll see a chance for 80s in the sandhills.

Drought monitor released yesterday showed more extreme drought overspreading more of Central North Carolina. That exceptional drought into areas north of Charlotte. So we desperately need the rain. And we're going to have many shots right through the middle of next week for showers storms. Locally heavy rain possible later this evening and again tomorrow. I think Saturday offers a shot for more widespread rain. No major flooding concerns on Sunday. Temperatures will be in the 70s between today and tomorrow back to the 80s we go on Sunday. We'll stay in the low to mid 80s through the middle of next week. A live look here again from Durham with those low clouds and

lots of moisture off to the west and south. We have a front settled over the region. That stationary front becomes a focus for showers and storms. This is 8 o'clock this morning. We will start to see some breaks in the rain, even a little sunshine. at times early afternoon before the next chance for some scattered showers and storms. Enter there's a picture later on tonight. Now Saturday starts off wet for us. We're going to have showers and storms as early as the morning hours, a little break early afternoon, and then more rain and storms arriving towards the evening hours.

Some of that rain will be locally heavy. And into Sunday, some showers early before we see some breaks. You'll see a little sunshine at times into early Sunday afternoon. And then by late day, just like your typical showers and storms, more of that activity gets going. Rainfall totals through the next seven days, mainly one to two inches on top of what some of you have already seen, which has in some case been one to two inches already. Temperatures of the 50s, north, sixies from the triangle in south, mainly Clinton's 70 degrees right now. So we're looking at 70s for the afternoon hours for your holiday weekend. Expect temperatures in the 80s by Sunday, Monday, 84 degrees.

Heading to the beach, dry weather on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, a better chance for showers and storms, high 70s and 80s. In the mountains, your rain chances will stay up through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Here's your 70 forecast. If you're headed to the Cades game tomorrow and you were hoping to do some tailgating, it's not going to be the best day for that. We will have rain and storms around some of that locally heavy and spots. 80s on Sunday with high temperatures around the mid 80s, pretty much through Wednesday of next week. By Thursday, we're looking at isolated storms. So the rain and storm chance dialed back just a bit. overnight lows will be in the 60s. Weather and traffic together, Anna, back to you.

So, Quaylon, we're already seeing some crash icons on the map right now and also, of course, all of that green, which is where we're seeing those wet roads. The icons that we're seeing, for the most part, not serious and not going to slow you down, but I will keep an eye on that. Let's take a live look outside, though, because we are getting reports of a car fire at 40 eastbound and White Oak Road. They've been focusing on that white car. I can't tell if it's burned, but I can tell it's smashed. So they are blocking two more. lanes right now at 40 eastbound in White Oak. We've got fire trucks there, first responders there on the scene. They are still working to get this cleared. And for now, this could slow some

people down on that morning commute. Just give them some space to get that out of the way. 521 now, NC Central University is the only school in the UNC system failing a key financial health test. And campus leaders say the state budget stalemate is making a bad situation worse. The UNC system's own financial scorecard is flagged NC Central is below the minimum health threshold not once but two years in a row now. It's the only school among all 16 campuses to fall short. The index grade schools on four things. Adequate reserves, debt coverage, financial improvement, and living within its means. Central missed on all four. Now the university says it's turning things around, but there's a major roadblock. The budget stalemate in Raleigh is

held up $159 million in enrollment funding. The school is owed. That money is critical. Central's student body is growing and right now the funding just isn't keeping up. local bragging rights this morning. Three triangle hotels just earned spots among the best in the world. Forbes just released its star awards and Kerry's Umstead Hotel is leading the way for North Carolina, earning the coveted five star rating. Pittsburgh's Farrington House Inn is also on the map, taking home four stars, and Durham's Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club rounding out in the rounding out the triangle, earning a Forbes recommendation, not a bad night for the triangle. Social media giant meta settles a major lawsuit over youth mental health, what we know about this landmark case.

And it's the end of an era. Stephen Colbert signs off after the final Late Show. We'll take a look at how he bowed out. 525 in the end of a TV franchise, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its last show last night. Beatles and Wings legend Paul McCartney was Colbert's final guest. CBS has it canceled the show due to ratings. Critics say the show was canceled due to political. pressure from the Trump administration.

Meantime, Meta has settled a closely watched lawsuit just weeks before it was set to go to trial. Here's ABC's Rainer Roy with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, Meta settles ahead of an upcoming trial. The company reaching a deal with the Kentucky school district, which claims social media companies designed their platforms to addict young people. No terms were disclosed. TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube reached settlements last week. Next, chat GPT is now available in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Its maker OpenAI says the chat bot can create new presentation slides and edit existing ones. ChatGPT is already usable in several other tools including Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Spotify has announced a new program called Reserve. It will track listening history and sharing activity to gauge who are an artist's biggest fans. If that artist is on tour, Spotify says it will hold two tickets for the most dead. dedicated fans. Those are your tech bites. I'm Rena Roy. Have a great day. 527. Right now we are tracking more rain along with a chance for storms. Taking a live look

outside now with a view of downtown Raleigh. How much rain we could see throughout the holiday weekend. Meteorologist Quailan Murphy has your first solar forecast.