ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - October 15, 2026

Episode Date: October 15, 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. on your Friday Eve, good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Thursday. It's October 15th. I'm Joel Brown. And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. This morning on eyewitness news. It's the start of early voting. Tamara Scott, joining us from Raleigh with what you need to know before you head to the polls. Plus, today marks the start of the North Carolina State Fair. All the fun, the food, and higher prices. Sean Coffey will join us from the fairgrounds to go over new costs for vendors. It's a spooky sign with a serious message.

Coming up, we're taking you to carry where neighbors are making this skeleton. It's safety spokesperson. Yeah, Halloween. It's in the air. It's always a lot of warm air. I walked out of the door this morning as we do weather and traffic together. I said, boy, what a difference from those chilly mornings we had a few days ago. Yeah, but just hang on. They'll be back.

Wait for it. Yeah, today though, yeah, it's going to be cold. Today's going to be very warm, though, record high as possible today through Friday. And then your first alert to the strong cold front coming through. The update to the forecast is that we're going to keep some showers around into Saturday, too. So Saturday could be wet and chilly because we're going to have much colder conditions this weekend behind the front. Even some frost potential still north of the triangle Sunday morning and Monday morning. But today, none of those frosty conditions unless you're getting some.

sort of cold beverage, maybe some ice cream today at the state fair. Gates open at noon, 83 degrees near 90 this afternoon in the triangle. Seventies returned by 8 o'clock this evening with lots of sunshine today. A live look downtown Raleigh, 67 degrees. skies are clear. Those dew point temps back into the low 60, so a little more humid this morning. Temperatures mainly 60s. Sanford, you're at 59, 65 Fayville, South Hill, 72 degrees, so quite warm there. Patchy fog, Irwin, Harnett County, also Lewisburg and Burlington, but overall, no big impacts. We do have some clouds mainly around the Virginia, North Carolina state line. That's the backdoor cold front we've been telling you about. A few little spotty sprinkles could develop around

Mecklenburg County today, but that's it. Everywhere else is going to be dry. Now, this is what happens on Friday. We have temperatures still in the low to mid-80s towards late afternoon or early evening, but that cold front pushing into the mountains and ultimately pushing through our region, too. So by Sunday morning, we're down into the 40s. How long this much colder air six around that's coming up. Right now, weather and traffic together. Anna, back to you. Quailin crash count is at zero. Things looking good so far for your Thursday morning commute.

Let's take a live look outside of the DOT cameras. Traffic is starting to fill in at 40 in aviation parkway. A local man with a decade-long history of domestic violence is under arrest again. This time for murder. Devon Whaley is charged in Franklin County with killing Rashika Kruittup. Arrest Warren say he broke into her home, then killed her. Eyewitness news has covered Whaley since 2016, including this incident in Youngsville, where police say he attacked the mother of his one-year-old. He's being held in the Franklin County Jail right now.

This is Rashika Krutum. She cared for infants at the Kitty Academy of Wake Forest. The school says she had a rare gift of peace. The sheriff's office says she was a mother of two beloved by many. In Chatham County, a daycare worker made her first court appearance. Court documents accused 25-year-old Violetta Wollovich of aggressively grabbing three children, some as young as well. one at the daycare. Wollovich did not speak during the hearing, but her attorney told the court she has no criminal history. She faces 18 misdemeanor child abuse counts. ABC 11 reached out to that

daycare for comment, but has not heard back. At least 10 people in North Carolina are facing federal charges accused of voting illegally as non-citizens. Indictments say each defendant falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen to register to vote. Federal prosecutors say most of them then voted in the 2024 elections. The defendants include both men and women with a from a range of backgrounds. Several are due in federal court in Raleigh this morning. In-person early voting kicks off today across the state and there are several key races on the ballot this year. That's why we've got Tamara Scott joining us live from Chavis Park in Raleigh. It's one of 18 early voting sites in Wake County. And Tamara, what's the biggest thing our viewers should know before the polls open this morning?

Good morning. Hey, good morning. Anna and Jolie. One of the big things you need to know is that if you miss that registration deadline to register to vote, you can show up to one of these early voting. voting sites and register to vote as well as casting your ballot. And as you mentioned, there are 18 voting sites here in Wake County that you can choose from. So election officials say that they've spent weeks preparing for what's expected to be a very busy voting period. There are 370 early voting vocations across North Carolina. And voters have some major decisions to make this election, including a U.S. Senate race between former Governor Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Watley. But there are also congressional state and local race. on the ballot. Way County election officials say the ballot is lengthy and

double-sided so they're encouraging voters to review their sample ballots before showing up. Also remember you will need to bring an acceptable form of ID. I think the biggest thing that we also want to get out there in the community is things are going to happen. You might not have a photo ID at the last minute, maybe you know something with your wallet was stolen or something like that. There is a solution to those issues. So really just call us and make sure that you know we can provide that information to you and then that way you know what to do when it comes to getting ready to vote and early voting runs until October 31st and remember unlike election day on early voting

this early voting period you can vote at any of these locations within the county back to you okay Tamara thank you there's more questions about the planned wake med atrium health merger including what it could mean for patients and what they pay the nc justice center along with patients and employees is now calling on the state attorney general to take a closer look at the deal. In a letter, they are asking for more details about the five-year price cap negotiated before commissioners approved the merger. They also want to know how atriums promised $2 billion investment would be funded and enforced. And they're raising a broader question about competition, access to care, and what this deal

could ultimately mean for health care costs. How was atrium selected and were other proposals seriously considered? And what will this transaction mean for prices, competition, and access to care across North Carolina? These questions matter to patients and workers, and they matter as well to federal regulators. We have asked the Attorney General's office whether it has received the letter and whether it plans to hold a public hearing. So far, we have not heard back yet. It is opening day at the 158th North Carolina State Fair. The event features our state's agriculture, many unique deep fried foods and tons of food.

But behind all that fun, fair vendors are paying more to be there this year, and that means you could too. Sean Coffey is live at the Fairground. Sean, what's driving up the costs? Yeah, guys, good morning. There are several factors here at play, but ultimately this means that vendors may need to make some difficult decisions about how to pass along those increased costs to consumers. This is all because the fair has implemented a new 15% fee to its food vendors at the State Fair this year. That's in addition to the standard booth rent that's charged to these vendors every year as well. Now for vendors like Oak City Fish and Chips who opted not to return to the fair this year after six years here, that means nearly a quarter of every dollar they make is gone after factory and taxes, point of sale fees, and now this latest 15% fee.

When the cost of doing business goes up, somebody has to pay. either the customer has to pay in terms of an increased sales price, the food vendor has to pay and diminish profits, or the sales price stays the same, the profits decrease, and, or the quality of the food decline. Now, in response of fair spokesperson said, quote, we are one of the last large fares in the country to go to this percentage model. We did not want to make the transition coming out of COVID, so we waited a while to do it. We understand that this is a big change for some vendors, but in making this transition,

we chose the lowest percentage being used in the industry. And the fair also says that this is being used for maintenance and to make improvements around the fair and for the fair experience for guests. We asked the state fair how many vendors chose not to return this year for any reason. They said in total about two dozen. Live in Rollo, Sean Coffey, ABC 11. Eyewitness News. Two dozen vendors not coming back this year. Thank you. It is 508.

And this spooky season, one town wants you to slow down. Still to come, we'll show you how a woman and her neighbors aimed to scare carry into action. And here we go again. We could reach another record high in your forecast. Quaylin could be hitting the 90s again today. Possibly. I think Fayetteville will do so. We'll get really close at RDU.

Upper 80s, a great day for another tea time today. There's some colder air this weekend with some showers in the mix too. More than my forecast. And right now, the roads do look good. No crashes you need to worry about. Now let's take a look at those traffic hotspots brought you by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Glenwood Avenue. Fred Anderson, Toyota, 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, even if you. if you don't buy from us get the family plan at fred anderson t Toyota fred anderson kia and fred anderson nisson all on glenwood avenue a bc 12 welcome back on this thursday morning another quiet start so warm out there live look from rd u 60s across our area we're looking at 50s and ashill 70s right now in virginia ahead of a week front that's to the north it's going to send a few clouds our way at times today mainly around the triangle and points north I think brighter skies for the sand hills this afternoon. 8 o'clock this morning, temperatures low to mid-80s.

We're in low to mid-60s. We're into the 80s by noon today. And then lunchtime temperatures climbing by the afternoon, 90 degrees in the sand hills near 90 in the triangle, low to mid-80s north, again with that cloud cover and the front pushing a little bit farther to the south. Deepak tonight may be happy ending. Show starts at 7.30 near 80 degrees beforehand.

Near 70 degrees afterwards. Along the coast today, rip current threat is still on the low side. Temperatures statewide 80s and 90s from Charlotte all the way to the coast, boom upper 70s, and still quite warm tomorrow, record highs possible again for our region. Now, tomorrow evening, I do introduce some spotty rainfall. I think the better shot comes late Friday night and especially Saturday early in the day. Full forecast on that cool down is coming up. Anna, back to you.

Quailan, thank you. The V Foundation is remembering Nick Valvano, the man who helped carry on his brother Jimmy V's legacy in the fight against cancer. He served as CEO of the organization from 1999 to 2012 and later as President Emeritus. Nick was the younger brother of legendary NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano who helped the foundation. Basketball Hall of Famer Dick Vital is among those paying tribute. In a message on X, Vital said Nick was so vital to the V Foundation and offered his prayers to the Velvano family. Coming up on 514 or a reminder, you can find eyewitness news live on ABC 11, plus and everywhere you stream.

We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. 516, you should check this out in Carrie, a woman with a Halloween message hoping to scare the town into action. Neighbors say behind the joke is a real worry. They're worried with cars going too fast in the school zone. Someone could get hurt. Tom George joins us from Harrison Avenue and Page Street,

where the message is getting a lot of attention. On this stretch of Harrison Avenue, Ginger Peters says they've, been haunted by drivers going too fast. So yeah, we've been going around with the town for about three years now, just about the activity, the cars that fly by here. And I just kind of wanted to start sending a message. A few years ago, hoping to scare drivers into slowing down. Then this year, tailoring the message directly to the powers that be with a grim message they can't ignore. A little spookiness. The town of Kerry confirms in the past six years the two blocks

surrounding this stretch of Harrison saw four accidents and one injury. Neighbors say that might not even be the full picture. And then there's a ton that haven't gone reported because people are hitting the curbs. There was a car that was totaled. Like, it's an ongoing thing. Neighbors happy to co-sign making this skeleton their safety spokesperson. I love it. Love it.

Absolutely love it. Jill Weaver says the curves in the road combined with it being a school zone with families nearby, make it a tough spot. For the safety of neighbors, for the safety of the children that are in this neighborhood, walking home from school, they all walk this way. Someone could go over the curb and hit someone on the sidewalk, which is extremely dangerous. The town of Kerry says after people reached out over the years, traffic studies didn't support adding speed bumps, but neighbors say they hope they can find another

way. They have mentioned that it would be hard to do speed bumps because of the turn. We ask for like zebra stripes, anything to slow it down, more signage. So any of those options. And they say if not, this might become a Halloween tradition. Oh, yeah. I'm creative. I'll come up with some ideas. We'll keep it going. And that was our Tom George reporting. He says, as it stands now, no speed bumps are planned for this section of carry.

But you can call Carrie 311 to report safety improvements. Well, tell you what, at least our forecast is not so scary. At least not today is a live look outside from the Pendo Sky Cam. 301 Hillsborough Street temperatures in the common. comfortable 60s right now. We could set another record for high temperatures today, but you've got a lot of changes in the 4th. Definitely some changes evolving forecast, especially into the weekend. Today and Friday, very much similar high temperatures near 90 degrees. But this is the change for the weekend. We're going to see some showers late Friday night. Saturday is trending weather at this point with some light showers and maybe a lingering shower late afternoon. But the totals through the next seven days, a quarter inch or less. So it tells you how light the activity will be.

Friday night into Saturday. So just dress for the chillier conditions and be prepared for some wet weather into the start of your weekend. Today you'll still need some short sleeves out there. Temperatures near 90 degrees well above average, well below average as we get in the Saturday and Sunday. And then we'll start trending closer to normal into early next week. But record highs once again on the chopping block today will likely break this record at RDU, which is 88 degrees. Our forecast high is 89. 99 is the record at Fayville and we'll get around 91 this afternoon. Mainly clear skies for now. Temperatures in the triangle, 67 degrees, 59 in Sanford, 61 Roxborough, mid-60s, Goldsboro, and Fayetteville.

So a little bit warmer this morning. We are seeing a little bit more cloud cover north of the triangle, too, with this backdoor frontal boundary that will be working closer, maybe a stray sprinkle to the north, that's it. With the clouds north, temperatures come down a bit more. So closer to the mid-80s for you today, closer to 90, triangle point south and east,

Carborough 89 degrees. Now tonight, more clouds start to build. We'll have temperatures low to mid sixies again. So about 10 to 15 degrees above average. This is the cold front that really changes the game for the weekend. It's still to our west. So this afternoon will be in the 80s through late day. As we get into the morning hours tomorrow, there are your clouds increasing.

60s out the door. Your afternoon Friday is going to be dry and warm again. Highs in the upper 80s and then by Friday night there are the rain chances starting to increase 9 10 o'clock. We're going to hold on to the shower potential through Saturday morning. We're cooler by then down into the 50s. And then by the afternoon, not only chillier, but also breezier. And the shower is coming to an end, upper 50s, low 60s, Saturday late day.

Now, tomorrow's going to be breezy, but the wind's coming in from the southwest, so it won't feel too bad. But you factor in this cold wind Saturday. It's going to make it feel chillier. We'll have gust near 30 miles per hour. I can't roll out some spotty power out of just Friday night and Saturday because of those gusty winds. Keep that in mind and your holiday decor too. That could blow around a bit. In the tropics, no development expected in the next.

seven days all quiet there. 89 degrees today with mid 80s to the north. Sixes tonight increasing clouds looking at the fair for tomorrow temperatures in the upper 80s with dry weather. This weekend sixies for highs, 40s at night, some patchy frost north Sunday and Monday. And we're back to the 70s starting Tuesday. Weather and traffic together.

Anna back to you. Coil and crash count is still at zero. Things looking pretty good for your Thursday morning commute so far, not seeing any slowdowns either. Let's take a live look at the DOT cameras. Traffic still light at one of those busy interchanges, the 4-440 interchange. We'll keep an eye on it throughout the morning. We'll be right back after the break.

Alerting you first. First alert weather on ABC 11. Back at 525 and ahead of the November midterms, Anthropic is adding voter information to its Claude AI chatbot. Here's ABC's Hannah-Bott with this morning's TechBites. In today's TechBites, Claude gets political. Anthropic says it's adding U.S. voting information from the nonpartisan group Democracy Works to its Clod chatbot. Election results will also be added. It's the latest example of AI companies positioning chatbots as a source of information.

If you plan on purchasing the new iPhone duo, you may want to be extra careful with it. The starting price for this foldable phone is just under $2,000, and repairs will be costly. Fixing damage to the inner display alone can set you back $1,000 unless you have AppleCare Plus. Finally, NASA's effort to make batteries for the moon. It's called the Spears Project and its biggest challenge is the moon's wild temperature swings. Those include nighttime readings of more than 300 degrees below zero. The batteries will need to power everything on the lunar surface. Those are your tech bites. I'm Hannah Vita.

Gray's Anatomy is back and they waste no time getting straight to the drama. Season 23 picks up with a plane crash interrupting the party to celebrate Gray Sloan Hospital's new VIP floor. Doctors move in to save lives and drama intensifies. Katerina Scorsone, who plays Amelia, says the new VIP floor raises some fresh questions. The two planes colliding in this huge influx of people is what also makes this like Olympic wing, you know, a big ethical question. Because there's suddenly all these people in the hospital and this wing is supposed to be for these like VIP patients. And so what do we do? We'll find out what they do when season 23 of Greys Anatomy premieres tonight right here on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

and on Disney Plus. You got to treat the people. That's what you do. They do the right thing at grace. We'll see. 527 now on an overnight chase through Cumberland County. Two patrol cars damaged during the pursuit.

We're going to show you how the high speed chase ended and archaeologists announcing the discovery of the world's oldest shipwreck. We'll show you where.