Eyewitness News at 5am - October 21, 2026
00:01Right 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.5 a.m. on your hump day. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Wednesday, October 21st. I'm Joel Brown.And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. Breaking right now a gas leak, forcing people in one Wake County town to shelter in place. We're live on the scene.Wake County parents sounding off on changes to the student reassignment plan.We're breaking down what's new.And today the defense will start its case in the fate Hedgepeth murder trial.Bianca Holman catching you up to speed on the prosecution's case.
00:44President Trump makes a stop in North Carolina less than two weeks from Election Day.And we're following new numbers on early voting turnout across the state.5 a.m. time for a first check of weather and traffic together.There is meteorologist, Kwaylan Murphy.That coastal low you've been tracking all week is getting less and less.coastal. Yeah, it's starting to pull slowly away from our coast, but we still have impacts nonetheless,likely through tonight and tomorrow. Here at home, another bright day with a cool north windright through the afternoon hours. We're going to be seasonably warm tomorrow. Another
01:14cooler weekend in store, though. Temperatures will still be in the upper 60s, low 70s,and dry through your weekend, too, that nor'easter slowly departing, but the coastal impacts,as I mentioned, will linger through tonight and tomorrow. Here's a view downtown. We havetemperatures that are starting off slightly higher than yesterday.5 degrees warmer at RDU.We're at 48 degrees.Dew point low 40s so that has come up just a slightly from yesterday.But there's your wind from the north at 6
01:39and that's why we have that chilly air.Some colder pockets out there,Sanford, Siler City, Roxborough all in the 30s,but above freezing, 46 Rocky Mountain Wilson,mid 40s for Roanoke Rapids,Lewisburg 43, Smithfield 43,Fayetteville still at 50 degrees.Winds will pick up a little bit more by the afternoon.
01:55For the bus stop this morning,attempts upper 40s to low 50s.I would say jackets, long sleeves out the door again this morning.For the gates opening at 9 o'clock at the state fair, low 50s, with highs today, lower 70s.So again, seasonable, slightly cooler than yesterday.There's that low pressure offshore, still packing sustained winds of 50 miles per hour,but the distance from our coast is increasing, but we still have those lingering impacts.It will gradually continue to pull away as it strengthens into tonight and tomorrow.
02:25some impacts for the New England states by Thursday and Friday.Full forecast is coming up.Right now our first check of weather and traffic together.Anna, back to you.Quaylin, really quiet right now.You shouldn't have anything to worry about as far as crashes or congestion.Let's take a live look outside of the DOT cameras.This is I-40 and US 1.
02:40Traffic is still light.It is 502 and I'm over in the Breaking News Center now tracking a gas leak in Wake Forest.We've got Breaking News 1 on the scene showing you the scene right now.The leak was first reported yesterday on South Brook Street near Town Halland Norse Brewing. Officials say construction workers ruptured the line, forcing an evacuation alongSouth Brooks Street. Nearby residents are being asked to shelter in place. Crews have been workingto repair the line all morning. If you were in that area and smell a strong natural gas order,gas odor, officials say call 911. This morning, we are expecting the defense to begin presenting
03:16its case in the faith hedge path murder trial. This is Bianca Holman with a look at what's to come.Good morning, Bianca.Hey, good morning, Anna. So yes, it's a big day as the trial continues in the faith hedgepet murder trial. And so the state, they have presented several witnesses, 23 witnessesover the past nine days. And some of those witnesses include her former roommate, also DNA experts.And they even shared how DNA evidence was found on Hedgepeth's body that matched Olivares'DNA. So now the defense will present their case. So I want to tell you a little bit moreabout what has happened with this case so far. There was one particular interest.
03:55A interesting moment on the final day of the prosecution's case.The jury witnessed a human moment for the defendant.They watched a video call from February 2023 between Olivares and a woman that was identified as Katie Ellen from when he was behind bars.In the video call, she told him that she loved him and that he made a heart shape with his hands.And as the video played, Olivares became, you know, emotional.He was crying in the courtroom.And Heinrich also testified that the woman in the video couldn't testify becauseshe was dead. Now again, the defense will be presenting their side of the case starting today once the jury returns.
04:31Of course, we will be in the courtroom bringing you all the coverage back to you.Bianca Holman with the latest on the Hedgepeth murder trial. Bianca, thank you.Meantime, the man charged with hitting and killing an NC State professor pled guilty to reckless and careless driving.Natalia Duque Wilkins was killed as she was crossing the intersection at Poe Street and Clark Avenue near the school's campus back in November of 2025.Jack J.T. Etheridge, who was 19 at the time, was on his way home from getting pizza when he hit Duke Wilkins.Etheridge was sentenced to a year of probation and 35 hours of community service at an organization benefiting the environment or animals.Both were causes Duke A Wilkins was passionate about.A lot of Wake County parents pushing back against a plan that would move thousands of kids to new schools.
05:18Way County school leaders presented proposed changes to plans to reassign students during the 2027, 2020,school year, 42 schools across the district are included in this proposed reassignment plan,including 17 elementary schools, 11 high schools. The plan is to address overcrowding and preparefor the opening of the new Morrisville High. Sometimes your closest school with available capacitymight be one or two miles farther down the road, you know, than the school you're currentlyattending. This is not the final version of the reassignment plan. That version is expected to comenext month. Parents will have another opportunity to weigh in next week. The final votesexpected November 17. Now to the countdown to vote 2026. We are now 12 days out from election day
06:00in the critical midterm November elections. And with so much at stake, President Trump makinghis second visit to the Tar Heel state in the last month. Yeah, the president flying into Greenvillelast night speaking for more than 90 minutes with a series of protesters disrupting the rally.So these are paid protesters, you know that. Every once in a while, somebody starts shouting one word,two words and they get whisked right out. They go home to their mom, dad, and they get smacked around.They said, I voted for that man. Don't you ever do that again? You know the crazy thing?They get paid $250. That's what they get. Here's another one over here. Here's another one over here.Losers. Losers. That was the president and the protesters down east last night. And this morning,
06:50we've got new polling numbers in the state's most closely watched contest.The Senate race between Republican Michael Wattley and Democrat Roy Cooper putting the national spotlight on North Carolina.The new Elon University polls show 52% of likely voters favored the former governor compared to 39% who favored Wattley,the former chair of the Republican National Committee.That's a 13-point lead for Cooper.The same Elon poll asked North Carolina voters, if a candidate was endorsed by President Trump,would they be more likely or less likely to vote for that candidate or would it not make much of a difference?25% said they would be more likely to vote for that candidate, while 43% said less likely,
07:30and 26% said it would not make much of a difference.The poll also found only 34% approved of the job the president is doing and 57% disapproved.And thousands of voters have already cast their ballots early.In fact, new numbers from the State Board of Elections show over 730,000 votes are inso far, including nearly 690,000 people who voted in person and over 44,000 absentee ballots.And a reminder, we are continuing our coverage on the midterm elections. Look for our reporting on air on ABC11.com and on Disney Plus and everywhere you stream.And be sure to join us on election night for live results as the big races are called.5.08 now in Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hertz might be out of commission for the rest of the season.
08:12Coming up, we'll tell you why the Philadelphia Eagles could be punished for how they handled his injury.Plus, we are tracking the decline in visitors at this year's state fair.Gwaitland, at least it is pleasant weather ahead.Yeah, we got temps in the 40s right now for most of us highs today, right around the low 70s.A little warmer tomorrow.More than that, my full forecast.And right now the roads do look good.Our crash count's still at zero.
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09:16You make the mobile offices, your kids' personal taxi, a concert shuttle, your hockey equipment locker, your recording studio.We make a Chevrolet, but you make it a Chevy. Discover yours at Chevrolet.ca.This episode is brought to you by Welch's fruit snacks.Back to school season can be tough on parents, but choosing a snack you and your kids can both get behind doesn't have to be.Stock up on Welch's fruit snacks, made with real whole fruit for a melch.watering experience the whole family can enjoy. It's a snack kids already love and one you can feelgood about giving them. Go back to school with Welch's fruit snacks. 511. Welcome back on this Wednesday.Live look from North Hills. Nice dry start again this morning and a chilly start too, but seasonably cool.
10:08Temperatures are in the upper 40s around the triangle generally some mid 40s around Chapel Hill.Still some colder pocket, Siler City, Rocksboro down into the 30s, 48 in South Hill, 50 degrees andFayetteville, Goldsboro, 46 degrees. Temperatures will run slightly lower than yesterday. Lunchtimetemperatures will be in the low to mid-sixies generally with highs today, north, upper 60s andlower 70s from the triangle to the sand hills. We'll keep that breeze going from the north today,five to around 15 miles per hour times. Sixies take us to the start of your evening by 8 o'clock.We're down the 56, 52 degrees at 10 o'clock tonight. Still tracking that nor'easter, it's startingto pull away from the coast slowly but surely. So the impacts will linger.
10:49still moderate threat of rip currents from Atlantic beach down the Carolina.Still pretty high from Atlantic all the way up to Kill Devil Hills today.Aside from that, great weather across the state.Temperatures mainly in the 70s with sunshine, low to mid 70s again tomorrow afternoon with bright skies taking us through late day.A few showers out to the west.Century United States, more moisture being pulled in from the Pacific as well.That's where some flash flooding concerns are building out west.Some frost concerns around parts of the Tennessee Valley down to the southeast and some fall concerns around areas.
11:19near the Great Lakes. Up and down the eastern seaboard, another great travel day, a bitblusery at times for areas north and east. New York City in the 60s along with Pittsburgh, Memphisat 80, Chicago 71, 70s for New Orleans, low 80s in Dallas today, and 80s with showers and stormsin Vegas, Phoenix up to 83 this afternoon. No delay showing up for these select hubs. Of course,check on with your carrier for the latest. Your full seven day is coming up. Anna and Joel back to you.Quaylon, thank you. The NFL is not expected to punish the Eagles for how they handleJaylen Hertz's injury. Yeah, the star quarterback has now expected to miss the rest of the season afterdoctors found blood clots in his lungs before the team's week five game in London. Hertz was
11:59diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf but was still clear to play againstJacksonville. The Eagles have faced criticism over that decision, but the league reportedly foundthe team did not violate its injury report policy. I would characterize their work as very conservative,very patient focus and appropriately guarded at every step.Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association is calling for full investigation.The Eagles and Hertz agents say they expect him to make a full recovery.Over $5 million approved.Still to come, a closer look at the construction project that's adding hundreds of affordable houses to Raleigh.
12:37Plus, we've got dancing fever.In case you missed dedication night on Dancing with the Stars, we've got a quick recap coming up.But take a look at this.This is a live look at I-40 Westbound near Jones Sausage Road.It appears to be a car engulfed in flames.First responders just getting to the scene moments ago.We've got black smoke coming out of what appears to be a car at this point.We're going to stay on top of this because cars are driving past.
13:01We're going to try to get more details as soon as we can.And also a reminder, you can find eyewitness news live on ABC 11, Disney Plus, and everywhere you stream.In Toronto, every arrival is a statement.And nothing says it better than this.Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2020.Find your rhythm across a seamless 33-inch displayand an immersive 19-speaker AKG surround audio system.This city demands agility and optic delivers with precision
13:29to make every drive extraordinary.Let's take the Cadillac.Find out more at Cadillac Canada.ca.Luxury sales claim based on S&P Global MobilityCanadian New Vehicle Total Registrations for calendar year 2025for the Cadillac definition of luxury.We're back now on 517 with this breaking news.This is the DOT camera at I-40 Westbound and Jones Sausage Road.
13:49We have some type of car on fire.It looks like we do have first responders that just arrived on the scene.They are actively trying to put this fire out right now, fully engulfed in flames, but they are working to get it out as quickly as possible.Drivers still driving by.One lane is shut down on 40 Westbound near Jones Sausage Road as they work to get this out.They are making progress.We are going to stay on top of this and try to get more details as soon as we can.And now to the newly approved conditional funding of nearly $5.7 million in Raleigh.
14:18The money will support the construction of 563 affordable rental units across four developments.City Council says those units will be spread out across the city.The map shows the layout of those homes.Fisher Grove and East Raleigh Preserve at Gresham Lake, off I-540 in North Raleigh, Duplex Village in Southeast Raleigh and Heritage Park south of downtown.It's day seven of the North Carolina State Fair.Nearly 354,000 people have come through those gates.Yeah, but that's down from last year, about 39,000.thousand fewer visitors than at this point in 2025. Saturday's cold, rainy weather did take a
14:53big bite out of attendance and it comes as federal data shows inflation ticked up last month. Familiestelling us food, games and rides add up fast. I think I remember paying $20 versus $40 this year.So I mean, it's just a whole lot higher than what I'm exiled. I'm used to experiencing.I was single when I was coming here like at first and then like my wife and I came so you're paying for two.But now we're paying for four and then my wife's also pregnant.So it's still fair officials say advanced ticket sales held steady nearly 200,000.That's about the same as last year.But it ain't cheap.
15:32No, not cheap, but the weather has been so great.This has been the perfect fair.Aside from Saturday.I know, what is it this weekend looking like?Perfect.That's good. Great weather. We can hopefully make up some of the numbers.Yeah, that's right. We're tracking some temperatures in the 70s again this afternoon.afternoon military appreciation day at the state fair today.
15:519 o'clock, the gates open low 50s on those temps.So is chilly this morning by the afternoon.That range of upper 60s, low 70s, back to 54 degrees at 9 tonight.We are in for another chilly night.Temperatures will be in the 40s again.Winds will be a little bit lighter into tomorrow morning,but our dry stretch continues those bright skiesall the way through the weekend.
16:10We're tracking the nor'easter stillwith those lingering coastal impacts for our coastline.Here's a live look downtown Raleigh, upper 40s on temps.seasonal for this time of the year,chillier pockets like Sanford, Roxborough,30s, 46 Goldsboro,Fayetteville, 50 degrees.Our due point temperatures yesterday
16:26were in the 30s,so that was really dry air,but so refreshing today,those numbers in the 40sthrough the afternoon.For tomorrow, a little cooler to start,9 o'clock, we're in the upper 40s,and then by the afternoon,
16:37low to mid 70s on temperatures,again, 54 degrees at 9 o'clock tomorrow night.Here's a live look from North Hills.Things are quiet there.Here's that low pressure offshore,high pressure building in from the west.That's the cool high pressure that keeps us pretty pleasant through the next several days.But we have breezy conditions with that high pressure west and this low offshore,
16:56tightening that pressure gradient, 50 miles per hour on those sustained winds for this invest that's going to be moving offshore.Hurricane Center is still saying 40% chance for subtropical development as it pulls away from the U.S. coastline,but still impacts up and down the eastern seaboard generally from our state to the mid-Atlantic and northeast.Still, Gail warning here offshore for the outer banks and beach hazards from.Beaufort down to Oak Island. We have overwashed concerns still with some minor flooding,persistent winds, but backing off a bit from yesterday, 25 to 35 miles per hour on this range fortoday. And the coastal flooding impacts, one to three feet, especially around high tide.We've seen the waves come down as well, six to ten feet generally from Beaufort,
17:37south to Oak Island, still around the outer banks, those waves 10 to 15 plus. That low pools away intotomorrow, low 70s for highs and a beautiful finish to our work week with,high temperature still close to 70 degrees.So today will be right around average in the low 70s.Overnight lows drop it to the 40s tonight.We'll be chillier than average,almost about 10 degrees cooler than we are this morning.73 tomorrow, 70 on Friday this weekend,
18:03a little chillier on Saturday,but a nice bounce back into next week by Tuesday.We're back to 75 degrees.Weather and traffic together on fire.Anna, out to you.Yeah, Quaylan, we are still tracking this,what appears to be a car fire at 40 Westboundand Jones Sausage Road.
18:17The scene obviously getting bigger now. They are still working to get that car fire out. And you see that big plume of smoke still coming up. Firefighters are on the scene. They do have one lane blocked. It looks like IMAF just got there too to try to help them out. Keep in mind there are a lot of first responders and firefighters walking around this scene right now. So if you are going to be in that area, make sure you give them plenty of space so they can get this fire out and get this moved out of the way. But for now, I would definitely give a little bit of extra time if this is a part of your commute. We'll be right back after the break.This episode is brought to you by Wild Horse Nine, only in theaters November 6th.Earning rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival,don't miss this wildly entertaining movie that critics are calling easily one of the best films of the year.Starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Bouchemy, Parker Posey, and Tom Waits,and written and directed by Academy Award winner Martin McDonough.See Wild Horse Nine, only in theaters, November 6th.This episode is brought to you by Welch's Fruit Snacks.
19:24Back-to-school season can be tough on parents,but choosing a snack you and your kids can both get behind doesn't have to be.Stock up on Welch's fruit snacks,made with real whole fruit for a mouth-watering experience the whole family can enjoy.It's a snack kids already love,and one you can feel good about giving them.Go back to school with Welch's fruit snacks.Alerting you first.
19:51First alert weather on ABC 11.525 and Elon Musk has announced that both the Tesla ends and SpaceX have created special committees to evaluate a possible merger.ABC's Hannah-Bata explains in today's TechBites.In today's TechBites, a possible SpaceX and Tesla merger.Elon Musk leads both companies, but he cannot be involved in any talks.Committees from both SpaceX and Tesla are considering a potential deal.SpaceX just reported a 160% increase in revenue in the latest quarter compared to a year ago.Two food delivery robotics companies in Chicago are facing lawsuits accused of collecting
20:28biometric data from customers without consent.The plaintiffs claim the machines scanned their faces and hands in violation of privacylaws.Both companies denied the allegations.Meta's new AI agent Muse has already reached more than 10 million downloads after just40 days on the market.Only 11 other apps have achieved that mark.Muse has also maintained its number one ranking in the App Store.
20:51Those of your Techbytes, I'm Hannah Beto.Have a great day.And in case you missed it,Dancing with the Stars,pro Alan Burstyn stepped infor Val Schmerkowskiduring the show'sdedication night episode.
21:03Smarkovsky is servinga one week suspensionfollowing a since deletedsocial media postthat reportedly appeared to referenceWill Smith slapping Chris Rockat the 2022 Oscars.We'll have a closer look
21:14at dedication night coming upon your news at 7 o'clock.All right, 526.We are following several breaking storiesright now.Ahead at 530, an update on a gas leak that forced evacuations in Wake Forest.And we're also watching this major fire on I-40 Westbound near Jones Sausage Road.A car going up in flames, the potential impact in your first alert traffic.
21:32Plus the Manhattan continues for a hit-and-run driver who slammed into a motorcyclist on the belt line where the investigation stands.Oh, coming up next at 530.
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