ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 5am - September 29, 2026

Episode Date: September 29, 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. Wake up, wake up, wake up. Good morning, Carolina. Welcome on this Tuesday, September 29th. I'm Bianco Holman. Joe Brown has the day off.

And I'm Anna Rivera. Thanks so much for joining us today. This morning on eyewitness news, it's day two of jury selection and a long-awaited trial for the man charged with killing UNC students. faith Hedgepeth when the jury could be seated. And this special tribute at RDU Airport for a local soldier killed during a training accident. And Cadyax, the wait is almost over. Today, Carolina Hurricanes will begin their quest for a repeat back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. All right, it's five o'clock.

We are riding high off of that Stanley Cup win because we call this officially, we see where that we're in our hurricanes red. The first game today, Craylin. Ready for it, tailgating weather is going to be beautiful for the afternoon hours today. Temperatures in the low to mid 80s, so very similar to yesterday. We'll have a mix of sunshine and clouds. No rain through the afternoon. Game puck drop at 5 o'clock, 82 degrees, and then afterwards, we're down to 72.

And we'll have a few clouds around at that time as well. Here's a live look into downtown Raleigh. We have partly cloudy to mainly cloudy conditions right now, but it's much warmer than yesterday. We're in the upper 60s at this time at RDU. Due points in the upper 50s. We still have that light wind from the north, so no visibility issues at RDU. Temperatures are ranging ranging from the upper 50s in Sanford to Fayetteville 60 Clinton 58, 56 inside our city and 63 right now in Roanoke Rapids. That's a big change from yesterday, 10 to 15 degrees warmer in some cases.

So we'll have variable winds throughout the day today. Overall, dew point temperatures mainly in the 50s, that'll keep us with that comfortable humidity range throughout the day today. And the clouds you see are mainly triangle in north, clear skies for those of you to the south. So it's just going to be a really nice afternoon. Bus stop temperatures this morning in the 60s, 82 on the way home. Late tonight, we're tracking 60s once again, and then we get into the early morning hours. I think we'll see some upper 50s and low 60s out the door. As we look ahead, your first alert to near record highs, starting tomorrow all the way through Friday.

By Friday, high temperatures, low 90s, and then we gear up for some rain potential this weekend. I'll have more in that coming up. Right now, weather and traffic together, Anna, back to you. The Soapuelan, overall picture is quiet. You can see we're not dealing with a lot of crashes, no congestion, but we do have. something serious happening in Apex right now at East Williams Street at Technology Drive. Apex Police confirming they are on the scene of a very serious crash that has shut down the road in that area. We're going to stay on top of this and watch it throughout the morning.

Right now just minor delays associated with that. Let's take a live look outside now at the DOT cameras. This is 40 and Garner Road. You can see traffic is slowly starting to fill it. All right. Well, new this morning, we are just hours away from day two of jury selection in the murder trial of Faith Hedgepath. The UNC student was found murdered in her apartment 14 years ago. In 2021, investigators use genetic genealogy and DNA match from an unrelated traffic stop to identify an arrest Miguel Seguero Olivares on September 2021.

So our Tamara Scott joins us live with more. Tamara. Hey, good morning, yeah, the search for the jurors who will ultimately decide this case continues this morning. And it's the 14 years of attention surrounding Faith Hedge Spatz murder. That is a major focus in finding people who can be imparting. So day two of jury selection gets underway here at the Durham County Courthouse today. Yesterday potential jurors brought into the courtroom one at a time and seven people questioned in all. Three white women, two black women and two black men. The judge, prosecution and defense asked what they already knew about the case, whether they recognize faith hedgepath's name or face,

and whether anything they've heard would prevent them from fairly considering the evidence presented at trial. Now one potential juror called the case sad and told the court she had also been. been the victim of a violent crime. Hedgepath's parents, sister, and other loved ones were in the courtroom sitting in the front row as that questioning played out. Hedgepath was a UNC Chapel Hill student when she was found killed inside her apartment in 2012. Miguel Salgarra Alavarez is now on trial facing several charges, including first degree murder and first degree rape. He has pleaded not guilty. So we can see this process continue for several more days. The district attorney tells said she expects jury selection to take at least three days.

It would not be surprised if it takes the full week, depending on how much questioning is needed to find appropriate jurors. Back to you. Okay, Tamara, thank you. This morning, the body of an army medic who died during a training accident in Texas earlier this month has returned home to the triangle. It was an emotional scene as the Patriot Guard riders paid their respects to private first class, Ethan Brewer.

Chopper 11 over the scene as the bikers helped escort Brewer's body back to his hometown of Apex. The 20-year-old died following a vehicle rolling over involving a military ambulance during training at Fort Hood in Texas earlier this month, an accident which remains under investigation by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center. The man who terrorized black students at UNC's Chapel Hill Watch Party has pleaded guilty, but he will not serve jail time. So Keegan Wilson appeared yesterday in an Orange County District Court. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and simple assault in exchange for a suspended 60-day sentence and 12 months of unsupervised probation. Wilson, a UNC alum, crashed the watch party hosted by black student

organizations in Greenlaw Hall on August 31st. Prosecutors say he threw pizza boxes at students, snatched someone's bag and left and returned with the sharpened stick chasing students out of the building while yelling racial slurs and threats. His attorney confirmed Wilson was in a mental health crisis that night, not taking his medication. The judge, judge ordered Wilson to continue mental health treatment and medication. Now to a golf tournament in play honoring the life of a 10-year-old girl killed in a boating crash on Harris Lake last year. Our camera is out at the Brooklyn May Carroll invitational yesterday at the McGregor Downs Country Club in Kerry. Organizers say the money raised will support safe and sober boating initiatives and promote water safety.

Just last month, Quentin Kite pleaded guilty to charges related to Carol's death. He admitted in court that he was impaired while operating the boat. hit her. Another woman was also seriously hurt in that crash. It's been eight months since the Nancy Guthrie since Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home just ahead. A potential potential break in the case. And take warning the raining Stanley Cup champs will open their season tonight at home at the Lenovo center which has a reputation of being the loudest house in the NHL Quailant. Bring it on. We're tracking some heat today. Temperatures low 80s not too bad. It's going to be comfortable with some clouds around at times. Even hotter though as we end up the week I'll have more details on

those 90s in my forecast. And right now the roads do look good overall, but we are still dealing with this closure in Apex at East Williams Street at Technology Drive because of a serious crash. Now let's take a look at those traffic hotspots brought to by the Fred Anderson family of dealerships on Glenwood Avenue.

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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, all on Glenwood Avenue. Coming up on 5'10 on this Tuesday morning, we have a few clouds out there early on, but we're going to see a lot of sunshine today. Mainly 50s and 60s across the tri-state from South Carolina, all the way up to Virginia, some 40s around the mountains this morning,

so it's a bit chillier there. Live look from RDU, great day for flights in and out of RDU. Temperatures at 8 o'clock still in the upper 50s north, 60s triangle and points south. Highs today will be mainly in the 80s triangle to the sand hills, upper 70s around our northern counties today. For the evening hours, really nice conditions will continue. We'll be in the 70s through 9, 1168, 66 at 1 a.m. At the coast, we continue to watch conditions improve a load to moderate threat of rip currents for today. Still some minor coastal flooding concerns from around these.

sounds down the surf city and Oak Island, even down on Myrtle Beach, mainly around high tide times. Across the state today, temperatures 70s and 80s. A little bit warmer tomorrow, though, we're heading into the mid-to-opper 80s from the triangle to the sand hills in the afternoon. Big weather maker for the across the country will be out to the west, looking at the desert southwest through the century United States, flash flooding concerns setting up for several days ahead as we watch more rainfall and moisture coming in from the Pacific. some wind concerns around Ohio and departs of Kentucky too. We're looking at some rain potential this weekend here at home.

I'll have more than that when I come back right now back to you. All right, Raylan, thank you. Now to the countdown to tonight's Carolina hurricane season opener. The Stanley Cup champions will face the Florida Panthers at the Lenovo Center, but before the puck drops there will be some business the team needs to take care of first. Sean Coffey joining us live and Sean, the excitement is building. Yeah, it is guys, good morning. We know that the Kaniaks are going to be out here in force.

In just a few hours, the team will be hosting a South Plaza party here outside Lenovo Center at 2.30 before doors open to the arena at 3.30. This is all part of the last little bit of celebration for the team Stanley Cup championship a year ago. The moment so many Kaniacs will be waiting for will be later this afternoon as the team will lift their Stanley Cup championship banner before puck drop. It's the culmination of their historic run to the franchise's second ever Stanley Cup. And we've seen the excitement as fans have been lining up in recent days to get their photo taken with the cup at events. around the triangle. At yesterday's skate, Kane star Andres Sveschenakov talked about how special today will be for both players and fans. First game is probably the loudest game in a season if you don't count the playoff. But definitely will be loud and can wait to see them. If you are planning out here to come to the fun later, lots for the Lenovo Center are officially open at 2 p.m. We will be out here all day long. GMA will be out here later this morning. will have you covered every step of the way as the Cains now begin their title of defense, guys. Back to you. All right. We know they're going to start off strong. We got a lot of players

returning, so it begins today. And you can look for team coverage today as we return to the Lenovo Center for the Cains to defend the Cup. Amber will be there with Don Schwinnaker, Trayvon Miles, and Kate Rogerson. Plus, we'll have live reports from Elena Athens and Tom George. Well, police are investigating a potentially new ransom note in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie more than eight months after the 84-year-old was last seen alive. And closing arguments. In the trial of a former American Idol contestant accused of killing his wife, plus some wild video. An impatient driver was caught on camera using a sidewalk to pass a stopped school bus. And a reminder, you can find eyewitness news live on ABC11 Disney Plus

and wherever you streak. We'll be right back. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. New this morning, the trial of a former American Idol contestant accused of murder will soon be in the hands of a jury in Ohio. The prosecution and defense rested their case yesterday in the murder trial of Caleb Flynn. He's the former American Idol contestant accused of killing his wife and staging the crime scene. Flynn has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, tampering with evidence and several other charges. If convicted of the most serious charge, he could be sentenced to life in prison without parole. The jury is set to hear closing arguments when the trial resumes this morning.

New this morning, law enforcement in Arizona is investigating a possible new ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case. The 84-year-old mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson area home in February. Earlier notes supposedly written by abductors and sent to local news outlets demanded millions in ransom. The FBI previously said some of the notes were illegitimate extortion attempts. The agency said others might be genuine and were still under investigation as of July. Right now, law enforcement doesn't have a main suspect. Oh, former special counsel, Jack Smith, will testify today before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This will mark his second appearance before Congress as part of a probe into his investigation of President Donald Trump.

That investigation led to charges against Trump related to classified documents found at Marlago and his actions leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol Riot. Those charges were dropped after Trump was reelected in 2024. During closed-door testimony, late last year, Smith, said he wouldn't have done anything different, quote, regardless of whether the president was a Republican or Democrat. New this morning, a Pennsylvania driver was caught on camera putting the lives of children in danger. Video from earlier this month shows a driver using a sidewalk to get around a school bus

that had its flashing stop arm deployed. Bridgeport police say this is not an isolated incident. In the first two weeks since cameras were added to buses, nearly a dozen drivers have been caught going around stopped school buses. This driver faces a civil. penalty of at least $300. Taking a live look outside. Now here is a view of downtown Raleigh from the Pendo Skycam at 300 301 Hillsborough Street.

And Quaylin, it is going to be gorgeous today for that King's tail game. It's going to be perfect today. Yesterday we got to 80. Today we'll be in the low 80s. So great weather through the afternoon and evening. 82 degrees. Our game is at 5 o'clock, 72 degrees afterwards with partly cloudy skies. We're going to see a few clouds today just like yesterday, but again, a few degrees warmer.

this week with a near record high starting tomorrow through Friday by the end of the week high temperatures upper 80s and low 90s we're going to be dry through the week but we do have some weekend showers and storms certainly finishing up september with a deficit we'll try again in October to get some rainfall around here with some decent activity here's a live look downtown raleigh right now the skies are partly cloudy to mainly cloudy at this time we have temperatures in the upper 60s as a result that cloud cover helping to keep those temperatures elevated last night 65 in Roxborough, still some 50s, Sanford, Goldsboro, Fayetteville, 60 degrees. A variable wind at this time will keep those winds variable, but generally out of the northwest through the afternoon.

You can see where the clouds are still hovering over the triangle points north and east, beginning to see a bit more clearing for those of you west and north of I-85. 67 at 9 o'clock noon today. We're approaching 80 degrees. Perfect for lunch outside today, 82 degrees at 3 this afternoon. And then another round of upper 50s, low 60s later on tonight. So we have high pressure. that's just to our northwest. That's why we have that lower humidity stance still across our region. As we head into tomorrow, high pressure starts to slide a bit more to the east. We'll have high

temperatures mid to upper 80s tomorrow near record highs and even warmer to finish the week. So tomorrow's record is 89. We'll be at 87. Thursday's record is 90. We'll be around 89. Maybe potentially tying that record Thursday. And then Friday, I don't think the record's in reach, but close enough. 96 is the record will be around 91. Definitely a hot start to October. The weekend, our next cold front approaches and that's going to bring some scattered showers and storms Saturday through Sunday. It looks like into Monday of early next week as well. And for now, rainfall totals through the next seven days, generally about two inches or less. So that would be some helpful rainfall here. We have two name systems in the tropics. Hannah developed yesterday. Open waters for this system. Fay has been back and forth, weakening and then strengthening again. It was a depression yesterday. It's back to tropical storm status. Open waters for that system too. Aside from that, things are still quiet in the Atlantic Basin. Temperatures today, upper 70s, low 80s, another beauty this afternoon. Overnight lows, mid-50s, north, upper 50s, low 60s, triangle in south tonight. First alert, 70 forecast, powered by ACU weather, a warmer end to September 87, the high 89 Thursday,

October 1st, into the 90s Friday with the Cains in action again. 84th Saturday ahead of the front. That front starts to move in though and it starts to cool us down. Seventies on Sunday, low 70s on Monday. And next week, we're going to see below average temperatures all the way. through next week. Upper 60s Tuesday and it looks like we hang out in the 70s Wednesday and Thursday as well. Weather end traffic together. Anna back to you. Still so far so good for your Tuesday morning commute. Not seeing too many issues to slow you down at this point. We still are dealing with that serious crash in East Williams Street at Technology Drive in Apex. You can still see those slowdowns and we are getting reports that the road is closed in that area because of that serious crash. Let's take a live look outside. We also have reports of some type of road hazard on the ramp at I-40 westbound and

C-54. This camera not showing any issues as far as the ramp goes. I know I can't see the whole picture with this, but for right now, traffic is still moving nicely. Keeping drivers safe on North Carolina roads. This summit happening today in Raleigh. And NVIDIA launches new software tool to keep AI agents from going rogue. That story just ahead. Alerting you first. First alert weather on ABC 11. Happening today, a series of traffic safety summits will wrap up today in Raleigh. Transportation Safety experts, local officials, law enforcement, and advocates are all taking part in the summit to discuss ways to reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths on North Carolina roads. The summit's organized by the North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation runs from 10 a.m. until 3.30 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Triangle Town Center.

NVIDIA is launching new software designed to keep artificial intelligence from going rogue. It prevents them from inadvertently connecting to other AI systems or the open Internet without authorization. The announcement comes after Open AI revealed in July a swarm of roughly 700 of its own AI agents escaped a testing environment, accessed the Internet, and hacked into another AI company covering their tracks as they went. Invidia says its new platform would have stopped that attack. Meta launching a new platform designed to help businesses and developers build with its AI models. Here's ABC SantaBata. In today's TechBytes, Meta is rolling out a new AI initiative expanded to business.

and corporate customers. It'll build on the recently launched Muse AI personal assistant. Company says it'll redefine how organizations innovate, grow, serve customers, and run business operations. Next, e-commerce platform Shopify is now allowing browser-based AI agents to make purchases on its merchant's sites. But that can only happen after the buyer authorizes it. The feature is now rolling out to all eligible Shopify merchants. And Bose is bringing back wired headphones, its new night. $99 noise-canceling earbuds plug-in over USBC, no pairing, no app, and no battery to charge.

They're the company's first wired earbuds in more than a decade. Bose says sales of wired headphones jumped 20% this year. They ship October 15th. Those are your tech fights. I'm Hannah Betta. Have a great day. 526 now and local law enforcement is trying to find the person who destroyed a flock camera. We'll explain where it happened.

And some major traffic changes could be coming on the way for a busy road in Raleigh just ahead. plans to widen pool road. And at court hearing today for Lindsay Clancy, the mother charged with killing her three children. We'll be right back.