ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 6pm - December 21, 2025

Episode Date: December 21, 2025

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, investigating new information tonight, and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. All right now at 6, it is the first day of winter, and we are already off to a warm start. People all across our viewing area, including Raleigh, are seeing the warmest temperatures we have seen in weeks. Meanwhile, over in Morrisville, the town is lining up the night with its manure lighting celebrating a Hanukuk. Michael Perjik is at tonight's event. He'll join us in just a couple of short moments with more from this holiday celebration. You are watching eyewitness news at 6th this Sunday evening. Glad to have you with us. My name is Dwan Hoggard, and it is the first day of winter and the start of Christmas week. Spoil alert for anyone hoping for a white Christmas. Snow is not in our forecast and it does appear temperatures outside.

Might actually get much warmer this week. For that, we have meteorologist cruised. Medina tracking everything for us along with a warm up in our forecast. Hey Bruce. Hi there, DeWan. Yeah, tomorrow is actually going to be cooler than today, but then temperatures shoot way up into the 60s and even some 70s by the end of the week. And some of you even had some 60s today. So that was mainly south of the sent or south of the triangle, I should say in the sand hills. That's where we had 63 in areas like Fayetteville, over towards Smithfield and Goldsboro. And then 50s from the triangle north where that cold front moved through a little quicker than expected.

But for tonight, we're cooling down. Tipters are still in the 50s in some areas. This is the Chinese Lantern Festival at the Koka Booth Amph Theater in Carrie. If you're heading out there this evening, it'd be a great evening for that. Tipters aren't terribly cold for this time of the year. You will definitely need a jacket, though, if you're stepping out. So just keep that in mind with those 40s in the forecast for tonight. And then what we're going to see through the course of tonight is the clouds actually start to clear.

So once those clouds clear out, that's going to allow tipters to fall very quickly. And we end up in the 20s tomorrow morning. So that's colder than where we started today. Today we started off in the mid-30s in most locations. 29 will be the low tonight in Raleigh, and you will wake up with sunshine, so that's a good thing. Even though it'll be a little colder tomorrow morning, you'll at least have a bright sky that you're waking up to. Now, in the afternoon, tipters will push into the low 50s for the areas like the triangle and the sand hills. If you are north of the triangle, you're probably going to stay in the upper 40s for tomorrow.

But tomorrow is going to be kind of a seasonable day. So that's really where we should be for this time of the year. That warm up begins as we go into Tuesday, though. Low 60s then, and like I said, pushing towards 70 by the time we get into the end of the week. We'll take a look at that seven-day forecast coming up in just a few minutes. Duane. All right, Cruz, we'll circle back with you shortly. Remember, you can always stay up to date with the weather through our ABC 11 mobile app.

Just simply head over to your app store and search ABC 11, North Carolina. Well, it is the seventh day of Hanukkah. Jewish communities across the triangle are celebrating the holiday with a manure lighting, including in the town of Morrisville, the town holding its public celebration of Hanukkah this evening. And that's where we find our Michael Perchick. Now, Michael, today's event is especially meaningful

for the folks there just because it comes just one week after that horrific attack, anti-Semitic attack that is in Australia. That's exactly right, John, with 100 people gathering here across from town hall right in front of this menorah with all eight candles lit up, celebrating the eighth and final night.

of Hanukkah. At the heart of the holiday is the message of light over darkness. An idea taken an even greater meeting over the past week following the mass shooting in Bondi Beach. A father and center totally inspired with a terror group, ISIS, opening fire on the Hanukkah celebration last week, killing 15 people among the victims of the Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl. One of the suspected shooters killed by police, the other now facing charges, including 15 counts of murder. Rabbi Yistriel Kotlar of Kavad of Kari helping lead tonight's event discussing the importance of recognizing the holiday. A Jew that is proud of who they are

ends up being a Jew that practices, ends up being a Jew that shines their light. Nothing good happens to anyone when they have to hide their identity. When an identity is hidden, it ends up fading away. And the more a person has a natural pride in who they are, they end up sharing it with other people, they end up having their light glow. Town leaders, including Mayor T.J. Colley, in attendance tonight, delivering some words at the beginning of this event. There's also a large police presence here, both in the number of cruisers with their lights on down the street and officers standing on site, certainly appreciated by those in attendance. Coming up tonight, we learn about the direct connections from the rabbi, the victims in that attack in Bondi Beach.

I'm Michael Perchick, ABC 11 eyewitness news. Michael again, we'll see you later on this evening at 11. Meanwhile, today, thousands gathered at Bondi Beach to mourn victims of that mass shooting attack. Just last Sunday, as Michael reported, two gunmen opened fire on a celebration for the first night of Hanukkah, killing 15 people, wounding over 40 others. Bondi's Jewish community holding a moment of silence at a mass memorial there at the beach. The eighth candle was lit by the father of the youngest victim, a 10-year-old by the name of Matilda. The ceremony included a minute of silence at the exact time of the attack. Here at home, Wake Med is issuing new restrictions on visitors as we enter the peak of respiratory illness season.

Starting tomorrow, children younger than 12 years old will not be allowed to visit patients in wake med hospital units, patient care areas, and weighing rooms. The restrictions take effect at all wake med facilities. Officials say the move will help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV. And the Durham Public Schools Board of Education will hold a special virtual board meeting tomorrow. It's happening at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss personnel and school security. Members of the public may view the open session portions of the meeting through a live video stream on the district's YouTube page. There will be no public comment as well. Well, still ahead, tensions continue to rise between the U.S. and Venezuela, all new and next.

newly released video of the U.S. Coast Guard seizing yet another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. But there's a major difference from a similar seizure days ago. Get to know yourself and your roots better with ancestry DNA. Want to know

where your family comes from in northern France? Maybe you'd like to see how your genes influence certain traits like diet, fitness, and allergies. There's so much of you and your heritage to discover. Visit Ancestan and get started with an Ancestry DNA kit today. All right now at six, tensions continue to rise

between the U.S. and Venezuela. According to a U.S. official, the Coast Guard is pursuing a third Venezuelan vessel in international waters, marking the second such operation this weekend. Tonight, here's ABC's Selena Wang with the latest details. A U.S. official tells ABC News the U.S. Coast Guard is, quote, in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasions. That official adding the ship is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order. This comes just one day after the U.S. seized a second oil tanker in international

waters off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday. An elite Coast Guard tactical team carrying out the operation seen here in video released by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Earlier this month, American forces repelled from helicopters onto a sanctioned oil tanker's deck to take control of the ship. But unlike that first vessel, Saturday's tanker is not on any sanctions list maintained by the U.S., the European Union, the U.K., or the U.N., according to Kepler, a data firm that tracks transportation and logistics networks. Republican Senator Rand Paul says he considers these seizures, a provocation, and prelude to war. At any point in time, there are 20, 30 governments around the world that we don't like that are either socialist or communist or have human rights violations. But it isn't the job of the American soldier to be the policeman of the world. President Trump has threatened to impose what he called a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, a move that could devastate the Venezuelan economy.

Oil exports are the lifeblood of President Nicolas Maduro's regime. Secretary Nome announcing the United States will. continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco-terrorism in the region. We will find you and we will stop you. In a statement, Venezuela denounces Saturday's seizure, saying the theft and hijacking of a private vessel carrying Venezuelan oil is a serious act of piracy. Selina Wang, ABC News, Palm Beach, Florida. Now let's check in with Rachel Scott at the ABC News headquarters in New York City for a preview. What's coming up next on World News Tonight.

Up the investigation into the power outage that plunged a major city into darkness ahead of the holiday travel rush and the rising tensions with Venezuela as the U.S. Coast Guard pursues a third vessel off the coast of the South American nation. That's coming up next. All right, Rachel, see you shortly all next at six. Keeping football players protected on the field. We'll show you how one former Duke Blue Devil is using technology to help players who may have been injured prepare for their next game. And ABC 11 and the Whitley Law firm are paying tribute to our everyday heroes. Those are who are currently serving or who have previously served in the armed forces. You can nominate your hero for their chance to be featured right here on IWN's News. You can find a link to share your submission at the bottom of our homepage at ABC11.com. Well, now at six, former Duke athletes are making a big impact in sports. The company Protected is based here in Durham, and they use 3D press.

to create braces to help athletes play in the next game after an injury. Bianca Holman introduces us to these blue devils and shows us their all-important innovation. Duke graduates are helping professional athletes get back into the game. I have some products sitting here. Protected co-founder Kevin Gessman, a former Duke linebacker, creates custom 3D printed braces used across major sports leagues and colleges. The best part about making custom products for people is the tangible impact it has on people from that lower extremity ankle foot orthosis device that helps people walk better

than they have in years. Guestman who studied mechanical engineering and material sciences started using this technology on his former teammate, Daniel Jones, who now plays for the Colts. We've seen our products become standard of care medical solutions in professional sports. As we've scaled the company, we've continued to push the envelope and push the bounds of what's possible with 3D printing technologies and the different types of. products we can create. So this is how it all works. Medical staff can take a 3D scan using a smartphone. The Durham team creates a digital design, sends it to print, and pops it in the mail.

We can do the whole process in as little as 48 hours nationally. So the San Francisco 49ers on the other side of the country can scan on a Monday and have a product ready for Wednesday practice. Guestman and fellow founders Dr. Clark Bullitt and Tim Schapec are making a difference, crafting these facial masks to protect from injuries or ankle or foot braces to help people walk better. These health solutions are for everyone. It really was a passion project where we saw the impact these products and this technology can have on people. And being at a place like Duke, a lot of opportunities presented themselves. And as former athletes, we saw doors open from us and didn't walk through them, but sprinted through them.

Guestman tells eyewitness news they hope to help more people and those in the military community. in Durham, Bianca Holman, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Okay, Bianca, many thanks. We're also learning animate Raleigh has been postponed. The annual cosplay takeover was set to be held at the Raleigh Convention Center from January the 9th through the 11th. However, that event has now been moved to March, March the 13th through the 15th, and it comes after that fire that damaged the roof at the Convention Center earlier this month.

Damage to the Convention Center is said to be estimated at $2 million. Already repairs and renovations are underway. A city spokesperson says they expect some events will happen at the convention center in January. Okay, so today is December the 21st. It is the first official day of winter, and this week it won't feel anything like it. Not at all. No. So it's going to be very warm, but if we look back at some of our most recent Christmases that we've had over the past 10 years, that's kind of been the pattern.

So last year, it's a little on the cooler side. Tip years were in the 50s for highs, but look at some of the more recent. recent one. So 66 was the high in 2023 on Christmas Day, 72 at RDU and 2021. We have had some warm Christmases around here and that's obviously what we're getting ourselves into as we go into this week. So Christmas Eve, middle to

upper 60s in some locations. Thursday will be closer to 70s. So Raleigh, I have forecasted 69 for you. It's going to be a pleasant day. You could be outside. You can even be in shorts if you want to. It's overall going to be a nice forecast. It's dry. You can fully enjoy those plans, but it is definitely not going to feel like

the season that we're in. So if you think back to the start of this month, it was a cold start to December. It felt almost like January, but today the winter solstice occurred earlier this morning at about 1003 and the sun's rays essentially were directly over the tropic of Capricorn. So today specifically, we're gonna have less daylight hours

and more nighttime hours. So the nighttime is gonna feel a little longer today. It's not that we're adding or subtracting that. It's just that it got darker a little earlier in the day. and the sun didn't rise until later in the day earlier this morning. Now for this evening, if you're going out, Tipjur should be in the 40s all through this evening. We will eventually see those clouds clear as we go into later parts of tonight.

That's going to set us up for chilly conditions as we go into tomorrow morning. So we should start out in the 20s. We at least have sunshine for the morning and we're going to keep that sunshine going for a few hours in the morning, but by the afternoon clouds start to roll in and tipgers will top out in the upper 40s to around 50 degrees. Once that clears, we will actually see a batch of maybe some light showers as we go into early Tuesday, but that's about the only rain chance that we have over the next seven days. So recapping here tonight, once the clouds clear, that allows us to cool down a little more than we did last night.

So last night we had 30s for lows. Tonight we're going to have 20s. But tomorrow afternoon, also below average, temperature is right around 50. From there, they start to rise as we go into the rest of the week. Now keep in mind, some spots tomorrow across the north could only end up in the 40s like Henderson and Roanuck Rapids. And then from there, as high pressure pushes off to our east, our winds are out of the south. This is going to help to warm us up. So Tuesday is to start of that warm up.

Low 60 is expected. And then it just keeps getting warmer as we go from there. So you can see that here in your first alert, ACUweather 7-day forecast. Christmas, 69 degrees. That's going to be a very warm day. If you were planning to fire up the grill or anything like that, great day to be outside. Even the kids will enjoy that, you know, running around, not having to have the thick jackets on. Overall, it's going to be good weather for everyone.

By the time we get into Friday, low 70s expected there. And then even into next weekend, we should still be pretty warm in the upper 60s. We'll carry those milder temperatures into next Sunday as well. All in all, staying pretty much above average as we go through the next seven days. So I don't know about you, DeWan, but I am a big fan of warmer weather. And if I don't have to be in a jacket on Christmas Day, I just don't see the need to complain. No, not at all. I mean, if you're looking for the white Christmas, you can go to what, the Northeast, you can go to Colorado, plenty of other places.

Just it's not going to happen here and go, good old, good old raw here. Yeah, I remember back in 2010, it snowed Christmas night into the next day, but I don't think I've ever had like a true white Christmas. Keep dreaming. Yeah, I guess so. Keep on dreaming. All right, thanks, Cruz. You got it. All right, Trayvon Miles will join us live from Bank of America Stadium there in Charlotte with that picture, perfect smile you got there, Trey, because I know you're excited on that dub.

guy today. Yeah, DeWire, you know I've only been in North Carolina for four years, right? So I didn't get the experience the glory days inside of this place. Might I say today, felt like a little bit of that was coming back. We'll talk more about a possible division winner when we come back with sports. We're going to be able to be. I'm going to do it. I'm going to be.

I'm going to be able to be. I'm going to be. We're going to be able to be. We're going to be. I'm going to be. Thank you. I'm going to be able to We're going to be able to be.

We're going to be able to be. Thank you. Thank you. tonight again thank you so much for watching the team and i will see it later on tonight at level