ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 6pm - January 18, 2026

Episode Date: January 19, 2026

Eyewitness News at 6pm - January 18, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. But tonight the rain and winter weather moving out of Central Carolina as we take a look at the roads there on I-95 just north of Fayette. A little bit of precipitation there on the window, but a rather smooth drive there along the highway. We also saw some snow flurries coming down in downtown Durham this afternoon right outside Queenie's there in the pool. And this is a video from Roxborough. You can see the white dusting there covering the grass there in that Roxborough community. I want to say good Sunday evening, everyone.

Thanks for joining us tonight. I'm Dwan Hoggard. Now the rain and the snow has since moved out of our area, but tonight we are still bracing for colder air, which could impact your morning commute with the potential for black ice. We have team coverage for you on this half hour. Our cruise tracking conditions along I-95 in Cumberland County. We're also hearing from DOT Cruz about how they are preparing to respond to any icing spots.

But we do want to start our time together with meteorologist Cruz Medina standing by in our first floor forecast center. Cruz, you've been following this for the last couple of days. How's everything shaping up now? Well, Dewan, we're seeing that precipitation wrap up. So it's completely out of Central North Carolina for the most part. And then we're just going to see lingering moisture through tonight, which could cause those black ice problems. But I do want to revisit earlier today. Obviously, it's not out of the normal for us to see those.

those far northwestern counties to see more snow than others. Well, Roxburgh, I've been seeing some official reports coming from the National Weather Service of at least a half inch now. And thanks to Robin Gentry for sending in this picture. You'd see this kiddo out there enjoying the snow there on the deck. And this photo's even better because she's got mini mouse all over her sweatshirt there. But first alert Doppler net showing not much at this time. So there might be a little sprinkle left down in the sand hills. Maybe you get a flake or two out of that. Most of the moisture has moved off, off the coast of North Carolina at this point. So now that we're left with lingering moisture,

whether that be from melted snow, keep in mind the road tipters were in the 40s as this was coming down. So it just turned into water. Also the rain that we had earlier today, any of that moisture could turn into black ice as tipters fall below freezing in the next few hours. So for some of you already be watching out

for those freezing spots if you're driving at all tonight. So Roxborough and Oxford already below freezing. Lewis, Berg, you're right at the freezing mark and tipters elsewhere are going to continue to collapse throughout. throughout this evening. So with a clear sky, a northwest wind, that's going to drive these temperatures down. Notice the progression over the next few hours. So we should be in the upper 20s in the triangle by midnight, 3 a.m. 24, 22 by 6 a.m. and then even at 9 a.m. still below that freezing mark. So it'll take until the afternoon for us to see that improvement. And once we do,

the black ice threat does go away. But another shot of Arctic air is on the way as we go into the middle of the week. We'll recap that coming up in your seven-day forecast. Duwan. see you in a few minutes. Let's go over to Elena Athens live this evening at the Salt Barn in Raleigh. Elena, good evening to you. You had a chance to hear from DOT officials. What did they share with you? Yeah, well, DOT crews are on standby right now and ready to respond to incidents in our area. That's both salt as well as sand trucks. Just here behind me, some of those vehicles are lined up and ready to roll out if needed. You can see that a plow has been attached to some of these trucks that we're giving you a live look at right now here at the DOT Salt Barn.

A spokesperson says crews are waiting to see which areas experience accumulation. That spokesperson goes on to say the biggest threat is if those temperatures do drop below freezing, which could cause problems on bridges and overpasses. So I'm being told that those crews will continue to monitor the situation from now through the overnight into the morning hours, and they will be responding to slick spots if need be. We're live in Raleigh, Elena, Athens, ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, Elena, thank you. Meanwhile, Jemis Price, she's on the road in the sand.

hills tonight just north of Fayetteville. Jamis, good evening to you. How's the drive for you and your photographer and what are you guys seeing out where you are? DeWan, we are seeing some of that drizzle that Cruz Medina just mentioned going on here in the sand hills. We are on 95 north. Take a look here. We are on 95 north just north of Fayetteville and we really just been seeing that little drizzle coming down. So again, that big concern is all of the wet spot and the moisture here that we've been seeing. it can turn into black ice when those temperatures start to drop below freezing. So that remains the biggest concern. Right now, though, as you can see, we're not seeing a lot of drivers on the road.

A lot of folks probably staying at home, staying warm, and not trying to be in this wet mess that we are seeing here. But that is the most part what we're seeing. You know, roads are clear as far as those drivers as we're seeing here on 95 north. But again, that big concern and some of the wet spots will turn into ice. due to that freezing, those freezing temperatures that we will experience throughout the night. Now, of course, we will keep you updated on all the things that we're seeing as we continue to drive about and let you know what's going on, DeWan.

All right, James again, thanks so much for your live report. Remember, you can stay up to date on the latest weather conditions by downloading our free ABC 11 mobile app. We will send you watches and warnings. You can also check Dopplernet and the seven-day forecast at any time. Well, new tonight, a boater had to be rescued from Falls Lake in Durham today. Authorities say a man hit a pocket of very shallow water near the cheek road bridge. Thankfully, the man was not seriously hurt. Crews are now working to get the boat and having it be recovered from the lake.

New developments this evening on that horrific story out of Johnston County and the father charged with killing his four children. Ironist News has obtained several new search warrants filed just last week. Back in October, a Wellington Dickens called 911 confessing to killing his children over the course of several months. Authorities later finding their bodies in the trunk of his car are parked in the family's garage there. Now, these new search warrants revealed Dickens allegedly communicated with people on the grinder dating app. The warrant says text messages suggest people visited the home during the time span when the murders happened and also were physically present inside the home when those bodies were said to be decomposing. Three other search warrants are requesting access to Dickens' phones and tablets also found at his house.

And the final warrant is a request to search the wooded area near the home to look for the infant that Dickens said died and was buried near the home. In Raleigh, police have arrested three men after a shooting on Glenwood Avenue overnight. It happened just before 2.30 this morning when police say shots were fired after a fight. At least one person was shot and taken to the hospital. That person is expected to be okay. Police say the victim was not involved in that fight. 26-year-old Stefan Bryant has since been charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, inciting a riot, and discharging a firearm in city limits. Two other people were also charged with inciting a riot as well.

Well, Fayville Police giving us an update tonight on the two brothers who were shot and killed outside Max Speed Shop restaurant on North McPherson Church Road back on January the 3rd. According to police, Timothy and Daniel Nakamoto were killed during an altercation when another person fired a gun at them. After a thorough investigation, Fayetteville PD detectives determined that person fired their weapon in their words to be lawful self-defense, and they are not being charged with a crime. Well, after the break, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the message tonight from North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, as she was the guest speaker for a local MLK service right here in the triangle. And lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are speaking today amid more protest over the Trump administration's immigration crack. down in Minnesota. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now.

We are honoring and remembering the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. right now on the eve of the national holiday. And for many people, it's more than just a day off of work or school. It's actually a time of reflection and service. Bianca Holman shares with us how the St. Joseph A&E Church community is highlighting social justice. It's a special Sunday service at St. Joseph A.M.E. Church in Durham. This service is centered around social justice, an issue part of the church's foundation. So my hope is that we continue to set that moral compass and the people who make up the church,

that they continue to cry loud and spare night. They continue to stand for the weak and the vulnerable. The Honorable Justice Anita Earle serving as the keynote speaker. This church consistently recognizes the importance of social justice, and it's not only once a year that we have a social justice. Sunday, but it's an opportunity to come together as a community and ground our activism for justice in the world in our religious faith. Earle says a long history in the fight for social justice. Since 2019, she has served on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Earl led the Southern

Coalition of Social Justice in Durham. She tells eyewitness news, just as King believed, democracy is in the hands of the people. Each individual has the power in a democracy to make a difference. And so What my hope is that we return to a democracy in North Carolina. That's my focus. Dr. Knox says the faith community must remain courageous just like Dr. King and the fight for equal rights. The state of our union is amiss. And I believe that King would be, his heart would be hurt, that he would be discouraged about the state of our nation today. We're divided, politically divided.

racially divided. Leaders say King's legacy is important now more than ever. God has blessed me with the ministry that's concerned with all people and equal access to all things for all people. So that deals with educational equality in education, equality in health care, overall treatment of people. His vision was one of brotherhood for everyone in this country, of justice for everyone in this country and his message of love while at the same time strong focus and and determined ability to try to change what is keeping people oppressed in the in this country. In Durham, Bianca Holman, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Bianca, thank you.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry defending himself today. As Governor Tim Walls insists they've done nothing wrong. I mean, what sources say is a new federal investigation for allegedly obstructing law enforcement activity. It all follows reaction to that deadly shooting of Renee Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross, that earlier this month on January 7th. Now Fry, who says he intends to comply with the investigation, claims his office has not received a subpoena from the Justice Department. Governor Walls saying in his words, weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the

shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her. asked about the probed. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blench went on Fox News today to say this. We saw the governor and the mayor actively encouraging, encouraging criminals to go out on the street and impede ICE. That is not allowed under our law. Ice up! This comes amid intensifying protests in Minnesota. Demonstrators there gathering again in Minneapolis today. Defense Department officials tell ABC News two battalions from the 11th Airborne Division about 1,500 active duty army paratroopers have been put on alert for a possible deployment there, even though for now there is no plan for that to happen. Well, any new military recruits who are HIV-positive cannot begin their initial training.

The news comes after a federal appeals court ordered a pause in a lower court ruling, allowing HIV-positive applicants to serve their country. The War Department is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks on whether to reinstate the long-standing ban to prevent HIV positive people from enrolling in the military. Well, outrage is growing across Europe as President Donald Trump pushes to acquire Greenland. The European Union is holding an emergency meeting today after the U.S. announced a new 10% tariff on eight European countries backing Denmark. Protests erupted in Greenland and Denmark with demonstrators saying their country is not for sale. All right, let's go and pause for a quick timeout tonight.

We're going to take you back outside to the capital city, This is downtown Raleigh, high atop the sky in our Pindo Sky Camp. We're going to bring back Cruz Medina a few short moments to let us know what our full first alert seven-day forecast will bring us over the course of the next few days. Well, two people are without a home tonight after an overnight house fire and done. Crews were called the East Cleveland Street just before 1 o'clock this morning and found a fire coming from the back of a single-story home there. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down that fire. Thankfully, no one was inside. However, both occupants were safe outside.

across his helping with a shelter as the fire marshal investigates the cause of the fire. An overnight pursuit ended with a dirt bike rider seriously injured in Hope Mills. Police say the rider took off during a traffic stop, driving the wrong way before officers called off the chase. Seconds later, the rider crashed and was ejected and found unconscious. He was taken to Cape Fear Valley as a trauma patient. Tonight charges are pending. As we highlight National Blood Donor Month, you can roll up.

your sleeve and contribute to the six annual ABC 11 together food drive or blood drive that is. It's Wednesday, January 21st from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are available at the embassy suites, Raleigh Crabtree, the streets at South Point Mall in Durham you see there and also at the Fayetteville Technical Community College. You can make an appointment by going to ABC11.com. Walkins will also be accepted. All right, turning our attention back over to first alert weather and the snow all across the south tonight. Just take a look here. This is in southern Alabama, cars and streets covered in snow there.

Meanwhile happening here at home, another look at the snow falling in our area this afternoon. This is over in Briar Creek that winter weather has since moved out cold air on its way in starting tonight. Meteorologist Cruz Medina. He's been closely following this forecast for the last several days. Our folks just want to know what the rest of the night looks like. And then as we head into tomorrow with it being the holiday and then school and work continuing the rest of the week. Well, the rest of the night looks quiet as far as nothing really falling out of the sky. But now the cold air is moving into one. And that means we could see some black ice as we go into not only later parts of tonight, but into tomorrow as well.

So tomorrow, once we get into the afternoon, that won't be a problem anymore. Tipters will be in the 40s then with sunshine. And then as we go into the middle of the week, another blast of cold air comes in on Tuesday. Look at that high temperature is barely reaching around 40 degrees. Now if we recap what we saw earlier today, this obviously wasn't a big snow event for our region. We saw a few spots up north, so areas like far northern Durham County or back into person county picking up about a half an inch of snow. So no surprise, Roxborough is on that list. I feel like you never get left out of the snow when we get any here in Central North Carolina.

But some other spots like RDU, Chapel Hill, Pernel and Graham, all about a tenth of an inch of snow. so that's enough to call it what we would say a trace and that means that we were able to overcome that warmer air that was in place earlier today. So we got a little bit of snow, look back at this, pushed out pretty quickly. So from start to finish, this was about a three hour event for our region. So we had the rain all day, the snow started in our northwestern counties around 3 p.m. and then started tapering off as we went into the 5 and 6 p.m. time frames. Now for this evening, as the clouds start to break apart, watch these tipters go down, down, down all the way into the upper 20s by midnight and then they'll keep dropping into tomorrow morning.

So we'll start the day with some clouds around only in certain areas. So this is not going to be clouds above our head. This is clouds at the ground. This is some fog that we'll have to watch out for tomorrow morning. Tipters will be in the 20 stepping out. Once again, if that fog develops, it could reduce your visibility in the morning. And since we're below freezing, that could be freezing fog, making things a little bit more slick out on the road. So use extra caution in the morning by the afternoon temperatures bouncing into those mid 40s. We'll see a decent amount of sunshine in a few spots down in the sandhills, maybe even around 50. By the time we get into Tuesday morning, starting off cold. And then once again, the afternoon, it's going to be cold as well

with high struggling to even reach 40. So that black ice potential, really a thing only for the morning hours. So if you're heading out early tomorrow for your drive-in to work, I know the kids are out of school tomorrow, but in the morning hours, I'd say until about nine or 10, be cautious of some slick spots out there. And then for the afternoon, we jump above freezing, and so we should see some improvement. So the warmest spots will be in areas like the sand hills tomorrow afternoon, mid-40s in the triangle, and then low 40s in our northern counties. From there, those temperatures will start to rebound a little bit once we get past Tuesday and, of course, that Arctic blast of air that we're expecting. You're just joining us. Just a live look at downtown Raleigh from our Pindo

SkyCam. You can see still some drops there on the lens. 33 degrees is the current temperature in rally. So within the next two hours, we should fall below freezing and then tipters go all the way down into the low and middle 20s for tonight. So it is going to be a cold night. Once again, cold enough to support the development of black ice. That'll be a problem for tomorrow morning, but by the afternoon, we see more sunshine and tipter should be hopping into those mid 40s. Your first alert seven day forecast shows that by Wednesday, we're already in the mid 40s there, 50s by the time we get into Thursday. And then tipters will come crashing down once again with rain chances as we go into the back half of the week. So right now, Saturday, it looks like we have

a shower chance, and then Sunday, maybe a chance of a winter remix. We talked about this in the last half hour, two to one, but it is way too early to get into specifics or even if that's going to come to fruition, right? And so for now, we just say to check back in for us. We're watching it. We're aware. But for now, the near term, aside from this black ice, things are looking pretty good, just a little cold. Yeah, and even for next week, and even the mere mention of it, or see, the snow flurries on your phone or even seeing it here on this seven day i know folks are absolutely thinking about what they have planned for next weekend and so on and so forth so always good to think ahead just don't panic right all right we'll see all right thanks so much well as crew said abc 11 and

the first alert weather team are here always to make sure you are ready for whatever the season may bring and you can watch our iwinness news special right now your first alert to winter it's over on our website abcc11.com or wherever you choose to stream we'll be right back with sports and trevon mobs and thank you so much for for watching. The team and I will see you back here at 11 o'clock for the latest eyewitness news. Have a great night.