ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 6pm - January 4, 2026

Episode Date: January 4, 2026

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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, I Witness News. Right now at 6, we are taking you outside for a view of both Raleigh and Durham at this hour. It was a brighter and drier day across the triangle following yesterday's spotty showers. Thank you for joining us for your news at 6. I'm Diane Wilson in for DeWan tonight. We start this half hour with your first alert forecast.

Some good news for those of us who like the warmer weather. A warm up is heading our way. And yes, I included us because I am happy about this cruise. It's going to be a much different start to the week for the new year. Oh, absolutely. I'm excited to put away my thickest winter jacket for a little while and then replace that with spring like tipters as we go into the middle of the week. So check out Tuesday. We're already in the mid-60s there.

So that's nearly 15 degrees above average. And then it just keeps getting warmer, almost 20 degrees above average by the time we get into Wednesday. So that warm up is on the way. It's just not here in time for a warm evening. So this evening, if you're stepping out, live look at Raleigh,

we've got a clear sky right now, and that's allowed tipters to cool down significantly over the past two hours. So we're in the mid 40s in the triangle, lower 40s in Sanford, and then even some spots dropping into the upper 30s, like Goldsboro at 38 right now. So if you're stepping out for evening plans

or you're walking the dog, I would definitely dress warm for that. Tipters will only stay in the low 40s for another hour or two, and then we go all the way down into the 30s. Now, by tomorrow morning, some of you are going to wake up to tipters in the 20s. So very much a winter-like morning across Central North Carolina. Tipters at 29 in Durham, 31 in Raleigh to start the day tomorrow and 31 in Fayetteville. It'll be a cold morning commute, and those morning tipters will stay in the low 30s until about 9 a.m.

That's when we start to see those push into the mid-30s, and then we'll be in the mid-40s. and then we'll be in the mid-40s as we approach the noon hour. Our high temperatures will range quite significantly across the region. So mid-50s in the triangle, low 60s, and the sandhills, and then across the North Carolina, Virginia border, some of those spots actually in the low 50s tomorrow. But like I said, it is warming up as we go into the middle of the week. We'll talk about how long that sticks around coming up in your seven-day forecast.

Diane. All righty, thank you, Cruz. Well, tonight we are learning more about a Raleigh school teacher who was murdered during a burglary. It happened inside her home near Wade Avenue and St. Mary's Street. Zoe Welch teacher Ravenscroft was on the phone with 911 when the burglar attacked her. The brutal killing, leaving many people in the community shocked. Tom George spoke with a longtime friend of Zoe. He has more on how she's remembering her tonight.

Right now the community is still in shock here. This is the home where beloved Ravenscroft science teacher Zoe Welsh was killed Saturday morning. Police say she had called 911 to report an intruder in her home. and she was attacked and beaten while she was still on the phone with dispatch. By the time officers got there, she was given aid and taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries. Now, neighbors and friends left wondering why, remembering Zoe as a great mom and a great teacher. Earlier today, her longtime friend in house cleaner was here paying her respect.

She was in shock, and she says she had spent a lot of time in this home and never felt unsafe. Now she wants to see justice for her friend. I think she was the sweetest lady in this world. I don't want to know why this may be this to her. She didn't deserve it. Police arrested a suspect. 36-year-old Ryan Camacho now charged with murder and felony burglary. Looking into his records, he has a lengthy criminal record.

We'll have more on that tonight at 11. In the meantime, he will be in court on Monday. In Raleigh, Tom George, ABC 11. I witness news. We also have an update on a deadly shooting at a Fayetteville restaurant. Police now confirming the identities of two victims. Police say 43-year-old Timothy Nakamoto and his brother, 45-year-old Daniel Nakamoto, were killed. It happened just before 7 o'clock last night at Max Speed Shop on North McPherson Street Road.

Church Road. Police say when they arrived, they found both people shot. Daniel died at the scene. Timothy was taken to Cape Fear Valley Health, where he later died. Investigators say they believe the shooting was a result of. an argument inside the restaurant that escalated to a physical altercation. So far no one is in custody, but police tell us a person of interest has been identified. We're also learning more about a single car crash in Spring Lake that claimed the life

of an active duty soldier from Fort Bragg. According to officials, the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign. It then struck trees and caught fire. We're told witnesses tried to help, but EMS pronounced them dead on the scene. State troopers are investigating. Now to this latest in this weekend's U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Here's what we know at this hour. Maduro and his wife are now being held in federal custody at a Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They're facing a number

of charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, and cocaine importation as well as weapons charges. They are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment that accused them of conspiring with violent, dangerous drug traffickers for the last 25 years. They're both expected in court tomorrow. Here's ABC's Olivia Rubin with what's next in a case. Ousted Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro arrived in New York aboard a government playing that touchdown hours after he and his wife surrendered to U.S. Special Forces this weekend in Caracas.

Maduro, his wife, and four others are charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of machine guns. The U.S. federal indictment said Maduro, quote, is at the forefront of a violent, corrupt, 25-year conspiracy to flood the United States with cocaine. Maduro has previously denied involvement with drug trafficking, accusing the U.S. of using the war on drugs as a bid to remove him and seize Venezuela's oil reserves. On NBC's Meet the Press, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying, we are at war against drug trafficking organizations. It's not a war against Venezuela. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pushing back.

This was not simply a counter-narcotics operation. It was an act of war. According to a joint statement from the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the DEA, the operation to capture and bring Maduro to the U.S. took months of planning with the Department of Defense. The Trump administration sharing this video of Maduro as he arrived at the DEA office in New York Saturday night, where he was processed before being taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The U.S. has received some support for the capture of Maduro,

including from some refugees who fled Venezuela. I saw a lot of people die in the stream. It's very hard. But there have been some international protests. In Caracas, Maduro supporters calling for his release, and in Paris crowds burning the American flag. Olivia Rubin, ABC News, outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, in Brooklyn. And we continue to see the impacts of Maduro's capture here in the U.S.

The government closing airspace near the Caribbean as a situation unfolds in Venezuela. And it is leaving many people from North Carolina stuck. Right now we are seeing more than 80 flights delayed at RDU Airport and just one cancellation. Local demonstrations happening across the triangle and sandhills amid the U.S. operation. Today we saw dozens of people holding anti-war protests in Fayetteville and Creedmoor. Demonstrators calling for people. for Venezuela and asking members of Congress to end the U.S. involvement in the country. Some demonstrators say they are planning similar events in other Triangle towns. Still ahead as a number of flu cases goes up across the state. Another one of our local

health care systems is during the list of hospitals implementing restrictions. We'll tell you which one after the break. And we are learning new information today about the devastating fire at a Swiss bar on New Year's Day. How many of the victims investigators say have now been identified? Turning now to a health check and the surge in flu numbers, state health officials report 12 new flu-related deaths in the last week, bringing the total number to 39 this season, which includes two children. WakeMed, Cape Fear Valley Health, and Duke are already taking precautions. Now UNC Health is joining that list. Bianca Holman breaks down the new measures going into effect tomorrow. Temporary visitor restrictions are in place at several hospitals in Central Carolina and now added to the list UNC Health Hospitals. Starting Monday, UNC Health Hospital campuses across the state are implementing restrictions.

We are saying a tremendous spike, particularly in flu, but other respiratory illnesses as well. We're in fact already at the same height that we had in our biggest past several years. However, we don't expect that the number will actually peak until late January to mid-February. Children 11 and younger are prohibited from all hospital inpatient areas and waiting areas. All employees must wear masks while providing care to patients. And masks are strongly encouraged for patients and visitors. According to the State Health Department, as of December 31st, almost 25% of emergency room visits has symptoms of a respiratory virus, with flu being the most prevalent. The CDC estimates across the country there have been at least 7.5 million people sick with the flu this season based on data.

through December 20th. We see spikes after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, family get together, is people traveling airports, religious observance. So we expect to see these spikes, but this will likely continue to go up over the next several weeks. Genetic testing indicates a new flu variant called subclad K appears to be behind the vast majority of cases. And it's not covered by the current flu vaccine. However, doctors still encourage people to get vaccinated. While it's not a perfect vaccine, it's still a very good vaccine. And some early data from UK that was on the World Health Organization webpage showed that the vaccine was about 75% of protective from having to visit the hospital or be hospitalized for children and 35% for adults. Health experts urge

everyone to use common sense public health measures, including washing your hands regularly, staying home if you're sick or wear a mask if you are sick around others. In Raleigh, Bianca home at ABC 11 eyewitness news next at six new details about the deadly new year fire at a ski resort in the swiss alps plus heavy rain and flash flooding a look at the damage left behind as the bay area deals with torrential rain and as we go to break here's a live look at the raleigh skyline on this sunday evening tonight the bay area is recovering after level two storm brought rain and gusty winds to the area Saturday night. Check out this video from San Francisco. You can see there are people walking in flood waters while others are standing on benches trying to avoid getting wet right now. San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Coast are under a coastal flood advisory. The rain is expected to continue through tomorrow. And we're hearing new information about

the devastating fire at a Swiss bar in the early hours on New Year's Day. At least 40 people killed and more than 115 injured. Investigators sharing today they've identified 16 more of the victims. No names have been shared at this time. Police have now identified 24 of the people who died in the fire. And you have one more week left to check out the Chinese Lantern Festival. The popular attraction wraps up next Sunday at Carrie's Coco Booth, Ample Theater. There are hundreds of handcrafted lanterns on display for the 10th season.

Go to ABC11.com for more information. And it is going to be a good week to get out there and enjoy if you don't want to be bundled up. Yeah, that's right. You can go with a little bit less layer. So I think for the evenings, maybe long sleeves would suffice. But honestly, I didn't get out there this year. Oh, you still have one week. So I got a week.

Put that on your list. It's so worth it. I'm going to capitalize on it because, like you said, the weather is going to be a little bit warmer, and I'm not a fan of when it's so cold. So this evening, if you're heading out, it's going to be pretty cold out there. You'll want to be bundled up as lows are dropping into the 20s for many of us. And then as we go into this next week, tomorrow is in the 50s. But after that, it's spring-like air that we've got in the forecast,

with temperature is ranging from the mid-60s to run 70 degrees for most of the week. Now through next week, we finally have a range hence in the forecast, not looking too significant at this time, but I'll show it to you in your seven-day forecast in just a moment. Let me take you outside, though. This is North Hills, so the sun has set in Raleigh, and tipters have dropped into the mid-40s there. Lewisburg's at 37 and 38 in Goldsboro. So with those cold temperatures, if you're not heading out to something festive like the Lantern Festival, You might be opting to stay in, and that would be a great option, but also you could go out to the movies.

That's another good option. Tipters will be in the 40s for the evening hours. If you're heading out to see Avatar, and then overnight, we will drop it to those 30s and 20s. So temperatures will drop quickly tonight, even though we have a few clouds moving through. They're just fair weather clouds. Temperatures will be in the 30s for many of us throughout the morning hours, and we will see lots of sunshine in the morning. Now, by the afternoon, we got a few fair weather clouds moving through. Still plenty of sunshine and temperature should rise into those 50s. Then as we go into the evening hours, cooling down into the 40s for any evening plans you may have.

So recapping, tomorrow is coldest during the morning. It'll take a while for those tipter to even get above freezing as we go until the 7 and 8 p.m. time frame, many of you will still be in the lower half of the 30s and maybe even upper 20s. By the afternoon, reaching the 50s, just a few fair weather clouds around. And then as we go into the middle of the week, that's when the warm up starts as our winds turn out of the south and we see those tipters rising to the 60s by Tuesday. So that's dry. Wednesday is also dry with high pressure nearby. And tipters keep getting warmer. So a front to our north, this will increase our wind speeds, but pushes our tipters to near 70 degrees. And we could see 70 again by Friday, but also we have a system brewing on the west coast. That could bring us some rain as we go into next weekend. So if you're just joining us now, here's a recap temperatures are in the 40s and 30s this evening you'll want to dress warm if you're heading outside for any plans and then overnight we drop it to the 20s and lower 30s just to come back into the 50s tomorrow afternoon and

in some cases even the 60s like down in the sand hills so areas like Fayetteville and Clinton some of the warmest spots and from there keeps getting warmer so check out this spring like seven day forecasts with mid 60s by the time we get into Tuesday by Wednesday reaching around 70 degrees in the triangle 60s again for Thursday around 70 as we go into the end of the week and then there's that rain chance as we go into Saturday right now it's not looking like anything super significant but diane i'll tell you we're still in drop conditions right now so any little drops of rain that we get this time of the year are going to help in some way so we'll take what we can we need it and so

my parents always say when is it going to rain let's just enjoy the nice weather hopefully next weekend thanks cruise you got it well let's get a check in with Trayvon miles for a look at what's to come in sports hey Diane a while 24 hours for Carolina Panthers fans a loss last night looked like they were out of the playoffs this onside kick recovery sealed their fate to be in we'll talk more about it when we come back with sports You know, Thank you.

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Jop. Jop. Jop. Jop. Jop. J. M. We're going to be.

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

that is going to do it for us tonight thank you for watching we will see you right back here on eyewitness news at 11 it can ABC continues online right now on ABC11.com the ABC 11 mobile app Facebook and Twitter have a great Sunday