ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 6pm - March 21, 2026

Episode Date: March 21, 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 11I Witness News. All right now at 6, breaking news out of Wake County this evening. Deputies are investigating a drowning after they say a man's body was recovered in the water at Falls Lake hours after he was reported missing while fishing. Our breaking news crew was there as search and rest of the day. teams responded to that area. I want to say you are watching Arwinness News at 6 on this Saturday evening. I'm Dwan Hogarth.

Thank you so much for choosing us this half hour. Now right now, an investigation is playing out. It's underway at Falls Lake and Raleigh. After the Wake County Sheriff's Office said they have recovered the body of a man who went missing while fishing on the lake. Now, I want to go and walk you through what we know so far at 6 o'clock. It happened just before 1.30 this afternoon near the Cheek Road Bridge. The sheriff's office says deputies responded to the area after eyewitnesses reported

seeing a man go underwater while fishing and never coming back up. Since then, his body has been found. IWitness News also spoke with family members of the man who identified him as 30-year-old Pedro Reyes Pardomo. John Dowding joined us live tonight from Falls Lake. John, good evening to you. Now, what exactly is the family sharing with you tonight? Well, the one, as you can imagine, they are heartbroken.

They say this is something they could have never imagined happening. As you just said, the victim, the family members identified the victim as 30-year-old Perra Rheirs, Perdomo, and they said that it was supposed to be a simple day of fishing here at Falls Lake turned into a tragedy. Now, his brother spoke with eyewitness news earlier, and he told us the two of them were fishing near the shore here with a net when his brother got caught up in something and fell into the water. His brother says that he couldn't save his, couldn't save Perro, and that's when they called for help. Northern Wake Fire Department officials tell us the department used two boats to search for the man, and after an almost two-hour-long search, they tell us they found a about 50 yards from shore. His brother says Pedro has a wife and a child in Honduras

and described him as a humble, hardworking man. We're just heartbroken because his loss doesn't sit easy with the people he's left behind. We just never imagine that something like this would happen or could have happened. And now his family says they're trying to make plans to send his body back to Honduras, where his mother and his wife and his child.

child live currently. And again, it's just really a tragedy for this family after just what something seems so simple of a day of fishing turned into that tragedy. Now coming up here at 11, we spoke with his two brothers. One of his brothers was here fishing with him when it happened. Another brother came down when he went under the water and they couldn't find him. Through tears, his brother tells us how he felt in those moments when he learned that his brother did not survive.

Life here at Falls Lake, I'm John Doughting. ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, John, again, thank you for your reporting on such a sad story there tonight. Again, thank you. We're also learning new details tonight about the mass of Woods fire that burned dozens of acres in Moore County. A chopper 11 flying over the fire near Vass yesterday as crews from several agencies worked to put that fire out. Officials tell us 145 acres were burned in that fire and one abandoned outbuilding was destroyed. There were no other reports of any other injuries or damage. They say residents should expect lingering smoke

conditions for the next several days or until the area sees significant rainfall. Now to the latest with the war in Iran tonight. More American ships and U.S. Marines are heading to the Middle East as Iran continues to strike parts of Israel. Israeli authorities say nearly 40 people are hurt tonight after an Iranian missile slammed into a residential neighborhood in southern Israel. According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran fired two intermediate range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, the Joint American British Military Base in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 2,500 miles away from Iran. One of the missiles failed in flight and a U.S. warship fired an interceptor at the other.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel launched fresh strikes on one of Iran's nuclear facilities, including the Nanans, or excuse me, Natanz, arrangement site. The U.S. Central Command declined to comment on any attack on Natanz. Meanwhile, Senator Tom Tillis is calling out President Donald. Trump's response to the death of the former FBI director Robert Mueller, Mueller's family, announcing today that he died yesterday at the age of 81. In a social media post today, President Trump sharing this post about Mueller's death, saying, quote, Robert Mueller just died. Good, I'm glad he's dead.

Senator Tillis responding to the post today, calling it disrespectful. Let's go ahead and turn our attention now to college basketball. Many fans are talking tonight about Duke and UNC, albeit for different reasons. since the Blue Devils currently on the court in the first half right now against TCU in the second round of the NCAA tournament in South Carolina. Meanwhile, after Carolina's tough loss to VCU in round one of the tournament, calls for head coach Hubert Davis's job continue to grow. We have Trayvon Miles joining us live now from Greenville, South Carolina. Trey, always good to see you.

Look, first half, Duke is actually playing pretty well there on the court. What are you seeing? What are you hearing? Yeah, it looks like there's a media timeout going on. right beside me right now here in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena is Duke Leeds TCU. I want to turn our focus on what we are hearing with the University of North Carolina as they were knocked out of this NCAA tournament in this building a few days ago. Emotions have been very high over the last couple of days since they lost that VCU game, and they should be.

Carolina does not lose in the first round. That's not the standard that they want to hold themselves up to. So many rumors swirling, but I will tell you what we do know at this. very moment. Thursday's loss to VCU made back-to-back exits in the first round of the NCAA tournament for a program as storied as Carolina simply unacceptable. Hubert Davis will always be known as the guy who beat Coach K in his final game at Cameron and in his final game in the final four. But remember, they blew a 15-point lead that year in the national championship game to Kansas. Since then, they failed to make the tournament.

They've gotten knocked out in the suite 16 after being a one seed as well. This program's used to going after national championships, not knocking on the door and hoping to make it to the next round. National reports say Hubert's future is in doubt, so we went straight to one of the men responsible for that decision. Here's a statement from UNC Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham to ABC 11. It says, quote, every year at the end of the season, it's important, it's important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve.

The Chancellor, Steve, and I are doing that together now. will continue to have discussions over the coming days." So it sounds like there will be some decisions that need to be made. He mentioned Steve in that, that is Steve Newmark, who will be taken over as athletic director for Carolina sometime in the summer for Bubba Cunningham. So those three gentlemen have the decision to make and we'll have to see what happens over the next couple of days. As for the game that is going on beside me right now, Duke has a 31 to 23 lead. Isaiah Evans already with 13 points in this game.

Slim's doing a great job attacking the paint, getting into the teeth of the TCU defense and doing his thing. Big man Pat Gungba did not start, but he did come into the game, had a huge ovation for the crowd after missing the last five games. Good news for Duke, they have a lead right now, and their superstar Camboozer only has two points. So, DeWan, I don't know how long that's going to last

and how sustainable that is. But we'll have to see what ends up happening with the Blue Devils and seeing if they can advance to another Sweet 16 in their first ever match up with TCU. Yeah, you can probably bet Johnshire will have some words there in the locker room even despite this lead here. And also, you know, the team getting together saying,

hey, Cam, you've got to go ahead and turn it on. Second half's coming up and we're trying to get a championship trophy. So thanks so much for your point. We'll see you tonight. Well, still to come, raising awareness for prostate cancer, the conversations that happened at North Carolina, Central University today about the importance of early detection. And the iconic Oscar Meyer-Weiner Mobile rolling back through Wake County today,

where the life-size hot dog was spotted and where it's heading next. And eutrologist Cruz Medina with a check on our attempts outside. Well, it was a very warm day across Central North Carolina, and we're going to crank it up another notch tomorrow. We're talking near record temperatures, but also a cool down on the way. The latest details on that coming up in your seven-day forecast after a break. When WestJet first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion, inline skates were everywhere,

and two out of three women rocked, the Rachel. While those things stayed in the 90s, one thing that hasn't is that fuzzy feeling you get when WestJet welcomes you on board. Here's to WestJetting since 96. Travel back in time with us and actually travel with us at westjet.com slash 30 years. Where are my gloves? Come on, heat. Winter is hard, but your groceries don't have to be. This winter, stay warm.

Tap the banner to order your groceries online at voila.ca. Enjoy in-store prices without leaving your home. You'll find the same regular prices online as in-store. Many promotions are available both in-store and online, though some may vary. Welcome back. Today, educators, students, parents, and community members from all across the state I gathered at North Carolina Central University for a conversation about racism. The 10th annual Let's Talk Racism Conference is a yearly event dedicated to advancing equity in education.

People spent the day attending workshops, focused on how to address diversity in the classroom. This year's theme was curating change, the art of activism in education. Also at NC Central, the Prostate Health Education Network holding its North Carolina Prostate Cancer Community Rally. It's part of a statewide initiative designed to increase awareness of prostate cancer risk and the life-saving benefits of detection. There were free screenings as well as panels discussing the disease. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer among men in the United States. And here at North Carolina, black men experience higher incidence rates and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and suffer more than twice the

mortality rate of all other men. Well up next rallying for lung cancer, the annual Raleigh Lunge Forward 5K Walk and Run are returning to the triangle today. The big event continues to bring those impacted by the disease together, all while raising awareness. Eyewitness News. We are Local News weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. Well, North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis is expressing his support for President Donald Trump on the war with Iran. He sat down with ABC's John Carl on ABC's this week with the war and the push to get more funding from him. I thought the initial bombing raid a while back was very successful. I could see why we need it to finish some of the work and go back in and maybe have a week or two back in there,

really degrading their capabilities. Now, it's very, it's ambiguous. I don't know what our long-term strategic goals are, but we're going to need to know that. I generally support what the president's doing in Iran, but if we're going to get anything close to the $200 billion supplemental request, we've got to get 60 votes, and we're going to have to figure out how to accomplish that. You can see more of what Senator Tillis had to say about the Iran War, his relationship with President Trump, and the decision to retire at the end of this term. That's tomorrow on ABC News this week. All right now at 6, raising awareness for lung cancer.

That was the message at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Kerry this morning. Hundreds of people walking, running and jogging at the Triangle Lunch Forward 5K run, walk, and celebration. It's a rally to take action and the fuel hope for people who have been touched. by lung cancer. Folks also getting to enjoy food trucks, music, even a kids area for folks to enjoy. Our Tom George served as MC of the event, which is celebrating its 20th year, and ABC 11 is a proud sponsor. And if you were out in carry today, you may have seen this 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels rolling around town. We're talking about the iconic Oscar Meyer Wienermobile. This was over at Fenton today. Hot dog lovers got a chance to check out the life-size hot dog car, even take

pictures with it. I'm sure the kids enjoyed it all. The Wienermobile tomorrow will be on Holly Springs at the family farm right there on Avent Ferry Road. Well, if you haven't been outside yet, you can tell that spring is officially here. We saw people out and about in their short sleeves in their shorts today enjoying this warm day and all of the warm weather we have been having. For all things, weather related, we'll kick things over to meteorologist Cruz Medina. Look, I like how it's filling outside. Like, was it yesterday or the day, before I got a chance to go outside and mow the lawn a little bit. I said it feels actually pretty good.

Yeah, it's definitely feeling like actual spring. And tomorrow it might feel more like summer. So temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s. It's actually going to be kind of hot tomorrow if you spend a decent amount of time outside. Nonetheless, it'll be a dry day and lots of sunshine. So I recommend getting outside and enjoying it while we have it because we've got another cool down on the way. It's brief, but it starts early next week and will last through the midweek. By the end of the week, we're actually warming back up in 70s.

will return, but that's also going to be short-lived. So the roller coaster continues, but for tonight, you have some nice weather if you're heading out to the Lenovo Center to see Keith Sweat and Drew Hill, Genuine, they're all coming around 8 o'clock tonight. So Tipters will be in the 70s before the show, 60s after, and I'd say this is shorts approved since it's gonna be so warm for this evening.

Here's first alert predictor walking us through tonight. So we have some clouds around right now. They're just fair weather clouds, and you've probably seen them around this afternoon. Overnight, a few more clouds moving through, but we should wake up with sunshine. Tipters will be in the 50s starting out the day, so already relatively mild.

And then by the afternoon, we should see those tipters soaring into the 80s off of a breezy southwest wind and a lot of sunshine. So once again, start making your plans for tomorrow because that warmth is not just for the triangle. It's for those of you watching down in the sand hills. That's the best chance at reaching 90 tomorrow, by the way. And then in our northern county,

still expecting middle to upper 80s. But in the triangle, that 89 that we're forecasting for tomorrow, that would actually tie our record. record high set back in 1907. So we're talking the potential to tie or break a 100 year record here in the triangle. Going forward though, that front that moves through on Monday could bring us a late day shower or storm. That's not going to be a widespread concern. Behind that, Arctic high pressure moves in. That's going to bring us a brief cool down. So tipters will only be in the 50s for highs as we go into Tuesday. And Wednesday, that's when we start to see the

tipters rising once again. That'll lead us into those 70s that we see next Thursday and Friday. joining. Let's take a live look outside. This is North Hills. You can see the sun starting to set there behind the buildings. Temptors in Raleigh at 77 right now at 73 in Lewisburg, 77 in Roxborough and 81 in Fayetteville. So a little warmer down in the send hills for tonight. Once again going down into the 50s, the low of 55 and Raleigh, 57 and Lumberton. As we go into tomorrow, mostly sunny. By the time we get to the afternoon, Tipterson in some spots could reach the 90s. So I'm talking to those of you down in areas like Goldsboro, Smithfield, Clinton, Fayette, Rayford, Sanford, Lumberton, and Southern Pines. Raleigh, you're at 89. Once again, that could tie the record high set back in 1907. Your first alert seven-day forecast shows that cooldown into Tuesday, 50s there, 60s by the time we get into Wednesday. So once again, that's getting us back closer to average. Then we jump into the middle and upper 70s for Thursday and Friday.

There are some storm chances for the end of next week. We'll be monitoring this as we get closer in time. But for next weekend, looks like another cooldowns on the way in the 60s. That just means we have to take advantage of these 80s that we have, DeWan, maybe break out the shorts a little longer. I know I had mine on today and even some sandals. Hey, that's the attire when you've got an 89 and an 80 for the next two days. Cruz, many thanks.

All right, let's go ahead and check in with the team in New York City for what they're working on for you next on World News Tonight. Dewan, good evening. Coming up, Iran reportedly tries to strike an American base thousands of miles away. A major airline is cutting flights over skyrocketing. fuel prices, and the president is threatening to send ice agents to airports to fix security delays. That's right after eyewitness news at 6. All right, we'll go ahead and see you shortly.

We're going to pause for a quick break. We'll be right back. The game begins in three, two, one. Ready or not two, here I come, now playing only in theaters. After surviving one deadly game, Grace and her sister Faith must now face off against four rival families in a fresh round of blood in games. filled with more action, scares, laughs, and combustions. Starring Samara Weaving, Catherine Newton, Sarah Michelle Geller, and Elijah Wood.

Ready or not, too, here I come. Now playing only in theaters. Get tickets now. This weekend, a high-energy soccer drama, an award show celebrating LGBTQ storytellers, and a 2020 exclusive. Here's on the red carpets, George Pinocchio. It's a treasure hunt. It was something I love to do with my mom.

Like we definitely had one of these in the basement of my grandmother's house. Streaming on Hulu, that thrifting show with Lara Spencer challenges interior designers to get creative, transforming identical rooms but under one condition. We've got these two real interior design teams. We give them this ridiculous budget of just $2,000 and say, make a beautiful room. You can only use thrifted pieces. This show is a total homage to my mom and our shared passion. and past time, and it's what I grew up doing with her.

What? We haven't had any Miley-Lilly time in, like, forever. I know, I miss it, too. Then how about Tuesday after school? Ooh, sounds perfect, but I'm trying out for cheer! There's plenty of Miley and Lillie time on the schedule. A non-stop marathon of Hannah Montana is streaming on Disney Plus, ahead of the 20th anniversary special with Miley Cyrus on March 24th.

I'm Hannah Montana. Also on Disney Plus, the soccer drama Onse. new generation returns for the first time since 2019. This new chapter follows the original players after successful European careers reuniting to restore their school's former glory. You start thinking about throwing in the towel, right? But you're not going to give up.

This is where my community is, where my community is recognized. The 37th annual Glad Media Awards honors LGBTQ stories and storytellers, and Abbott Elementary's Quinta Brunson received the highest honor of the night. She's been an incredibly supportive person to me, and I think she's like that with everybody in her life. So it's no surprise to me that she's being honored here tonight. The Glad Media Awards premieres on Hulu tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific. Also streaming on Hulu, a 2020 exclusive on the Corey Richens trial. After losing her husband, a grieving wife, wrote a chill.

book about loss. Shockingly, she was later found guilty of murdering him. She was my best friend. Her closest friends speaks out. Eric was a good person and he didn't deserve to die. 2020 murder, she wrote,

the Corey Richens trial, is streaming on Hulu. George Panacchio for on the red carpet. All right, George, many thanks. That's it for IWitness News at 6th. Tonight, it's hockey Saturday right here on ABC 11. Puck drops at 8.

The Boston Bruins are on the road in Motor City, facing golf against the Detroit Webrings. We will see you after the match.