ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 9am - December 20, 2025

Episode Date: December 20, 2025

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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. Good morning, Carolina. I'm Bianca Holman. It's Saturday, December 20th this morning on eyewitness news. President Trump's visit to Rocky Mount the speech to try to win over midterm voters and the response from North Carolina Democrats. Plus the death of the former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt. The funeral services just announced. At the start of the holiday travel rush, it begins today. The busiest time on the roads and a look at the current gas prices.

Let's go ahead and take a live look outside at the Raleigh skyline with the sun up beaming. Looking so beautiful today. Let's go ahead and check in with First Alert meteorologist Kim Deiner in for Steve Stewart, who is out and about. So Kim, that sun is shoney. Go ahead, go to the supermarket, get your Christmas dinner supplies and food, right? Some wrapping paper. The gift bags. Yes, you can do it all this weekend.

I mean, this is really, really the last time you're going to get a chance to do it on the weekend. Anyway, unless you have days off during the week. But the forecast for today, just absolutely gorgeous. Tomorrow is going to be just as nice. Mild today, a little on the cool side, high pressure dominating our forecast. That's why we have those clear skies, why that sun looks so beautiful up in the sky for today. You can expect it to remain that way all day today. We'll see temperatures anywhere in the mid-50s to upper 50s south of the triangle.

Winds will be light, so seasonably cool for this time of year. We have had two really good days of rain, but the rest of the rain we've seen just a little bit. So we are below normal from where we should be this time of year. And unfortunately, we don't have any big chances to see that rain come this week. So it is going to be a dry week. If you want to wash the car, today's the day to do it. You're going to get many days out of it. Cool right now.

the car wash right now. However, if you have a coat on, you sure you'll be fine. Gorgeous outside. This is a live look at RDU. That Frontier Plain has been there since this morning. 36 in Roxborough up from like 28 earlier this morning. 38 in Raleigh. So these temperatures are climbing pretty quickly. Still see a little bit of that breeze with the camera of Bianca. It is turning out to be a gorgeous weekend and wait until you find out what Christmas day is going to be like. All right. We love to see it. Kim. Thank you. President Trump spending his Friday night here in North Carolina in Rocky Mount. focusing on the economy. The president taking the stage in Nash County to talk about a number

of things, including the economy, tariffs, the Senate race here in North Carolina and the retaliatory strikes in Syria. John Downing was in Rocky Mount for the 90-minute speech and joins us now with a recap. President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. President Donald Trump in the Tar Heel State visiting the Rocky Mount Event Center to talk about his first year in office. One year ago, our country was dead. Now we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. Hundreds lined up in the cold to hear the president speak. I'm here for not only our president, for Michael Watley as well.

We want to help him, you know, win this election. He quickly shouted out Michael Wadley. The former RNC chairman is running for Senate next year in North Carolina. To be endorsed by the president, supported by the president, and have him come here to North Carolina, it's absolutely fantastic. But the main topic to the economy. Since my inauguration, we've created more than 50,000. 3,000 North Carolina jobs, including 8,000 North Carolina construction jobs.

The president specifically highlighting tariffs he placed on China. Tariffs, he says, will help revitalize the North Carolina furniture industry. I approve 25, 30 percent, and 50 percent tariffs to save North Carolina's cherished furniture industry, which has been decimated by China. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Daremer tells eyewitness news the administration is making investments in developing a skilled workforce, including right here in the Targill State. We want to make sure that they can earn while you learn. We have a skilled workforce. We're going to see biotech come to North Carolina. We're seeing the investments in the industry

here. And we want to make sure that the workforce is prepared. That was our John Downing with that report. President Trump also talked about Democratic Congressman Don Davis, who represents that district, but is at risk of losing his seat after the voting map was withdrawn. The president also discussed the relief needed to. to rebuild Western North Carolina after Hurricane Haleem. Meantime, North Carolina Democrats are reacting, calling the president's trip here desperate as he campaigns for former R&C chairman Michael Wantley. And so Democrats pushing for their candidate, former Governor Roy Cooper, who is from Nash County.

Republicans hope to hold on to that seat for another term, but Democrats see the open seat as an opportunity. Democrats think Cooper is the best choice accusing Wadley and the Trump administration of driving up the cost of health care. Eastern North Carolina is a hotbed, in my opinion, for the type of people that this administration has picked on and honestly tried to, I think, demoralize. And right now we're trying to see him go there and save face. And it's not going to work because people are going to watch the fact that their health

insurance is going up on January the 1st. A Wally Cooper race is expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive in the country. In Franklin County, a sheriff's deputy is out of the hospital after getting shot Thursday. night in Lewisburg. According to the SBI 40-year-old Jermaine Anthony Branch led two deputies on a chase along East River Road that ended with an exchange of gunfire. Deputy Taylor Lucas was shot in the chest. According to Sheriff Kevin White, his injuries would have been much more severe if he wasn't wearing his

protective breastplate. The SBI tells us Branch was also shot during the incident and was taken to Wake Med. There's no update on his condition just yet. Funeral details have been announced for former Governor Jim Hunt, Hunt's daughter and current Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, posting that the funeral service will be held next Friday at 1 o'clock at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilson. All are welcome to attend. Jim Hunt was in office for 16 years, the longest serving governor in North Carolina history. He died Thursday at the age of 88. Happening today, the holiday travel rush is going to kick into high gear. This is a live look

right now along I-40 this morning. Triple A predicting 120, million Americans will travel between today and January 1st, surpassing the record set last year. So if you're driving, traffic is expected to be busiest between noon and 8 o'clock, folks finally getting up and out of the bed, so the agency says it's best to leave after 9 p.m. If you are driving, gas prices are cheaper compared to last year. The average cost in North Carolina is $2.65. That's down 18 cents from last year. And a reminder, the annual Booze It and Lose It Campaign is underway. authorities in all 100 counties increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints to try and catch impaired drivers.

The campaign runs through January 4th. It could be a very merry Christmas for someone out there if you win tonight's Powerball lottery. The jackpot currently sits at a staggering $1.5 billion. Nobody has won the grand prize since September when two tickets split a $1.7 billion jackpot. We'll have those winning numbers tonight on eyewitness news at 11. approving the Raleigh Beltline, the new traffic pattern that's now in place. Plus, connecting with the community, the event today bringing Raleigh Police right to your neighborhood. And later, the battle for the first congressional district, the latest Republican joining the crowded race.

But first, good morning, Kim. Good morning, Bianca. Good morning, everyone. What a gorgeous sunrise for today. It's going to be a beautiful day, but it's certainly starting out on the chilly side. Even though temperatures are up from where they were earlier this morning, we're looking at 30s and 40s. So be prepared to wear that winter coat, but you won't need it for long. We're going to see 50s across our area as well as across much of the state of North Carolina.

So a really nice weather pattern shaping up. I'll explain what you can expect for Christmas Day as well as Christmas week. Coming up. Good morning, everyone. I'm meteorologist Kim Deiner. We are going to see a nice day-to-day, plenty of sunshine across the board. 54 degrees. So a very nice but seasonable day today.

We warm up a little bit more for tomorrow, a high of 61 degrees. And then we're going to have a dry front move through, not bringing any rain to the area, but it will allow some colder air from Canada to make its way just for Monday, though. Then we start that climb per temperatures into the 60s and 70s by the end of the week. Right now we have high pressure dominating our forecast. That's keeping all of the snowy weather and nasty weather up to our north. As a matter of fact, really from Wichita, Kansas, down to Memphis, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Cincinnati, Washington, up into New York.

The weather is just going to be quiet, which is nice, a nice change of pace. For the day today, we're starting off in those 30s. We're at least not in the 20s anymore. We will see 50s for daytime highs, so a nice day, maybe a couple of layers if you're headed out right now. 36 in Roxburgh, that's up from 28, not that long ago. So that sunshine really making a dent on those cooler temperatures, and it's going to warm us into the 50s during the day today. Now, if you're headed to the Lenovo Center to see Disney on ice later on this afternoon, you'll need your jacket both before and after the Disney on Ice performance, 53 before 45 after.

So it's overall going to be a really nice day today and a really nice weekend. Wait to you see just what it's going to look like for Christmas Day. Bianca. Kim, thank you. In Wade County, a major milestone in the improvement project on the Raleigh Beltline. Traffic is now in its new pattern along the western side of I-440. The highway now has three lanes open in each direction from Wade Avenue to Walnut Street. The additional lanes are expected to improve traffic flow and safety.

Today, Raleigh Police are back on the streets for the final Cops on the block event this year. Police officers are connecting with neighbors along Kohler Lane. That's the northeast Raleigh behind the Triangle Town Center. This initiative aligns with one of the police chief RICO's strategic priorities focusing on community engagement. neighbors will have the chance to share their concerns and ask questions. A Fort Bragg soldier killed in a motorcycle crash. We have the new update from Fayetteville. And an eyewitness news exclusive,

five-iters speaking about what it's like for them to respond to the flames at the Raleigh Convention Center and that whole experience. And then we're going to have, we're actually going to hear from two rookies just out of the academy. Now to Fayetteville where an active duty soldier is dead after Chase. after crashing their motorcycle. Police say the driver tried to pass a car on Yatkin Road near Simran Drive and was hit by a car going the other way. We're told all three vehicles were driven by Fort Bragg soldiers.

So far, authorities have not identified the victim in the crash. Now to an eyewitness news exclusive Raleigh firefighters who were first on the scene at the two alarm roof fire at the Raleigh Convention Center, now sitting down with us to tell us about their firefight for the first time. ABC 11 anchor Amber Repenta explains for two of them it was their first act of fire just weeks out of the academy Two Raleigh firefighters fresh out of the fire academy hit the ground running earlier this month when their first active fire call turned into a massive two alarm blaze at a downtown Raleigh landmark causing an estimated two million dollars in damage I got some messages the next day from family and friends that were like oh hey were you on this did you get to participate in I was so I got to tell them a little bit about it a lot of me mates to reach out just to see what we did, how we did it, what we learned from it,

to be able to pass that on. They say when the call came in, training, teamwork, and trusted leadership took over. I was just waiting to get on scene and grab whatever tools I needed off the truck, waiting for directions for my captain and I trust him. We're a family, so that trust is built through training and through performing. So it's nice to be able to do that and continue to do that going forward. We're a family outside of our own family, so I mean, we'll probably spend more time with each other than we do with our own families. and that makes a big difference.

It just takes a large group of people coming together for a common goal, because none of us could have done it by ourselves or just what our company. It took all of us working together. The fire started December 1st on the roof of the convention center. Investigators believe a mechanical malfunction

near HVAC equipment caused the fire. There were no events in the building at the time, and no one was injured. The fire was brought under control in less than 30 minutes. Fire officials say that quick response likely prevented a much larger disaster. captains credit a coordinated team-based attack. Everybody here is, they really just want to serve other people.

It may not be able to fix a situation, but if they can make it better than it was when they got there, that's kind of the goal. In that situation, we had a big job ahead of us and everybody just stepped up. And for these two rookies, it's a lesson in teamwork they say they'll never forget. We have done a decent amount of high-rise training and it made it really easy to show up and just know what my role is going to be based off of. how we arrive and so it just kind of reinforce that the importance of our training and to continue doing that we're a family so that that trust is

built through training and through performing so it's nice to be able to do that and to be able to share that with them and continue to do that going forward Amber Repenta ABC 11 eyewitness news now damage to the convention center is estimated at two million dollars repairs are already underway as any spokesperson says some events are expected to actually resume in January after all December events were canceled. Happening today, a free holiday food and toy distribution in Raleigh, the giving tree at the Covenant Life Church in Toys for Tots. They're joining voices to help local families. The giveaway is happening from 10 until noon today at the church on Forestville

Road in Raleigh. As the countdown to Christmas continues, we have a couple of holiday events that we want to share with you happening in the triangle this weekend. So families in Raleigh are invited to have breakfast with Santa this morning. It's happening from 10 until noon at the Tarboro Road Community Center on North Tarboro Street. They will also have crafts and toy giveaways that even raffle for the adults.

And Durham's Black Nativity returned to the stage for the 19th season this weekend. The beloved holiday tradition is running at the John Gaddis Wendell Tab Theater on the campus of Hillside High School. It's a soulful musical adaptation celebrating the birth of Christ. So we have shows,

They are going to have shows happening today and tomorrow at 3 p.m. All right. So we've got Christmas. We've got Hanukkah going on Christmas Day. We've got Kwanza, New Year's right around the corner. Do you have a favorite holiday movie, Kim? You know, I was thinking, yes, because you asked me if we had a holiday tradition, the Christmas story. Oh, yes.

The one where we have the little kid. Yes, yes, I've got you. Is that, am I saying it right? Yeah, we watch it every Christmas Eve, and I should know it by heart. But it's so funny, and every year it just gets funnier. So I do have a tradition. I'm so quiet. I love it. I love it. Now to start those holiday traditions. Today is a great day to get outdoors, ice skating.

Yeah, anything. Anything to do. If you haven't put the tree up or if you haven't decorated your house. I was waiting this long, Kim. I don't know. I used to, but now I don't. I'm growing old and just it goes up right after Thanksgiving. All right. Well, if you don't have anything big plan today, then do whatever you want to do outside because it's really going to be a nice day. We're starting off cold. So if you're about ready to walk out the door, you will need that coat, but you won't stay cold for long. temperatures have really just skyrocketed since the sun came up. So it is definitely going to be sunny and seasonable for today. A little bit milder for tomorrow as temperatures will climb into those lower 60s and then quiet for Christmas Day and quite warm too. So I do like that. We'll talk about Christmas Day. Now, 65 is going to be the high here in the

triangle. I think it'll be a little warmer south of the triangle. Forty-five, that's going to be the temperature at 7 a.m. even though I never had a child that slept till 7 a.m. on Christmas day. But if you're planning to spend any time outdoors, definitely you're going to be able to do it Christmas Day. A little bit of a roller coaster ride when it comes to temperatures, 54 for today, 61 tomorrow. And then we have a backdoor cold front that's going to come in. It's on a dry front and it's not going to bring any precipitation, but it is going to take temperatures back down into the upper 40s. So it will be a cool start to this unusual work week, as many of you have the week, some parts of this week off. Tuesday, 59, Wednesday,

65 and then 67 on Thursday, and we go up even warmer after that. We need some rain, but we don't have a good chance of seeing that this week. Just a slight chance on Tuesday. High pressure is dominating our forecast, and it's going to be a high pressure system that dominates our forecast more often than not this week. We have a couple of little fronts that are going to move through, really not going to make a big change in the weather. So courtesy of high pressure, we're going to see a whole lot of sunshine,

and we're actually going to warm up. We've got a big chunk of warm air sitting in the central part of the United States that's making its way in our direction. We won't see that warm air, though, today. It's going to be seasonable, temperatures in the 50s. So it's not going to be a bad day because we won't see much in the way of needing, like, the wind, making it feel cooler than it actually is. We are going to see temperatures quickly climbing out of those 30s, where they sit right now into the 50s.

But once the sun sets, if you have anything planned for this evening, you will see temperatures drop pretty quickly. So you might be able to take that winter coat off for the better part of the afternoon, but you're going to need it this morning, and then you're going to need it again for this evening. This weekend, if you're headed to the mountains, it's going to be perfect for today and for tomorrow. Plenty of sunshine, great for anything hiking, anything you want to do outdoors. And if you're headed to the beach, a little cool, but still very nice. Wall-to-wall sunshine makes everything much better, even when temperatures are on the cooler side. This is a look at what you can expect for today.

52 in Henderson, 57 and Clinton are normal this time of year is 54. So we definitely right where we should be. Overnight tonight, not quite as cool as it was this morning. We drop back into the 30s. But take a look at this seven-day forecast because we are really going to see a major warm-up. I'm going to step out so you can see the entire seven days. Look at that 71 on Friday. Christmas at 67, 65 on Wednesday.

Tuesday, the Canes play. So tailgating will be fun with the high of 59. Monday, 49. That's the coolest day of the entire work week, 61 tomorrow and 54 today. It does not look like a typical Christmas week, but Bianca, take it we will for sure Kim thank you another local nurse accused a sexually assaulting patients the new details about the alleged incidents at Duke Health back here at home a nurse at Duke University Hospital facing serious allegations of

sexually assaulting two patients while they were incapacitated Jamil Tagato is facing several charges including sexual battery Warren showed the alleged assaults happened in May and in December he's He's now been arrested and faced a Durham County judge yesterday. Mr. Tagato, your next court date is January 6th for probable cause on these felony charges. I will assign the public defender to your case. Your bond will remain at no bond. Officials say Tagato began working for Duke Health in July of 2023.

He was removed from patient care and has been on administratively since December 7th. This license is also suspended. This is the second time in the past month, a hospital employee in the Triangle has been accused of sexually assaulting patients. The other worked at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh. Now the North Carolina Nurses Association says in part these allegations are beyond horrifying and our primary concern is for the victims. We hope most people discern this is not representative of the rest of the profession.

Well, in your voice, your vote, another Republican is entering the race for North Carolina's first congressional district, Laurie Buckhout, posting this photo as she filed the official paperwork. In 2024, Buckhout competed with Don Davis for the seat, where Davis barely winning with 49% of the vote. This time around, the congressional map has been redrawn, shifting more Republican-leaning counties into the district. Four other Republicans have also filed to run for the district one seat. President Trump speaking in Rocky Mount what he said about the recent military strikes in Syria, plus the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, the findings from the new documents about the convicted sex offender. And the holiday travel rush, the new passenger

record set at RDU Airport during Thanksgiving. Right now, live coverage from your local newsleader, 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. Here goes a live look into downtown Durham. The sky is clear and it's going to be a good one today. Be sure to enjoy it. Good morning, Carolina. It's Saturday, December 20th. I'm Bianco Home and you're watching eyewitness news on ABC 11 and wherever you stream. To the top stories, we want to get to those in just a minute. But first, let's go ahead and check it with meteorologist Kim Diener, who is in for Steve Stewart this morning. A beautiful day. Whatever that honey do list is.

get it done. And I bet a lot of people have some large honey-do list. That's why everybody's coming in town. They're hitting the roads. They are. They're hitting the roads. I'd like to be headed to someone's house. It's been instead of everyone heading to my house. But that's okay. That's not how it's going to work out this year. We have high pressure in place and that's going to make for a very nice weekend. So if you have any last minute stuff to do anything, you're going to be able to do it this weekend without much of a problem. We've got clear skies, high pressure dominating our forecast, chilly to start the day. But we're going to see temperatures climbing into the mid-50s, typical for this time of year, and it won't be as breezy as it has

been the last couple of days. We have seen two good days of rain during the month of December, but the rest of it really kind of pitiful, so we're below average for the month of December. We need the rain, and when you look at the seven-day forecast, the chance of rain, we don't see much in the way of seeing that rain. It is cold out there right now, so you will need the coat. It's just considerably warmer than it was when I first got here this morning. Most of these locations were in, with the exception of Fayonville, were in the 12. But we're already at 38 in Raleigh, 41 in Smithfield, still sitting at 40 in Fayetteville, up to 43 in Clinton, 36 in Roanoke Rapids. Today's forecast is going to be a good one for a car wash.

If you get the car wash today, you'll definitely get your money out of it because we're not expected to see any rain. And we certainly aren't going to be putting brine down on any of the road, so you won't get that dirty brine or that mess of that chance of snow in the forecast. Certainly not happening this week. 54 is going to be the high today. We're starting off cold and we will see chilly conditions once. the sun sets. A little bit breezy at the elevation this camera is, but now we've got just one plane sitting at a terminal. We were booked earlier this morning, 37 in Roxborough, 40 in Goldsboro, and 40 in Fayetteville. Evening plans headed to the Deepak to watch water for elements. Elephants, excuse me.

It is going to be 42 before you go in 39 when you come out, so not a bad evening, just needing that coat. So we've got a lot to talk about in the seven-day forecast, including your Christmas forecast, all that coming up in just a moment. Bianca. All right, Kim, thank you. This morning, in Florida after spending his Friday night speaking in Rocky Mout. The speech largely focusing on the economy with Trump promising bigger paychecks and lower prices as he highlighted his accomplishments in taking office. The president also discussing the big Senate race in our state and how he helped the victims of Hurricane Helene.

President Trump's visit comes just hours after the Pentagon announced a retaliatory strike in Syria, actually, to eliminate ISIS fighters. It comes after an attack. killed two National Guard members and an American civilian interpreter. Officials say American fighter jets and an attack helicopter unleashed airstrikes yesterday hitting ISIS weapons facilities and infrastructure. The president talked about the attack last night during his speech in Rocky Mount. I ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week.

Two soldiers, one interpreter, all great people. and it was very successful. It was precision. We hit every sight flawlessly. Secretary Pete Hexeth says the attacks are not the beginning of a war. He called it a declaration of vengeance. Well, now to the Justice Department releasing a partial batch of files tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case. They include newly revealed material with some information redacted to protect victims. ABC's Johnny Fernandez has the details. The Justice Department releasing hundreds of thousands of documents. tied to its investigation of convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, following a law requiring the DOJ to release the full FBI files.

The release comes with exceptions, allowing the DOJ to withhold or redact certain records to protect victims of unwarranted invasions of privacy. In this first batch, never before seen records of the investigation and thousands of photographs, some graphic and heavily. redacted and without context. It is still unclear if the files will reveal a list of powerful men who took part in Epstein's sexual abuse of teenage girls. The FBI initially insisted there is no list and no evidence that could leave them to charge anyone else with crimes. So far, ABC News has found minimal references to President Donald Trump in the release files.

I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert. Trump has tried to turn the focus to Epstein's relationships with Democrats, like former president Bill Clinton. This release includes some never-before-seen images of Clinton and Epstein together, this picture of Clinton in a jacuzzi, and this one of him swimming with Epstein's accomplice convicted sex trafficker Galane Maxwell. But Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing. The White House chief of staff telling Vanity Fair

that there is no incriminating information about Clinton in the files, saying Trump was wrong about that. Former President Bill Clinton's spokesperson releasing a statement saying in part that this is about the White House shielding themselves for what comes next or what they'll try to hide forever, saying that Clayton cut off Epstein before his crimes came to light. Johnny Fernandez, ABC News, New York.

The busy holiday season is in full swing over at RDU Airport. Officials, they say that they have already seen a record-breaking number of passengers this year. RDU says it set a single-day record for passenger traffic on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. TSA screening more than 33,000 travelers on November 30th. Traffic was up more than 3% overall for the holiday weekend. In all, nearly 192,000 guests. Passed through security checkpoints from November 25th through December 1st. Meantime, AAA, they say more than 122 million Americans are going to be on the move

ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday travel period. Remembering those who died while experiencing homelessness, the memorial being held this weekend. Plus, a clean financial audit what NC Central credits for the accomplishment. And later, Will Arnett. He discusses his new film that's in theaters this weekend, first good morning Kim good morning Bianca good morning everyone a cold start to this Saturday morning but it won't stay cold for a long we're gonna see temperatures climbing into the 50s and whether you spend the day here in the central part of

the state or you head to the coast or the mountains you're gonna see really nice weather we're gonna talk about what you can expect for Christmas Day coming up in just a moment welcome back everyone I'm meteorologist Kim Deere filling in for Steve Stewart this morning we have a nice weekend on tap especially if you have any plans to be outdoors or need to do anything in your yard to get ready for the holiday right around the corner. Mostly sunny and 54, which is typical for this time of year. We're a little warmer for tomorrow at 61. Then we have a frontal system that's going to move through the area late Sunday and a Monday bringing very little chance of rain with it and that's going to drop our temperatures

back to 49 degrees, but we will rebound nicely. Wait until you see how warm it's going to be Christmas Day. High pressures dominating our forecast, you can see we have some high clouds moving in our direction, but we'll still see more sunshine. the cloud cover all day today. So if you have shopping on your menu for things to do for today, the weather is going to be nice for that. If you're headed out right now, you might need that light jacket, but you won't need it when you leave the shopping experience. I always want to say mall, but nowadays there's so many outdoor malls. So you may just need the jacket the whole time. Temperatures do drop back into the 40s as soon as that sun sets to be prepared for that.

Overall, we're all climbing really quickly into the 30s and 40s across the area. Once that sun got high enough into the sky. It really made a difference on our temperatures. At the Lenovo Center today, we could see Disney on ice. If you have plans for that, you'll need the jacket before and after. So overall, we've got chilly temperatures, but when you look at the map, it's the West Coast that's really dealing with the worst weather. Here in the central and eastern parts of the United States, we've got really nice calm weather as we lead up to the weekend, I mean, to the Christmas holiday, Bianca. All right, Kim, thank you. Way County will hold a memorial this weekend honoring the dozens of people who died this year while experiencing

homelessness. Organizers say they hope to honor the lives laws and to recommit to building a system where fewer people slip through the cracks and more find the safety and stability that they deserve. The annual memorial is happening at 715 tomorrow night at the South Wilmington Street Center and Raleigh will also be streaming live on the Wake County's Facebook page. In Durham, North Carolina Central University receiving a clean audit from the state auditor for the first time in three years. The school is saying there where it's zero findings for the fiscal year of 2025. Leaders say the achievement is because of Central's new

financial structure that was put in place about 18 months ago. Well, new details about the plane crash that killed NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, plus products that our North Carolina made. We're gonna take you to the local business making custom holiday ornaments. We've got new details about the tragic plane crash

in Statesville that killed seven people. Victims include NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his wife, Christina, and their two young children. According to People magazine article, Christina sent a text message to her mother before that crash, writing, we're in trouble. The NTSB says the Sessna Citation hit the ground short of the runway and then burst into flames. Investigators saying they don't know if a Mayday call was made before the crash, and they are not sure why the plane was heading back to the airport. At least two certified pilots were on board, including Greg Biffle, but it's not clear who was in control when the plane crash. Well, this morning, a Wake Force woman's idea born during the pandemic is now adorning homes and Christmas trees all across the country. In today's North Carolina May, Barbara Gibbs takes us inside Falcon Ridge Designs.

You are looking at the epitome of a home office, the heart and soul of Donna Clayton's Falcon Ridge Designs. She started small during COVID, selling on Etsy, and then... As I got into the small business world, I saw that there were laser cutters out there, and I'd never seen one. And so I took the jump. I used the money that I'd made from vinyl, and I bought my first laser. A 1,000-pound behemoth of a laser hauled into her Wake Forest home, cranking out all sorts of specialty items ever since. Right now, it's cutting her best-selling North Carolina-themed Christmas ornament. I sell ornaments all year round. Everybody goes on vacation.

They bring home an ornament from where they went to add to their Christmas tree. I mean, that's what we do. And so I sell ornaments all year round. And an array of other items like this clever charcuttery board. For people that don't know where to put things. Clayton comes up with her own ideas, and she partners with other designers. She's especially proud of her sourcing. That is from a North Carolina-based company.

All of my wood comes from them. And then all of my acrylic that I use for other. things are also come from North Carolina-based companies, women-owned companies, and so I like to do as much as I can to support other small businesses. It is the perfect Carolina collaboration. That's literally how we all grow. I'm putting money directly back into the local community. I'm putting money back into people's pockets to pay for their kids things. That's super important to me because that's why I do what I do. It's for my kids. That was Barbara Gids with that report. And there's more on Falcon Ridge Designs on ABC 11. We were just saying she's so crafty, setup shop right there in her living room. And she's right.

If you think about it, wherever you go, either it's a magnet or an ornament. This is true. This is true. I was just thinking, which is completely off topic, but it was the Starbucks cups. When you go to different Starbucks, they have different regional cups? Yeah, like Raleigh has their own, Dallas has their own. Oh, I didn't know that. All of our coffee drinkers are like, yes, they're shaking their head.

They're shaking their heads. If you like Starbucks, you know. But yes, it's going to be a day where you could start some Starbucks this morning. It's certainly cold enough outdoors. If you're headed out at the shop or if your wife is making you or your husband is making you do anything outside. I certainly am not planning to do anything outside, but my husband does have a honey-do list for today. So he might need his coat and maybe a cup of coffee if he's headed out right now. But we're certainly a lot warmer than we were earlier this morning.

Most of us started off in the 20s with the exception of Fayetteville. Fayetteville, you have been warm since I got here this morning. So we're going to see low to mid-50s for today, which is seasonable. Our average is 54. We're climbing into the lower 60s for tomorrow, so a little bit milder. And then for Christmas, it's going to be quiet, no snow in the forecast, because it's going to be unseasonably warm. We're going to look at that seven-day in just a few moments. But here's what you can expect for Christmas Day.

By 7 a.m. temperatures, we're going to be in the 40s, maybe even some upper 40s down in the sandhills. And we're looking at mid-60s to upper 60s for most of us on Christmas Day. So it is going to be perfect for everybody, every little one who's getting a bike from Santa or anybody getting a present that involves being outdoors with it. Christmas is going to be nice. You can even eat outdoors if you wanted to. A little bit of a roller coaster ride for temperatures over the next couple of days, but not major. 54 today, 61 tomorrow, 49. That's going to be the coldest day of the seven-day period on Monday.

And then we just steadily climb into the 50s, into the 60s, and then even into the 70s. We need the rain, but the potential to see it this week, very, very low. So it is a good day to go wash the car. You're definitely going to get some good days out of that car washing. It's going to stay nice for a while. High pressure dominating our forecast right now. We do have some high clouds out there, but certainly nothing that's going to stop us from seeing mostly sunny skies for today. We'll see that high of 54 later on this afternoon.

Once the sun sets, this evening, the temperatures will quickly drop back into the 30s. We won't be as cold tonight as we have been. last couple of nights at least this morning with temperatures in the upper 20s to start the day it's taken us a little bit of time to get where we currently are right now but we won't be that cold overnight tonight if you have any evening plans temperatures are going to cooperate pretty nicely you'll drop back into the 40s so you'll need that code I know there's a lot of holiday parties headed to the mountains this weekend certainly going to be a beautiful weekend for that a beautiful weekend to head

to the beach really a beautiful weekend to do just about anything daytime highs in the 50s for today, overnight lows in the 30s for tonight. And here's that seven-day forecast. I'll step out so you can see the whole thing, especially that 71 I teased. That's on Friday. Very nice for Christmas Day. Very nice for Christmas Eve. And any Hanukkah plans you have planned, anything you plan to do, period. This is a really good week for it. Back to you, Bianca. All right. Kim, thank you. Just ahead. Is this thing on? We're getting a preview of the new film directed by Bradley Cooper. The time down 953. Bradley Cooper has a new movie hitting theaters this weekend. Cooper is the

director behind Is This Thing On? It stars Laura Dern and Will Arnette. Entertainment reporter Joelle Gargula has more from the movie stars. I think I'm getting a divorce. What happens when the life you're living isn't the one you bargained for? What did me off was that I'm living in an apartment on my own. That's the question Bradley Cooper asks in his this. this thing on, a scrappy, charming, and convincing exploration of marriage. You two have always been very different. And you and dad are twins?

Your father is an immigrant to this country. I know that. And I've always been a woman who wants the taste of the exotic. Midlife catharsis, starring Laura Dern and Will Arnette, who co-wrote with Cooper. Nice to see you guys. How are you? The two play a couple navigating a separation. You left me alone.

I left you alone? You checked out. With Arnette's character, finding a renewed purpose in the new. New York comedy scene. Why are you doing Tinder? Getting a divorce. You cheated. No.

You didn't cheat and you getting a divorce? I felt like I was watching the type of a project that you likely wanted to make when you just got out of film school with all of your friends, but you couldn't. Yes. For me it certainly is. This is the kind of movie that the idea of making made me want to move to New York when I was 20 from Toronto. Fifteen buck cover.

To get a drink? Hey. How come she didn't have to be 15 bucks? She signed up for the open mic. Gave me this feeling of being young again. It kind of reminded me what I love about doing this. Like pinch ourselves moment. And you're with...

Ow. But you're with your family. I mean, Bradley is a dearest friend to both of us. And now he's stuck with me. Can I ask you guys what your favorite piece of direction was that you got from Bradley? No acting. No acting. Yeah.

Truly. I think differently, the way he would sometimes direct me like he was literally a coach in the NFL. It was really amazing. I mean, he was right there with us because he was operating a majority of the movie as well. It's also so wild when you think that you guys lived with each other 20 years ago. I know. It is insane.

We've had so many moments. It's so rare and we appreciate it so much. You made my day and you boosted my energy on a day when I really needed it. Oh, honey. I have no idea your life was this bad. Yeah, what's funny about your life? All right, that was our Joelle Gorgulow reporting there. And again, you know, oftentimes people have the tradition of going to the movie.

So you've got something to check out. A lot of people do. I know Steve Stewart always loves to go to the movie. For sure, for sure. I used to before COVID. Now we got so, I've gotten so accustomed to streaming. Get back out there in support. AMC, Regal, pick one, Kim.

Okay, I will. I promise, I promise. But today, you're looking pretty good. Whatever last minute errands you got to run. You got that right. No matter what you have planned this weekend, the weather is certainly not going to stop you from doing it. A little chilly today, in my opinion. But look at what happens this week.

That does not look like a Christmas forecast. We're talking about temperatures near 70 Christmas Day and then into the 70s the day after Christmas. All right. This is the time now to go ice skating. Yes. We have so many ice skating spots around. And then also the Chinese Lantern Festival. Anything outdoors, this is it.

This is the time now. Yes. I know. Take your family. Get out the house. All right. The second hour of Good Morning America is next from the eyewitness News Center. I'm Bianca Holman for Kim Deener and the entire eyewitness news team.

There they are. Give us a wave, y'all. We love them. Thanks for watching. Continue watching us online right now at ABC11.com. ABC11 eyewitness news is sponsored by Ruggin home of Raleigh, Experience the Extraordinary.