ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 9am - December 28, 2025

Episode Date: December 28, 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 Tamara Scott. It's Sunday, December 28th, this morning on eyewitness news. She says, I'm so happy to be back home with my family. Detained for more than a month, now back home. What's next for a Wendell woman facing asylum hearing?

Plus, Raleigh's new noise rules are almost here, what bars and restaurants need to know. And from snow in the northeast to flooding in the west coast, severe weather snarling post-holiday travel, coast to coast, the impact we're seeing, and what's in store for us here at home. Meteorologist Steve Stewart joining us in just a moment. But let's first take a live look at the Raleigh skyline this morning. cloudy out there. That's what Steve's been talking about this morning. Let's check in with him. And so it's going to be cooler today than too as well. Oh yeah. Yeah. We were almost 70 yesterday here. We were 69, but sandhills were in the low to mid 70s. And so yeah, big changes are coming our way. And we're socked in with the clouds right now. This is a visible shot.

Down east, we actually still have some sunshine. Enjoy it while you've got it because these clouds, this low cloud deck is really going to be taking over as we go throughout the day today. and only a low 50s and I'm being optimistic. This is a daytime temperature. Once we get to the evening, though, that number is going to be going up. And by tomorrow morning, we could start today closer to 60 degrees. 52 and 33 are the norms, by the way, and there is that deficit about an inch. We need rain.

This is four months in a row now of deficits in the rainfall category. We have some coming on Monday, about a 40% chance, and it's for light rain. It's not a soaking rain. Most of the guidance has us less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall. So it's going to be spotty. And if you get some, again, it's going to be light. The story is really how cold it's going to get. A little shopping today heading out, maybe getting some returns going.

It's pretty busy day for that. Notice the temperature is getting up around 50 or so, even into the evening hours, holding there, and then eventually going up once we get past midnight. 39 degrees, the temperature at North Hills right now, with an east breeze at about five miles an hour. That's a good nearly 10 degrees colder than yesterday. With mid-30s in our northern counties, 40 in Irwin and Favill, currently in 41 degrees. Evening plans of heading out to the Lantern Festival. Those numbers will hold near 50 degrees.

And actually late evening, those numbers start to go up a bit is that warm front lifts in from the south and pushes to the north. Arctic Air gets here the late tomorrow. And by Tuesday, we could feel like mid-30s, even in the afternoon. More on that coming up in a few minutes. Tamara? Thank you, Steve. Well, breaking overnight, Russia launches missiles and drones at Kiev,

killing at least one person. Ukrainian officials say the attack targets homes and energy sites, signaling Putin isn't seeking peace. And happening today, President Trump is hosting Ukrainian President Zelensky in Florida as efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war continue. Zelensky says he'll raise territorial issues with both leaders seeking a peace deal after nearly four years of conflict. We're following new details into an armed robbery that led to an officer

involved shooting and Rocky Mount. Police now say the investigation centers around a 42-year-old man. It began Saturday around 11.30 a.m. Police say Willie McGee Jr. allegedly went inside First Citizens Bank on Wakeland Street with a letter claiming his truck was rigged with an explosive. Hours later, police found McGee in a Hobby Lobby parking lot on Sutter's Creek Boulevard and Rocky Mount. But when police approached his truck, McGree hopped out and started shooting officers. Returned fire striking McGee. McGee was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay. No officers were hurt in the shooting. Velazquez, Antonio is back home in Wendell after spending more than a month in federal

immigration detention. Border Patrol agents detained her November 18th at an HVAC job site in Raleigh. She was held at a detention center in Georgia and released this week after her attorney filed a habeas corpus petition asking a judge to review the legality of her detention. Federal documents show Velazquez has no criminal record and the government classifies her case as involving a non-criminal individual. What also helped her get through with support from the Wake County community, including neighbors and elected leaders who held a rally calling for her release. Fatima telling us, I know many of them didn't know me, but I have to thank them from the

bottom of my heart for their support. Just thank you so much. One day, I'd like to see them and thank them in person. And Velasquez came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14. Her attorney says that she was allowed to remain in the U.S. while her asylum case. is processed. Fatima and her family are raising money to cover her legal expenses. She has an asylum hearing scheduled for next week. And the city of Raleigh is less than a week away from its new noise ordinance going into effect. The new rules only apply to amplified sound coming from commercial businesses like bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Now under the new rules, decibel levels will vary based on time of day, day of the week, and location. Glenwood

South's designation as a hospitality district will allow for high decibel limits than other parts of the city and today the party will officially end for skaters at the rink in downtown raleigh earlier this month the rink announced it will end its season early it's a decision they made to support recovery efforts at the raleigh convention center all ticket holders for any days after today will be refunded now the decision comes after this massive fire erupted at the convention center it caused extensive damage and now the city will use the red hat amphitheater as a mobile kitchen the rink was supposed to be open through January 4th. Well, now that Christmas is over, the stores will be busy with

shoppers returning those unwanted gifts. Now here's some tips if you're going to be one of them out there today. First, if you were given a gift receipt, make sure to bring that with you. Also, double check return policies. Most retailers offer refund or exchange programs during this time, but you can typically only have a limited amount of time to use it. So it's important to realize stores are also not legally required to accept returns. Stores will be able to to track you and how many items that you've returned throughout the year. So they can say no to serial returners. So it's really important to know those stores' policies. And also, if you are not able to return to the store, look at the actual product and that policy. You know, you actually

may be able to return something to the manufacturer. Now, also, don't forget your ID at some stores, they require it to show your identification with a return. And from weeping orders to global flashpoints, we are reviewing President Trump's first year back in the White House for the second time. And from Durham roots to Dill Dreams, how a local shelf bought a pickle company and brought it home. But first, good morning, Steve. Hey, good morning there, Tamara. Good morning, everybody. A cloudy sky's out there right now. A temperature is mainly in the 30s, a little bit brighter, well out to our east, but that's going to be short-lived as the clouds are going to take over. A cool day today, maybe a sprinkle

or two with temperatures in the 50s tomorrow. We get a southwestly wind boosting our temperature up to the 60s and 70s and then turning cold tomorrow night. All the details have to the break. Welcome back, everybody. Good morning to you. Yesterday in the 60s and 70s. A lot colder today. Cloudy skies, low 50s. Well, actually warm overnight. And by tomorrow morning, when we start today, we'll be in the upper 50s to near 60, climbing to the mid-60s, midday, and then the temperatures are going to fall after that. It's a whirlwind of a day tomorrow. The winds will be gusting to near 30 miles an hour. Then it's a cold wind later in the day. Bright and brisk on Tuesday, about 44, not. Not much of a wind, 10, maybe 15 miles an hour, but it's going to make it feel colder. So good indoor day today is what's hold in those 50s. Once we get later in the evening, that's when the numbers start to go up is that warm front lifts up. And then by again, tomorrow morning, we're flirting with 60 by six or seven in the morning. 39 degrees into North Hills right now with cloudy skies out there.

Area wide, we're widespread 30s, kind of uniform temperatures, low 40s to the south and mid-30s up around Oxford. Rocksboro currently at 37 degrees. Evening planner, if you're heading out to the Deepak tonight, tonight's the first show of Harry Potter, the cursed child, 48 degrees as you walk in. A little bit milder, though, by the time you head home by a good three, four degrees or so. What a mess across the northern tier for travel. Today it's going to cause a lot of headaches. We've got tons of advisories from winter storm mornings, blizzard warnings with heavy snow, Minneapolis, Green Bay, strong wind elsewhere where we got gust to near 60 miles an hour and a winter weather advisory to the northeast for some freezing rain. in spots. So some cities that could have delays today, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, pack your patience, could be a long one. But so far this morning, the major hubs are doing okay. Got your seven day coming up in just a few minutes to have. Such a relief for a lot of folks. Thank you, Steve. Well, Wake County is accepting Christmas trees. The Happy Trails Christmas Tree recycling program last year it turned 3800 trees into 83 tons of

mulch. If you would like to donate your tree, make sure to remove all of your decorations first before dropping it off at the nine designated sites listed there on your screen. It's going on this weekend through January 31st. And a Durham chef loved pickles as a kid. Now she owns a North Carolina pickle brand, handcrafted in the Bull City. Her story coming up in two minutes. Welcome back.

Well, ABC 11 continues shining a spotlight on all things made in North Carolina. And today, we're taking a bite out of Kewsk, creating a handcrafted pickles. As Amber Rapinto shows us, a Durham native was happy to get herself into a pickle with this company. Executive chef in Durham Native, Ashland Smith, has always had a passion for food.

We got a full-wide scholarship to Johnswell University in general, and then I chose Rhode Island. I went there, a four-wide scholarship after winning a recipe contest. I was chosen 10 out of 500. As an entrepreneur, Ashland also had her eye on a triad-based company

that's been around for decades. Cukes, known for its handcrafted pickles. I met Lindsay, the former owner, when we were doing catering for during COVID, I met her, and I was like, he was talking about selling it. I overheard her about selling it, and I'm like, oh, I'm going to buy that one day. That one day came in 2025. This is the most recent company I acquired was Cukes. But I've always loved to make pickles when I was a kid.

I made pickles with my grandma and my mom. Now, Ashton has brought Cukes home to Durham. We have the three flavors, the classic, sweet and spicy, and then the spicy deal. The pickles are hand-cred. crafted in the Bull City using local cucumbers and ingredients. We source from local vendors here for our cucumbers. It's really simple. It's cucumbers. It's onions, the vinegar, water, sugar, and thens and spices. A lot of love.

Three, two, one. And in a state that truly loves its pickles, even ringing in the new year with a pickle drop, Ashland is proud to continue bringing cukes into kitchens. Oh, it's one of my favorite things. Keeping it local and keeping North Carolina in a pickle in the best way. means more to me having a product that someone can take into their home and share with their families or with their friends means more to me than just catering. Amber Repenta, ABC 11, Eyewitness News.

And I already told you, Steve, I love pickles. You do. And it's not just the pickles, right? The pickle juice. That jar is empty when she's done. It is. You gotta use everything. You know, times are hard these days.

There you go, good deal. A big difference from yesterday. 60s and 70s, today we're in the 40s and 50s. It's pretty cold out there. You can see the skyline there, nice and cloudy, not the prettiest of days. Good indoor day. Maybe you want to watch the Panthers play. Good football, watching weather.

We're socked in with the clouds. Now down east, you still have sunshine, but notice the direction the clouds are moving. They're heading towards you. So Edgecombe County parts of Samson County enjoy the sun while you've got it. It is going to be short-lived out there. Upper 40s and low 50s is a cloudy colder day. We warm overnight, though, by tomorrow morning we're flirting with 60 to start. It'll be in mid-60s.

It'll be a warm, windy day, Arctic front comes in, and by the evening, we're in the 20s, well, least the feels like temperatures will be. Ring it in the new year, looks good. Seasily chilly. We'll have temperatures in the mid to upper 30s around midnight. Big drop, though, from Monday to Tuesday. We'll moderate, or the average highs and the low 50s. We'll be closer to that as we finish to work week. But interesting, we'll get to the low 50s today, kind of hold there for a while.

But notice when we get late evening hours, look at midnight, one, two, three, four, five in the morning. We're getting up close to 60 degrees to start the day tomorrow as a warm front comes in from the south. I really enhance the sensitivity here of this model, the high resolution rapid refresh could get some sprinkles today or maybe a passing light shower with all the clouds that we'll be dealing with. Tomorrow we're in the 60s. The front comes in. The feels like temperatures dropping by dinner time, 20s and 30s. By midnight, we're going to be widespread 20s. And for the kids at the bus stop, potentially teens and low 20s to start the day on Tuesday. So this Arctic air, even though we're just getting a glancing blow of it, the core of it stays north. It is going to get cold. Good for the Panthers today. A lot of clouds around. There could be a drizzler of passing light shower as well, and temperatures near 50 for the entire game. Overcast at North Hills right now with an east breeze at five miles an hour, widespread upper 30s to near 40, a touch cooler there in Oxford and Roanoke Rapids at 34 degrees. This is it for the rink today. If you have tickets and you're going, numbers holding near 50. through the afternoon. So not bad out there for some ice skating. Here comes that Arctic

front and blasts on through mid-60s. Again, the timing is key. If this front is an hour or too late, we could be closer to 70 if it's an hour or too fast in the low 60s. But you get the idea. Once the front moves in, temperatures start to fall and then it will be a downright chilly day on Tuesday at 44 degrees. The core of the cold air, though, is going to stay up to our north. All right. So your highs today, it's interesting. We're going to be in the 40s and 50s for daytime, but the numbers warm up overnight. I think midnight temperatures are going to be in the 40s to near 50, but we go up from there overnight and then we'll be near 60 to start tomorrow, getting up to 66 midday.

And then the temperatures will fall later in the afternoon. Be a cloudy start, but we'll get some sunshine later in the day. A light shower is possible, but this is not the story here. It's how cold it gets. Bright and brisk on Tuesday, a chilly breeze on Wednesday. And we ring in the new year with temperatures in the mid to upper 30s, around mid night under partly cloudy skies. First day of 2026, about normal, a little above, actually, at 54, and then a risk of a shower as we head into next weekend. Yeah, you can hear Old Lang Zine

playing, huh? Yeah, it's beautiful. Thank you, Steve. Well, as we wind down the year, ABC News is looking back at the biggest breakout stars, heroes, and newsmakers that had everyone talking. Join Good Morning America co-inger Robin Roberts for the year in special, the year 2025. It airs tomorrow, December 29th at 8 p.m. here on ABC 11 and streams the next day on Disney Plus and Hulu. Then join us next Wednesday night as we ring in the new year. Tune in for Dick Clark's New Year's New Year's Rocking Eve with Ryan Seacrest. The fun starts at 8 on New Year's Eve here on ABC 11. And we cannot forget Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils. Duke is headed to El Paso. They'll tango with Arizona State and the Sun Bowl on New Year's Eve. That kickoff is at 2 p.m.

And it's a historic combat, a turbulent first year, back in office, a year in review in two minutes. Welcome back. Now let's take a look back at the political headlines that dominated 2025. Here's ABC's Karen Stravers. Hi, Donald John Trump. 2025 marked President Trump's return to the White House and historic political comeback. America's deadline is over. The president immediately getting down to business, more than 200 executive actions on day one, including rescinding nearly 80 Biden-era actions.

So this is January 6th. These are the hostages. And pardoning 1,500 people convicted of crimes stemming from the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. The president put billionaire Elon Musk in charge of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, created by executive order to cut federal spending. Trump giving Musk immense power to slash government jobs

and eliminate programs and offices. The president implemented sweeping tariffs on nearly all trade partners. It's a declaration of economic independence. And sparked trade wars with China, Mexico and Canada, leading to higher prices on some goods. The president following through on his campaign pledge to aggressively crack down on illegal immigration,

The Department of Homeland Security claiming around 600,000 people have been deported through enforcement operations. So we're detaining them and we are throwing them the hell out of our country. Foreign policy dominated the president's agenda this year. His first trip overseas, a three-country tour of the Middle East, where Arab leaders greeted him with lavish welcomes and pledged billions in investment in the U.S. The Trump organization has extensive business ties in the Middle East, And Qatar gifted the president with a 747 luxury jet, but the White House says will eventually be used as Air Force One.

In February, an explosive meeting in the Oval Office with Ukraine's President Zelensky. Not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards. And the president in August rolling out a red carpet in Alaska for Russian President Vladimir Putin. I've always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin with Vladimir. The president said he could solve the Russia-Ukraine crisis on day one. But a year into his presidency, the war rages on,

despite follow-up meetings with Zelensky and shuttle diplomacy by the president's special envoy. The president flexing U.S. military and diplomatic strength in the Middle East, in July, ordering a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran. And in October, traveling to the region to tout a ceasefire between Israel and and Hamas and the return of the remaining hostages. Together we've achieved what everybody said was impossible. The White House facing questions on Capitol Hill

about operations in the Caribbean against alleged drug traffickers, Democrats and Republicans calling for greater transparency. These boats may not have had any drugs on it. We will never know because they were blown to smithereens. The shocking assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, the president giving a posthumous medal of freedom to Kirk, a close ally who played a key role in his election victories.

A fearless warrior for liberty, beloved leader who galvanized the next generation. Questions continue about the president's health, president undergoing an MRI in October as part of a physical, his second this year. President's physician says Mr. Trump remains in, quote, excellent health. And this fall, the longest government shut down in U.S. history, 43 days. Senate Democrats pushing for weeks to extend expiring. Obamacare subsidies. Tens of millions of people across the country will realize that their health insurance

premiums, co-pays, and deductibles have skyrocketed beyond what's affordable because of Republican in action. But ultimately, giving up their demand and voting to fund the government. Democrats in November scored big wins in three key races, Virginia governor, New Jersey governor, and New York City mayor. Exit polls showing voters' top concern, affordability. The White House says President Trump will hit the road early next year to tout his efforts to bring down prices ahead of the midterm elections.

But polls now show a majority of Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy. Aaron Travers, ABC News, the White House. Well, snow, flooding and tornadoes, extreme weather snarling post-holiday travel, coast to coast, and complicating the trip home for many. And a scam alert for holiday travelers what not to plug into or log into at the airport coming up. 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. And we're taking a live look at downtown Durham this morning. It still looks beautiful, though.

A little cloudy. Good morning, Carolina. It's Sunday, December 28th. I'm Tamara Scott. You're watching eyewitness news on ABC 11 and wherever you stream. The details of all the top stories in the day's news is just ahead. But first, let's check in with meteorologist Steve Stewart. He's got your latest forecast here this morning and the clouds and it's a little cooler today. That's what you were saying. It is. But you know, it's funny. It's going to be more of a normal temperature day today. But we've been so spoiled lately with the warm. Yeah, and the up and down temperatures continue is we're going to warm up again tomorrow. talk about that in a second. You see all the clouds out there right now. Down east, you still have some sunshine, but that short-lived because this low cloud deck is coming in and those clouds are going to win out today. Low 50s for daytime highs, but once we get past midnight, those numbers are going to go up, folks. It's going to be an interesting night. As a warm front lifts in, we warm up overnight. Yesterday near 70 degrees, so nowhere near that number for today. We need rainfall. We're ending December with another deficit. Look at month after a month. Four months in a row. this. We need to get some rain in here. I have some, but just not a lot. Tomorrow's that Arctic Front comes in midday early afternoon. There's just not moisture to work with. I mean, we're talking less than a tenth of an inch of rain more than likely as it moves on by. But we'll get something, at least in many spots. Forties out there this morning, midday will get up to around 50 degrees, later evening hours kind of holding near 50 if you're doing some shop and got some returns to do. But once we get closer to midnight, the numbers go up and

continue going up overnight. 10 degrees into North Hills, cloudy skies right now. That's 9 degrees cooler than this time yesterday, with widespread 30s to near 40 degrees across the board. So fairly uniform temperatures out there. Heading out to the Lantern Festival tonight, numbers will be around 50 through the early evening and late evening hours. Those numbers start to inch up a little bit and just mainly cloudy, but I can't rule out drizzle or a passing light shower at times today. That Arctic air comes back. Feels like mid 30s Tuesday. More on that coming up in just a few minutes, Tamara. Well, thank you, Steve. As parts of the country dig out from a post-Christmas snowfall, a new storm is forecast to hit from the Midwest into the northeast. With more ice, snow, and heavy rain. That could affect the return home. ABC's Johnny Fernandez has the details.

After heavy snow blanketed the northeast, a new storm system is moving across the country, bringing snow and rain. New York City continues to dig out. Dig out after more than four inches fell. most snow the city has seen since January of 2022. The city's working pretty well to get over salted and everything, so it's all right. I think it was absolutely beautiful. We're from North Carolina, so it was great to come up to New York and see the snow. Parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan with significant icing over the past few days. Out west, an atmospheric river brought torrential rains to Southern California. Roads were washed away. Drivers were.

stranded. A confirmed EF-Zero tornado tore down signs, scattered debris, and broke windows in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Residents in the San Bernardino Mountain community of Lytle Creek stranded after this bridge collapse in the raging floodwaters. The weather is complicating the return home from the holidays. Roads and airports are jammed with travelers. Thousands of flights canceled or delayed since Friday. This is wild. This is no Christmas miracle. Parts of the South and Midwest could see record-breaking temperatures before the weekend is over. Johnny Fernandez, ABC News, New York.

Well, here's a live look at R2U, the holiday travel rush continuing to be a headache for millions of travelers nationwide. More flights affected this weekend caused by winter weather in northeast and major flooding out west. We'll make sure to check in with your carrier for the status of your flight. 3.7 million North Carolinians are expected to travel this holiday season. And a scam alert for those traveling over the new year. If you're flying, the TSA issued an alert about the risk of what's known as juice jacking at USB ports found at airports and other public spaces. This is where hackers can install malware at public charging stations in order to steal your personal information.

Instead, it's advised you bring your own portable battery packs to charge your devices. Another threat this holiday are public Wi-Fi's. The Better Business Bureau says hackers can set up fake unsecured networks to steal your data. leading to fraud and to protect yourself while traveling, use your phone's hotspot or wait for a secure network. Now, new this morning, Bridget Bardot, French cinema icon and sex symbol of the 1960s. She has died at the age of 91.

She rose to fame with the 1956 film and God-created woman becoming a global star in a symbol of sexual freedom. Later, she dedicated her life to animal rights, founding her own foundation to protect animals worldwide. Despite controversy over her political views, Bordeaux remains one of France's most iconic figures. And a new Toyota recall, what drivers need to know right now.

Plus, from championships highs to gambling scandals, the year that shook sports coming up. Amanda Seifred could finally win it at Oscar, why her latest role might steal it. But first, good morning, Steve. Good morning there, Tamara. Good morning, everybody. Cloudy out there right now. Temperatures are mainly in the 30s to near 40 degrees in a couple of spots. Highs will be cooler today.

Back to the 50s and a lot of clouds. It's that a little green strip. There could be a sprinkle or two out there or a little drizzle at times. And then tomorrow, 60s and even low 70s and windy before the cold air rushes in late in the day. All the details after the break. Welcome back, everybody.

Good morning to you after 60s and 70s yesterday. We're going to be noticeably colder, lower 50s. We do warm, though, after sunset. It's an interesting feature as a warm front lives in And a robust southwest breeze boost our temperature up and by tomorrow morning we could start at 60 and then get up to 66 before the temperatures fall again later in the day. So the up and down continues and we could squeeze out a light shower. That's not the story. It's how cold it's going to feel by tomorrow evening.

We'll have feels like temperatures, folks, basically in the 20s. Good day to watch some football. A lot of clouds around in Chile as we go through the afternoon holding around 51 or so. And then once we get to 9, 10 o'clock, those numbers start to go up overnight. slowly, but they do increase. 39 into North Hills right now. Cloudy skies out there. Area wide, we're kind of close to that 40 degree mark.

Mid upper 30s across the board with Oxford, one of the coolest spots at 35 degrees. Tonight, if you're heading out to the Deepak to see Harry Potter, the cursed child, 48 when you're walking in and cloudy. A little milder, though, by the time you're going to be heading home in the lower 50s. A mess of travel across the northern tier today. New York should be fine. They had some activity earlier on.

But look at all these advisors, winter weather advisors. That's for Sunday and Monday for freezing rain primarily. But Green Bay to Minneapolis, winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings, Fargo, all the way down close to Minneapolis. So we could have some delays in a number of cities today, including Minneapolis, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and maybe Indianapolis. So pack your patience if you're traveling there.

So far, we're starting to see some delays now in Philadelphia. Also in Chicago, just about 45 minutes. Got your 70 forecast coming up in. few minutes Tamara it's been green all morning oh well thank you Steve well Toyota is pulling more than 55,000 vehicles in the US according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a bolt inside the inverter may not have been tightened properly leading to safety risks the company is currently working on solutions affected owners will be notified and from Emmy to an Oscar more on

Amanda Seifred's promising role ahead and records broken titles won and scandals that just rock the games we love. 2025 in sports next. Welcome back. Well, what a year in sports we've had. Champions crowned records shattered and history made across nearly every league. But as fans were celebrating, scandals were quietly unfolding behind the scenes, shaking pro and college sports alike. ABC's Christine Cordero takes us through the biggest triumphs and the controversies that divined this year in sports.

Only in New Orleans, y'all. Super Bowl 59, the Philadelphia Eagles push pushed past the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Super Bowl MVP, Jailen Hurts. Ohio State scoring 31 unanswered points, defeating Notre Dame in the college football playoff national championship. Rory McElroy winning the Masters in a one-hole playoff, earning a green jacket and completing his job. journey for the elusive career grand slam. It's been 14 long years, but thankfully, I got the job done. On the ice, Alexander Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history and becoming the first player to ever reach 900 career goals. And history on the basketball court as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominating the regular season and finishing the Indiana Pacers in seven

games, winning their first NBA championship. As champions were celebrating, controversy was brewing. Suspended Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups pleading not guilty to federal charges for his alleged role in a gambling scheme tied to the mafia. The NBA Hall of Famer is accused of luring unsuspecting players to rigged poker games. He's the most prominent name among more than 30 people charged in a case that has rocked the NBA. Sidquavius Day Day Hunter is banned for life from the NCAA, embroiled in a gambling scandal. An NCAA investigation found Hunter and two of his University of New Orleans teammates engaged in point shaving. I did point shaving.

I mean, I did go out there and not do my business. They're shooting a ball and not actually trying to make it, but making it. Like make a couple and miss a couple. Emmanuel Class A walking out of court released on a $600,000 bond after pleading not. guilty to charges he conspired with sports betters to throw pitches into the dirt on purpose. Authorities accused Class A and his Cleveland Guardian's teammate Luis Ortiz of accepting bribes and kickbacks to help gamblers win big bets on rigged pitches like this one. Throw it over the plane. The first one bounces in the grass.

Ortiz also pleaded not guilty and was released on a half million dollar bond. In a thrilling game seven finish, the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays in extra innings, winning back-to-back World Series titles. In the WNBA finals, the Las Vegas Aces completing a sweep of the Phoenix Mercury, their third title in four seasons. Yukon women's basketball back in the winner's circle, taking down South Carolina to earn their 12th national championship.

In a Stanley Cup finals rematch, the Florida Panthers defeating the Edmonton Oilers again and repeating as champions. 2025 included new beginnings, unrivaled success, fierce competition, unprecedented longevity, finding strength in times of tragedy, and celebrating life's most joyous occasions. Kristy on Friereo, ABC News, Washington. So I've been asking folks on Facebook if they can guess my favorite.

They all can. Everyone can. Everyone can guess it, right? It's as clear as day. What is it? Taylor Swift, Travis Kelsey got engaged. It's basically sports. No, I'm just kidding. It was a good year for sports. It was a good year. Yeah. Now we're hoping the can. Yes, we need that.

26 a good one. Right. All right. Outside right now, a lot of clouds. Big change from yesterday. We were in the 60s and 70s. We're going to be a good 20 degrees cooler in most spots. So overcast conditions out there right now.

You can see that we got some sun though in areas down east, Kinston and east of 95 for a little bit. But the clouds are going to win out as well. So it's going to be a cloudy day today with upper 40s and low 50s daytime. But we'll warm up. once we get past 7, 8 o'clock in the evening hours, and by tomorrow morning, we could be close to 60 to start. It'll be a warm, windy daytime, but by the evening, it's going to have feels like temperatures of the 20s under clear skies. An Arctic front's going to come in. Ringing the new year in, though, seasonally chilly, we'll call it.

We'll be in the 30s as we get close to midnight there on Wednesday night. But a big drop from tomorrow down to Tuesday, but notice we'll just kind of moderate and we'll get closer to our seasonal norms for this time of the year. We'll get up to 51 as we go through the afternoon. today. A little dip in temperature, but we're going to get to the mid-50s by midnight and keep climbing from there. Matter of fact, by early tomorrow morning, we're flirting with 60 degrees to start today as that warm front brings in some warmer air from the south. I kind of turned up the sensitivity here on the high-resolution rapid refresh model to kind of show you there's potential for some sprinkles or dare I say even a spotty little brief shower today. It's

mainly going to be clouds though. 60s for tomorrow and here comes that front. This is midday. It starts to push on by. Temperatures in fall. These are feels like temperatures, by the way. So with the breeze, it'll feel like 20s and 30s by dinner time. And then by midnight, it's in the 20s. And for the kids early at the bus stop, Tuesday morning, could be in the teens in a few areas,

so definitely going to be cold. Not terrible down for the Panther game today. Temperatures near 50 for the game. There could be a little drizzle, but it's a big game for the Panthers as the Seahawks. One of the better teams than league are in town today. 39 degrees of North Hills right now. That's nine degrees cooler than this time yesterday, with widespread 30s across the board and a few lower 40s, Sanford, Irwin, Fayette, Clinton, and Smithfield, all in the low 40s at this hour. On the ice, so this is it for downtown Raleigh at the rink. Temperatures through the afternoon, again holding near that 50 degree mark. Here comes that Arctic front, warm and windy out ahead of it, a wind shift behind it. Temperatures fall late in the afternoon and continue dropping. Forty-four for the high temperature. But it feels like the 30s as we go into our Tuesday with a brisk breeze.

The coldest air, though, stays well to the north. Highs ranging from 40s north to around 50 in the triangle, and then we'll be upper 50s in the sandhills. The warm air vicks in overnight. So midnight temperatures will likely be in the lower 50s in spots, but they go up from there and near 60 to start the day tomorrow, getting up to 66 midday, and then the temperatures fall in the afternoon, and we'll get some afternoon sunshine as well. If we get a shower, folks, it's going to be less than a tenth of an inch. Monday, Bright and Brisk, I'm sorry, Tuesday, Bright and Brisk, Wednesday, a chilly breeze, and we'll ring in the new year with temperatures about 36 to 39 degrees and just a few clouds.

So no weather concerns at all. First day of the new year, about 54 degrees, and then a risk of a shower as we head into next weekend. Tamara? Sounds great. Thank you, Steve. Well, in entertainment news, actress Amanda Seifred already has an Emmy and an Oscar nomination, But now the actress is back with a role that could land her that Oscar win. George Pinocchio takes a look at her new musical biopic, The Testament of Anne Lee. The Testament of Anne Lee recounts the life of Anne Lee,

the founding member of the Shaker movement created in the 18th century. It all came from this need to have to find a greater purpose from grief. And she did it for herself, but she created a space that is of equality. between gender and race in the 18th century and that was completely unheard of the film is a stylistic musical she had to sing to survive that was her worship that was the way she connected to her hype to god through these songs and through movement and through like static dancing all the music. He, you know, is very much not interested in the Broadway version of what this was going to sound like. And so that was freeing immediately. Lewis Pullman and Thomas and McKenzie play Anne Lee's most loyal supporters. I've learned that historically women's stories have been kind of like tempered down. And so this is a great opportunity to like bring like to that.

It deals with a lot of hard subjects, but it was like all my memories of it was like so fun. So many good laughs. Amanda just naturally brings that. She is such a, she's hilarious. Like she's so funny and she's so much fun. So there was never not going to be liberty. The testament of Anne Lee is rated R. George Pinocchio for On the Red Carpet.

Hey, welcome back. We are counting down to Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve with host Ryan Seacrest. This year's event will feature the largest concert lineup in the show's history. Diana Ross will take the stage as the headliner, but Mariah Carey, Post Malone, and Pitbull. A whole other list of others will also be performing. Here's George Pridio,

with more on some of this year's performers about what we can expect. Four, three, two, one, happy New Year! Just before Ryan Seacrest counts down to midnight, Diana Ross will headline New Year's Rock and Eve on ABC with performances from Mariah Carey, Post Malone, Chapel Rhone, Pitbull, and many more. This kind of energy right here, just us coming together.

We keep this going and keep this growing. We're going to have an unparalleled 2026. This is the thing that you grow up, you know, that everybody in the country is watching this tonight. Among this year's first time Rock and Eve performers, Big X the plug, I'm excited, I'm blessed. Yeah, it's just an honor. And the singing voices of Huntrix from K-pop Demon Hunters.

We're going up, boop, we're lit. The 2026 energy. Dick Clark Energy, let's go. Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again. We'll see Charlie Puth on stage again, 10 years after this performance in Times Square. I'm happy to be inside this time now. I was outside in Times Square, and it was a particularly chilly 2015.

Other performers include 50 Cent, Demi Lovato, and Tucker Wetmore, whose normal New Year's plans are a little more low-key. Usually I'll rent a cabin in the woods with my buddies, and we'll just party, get a six-pack, maybe 12. It's a good night. It'll be a good night of music this New Year's Eve, live on ABC. George Pinocchio for on the red carpet. Well, a Rocky Mountain man shot by police after armed robbery details coming up. And a Wendell woman is home this morning after weeks in federal immigration detention.

Her fight to stay in the U.S. isn't over yet what we're learning this morning.