ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 9am - May 10, 2026

Episode Date: May 10, 2026

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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 Sunday, May 10th this morning on eyewitness news. Centering past, save Lador, the series of the Eastern Conference final. All right, that's what we like to see this morning, the Carolina Hurricanes are east. Eastern Conference finals bound sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers four games a zero and getting a win last night in overtime. Commitimate weekend this morning we're celebrating graduates from the class of 2026 at several local

universities. Plus it's also Mother's Day many of us celebrating today by spending some serious cash. Let's go ahead and take a live look at the Raleigh skyline right now here at 9 o'clock looking pretty beautiful Steve it looks like some of those clouds have faded on by because you can really see the sun in the blue He's gorgeous out there. I just did a nice little walkabout in the parking lot between shows and man, it feels fantastic out there right now. It's going to be a good day to get out. Not much of a breeze at all. The clouds we had this morning now pushing off the coast and we're looking fantastic. As you look south and east, you can still see some of those high level clouds, but they're drifting away from us. A couple of fair weather clouds this afternoon and that's it. All the way up to 85 degrees and just a light breeze today. The normal high 79, so it's six degrees above average. It was 76. Yesterday, by the way, 94 and 31 are the records on this date. We still have a deficit with the rain. I'm disappointed.

And when the model data now shows Monday, just some spotty showers, mainly in the afternoon. I think the better chances far the north that you live. For most of us, it's going to be Wednesday evening and overnight that we're going to get some rain. And even that doesn't look like a lot when you add it all up in the rain gauge. Not a bad day. Maybe taking mom out for a round of golf. We climbed to 85 and 4 this afternoon. Again, full sunshine as we go throughout the afternoon hours, less just just.

a spotty little cloud here and there. Now as we go into Monday in the afternoon, predict you're showing some showers coming on in in our northern counties, but you see how kind of just fizzles out. So spotty showers will be with us as we go with around dinner time and then that's it. So again, most of us not seeing much at all. A few hundreds of an inch, a little bit more the farther north that you live. Well, that's not going to be a whole heck of a lot to really help things out with the drought. 67 into North Hills, a light breeze out there, less than five miles an hour. Do you point about 61.

It feels really nice. 66 Oxford, 66 Chapel Hill, and Southern Pines already at 70 degrees. Heading out to the last show of the Great Gatsby at 630 as you're walking in about 81. Heading back to your car, not bad, 67 degrees. Next weekend, we're heating up. By next Sunday, we can be flirting with 90. More on that in a few minutes, Bianca. All right.

Well, Steve, we've got some heat on the ice. The Carolina Hurricanes back home this morning as champions, The Cains beat the Flyers 3-2 in overtime. The Cains are 8-0, and the postseason will advance to the Eastern Conference final for the third time in four years. So here's straight on Miles with more. 1987 was the last time the NHL saw a team start 8-0 in the playoffs. While the Carolina Hurricanes' latest win has the league on notice, they are excited, but far from satisfied. Yeah, I mean, you've got to get through the conference finals to win it, so it takes four series.

But yeah, we're happy. Work we put in so far. We obviously, we talk about a lot. First step is to make the playoffs and take big steps after that, but you just continue to push. I honestly think we have another level to get to. I still think, yeah, our star wasn't great again tonight. So I think we are playing well.

And it's great to get the sweeps, but I think we do have another level to get to. And I'm sure if you could ask any of the guys that agree with me. I think last year we had a great group and we were really tight-knit, but this year it just feels a little different. I don't know what it is, but I like the way we're rolling. You're getting success from Goalton and PK Power Play, 5-on-5 hockey. Everything is cooking right now.

Probably the thing I'm most proud of of this group is that. And now, you know, here we are. We've got to find a way to get that next step. And I mean, that's obviously easier said than done. But I know one thing is they're going to get that same effort, and that's what we have to have. With the other Eastern Conference semi-final series between Buffalo and Montreal, only two games in, the Carolina Hurricanes will have plenty of time to rest before the Eastern Conference finals come to Raleigh. From here in Philadelphia, Trayvon Miles, ABC 11, eyewitness news.

All right, Trey, thanks. So meantime, fans, they packed out the Carolina L House and Kerry last night, cheering on Carolina from afar with the help with Stormy. Storm was there, there they are, Kaniak sharing their excitement in the moment. The energy feels a little bit different. The team feels like they've got everything they need to kind of make that final push. And the feeling is good this year. I think Anderson is doing awesome.

I played soccer in high school and I was a goalie, so I have a little bit of a bias there, but he's my favorite. I really enjoy it. I'm actually pushed a lot to come and see it. Maybe more than him sometimes. It's actually cool that some of the players are from Denmark. That also gives me some pride. Carolina will play the winner of Buffalo and Montreal in the next Brown. That series is currently tied at one a game apiece. Well, this morning, UNCCCHAPL Hill

has nearly 7,200 new alumni. The university holding its commencement ceremony last night at Keenan Stadium. North Carolina native country musician Eric Church was the commencement speaker. He delivered a unique address that included a little guitar playing and singing using the six strings of a guitar as pillars of life. Six strings, six strings of life and willingness to keep them in tune. Six principles, six pillars. When all six are in tune with each other, the cord your life makes is full and resonant and truth. All six will drift, not one or two, all six in their own time, in their own season. Your faith will go quiet when you need it loud. Your family will get complicated in a way only the people who love you most can complicate things.

You will go through hard seasons with your spouse. Your ambition will hollow out and your resilience will wear thin. Your community will start to feel like an obligation and your world will try to sand down the edges of exactly who you are. This is not failure. This is not weakness. It's the inevitable, universal experience of living in an imperfect world that doesn't stop to let us tune up.

And the difference between a life that sounds like music, and a life that sounds like noise is whether you stop and listen. Pretty deep there. Church wrapped up his commencement speech by serenading the graduates with his hit song, Carolina. He was honored with an honorary degree. It was also commencement day for Wolfpack Nation, more than 7,400 students receiving their degrees from NC State University. And that happened Saturday morning. Harry Sedaris, CEO of Duke Energy and NC State grad as well, was the commencement speech.

In downtown Raleigh's, we at Shaw University, held its commencement ceremony at the Raleigh Convention Center, award-winning film, TV, and theater actress Edwina Finley Dickerson. She was the guest speaker. Well, now to Eagle Pride Amplified in Durham, hundreds of graduates. You can see them there and Maroon there. They were at had their ceremony yesterday at North Carolina Central University in Durham. It was the HBCU's 147th commencement and estimated 1,062 students. earned degrees including 579 bachelors, 394 and master's

degrees and 875 law degrees. I'm not finished writing your story yet. We got work to do. Right? We got work to do. In a sea of Burgundy and White families mark a major milestone. For this family,

their daughter, Achidimo Ukabi, turning her tassel after earning a degree in mass communications. You can't describe the feeling. It's out of this wall, but. Very phenomenal for me. Thank God for that. Ukabhi recognizing the importance of this moment for her family's legacy.

Education takes you places that, you know, you dream to go. So I would say it's very important. Featured Speaker's Attorney Dina King and Pro Football Hall of Fame are Ray Lewis, offering words of wisdom and encouragement. Because life doesn't just give you what you want. It responds to who you are. For this family from Orlando, Florida, they welcome another Eagle graduate into the barn.

NCC you alone. In the midst of celebration, many already thinking about what's next. The class of 2026 entering a challenging labor market with graduates facing rising unemployment rates. I'll continue to further. Go further in my field of broadcast media. I would go into digital media and social media. Social work on the aisle. I got a subject to Howard for the fall.

MSW. I'm not done yet. It's still more work to be done. All right. Well, congrats to all of them. And happening right now. Duke University wraps up the week in honoring graduates. Their graduates in ceremony now underway at 9.30 at Wallace Wade Stadium, Amy Hood, Duke University grad,

and Microsoft Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer is their commencement speaker. Oh, this morning, 17 Americans prepared to leave a cruise ship at the center of the deadly Hanta virus outbreak. That story is just ahead. Plus an emotional scene, eight white caskets filling the front of a church in Shreveport, Louisiana. In our next half hour, the community honoring the children killed during that mass. mass shooting that made national headlines. And baseball at Fort Bragg, how a local league is helping veterans and service members find a place to connect as the uncertainty over global affairs continues. But first, it's shaping up to be a nice day, Steve. It's a great day out there. Good morning,

everybody. As you're stepping outside, temperatures are warming up into the mid-60s right now, 67, Durham, 66 in Goldsboro and Fayetteville at 67. Here come the 80s. It's going to be a gorgeous afternoon. Some rain this week, not a lot. We'll talk about it coming up. This is first alert weather from ABC 11. I witness news. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. We're looking fantastic for you today with temperatures in the low to mid-80s. Again, some passing clouds. We had some this morning. They're moving on out. Just a wonderful day to get outside. There are the clouds that are exiting the area. It's still cloudy at the beach, but it'll be sunny there here pretty soon. How about lunch outside today? 77 at that time. Lots of sunshine. Not much of a breeze at all today.

So your nap's not going to go flying. 83 by the time. We get to 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Really nice. 67 into North Hills right now. The couple of clouds left over. Not much of a breeze at all, less than five miles an hour. 63 in a Rowan Oak Rapids. 68 now on a Rocksboro and 70 in Smithfield and Southern Pines with Fayetteville around 67 degrees. Speaking of Fayetteville, they're fishing up their series with the warbirds there.

84 degrees as you're walking into Segra and as you head home about 73 degrees. Really a nice evening no matter what you have. plan. Orlando will get some thunderstorms hot around 90, but really the only active weather today is going to be in and around the Dallas. Metroplex and into Oklahoma with severe weather that could cause some delays. Really nice travel as you're heading out west. So far the delays have been short except in Dallas already with some of those thunderstorms about a half hour delay. Obviously that's a big hub for America. Got you seven day coming up in a few minutes, Bianca. All right, Steve, thank you. First responders in Raleigh, honoring their own during the North

Carolina fallen firefighters memorial service. So the service was held Saturday in Nashville in downtown Raleigh honoring firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, 12 fallen firefighters were inducted into the memorial, including Gabriella Crespo, and Orange County volunteer firefighter who died at the scene of a motorcycle crash in 2023. The crash happened minutes after she left the New Hope fire station. The North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated in 2006. As to ask, at Museum of Life and Science morning the loss of a longtime resident. That story just ahead.

And find out why former FBI director James Comey won't appear in a North Carolina courtroom tomorrow for allegedly threatening President Trump. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. This morning, staff at the Museum of Life and Sciences in Durham, they're mourning the loss of their beloved alpaca. The museum posting this picture of Equinox on social media. The museum's animal care and vet team had to closely watch and monitor the 19-year-old alpaca due to several age-related health conditions.

The team discovered she passed peacefully Friday night. Equinox and her daughter joined the museum in 2012, and over the years she became a popular member in the farmyard. It's a great weekend to go outside and enjoy the spring weather. We stopped by the Durham Central Park Saturday as the Durham Farmer's Market held at strawberry event. Locally grown strawberries picked from the fields available for purchase. The kids also got to make strawberry-themed Mother's Day cards. So that was wonderful. Hopefully they are giving those cards to mom right about now.

But here goes a lot of look out at Wrightsville Beach. They still got some clouds out there, but that's not stopping folks from taking their mom out to the beach, Steve. And you said, hey, there may be some moms that want to, you know, tee up and go to the golf course maybe this Sunday. It is going to get sunny there pretty soon, too. The clouds that we had over us are pushing away. You can see moving away from us now,

sunshine out there. It'll be a warmer day today, too. Likely going to climb to the mid 80s. Hope we get a chance to really enjoy it. Some rain tomorrow, man, it's going to be hit and miss showers. A lot of us are going to miss out. I think the farther north that you live, the better chance of more measurable rainfall. It's not going to be a lot. If you get some in your neighborhood tomorrow, likely around a tenth of an inch or less. We're heating up, though, next weekend. Here come not only the upper 80s on Saturday, but the 90s. After a week of the 70s, Saturday we go up and then 90 next Sunday. We could hold in. some 90s as we start the following week.

So a lot of warmth that's going to be coming our way. The one decent chance this week is really overnight Wednesday. So after sunset Wednesday overnight in early Thursday, there'll be a band of showers that come through that. Most of the viewing area should get at least some rain. But WPC adding up both events is not too bullish here. A 10th to a quarter inch of rainfall with heavier amounts off to our south and east. Not the type of help that we need with the drought.

We need better soaking rains. At least it's better than nothing. So we will see those. numbers climbing up really pleasant afternoon to get out with mom lots of sunshine just a couple of clouds fair weather clouds later in the day you can see predictor shows the sunshine most of the day little pop-up clouds as we go later this afternoon that's really all we're going to see right now we're looking at 67 degrees in north hills not much of a breeze at all with widespread mid to upper 60s a few areas already touching 70 degrees really pleasant out there and a nice evening to hang out maybe fire the grill up or take a walk around the neighborhood.

7 o'clock we're still holding on to any or 80 degrees. We'll fall down to the upper 60s by 10 o'clock in the evening. Front will be well to our south. A nice day on Tuesday, a little below average, about 73 degrees. We'll start to warm back up, flirting with 80. As we go into our Wednesday, clouds will increase, likely dry during the day. But as that front gets closer, we'll see some of those showers coming through after sunset. And again, this is not going to be a lot of rain on Wednesday.

probably a quarter inch or less. Sunshine in the mountains today, 81 in Bryson City, Asheville, about 79 degrees. Beach is looking good, too, with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, and the clouds that they're dealing with now are going to be moving out, and we'll get plenty of sunshine around this afternoon. Just like here, again, a couple of fair weather clouds, low to mid-80s for highs, nice and warm above the average high of 79.

And then tonight, more seasonable temperatures, mid- Upper 50s across the board with just a light breeze out there. First of all, seven day of them. 72, some showers. If you get some, it's going to be light. And it's mainly in the afternoon. I think our northern counties have the best opportunity to get some measurable rainfall, but a bit disappointing with totals.

Tuesday, sunshine, about 73 will warmer. The winds will pick up from the south. Clouds increased. I think daytime it's dry. It's really after sunset. We should get some showers, but don't get excited. The amounts are not going to be impressive. Less than a quarter inch more than likely.

It could be damp to start the day on Thursday, but drying. out quickly. Nice into the work weekend. Get ready next weekend. Numbers are going up. We can be flirting with 90 next Sunday. Bianca. All right, Steve, thank you. Coming up later this morning on ABCs this week, here's Martha Radditz. Good morning. We've seen those frightening images coming out of Spain this morning as passengers and protective covering finally disembarked that cruise ship at the center of the Haunted virus outbreak. Among those passengers, 17 Americans, none have symptoms, but will be transferred by charter back to the U.S. and monitored. Health authorities say that this is not another COVID-19, but we'll talk to one of the

nation's top infectious disease experts. And the conflict in Iran remains at a stalemate, with little apparent progress in talks, despite President Trump saying a deal is near. The president's ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Walts, joins me to discuss the state of negotiations. And retired Admiral Bill McRaven, who commanded the Navy Sea. seal rate on Osama bin Laden's compound 15 years ago discusses how the Iran conflict could end. And with several major developments this week in the battle over redistricting, I checked in

with Pennsylvania voters in a critical swing district that could help determine control of the House. And our powerhouse roundtable will break down the latest midterm politics. That's all coming up on this week. The time now 925 on this Sunday morning starting their journey home. passengers on board a luxury cruise strip stricken by Hanta virus prepared to leave for the first time since the deadly outbreak. At least 17 of the passengers are Americans. They will be dressed in hazmat suits before heading to the airport under military guard. ABC's Alison Kosick has the story.

The cruise ship at the center of the Honta virus outbreak is now positioned off the coast of Tenerife. As authorities in Spain launch a carefully coordinated response, WHO acting director of the Department of of epidemic and pandemic threat management, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhov saying, The plan will be that the ship will anchor and that there will be small boats that will take some of the passengers and it will be done in a very choreographed, coordinated way, in a very protected way, bring those passengers to shore. Officials say anyone showing signs of illness will be immediately taken for treatment, while others will continue on flights back to their home countries.

Right now, there's nobody on board that has any symptoms, including passengers, and crew. That's great news. The outbreak has been linked to three deaths, and investigators are looking into several other possible cases connected to the ship. While some residents have raised concerns about the ship's arrival, health experts say the virus does not spread easily between people, and the overall risk to the public remains low. In the U.S., health officials are tracking nine people in six states who may have been exposed, though no symptoms have been reported. The 17 Americans on board, will be escorted by CDC teams back to the United States, where they'll be evaluated in Nebraska before continuing isolation at home. Allison Kosick ABC News, New York.

Well, coming up, it's the day to celebrate moms. And just ahead will tell you how much Americans are spinning for the holiday and how local businesses are seeing a financial boost. And a dashboard camera capturing the moment this tractor trailer slammed into several cars sitting at a stoplight, what we know about those injured and a community coming together to say goodbye to eight children killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. As we head to break, here goes a live look at downtown Durham as Duke University has their commencement starting right about now. Congratulations. We are Local News. ABC 11 eyewitness News continues next. Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, breaking stories from overnight and this morning, and your first

First Alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Here's a live look at downtown Raleigh, a perfect day to hit the pickleball court, the golf course, take mom out for brunch or just go out for a morning walk. Good morning, Carolina. It's Sunday, May 10th. I'm Bianco Holman.

You're watching eyewitness news here on ABC 11 and wherever you stream. The details of the top stories and all the day's news is just ahead. But first, let's go ahead and check in with meteorologist Steve Stewart with a look at how the day is shaping up just be outside maybe the farmer's market. Okay. Anything you want outside you're going to be happy. Just you if you're just walking around the neighborhood is fantastic out there. The clouds this morning we had they're moving on out. Enjoy the sunshine as we go throughout the day today.

You can see downtown as you look off to the south. You can still see some of those clouds as they're moving away. But we're fantastic today about 85 for the high temperature. Just a light breeze out there. Definitely warmer than the 76 that we had yesterday. So nearly a 10 degree bump and the normal highs at 79. 94 and 31 are the records on the state still a deficit with the rainfall at RDEO. We're not going to get a lot as we go into Monday.

Had to lower the chance. There'll be some showers around tomorrow afternoon. I think the lion's share is going to be in our northern counties. Not a whole heck of a lot here, probably a light amount. And the decent chance comes Wednesday if more rain, but that too is going to be on the lighter side, unfortunately. Good day for a round of golf if you can. Maybe get mom out there. Enjoy the sunshine, really pleasant.

Again, not much of a breeze. A touch warm, but we can handle that. As we look to tomorrow in the afternoon, you see our northern counties with some showers as it moves a little farther south. Kind of falls apart a bit. And other high resolution models, very similar. So don't expect a whole heck of a lot when you add it all up. Maybe a few hundreds of an inch to a tenth of an inch, possibly a little bit more up in our northern counties. Hopefully that does happen.

But we need to squeeze out as much rain as we can get. Not too optimistic here, though. 67 into North Hills, not much of a breeze at all. It's really nice. widespread mid to upper 60s, fairly uniform temperatures. Couple spots now like Southern Pines touching that 70 degree mark. Last show of the Great Gatsby's at 630 tonight when you walk into the D-Pack about 81. When you head back to your car, pretty nice, about 67 degrees.

Next weekend, get ready to heat up. We could be talking 90 by Sunday. More on that in a few minutes. All right, Steve, thank you. This morning. We are working to learn what led to a shocking crash in Goldsboro. 11 people were injured when a tractor trailer plowed into a line of cars. The crash caught on camera.

So this is the dash cam video shared by Rico McDowell. You'll see that there was a white semi truck driving in the opposite direction on the right side of your screen crashes into the cars as the drivers were waiting at the stoplight. Now this happened on US 70 at North Oak Forest Road. And all 11 people were injured. Two of those victims airlifted to ECU held Medical Center in Greenville. Their conditions have not been released and the crash remains under investigation. Well now to an update on a wrong way crash in Samson County.

that was breaking yesterday morning that we brought to you. The State Highway Patrol releasing the names of the three people shared killed, and they shared those names in that crash on I-40. Troopers believe the driver of a Chevy Camaro was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes when the driver slammed head on with the Honda Accord. Two people in the Camaro were killed. They've been identified as 21-year-old Jonathan Zacharias and 20-year-old Gabriel Zacharias, both of Fayetteville.

A 14-year-old passenger in the Honda was also killed. Her name has not been shared. And at this point, this state highway patrol has not said how that Camaro ended up on the wrong side of the interstate. Well, now to a heartbreaking story out of Shreveport, Louisiana, family and friends gathering on Saturday to say goodbye to eight children killed in a mass shooting. The victims include seven siblings and a cousin. Police say Shamar Elkins, the father of the seven children, was the gunman during that April 19th attack. mourners walking past the three white caskets as well as pictures of each of the children, three boys. and five girls, ranging in ages from three to 11.

The mothers of those children decided to hold the funeral for all of them together. Former FBI director James Comey waving his court appearance that was set for tomorrow in North Carolina. He's now set to appear in a New Bern federal courtroom next month on charges he threatened the president. Well, as you may remember, Comey was indicted on charges of threatening President Trump after posting this photo of seashells taken on a North Carolina beach. The shells appeared to show the numbers 86-47.

interpreted as a threat by Trump's administration. And 86 is commonly known to mean Nick's order remove 47, referring to the 47th president, and Comey has maintained his innocence. The hearing is set for June 30th. Well, happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. It's a big weekend for business in the triangle. Not only are we celebrating our moms,

but people are in town for graduations as well. Michael Perchick shows us just how all these visitors translate into big bucks for businesses. walking across the stage. With hard work, you're going to get rewarded and working every day to get what you want. To giving flowers, literally. You have graduation, you have Mother's Day, you have birthdays, you have anniversaries, because people are also getting married right now. Like, we definitely turn down some weddings for this weekend, too. Everyone is on overdrive this weekend. Today we saw an increase in gas and tomorrow we're expected to double that. Saturday saw a consistent stream of diners at Parkside in downtown Raleigh. General manager Brian Tenorio says shifting consumer habits means an even greater emphasis on customer service.

We make sure all of our servers and bartenders make you feel like you a friend. Stretchers like this especially welcome in the face of rising fuel prices that have trickled down. Have we seen an increase in like cost of stuff that we bring in? Yes, but at the end of the day we make sure we put our customers first. Over at TG Floresery. They've worked to navigate water restrictions. Having the drought here and then also having our farmers being impacted by that, we did have to import more of our flowers.

Still, owner and lead designer Tierra George was able to source but 80% locally this holiday, working down to the wire to fulfill all those orders. You're reaching so many people, potentially like triple what you would normally reach. So you know, making sure that you're still doing the same things and following up in the same ways. So hopefully those orders like go even more. you know, for next year. According to the National Retail Federation, flowers top the board when it comes to Mother's Day spending with 75% of consumers planning on making a purchase.

In total, Mother's Day spending is projected hit a record $38 billion this year, up more than 11% from 2025. In Raleigh on Michael Perchick, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Tickets to the Obama presidential center are on sale right now, and as you may imagine, they're going pretty fast. Tickets were for the first month sold in just a few hours. All of June and half of July are already taken. The museum debuts June 18th with an invitation-only grand opening ceremony and then opens to the public the next day on Juneteenth. Tickets are about $30.

Well, as the war in Iran enters another week, military families at Fort Bragg continue to face uncertainty. One local baseball league stepping it up to the plate using America's favorite pastime to help veterans and service members connect and find a sense of normalcy. Penelope Lopez has the story. Here, rank doesn't matter. The focus is on teamwork and with so much uncertainty, this baseball team has become a lifeline for those in uniform. On this field, it's not about wins and losses. It's about finding solid ground when life feels anything but stable. We have anywhere from privates brand new in the Army all the way up to like general officers.

Tanner Cruz, a veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan, started this team in 2024. Now, more than 150 veterans, military personnel, and active duty members have joined. We in my unit lost about, I think we had 15, 16 guys take their lives within the first six months of being back. I want to do whatever I can to prevent that from happening. The goal, give them a place to clear their minds. I think it gives everybody kind of a little escape to shut their mind off. With uncertainty around deployments and the ongoing conflict overseas, the unknown can take a real toll. Master Sergeant Mark Williams has served for 18 years, and he knows firsthand the mental challenges that come with it.

After being in this many years and deploying as many times as I have, I've obviously had struggles. I've been in good conditions, bad conditions here or overseas. And I think it's just, like I said, it's another outlet where you know that you have something to look forward to. For others, like Civil Affairs Team Sergeant and medic Anthony Armand, it's a chance to reconnect with his old passion. After a little injury, you know, it happens. Baseball wasn't in my future anymore, so here I am now. Baseball and military service has long been intertwined. During World War II, hundreds of Major League players left the game to serve their country,

depleting their team roster, including Hank Greenberg, Yogi Berra, and Joe DiMaggio. World events happened, and people have said, hey, I'm no longer going to be able to play this season. Obviously, they couldn't tell us why, when, where. but they had to drop out. We had teams losing half their players. For these service members who might have just met, it's about staying focused and finding their way back home. This is something that is certain that I enjoy

and I'll keep doing it as long as I can. And the team always welcomes community support. You can cheer them on at their championship series on July 25th at Segra Stadium. You can find that information on our website. Reporting at Fort Bragg, I'm Penelope Lopez, ABC 11. Eyewitness News.

Penelope, thank you. Pop icon, Miley Cyrus won't be taking a wrecking ball to a prestigious award she's about to receive. That story is just ahead. And season 24 of American Idol is coming to an end soon. One of these remaining people and contestants will become the next winner. But first, good morning, Steve. Hey, good morning there, Bianca. Good morning, everyone.

Nice and sunny outside right now. Temperatures are pleasant, upper 60s to around 70 degrees. And we're going to be in the 80s today. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it. Next weekend could be even warmer. All the details after the break. This is First Alert Weather from ABC 11. I Witness News.

Welcome back everybody. Good morning to you. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. We picked a good one for you. Numbers in the 80s. Lots of sunshine, maybe a couple of fair weather clouds. And that's about it. Had clouds this morning.

They're since moved away. Still along the coast, but they're thinning out there as well. Should be a gorgeous day across the state. How about lunch outside with mom today? Temperatures are going to be near 80s. We get to the midday hour, about 83 by the time we get to the afternoon. It's fantastic out there. 67 right now.

Do point around 61. Just a couple of clouds in the sky. 69, Oxford, 70 to Roxburgh, 70 Irwin and Smithfield now at 72 degrees. If you have plans this evening down in Fayetteville, maybe you're going to see the woodpeckers finish the series with Wilson Warbirds. 84 as you're walking into Segra. About 73 by the time you're heading home. Not much activity. Maybe a stray shower in New York.

and also in Orlando hot in Florida today in the 90s. Dallas is going to get some thunderstorms, and that could cause delays today. The West Coast looks fantastic. So far this morning, we've seen some delays at times in Dallas, but right now things are looking pretty good. Got you seven day coming up in a few minutes, Bianca. All right, Steve, thank you. Well, who will win American Idol, 2026? We've got three finalists left.

A stay-at-home mom, Hannah Harper, music teacher, Kayla Richardson, and worship director, Jordan McCullough. So they will all vie tomorrow night for the title of American Idol. The three-hour finale will feature several special guests, including Brad Paisley, Motley Crew, Invoke, North Carolina's own, Clay Aiken, and Leon Womack. And you can also watch it right here on ABC 11. Hollywood will soon give singer Molly Cyrus her flowers. Cyrus will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame later on this month. The event will be emceed by radio personality, L&K. Fashion designer Donna Tella Versacee is expected to speak.

at that ceremony. And some of the Grammy winner's biggest hits include Wrecking Ball and Flowers. Cyrus rose to stardom in the hit TV show, Hannah Montana. Well, the former head of Disney receiving an honorary degree from historically black college and university, and a Florida woman thought someone was breaking into her home. It was actually two alligators fighting on the porch. That's coming up next. And as we head to break here goes a live look into downtown Raleigh. a beautiful day and to take mom out and enjoy it, make sure the kitchen's clean. We are local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues now. A Florida homeowner had a scare after thinking her house was being broken into, but that strange

noise turned out to be something even more terrifying. When she looked outside, she saw two large alligators in a violent fight on a porch. I thought somebody was breaking in because I never thought that the gator, were going to enter my porch. Definitely it looked like they were fighting over territory or something. It wasn't like a mating ritual that I had seen. Pretty wild. Wildlife experts say this kind of behavior, while it's alarming,

it's not completely unheard of, especially during mating season, which is right now. So maybe they were fighting over a woman. Here's a live look into downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street this Sunday morning. Looking pretty good there. We can really see the sun now, Steve. Yeah, it's nice and bright out there. It's fantastic.

Got some folks getting out and about. Took a little walk here in the between shows. And it's so nice outside right now. And we only get warmer. So definitely a warmer day today than yesterday. We'll get to those mid-80s, bright skies out there after the morning clouds that we had. Some rain tomorrow. I think it's going to be hit and miss.

It's in the afternoon primarily and mainly in our northern counties. But for a lot of us, you might see some rain off in the distance. Not necessarily going to make it to your house. So there will be areas that don't get anything. And the ones that do, it's still going to be relatively light, a tenth of an inch of So next weekend we're heating things up. Numbers could get up around 90 or so after a week in the 70s. We'll get all the way up there around 90 next Sunday and we could hold near 90 for a few days.

So a lot of warmth is going to be coming our way. This is our better chance as we get into Wednesday evening and overnight in the early Thursday morning and getting at least some rain for most of the Central North Carolina area. But still amounts are not going to be that impressive. WPC looking at both opportunities Monday and as we get into Wednesday. and still about a quarter inch of rain or less with heavier amounts south and east. We do warm nicely, though, through the afternoon hours, if you want to get out with mom, lots of sunshine for you, really pleasant out there for today, not terribly humid, and we're clear now. We'll see some fair weather little clouds start to pop up later up for today, but that's about it.

Right now we're looking at sunshine out there at North Hills at 67 degrees and not much of a breeze at all. That's about five degrees warmer than yesterday with 70 now in Roxburgh and Silas City and Irwin and some, Smithfield currently at 72 degrees. Evening out, just want to hang out on the back porch or fire the grill up. Really pleasant temperatures by 8 o'clock. We'll get down to the mid-70s under mostly clear skies. Now Tuesday, we anticipate a gorgeous day with sunshine and low 70s. Clouds increased.

So as the day wears on on Wednesday will become mostly cloudy. Late in the day, there'll be showers nearby. But I really think after sunsets, our best bet of getting some of these showers rolling into play as we go into the evening hours. but that too it's going to be fairly light, maybe a quarter inch or less. Meantime, we got sunshine up in the mountains today, 70s, maybe 80 down in Bryson City, and the beaches looking good, too. The clouds are now pulling away from the coastline and a lot of 70s out there as well. Around here today, it's a warm one with low 80s in our northern counties, mid 80s around the triangle, 86 down in Fayetteville.

Tonight, low temperatures will be in those 50s. The average is 56, so really close to that. We'll call it a seasonal night tonight. And your first dollar seven day, some showers tomorrow on the afternoon. I think it's going to be hit and miss. Not everyone's going to get rain at all. I've got us at 72. It's a little disheartening that we're not going to get more than just a tenth of an inch in spots.

Bright and pleasant on Tuesday. Now Wednesday clouds will increase will be near 80 degrees, but it's likely after sunset we'll get some showers. And this too doesn't look like a lot of rain. Likely going to be about a quarter inch or less. Could be damp to start your Thursday. Friday looks fantastic. then heading into next weekend, we're going to turn the heat up once again. Bianca. All right, Steve, thank you.

Now's a great time to go ahead and download the ABC 11 mobile app. We'll send all the weather headlines directly to your devices. You can also check out the first alert Doppler net and the seven-day forecast at any time. H.U., you know, former Disney CEO Bob Eiger receiving an honorary degree from Howard University. Howard University giving special recognition to the former CEO of Disney Bob Eiger. So Iager received an honorary doctor. of a law degree from the HBCU in Washington, D.C. He called it a tremendous recognition. I must say there's something very special about this. Part of it is the personal connection

that I have through Chadwick Boseman and my friend Reggie Simmons. Part of it is just what Howard stands for, its reputation, its meaning. Both Iger and Disney have a special history with Howard. Under his leadership, the company established the Disney Storytellers Fund and supported the building of the Chadwick-Bosman College of Fine Arts Center. Disney is the parent company of ABC 11. Well, still to come, the Carolina hurricanes making some history after sweeping the flyers in overtime. We're going to show you what it took for them to pull off this victory. And honoring the class of 26, we're going to highlight some of the many college graduations in the triangle this weekend. And as we had to break, here goes a live look into downtown Durham. Happy Mother's Day.

We are in local news. ABC 11 eyewitness news continues next.