ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at Noon - February 10, 2026

Episode Date: February 10, 2026

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Breaking right now on eyewitness news at noon, two teenagers are found dead inside a home in Vance County. Michael Perchick is live from the scene with the breaking details. The mother of convicted Rowling mass shooter, Austin Thompson, testifies today to try to convince the judge to give her son a chance at parole. And it is bus driver appreciation week. See how employees in the Wake County School District are being honored. It is the news at noon. Right now, live coverage from your local news leader. Today's top stories you need to know and your first alert forecast.

Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 I Witness News. And we're following breaking news right out of the gate at noon. The Vance County Sheriff's Office is investigating the deaths of two teenagers. Those teenagers won 17, the other 13 years old, were found on Tor Drive in a rural area of Henderson. Michael Perchick joins us live with the breaking details. Michael, good afternoon. What happened here?

Yeah, good afternoon. But very limited information at this junks. The Vance County Sheriff's Office leaving this scene earlier this morning. As you shared, what has been publicly released at this time is that this day death investigation, authorities called to this home for a service call around 940 last night. Upon arriving, they found those two victims, a 17-year-old and a 13-year-old. They say the incident remains under active investigation. Neighbors say the family largely kept it themselves. They did see a couple of kids over the weekend playing in the snow, but did not see or hear anything out of the ordinary last.

night outside of hearing those sheriff's office deputies make their way out here to the scene again neighbors telling us they left the scene earlier this morning there is no active police tape or active scene at this time we have reached out to the county manager's office with a list of questions she tells us she is unable to provide any information related to this investigation at this junk crew also reached out to the sheriff's office as well working to learn more information about what led up to that call as well as what they are able to share about that active death investigation will certainly share those details as it becomes available.

I'm Michael Perchick, ABC 11, High Witness News. Michael, thank you. New at noon, the sentencing hearing resumes for convicted rolling mass shooter, Austin Thompson. Today, the defense called first witnesses after the prosecution rested its case on Friday. Tamara Scott is live at the Wake County Justice Center with more on this. Tamara, good afternoon. Hey, good afternoon, Barbara. Yeah, today the defense started with bringing Austin's mom Elise back onto the stand.

And as they noted in their opening statement that they wanted to bring answers as to why this happened and who Austin is today. So that started with Elise talking about his childhood. The fence showed a series of pictures from his childhood. And for almost two hours, they went through pictures all the way up until two days before the shooting. On the stand, his mom saying they never saw any warning signs. She even talked about the first time she saw Austin after he shot himself and how she has stayed in contact with him since that day. by sending him books and visiting as often as she can. And across examination, the prosecution asked if she was aware of his many searches of torture and mass shootings

and questioned the amount of alone time Austin had after school. She said although he and his brother were independent and got along and didn't cause trouble at home, it's fair to say that there were aspects of his life that she did not know about. But she did say that she's looking towards his future and how he recently said he wants to be a dental hygienist. I know he did this horrible crime and that he has to pay for this crime. And I just hope that after the, I believe someone told me a 40-year sentence, that hopefully he can be re-evaluated and have a mental analysis with another neurologist and whatever else needs to be done to see if he can be go back into society,

if he's capable of doing that. Now, back on the sand right now is a doctor George Corbyn who examined Austin after he shot himself and left the hospital. He says that he is a very different person from who he was back in 2022. He even said that he is a likable individual right now, very calm and does have some patchy memory issues. However, we will continue to watch this court case and give you all the latest updates. Elena Athens will be bringing you updates throughout the day.

Back to you. Thank you, Tamara Scott, Lifeforce and Raleigh. Breaking right now, an urgent search is underway for a gunman and a fatal shooting in Garner. Police identify the victim as Joseph Adams. Adams was found shot inside a car in the middle of timber drive and died at the hospital. I witness news on the scene around 715 last night near Vandora Springs Road. Eyewitnesses say they heard five gunshots. Police have not revealed if this could be a targeted shooting or a case of road rage.

Also, breaking this hour, a woman is arrested for a shooting. in Wendell. Police say she left the scene in a dump truck. Happened about 7.30 this morning on North Street. Police say they found the woman driving on Wendell Boulevard and she was taken into custody after a traffic stop. A man was found shot on North Street, but he is expected to recover from his injuries. Well, we are getting a first taste of spring today with a lot of afternoon sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. Let's got a meteorologist Cruz Medina now with the forecast. New you said it was coming. A lot of people looking forward. to this cruise. Yes, the 60s have finally arrived, but this is going to be weather whiplash.

And I think at this case, most folks are going to like the kind of whiplash that we're going to get. So yesterday, we're going to put this into perspective. We had a low of 14 degrees. Our normal low is 33 degrees. Afternoon highs were in the 40s. And then today's highs should be into the mid-60s. That's over 10 degrees above where we should be for this time of the year. So it took a while. This ends our streak of 17 days with temperatures, you know, staying much below average but for this afternoon it looks like some folks here at Boxyard RTP taking advantage of those slightly warmer conditions you could see them sitting out there enjoying lunch and if you're heading outside for lunch this afternoon be ready for that

warmth so you can get away with the jacket even walking the dog this morning I just went outside with the shirt on that I have on right now so a long sleeve shirt will suffice for today mid 60s for those afternoon highs and lots of sunshine now if you're making evening plans it'll still be somewhat mild at least to start out the evening so 5 p.m. tip you're still in the low 60s and and then dropping into the 50s shortly after. Now tonight we are going to stay in those 50s for the lows and that's because we have cloud cover moving in.

We'll have a front that drops in tomorrow that's gonna bring us a few showers, but the overnight hours likely dry. It'll be the early morning hours where we likely see some of those slowdowns due to the rain. So in the triangle, those rain chances highest in the morning. They will drop off by the time we get into midday.

If you were down into sand hills, this could linger for quite some time for you. But tomorrow's high is still expected to be in the 60s, then we cool down as well. we end the week. We'll talk more about that coming up in your seven-day forecast. Barbara. All right, Cruz, thank you. Happening today, the Raleigh City Council is preparing to discuss affordable housing. City leaders will get a presentation about ongoing and future initiatives designed to create and preserve more homes for what's referred to as the missing

middle. That controversial concept promotes fitting duplexes, townhomes, and small apartments into existing neighborhoods. In many cases, getting pushed back from homeowners. The City Council will review financial strategies and goals that they can implement to maintain. affordability. Today's meeting starts at 4 o'clock. Wake County Public Schools recognize their bus drivers. The district is holding a special event in honor of Appreciation Week. Bianca Holman shows us the celebration plus a preview of some key school district meetings happening later today. School bus drivers are some of the first school staff to report in for work ensuring that your student gets to

and from school safely. Drivers received a hot breakfast this morning along with other goodies. It's just one of many events all in celebration. of bus driver appreciation week. Drivers tell us they realize the impact they have on students. They're often the first school interaction they have in the morning, which can really set the tone for the school day.

It is a big responsibility that we have on us every single day and that we strive to do our best safety is first. And, you know, just taking care of the kids and making sure we transport these kids to and from school safely every single day. We've got kids across the country, across the state. I mean, even right here in Wake, County that without the yellow school bus wouldn't have access to public education, right?

It's simply the way that they access our public education program. So having that driver to go out and provide that safe transportation to school is just is just invaluable. Not also happening today, committee meetings for the Wake County School Board are occurring. We've got the safety and security meeting. That's up first at 1 o'clock. Members will review the district's current and future security measures as well, policy for events and new emergency response protocols. Now the facilities committee meeting that's going to be meeting at 3 o'clock and up on the agenda is the capital improvement projects. They're going to be discussing the heating and cooling system repairs. In Carrie, Bianca Holman,

ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, Bianca, thank you. Happening today in economic boom in Johnston County, the town of Clayton is breaking ground on a new plant for steel 70 industrial. The 346,000 square foot facility will be located on 70 business right off the Clayton bypass. The $50 million investment is expected to strengthen the local economy. Today's ceremony starts at 2 o'clock. Well, the UNC system will soon accept a new standardized test for admission. It's called the classic learning test or the CLT. That exam places an emphasis on a traditional liberal arts education and features classical and ancient texts from the Western canon. The test has been endorsed by conservative politicians, but advocates say it is not political.

The UNC system will begin accepting scores in the fall of 2027. Well, today, Governor Stein is set to hold an NC Strong update. According to the governor's office, he'll discuss efforts to help keep energy costs down and expand access to good paying jobs. Today's announcement is scheduled for this afternoon at 1.30. We will bring you the update later today here on eyewitness news. And new at noon, some good news for people who use Olive Chapel Road and Apex. It's been closed since August after a storm washed out part of the road. Today, the DOT says they plan to reopen the major thoroughfare by this Thursday.

Crews will still have some repaving and guardrail repairs to do, so we will be monitoring the progress. Well, several newly released reports give a glimpse into how the economy is faring under the Trump administration, from retail sales to how much households are spending. That story just ahead. And top immigration officials today face tough questions as they clash with lawmakers over funding for the agency, just a week after two fatal shootings in Minneapolis. A weeks after that, that story in two minutes. And hear the message from a pilot to his family, just as his plane is about to crash onto a highway. Fortunately, everyone survives. That story new at 1230.

Eye witness news. We are Local News weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. New at noon funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire Friday unless lawmakers on Capitol Hill can find compromise on reforms made to Border Patrol and ICE. The acting ICE director and CBP commissioner are testifying today for the first time since the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretty in Minneapolis. ABC's Christian Cordero has the story. Today, top homeland security officials are under oath and under increased scrutiny on Capitol Hill over their immigration crackdown. DHS led by Secretary Christine Hone must be held accountable for its lawlessness immigration operation. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons, Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott, and Citizenship and Immigration Director Joseph Edlo,

testifying before the House Committee overseeing the agencies. It's their first testimony since Operation Metro surge in Minneapolis, where agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretty. Can you tell us if at least, God, I hope at least one person has been fired for their conduct since these operations have begun? Are you telling us you can't even say one person's been fired? Sure, I'm not going to talk about personal actions, but we will get back. to you. But two people have been killed so far. Is that right? A nurse named Preddy and a mom named Good. Two people have been killed so far.

Yes, sir. A Quinnipiac poll released earlier this month shows 63% of Americans disapprove of ISIS tactics. An Ipsos poll also from this month found 62% said ICE's efforts goes too far. Both show eroding approval from the month prior. In addition to ICE and CBP, any hold up on DHS funding would also impact the coastal. Guard and TSA. With a Friday deadline looming, lawmakers appear no closer to a deal that would fund DHS. Democrats are demanding reforms to ICE, including a ban on agents wearing face masks, new laws for use of four standards, and judicial warrants before agents can enter private property. It's unclear which reforms, if any, Republican support. Republican leadership sent their Democratic counterparts a counteroffer late last night,

which was immediately rejected. Minority leaders, Schumer, and Jeffreys said their response lacked details. Christiane Cordero, ABC News, Washington. Now to an eye on the economy. According to the Commerce Department, it wasn't a very merry Christmas for retailers this year. Just released status shows retail sales in December did not increase at all from November.

Economists had expected them to jump 0.4%, but they stayed flat. It is a stark change for consumer spending. Last year, people kept buying despite fears around the stagnant job market and inflation. December's numbers suggest, those fears may finally be impacting how much shoppers are willing to spend. Also new at noon, the average worker sees a slight raise in pay.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the employment cost index rose by 0.7% last quarter. That number tracks how much employers spend on wages. The pace has not been this week since 2021. The index saw an annual raise of 3.4%. If you factor in inflation, that's just about 0.7% raise. A nonpartisan group says President Trump's tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year. That number is set to increase to $1,300 this year. The White House says inflation has cooled, real wages have risen, GDP growth has accelerated,

and trillions in investments continue pouring in to make and hire in America. Several Charlotte Hornets players are involved in a wild brawl during a basketball game. That story just ahead. And mission accomplished the Buddhist monks finished their trek to the nation's capital to promote peace. And a remarkable rescue, a good Samaritan pulls a woman and her three children from their car before it is submerged. An international flight will not return to RDU. Our partners of the news and observer report WestJet Airlines is ending seasonal service to Calgary. Canada's second busiest airline reportedly scrapping the flight due to fewer Canadians visiting the United States. Westjet flew the route last summer and early fall.

Well, it was fight night at the hive in Charlotte, a brawl breaking out between the Hornets and the Pistons midway through the third quarter. First words, then punches with players and staff trying to de-escalate the situation. Four players were ejected from the game, and Hornets head coach Charles Lee got tossed later in the fourth quarter. Charlotte lost 110 to 104, ending their winning streak at nine games. Happening today, the Buddhist monks on their walk for peace will arrive at their final destination. The monks are set to arrive in Washington, D.C. today, 108 days after they set off on their 2300-mile journey from Fort Worth, Texas. Their trek has captivated the country as they advocate for peace. Thousands gather along roadside in 10 states to catch a glimpse of the group,

including two weeks walking through North Carolina when the monks visited Charlotte, Apex, and Raleigh. And Cruz, if you remember when they were coming through, boy, a lot of people thought, Are they going to be able to make it through because of all the wintry weather, but they did? Yeah, what a time to be walking through here, right? That's right. And I'm so glad that we're out of that and we're coming out of the deep freezer. We've got a nice day ahead and then tomorrow's looking pretty warm too. So this is spring-like warmth.

And we haven't seen this in about a month. So that was literally the last time that we had a 60 degree or above day was 30 days ago. So enjoy this while we have it. 60s for today. Today's the pick of the week. If you want, even wear shorts today. Nobody's going to judge you. we get into tomorrow still staying mild, but we will have a few showers, especially during the morning.

And then by Thursday, we're drying out, but it'll be chillier with tipters back in the 50s. So here's how this afternoon looks. We are already seeing those tipters creep up to near 60. We should be in the 60s for the next several hours. I'd say until about 5 p.m. we're still in the low 60s. Then after that, tipter's come down just slightly throughout this evening. So we're not to see temperatures come crashing down like we have in recent nights. And that's because we're going to have some clouds moving in later today. So here's first alert for predictor winds out of the southwest that's transporting that warm air into our region. By the time we get into tonight ahead of that front that's going to move through tomorrow, our winds are still out of the southwest, but the front drops in tomorrow morning.

We'll have a few showers around through the morning commute in areas like the triangle. These will spread south and the rain coverage increases for folks south of Raleigh. So here's what lunchtime could look like tomorrow. It's looking pretty wet down in the sand hills and in some areas or communities like Wilson, Smithfield, Goldsboro. That could take a few hours to move out. So by the time we get into the early evening, I think we're clearing out. Temperatures once again still making it to the 60s, but a north wind takes over then,

and that's going to push temperatures down again as we go into early Thursday. So Thursday we should be starting out with more sunshine, but tipters then should start out in the 30s. So definitely turning chilly again. So tomorrow, we'll go by region here. Just to recap what I just showed you, the northern counties, the best chance of seeing a shower for you is in the early morning hours. So think the morning commute for the triangle. The best chance is also in the morning for you, then drying out as we get to noon and the rest of the afternoon and the sandhills. Both the morning and early afternoon hours will be wet for you. And then you'll see that late day sunshine. Tippedures all across the region still expected to make it into the 60s. So once that fronts past us and we start to dry out, I mentioned our winds being out of the north. We've got high pressure and control. So that should keep us dry for a little while, but it's not going to stay dry forever. By the time we get into this weekend, we've been giving you that first alert to some weekend rain. So Saturday is going to be a mostly cloudy day. Tipper's will be a little milder

compared to Sunday. Middle to upper 50s there, mid-50s by Sunday, but Sunday's looking wet. So if you had plans that were outdoors on Sunday, you'll want to keep close tabs on this forecast because right now it's looking like it could be a bit of a soaker. So this is one of our models showing that soaking rain this weekend. Once again, this is Sunday evening by then should be turning pretty wet here. So get ready to switch around those plans. Now if you're just joining us, tipters are in the 50s. Your first alert seven-day forecast shows the 60s for today and tomorrow, 50s for Thursday and Friday and into this weekend. Saturday, looking wet or Sunday, I should say, and then drying out quickly as we go into Monday. Highs then will still be in the 50s. Barbara. All right. Thank you,

Cruz. A passionate plea from Savannah Guthrie as the search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie, stretches into a second week. That story just ahead. And the Pentagon carries out another strike on an alleged drug boat, but not everyone on board was killed. And we'll explain. Why President Trump is threatening to block the opening of a new bridge that connects the U.S. and Canada. That story, two minutes away. The Pentagon says the U.S. military has conducted a strike against another alleged drug trafficking boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing two people with one survivor. At least 119 people have died in strikes since September.

Yesterday's boat strike is the third publicly known attack of the year and the second to leave a survivor. New at noon, President Trump threatens to block the opening of a new bridge connecting the U.S. to Canada. called the Gordy Ho International Bridge, named for the famous Canadian ice hockey player. The one and a half mile bridge connects Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. It is expected to open this year after a period of testing. The president writing on social media, he will not allow the bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for what it has given to Canada.

A pair of teenagers, ages 13 and 17 years old, are found dead in Vance County. Michael Perchick will join us live with an update on the investigation. And there are growing by calls for a member of President Trump's cabinet to resign after his name is revealed. In the Epstein files, details coming up.