ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at Noon - January 21, 2026

Episode Date: January 21, 2026

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Right now on Eyewitness News. A major winter storm is brewing likely to unleash dangerous ice and snow across the south and the east. Right in our backyard as well, we're timing out the arrival of the Arctic blast. And the Raleigh mass shooting suspect is expected to plead guilty today to all charges. We're live at the courthouse. And we could also learn as soon as today if Isaiah Ross will take the witness stand in the double murder trial of two Orange County teenagers. And the annual ABC 11 Together Blood Drive is now. Underway we have live team coverage from Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville. It's the news at noon.

Right now, live coverage from your local newsleader, 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 eyewitness news. And good Wednesday afternoon. I'm Amber Repenta. And I'm Barbara Gibbs. It is the calm before the storm. A nice warming trend today and tomorrow, but everyone of course talking about the potential for that historic storm and the forecast for the weekend. Number of states could see snow, sleet, and even some ice. Neither all just Clayland Murphy is joining us now to walk us through the timing. Hi, Clay. Hey, good afternoon.

On an impact scale of one to five, we are ranking this a level four. We're going to start to see impacts with the winter weather on Saturday through Saturday night. The wintery mix will develop. We'll have ice and snow potential, expect travel disruptions and also some power outages too. Here's the deal. Our winter weather system still off the West Coast right now. This is our weekend system. And the models will be able to better sample this system once it moves onshore, the West Coast, likely later tonight. We do have some rain next to us just off to the west. But a lot of this will fall apart, just if spotty showers possible in the next 24 hours for our region.

What's going to happen is a cold front rolls through Friday behind that. The Arctic high pressure sets up. That's our cold air source. We'll also have an area of low pressure near the coastline. So check on the available moisture and check on the cold air in place. The final questions become, where were the low position itself? And that will ultimately dictate the type of precept that we see around here in terms of snow and ice potential. The closer the low is to the coastline, the more potential, unfortunately, it brings for us to see more of an icy situation. If it's farther to the south, which looks unlikely at this point, that would bring in more snow. We're going to likely see a snow to winter mix for I-85 and north.

I think we could start off with snow around Ice Interstate or excuse me, Highway 64, but areas to the south and Highway 64 south, mainly freezing rain and sleet. So this will transition, and that's where the concerns come into play. When you look at these ice totals, it doesn't seem like much, but when you're talking about ice accumulation and accrual, it doesn't take much to cause catastrophic impact. So a 10th to a quarter of an inch from the I-85 in north, a quarter of an inch, one to half of an inch for ID5 south in areas to the triangle and south.

And so this is where the concerns for those power outages will come into play and travel disruptions on the roads too. When I come back, we'll take a closer look at this forecast, a little bit more on the timing and why we have concerns that stretch all the way into next week as far as the impacts go. Amber and Barbara, back to you. All right, Quaylin, thank you. As Quaylin said, there is growing confidence that we will see significant impacts prompting crews to begin treating the road. waste today. That's right. In anticipation of the weekend winter storm, the NCDOT is launching its response plan. Cruise, of course, as you see there, they're going and treating the roads ahead of the snow and the ice. Bianca Holman joins us live with more on their effort to keep drivers safe. That's a big job. Bianca, good afternoon. It is, Barbara. So those brine trucks are here at this location, filling up to ready to go back out on the highway, on our major highways to brine the road. So if you see them, be sure to get. give them a little bit of room, but they are on the major highways.

We're told that on Thursday and Friday, these trucks will move to the surface streets and Brian are major roadways throughout our cities in the area. And of course, they're going to be watching to see what happens. The plows are also on standby for whatever comes from the sky. So you can see here at this location here in Wake County that these bronze trucks have been out already. They're coming back to be refilled to head back out there on our major highways. to brine before the storm comes. Back to you. Thank you and we'll stay up to date on those

preps. We appreciate it. In the meantime, storm preps are also underway in western North Carolina crews or refilling salt supplies, including these deliveries to Avery County that you're seeing here. The DOT says it has enough salt statewide, but it has been a challenge to refill some of the orders in mountain counties due to the storms and other parts of the country. Eye witness news will bring you all the latest weather updates throughout the week and the weekend. download the free ABC 11 mobile app for the latest watches and warnings. You can also check the Doppler net and the 7-8 forecast there anytime. Happening today, major developments in the case that shook the city of Raleigh to its core three and a half years ago after the Headingham mass shooting. The accused killer expected to plead guilty to all charges today.

Elena Athens is joining us live with a preview of what this means. Elena. Yeah, we know that some of the victims' loved ones will be in that courtroom today when Austin Thompson is expected to plead guilty to to all charges. His attorneys filed a notice just yesterday, saying Thompson has always accepted that he was responsible for the shooting and that after much deliberation with his defense team,

they decided to plead guilty in an effort to spare the victims, the community and his own family, the trauma of a trial. Thompson allegedly killed five people in his Headingham neighborhood. One of the victims was his brother, another one, a Raleigh police officer. I met yesterday with Mary Marshall's

fiance. He said the expected plea will bring him closure and should have happened sooner. Way County District Attorney Lauren Freeman says her office is ready to move forward with this case and that sentencing should take place in February. We're live right now outside the Way County Justice Center. Elena Athens, ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, Elena, I know you'll be following that throughout the day. Thank you. And the trial of Isaiah Ross continues in Orange County today. The prosecution could call its final witnesses as soon as today. He is charged with the murders of two teenagers, 14-year-old Lyric Woods and 18-year-old Devin Clark of Orange County, nearly four years ago. Cindy Bay is live in Hillsborough Forest with what's next in this case. It has been very emotional so far. Cindy, good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Barbara and Amber. While the prosecution is now onto its last witness that they called for, and once the prosecution finishes its witness list, the defense will begin to make its case. Now, Isaiah Ross is facing two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lerick. Woods and Devin Clark back in September 2022 and today we've heard from the last two expert witnesses the prosecution called for that include two forensic scientists explaining their findings in the

hair analysis and DNA examinations in the evidence. This hair and item 11-4-1 could not be associated with the submitted head hair standards from Lyric Woods Devin Clark or Isaiah

Ross. This hair is not suitable. Given the evidence the following propositions were considered for statistical calculation. Hypothesis 1. The evidence originated from Isaiah Ross, item 14, and two unknown unrelated individuals. Or hypothesis 2, the evidence originated from three unknown unrelated individuals. You just heard from Wendell Ivory, who examined the evidence. He's talking about a GMC terrain that had Brown and Regist staining. And he's talking about the results of a door handled they swabbed. However, it's in clear so far how this evidence is tied to a specific person. Now we're also expecting Isaiah Ross to make a decision today on whether or not he will testify.

If he does, the defense says he would potentially be their only witness who takes the stand. And so we're going to follow this closely, go back inside and bring you the latest as soon as we can ahead on eyewitness news. Back to you. Cindy Bay, thank you. And breaking right now at noon, two Durham Public School administrators indicted. It is for their response to a November 24 incident at Eno Valley Elementary School that involves student safety. The instructional assistance involved resigned shortly thereafter. It involved a matter of student safety. As we said, the administrators involved have also been suspended with pay pending the outcome of that process. We are following this closely.

We'll bring you more details just as soon as we learn them. Happening now in urgent search is underway for a gunman in Vance County involved in a drive-by shooting that injured an infant and two other victims. Henderson police say someone in an SUV fired into another car last night on Western Avenue. The bullets hit 24-year-olds Quincy Rodwell and Kenyon Nott and a baby just seven months old. Not and the infant are recovering at the hospital. Police have not said what led to the shooting or if they have any suspects. New at noon, UNC Chapel Hill just approving the largest campus experience. expansion in its history. The university plans a new campus extension in Carolina North around the former Horace Williams Airport covering more than 230 acres. The project is designed as a learn live work hub focused on health, artificial intelligence and advanced technology and while adding housing, retail and community spaces as well. The groundwork could begin as early as 2027.

Well, every two seconds, someone in the country needs blood. And today you can help save lives by taking part of in the sixth annual ABC 11 Together Blood Drive. There's a place for you to donate in Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville. And we begin with Duane Hogarth, who's live at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Crabtree. With what's going on there, hey, Dwan. Hey, Dwan. Good afternoon to hear at the Embassy Suites, Raleigh Crab Street, directly across the street from the ball. For this year's annual Blood Drive presented by ABC 11 together.

And why this year is so specific and important is because the American Red Cross is, they're saying that there is a severe blood shortage across the United States. States and that's due in large part due to last month's winter storms and the agency says whenever a large storm comes that actually prevents people from coming out and coming to blood drives like this to give blood to make a difference and because of such this year they're facing a 35 percent shortage in the blood donations that they're used to getting and also a lot of that has to do with the severe flu season that a lot of folks are having to go through right now so today here at the NBC suites along with other locations. They will be out here till 6 o'clock.

Appointments are recommended, however, they are accepting walk-ins. And what you can do, you can come out here. You'll be able to sign up. You'll be able to give blood so you can make a difference. And then at the end, they have a canteen station where you can grab some extra water for hydration, a couple of snacks. Participants also get this lovely red t-shirt as well

that says make a difference. So come out here to the embassy suites, Raleigh Crabtree. They'll be out here until 6 o'clock. for you to give blood and to make a difference. We're live in Raleigh. Duane Hoggard, Evice 11th. I want this news. Back to you. All right, Duane, thank you.

It's so important. Well, Durham election officials are putting their voting machines to the test. That story is just ahead. Also coming up, a threat that forced one school in Wake County to move to remote learning today and send all the kids at school home. That story, two minutes away. And the Trump administration acknowledging for the first time the Doge employees mishandled Social Security data.

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Do that, do that, do that with Acrobat. Learn more at Adobe.com slash do That with Acrobat. Watch Lauren Johnson. Tonight on ABC 11 I Witness News. Now to a school lockdown in Wake County, Chopper 11 over Wake Preparatory Academy in Wake Forest this morning. The school closing today after receiving a threat against the campus, Wake Prep moving to a remote instruction for the remainder of the day. Students already at campus were picked up at a nearby Harris Teeter store. In your voice, your vote, an important testing happening today in Durham.

The County Board of Elections checking the accuracy of voting machines that will be used for the upcoming primary. elections. The bipartisan teams will test from 10 until five every day until the process is completed. Primary Election Day is coming up on March 3rd. The White County School Board makes a decision on how students with an overdue lunch account will be treated. That story new at 1230. And the ABC 11 Together Blood Drive is underway right now. Akila Davis is going to join us live at the streets at South Point in Durham with information on how you can save a life. Plus behind the scenes, a new look at the Hallmark movie being filmed at the Biltmore in Asheville. The American Red Cross says it's facing a severe blood shortage.

That's why today's ABC 11 together blood drive is so important. Yeah, the Red Cross says that hospitals need more blood than they have in the supply right now. So you can roll up your sleeves today in Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville and help out. Akela Davis is live at one of the locations for donations. This is the streets at South Point Mall right there in front of Nordstrom. Hi, Akela. Hi there, Amber. Yes, this is the sixth annual ABC 11 together blood drive.

You're right, we are in front of Northstone. We are here at the streets of South Point. I'm going to show you this is the waiting area behind me, and we have just a few folks over there who have decided to roll up their sleeves and donate to such a wonderful cause. We're going to talk to Alan Mason. He is with the American Red Cross here in the Triangle.

Talk to us about the critical shortage that we're seeing right now. Yes, right now across the country, we're seeing a severe shortage. Hospital demands over the last month or so have been really high. and it has our supply down about 35% across the country. So right now is the time for everyone to come out.

If you've donated before, if you thought about donating, now is the time that we need you. Specifically looking for, you know, O donors, A negative, B negative as well. Our Latino and African American donors have a higher percentage of O positive that we use every day in transfusions. Need that as well. So please, come on out. We're at three locations today, Fedville, Durham, and Raleigh.

And we need you guys to come out and help us and help save some lives. That's right. Help save some lives. Alan, thank you so much. So as you heard from Allen, the need is especially great here and across the nation. Come out. We have the ABC 11 together, blood drive going until 6 tonight. Reporting live from Durham at the streets of South Point.

Akela Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Such a critical need, especially in the winter, and then schools start closing. And, you know, it's just a, I hate to say, but it's a snowball effect. Yeah. And if you've ever been, you know, it's a snowball effect. know with a loved one and you know how critical the blood is needed, then it all becomes such an important thing and bless the people that go out and give. Indeed. What's great about today and tomorrow is that you can go out and give with no issues weather-wise. It says we get into the

latter half of the week. That's where issues will start to develop for us. We'll have more impactful weather on the way. Let's bottom line this for you. We have a winter storm on the way. Likely some impacts beginning as early as Saturday morning, but it could be delayed until Saturday later in the day. This is where the timing questions still come into play. This will continue through Sunday night, maybe early Monday morning, but wrapping up, it looks like before daybreak on Monday. A winter storm watch is likely going to be issued for tomorrow. This is all dependent upon time ahead of the event. So 48 hours out will be tomorrow. Bitter cold settles in, significant snow and ice potential with that accumulation concern. We'll have the bitter cold lingering through the

middle of next week. Near record temperatures possible. We're talking lows and near record high temperatures as well. We could tire break some record highs. And then power outages, closures, likely along with dangerous travel as well. This is where we are right now, two to four days out. So all the questions you want to answer will probably have answers for you into tomorrow where the type of precept will see the timing as well and how much exactly. What I can tell you is that the consensus on our long range models continues. That's the GFS and the euro. And what's really striking is that you see a lot of pink here. That's mainly ice concerns building for our region. It's not to say that we will not see snow because some of us will, but the greater threat will become the ice concerns.

And this is why in a typical classic setup, you have an area of low pressure south of the coastline, high pressure to the north. And that allows for that colder air to really build in and join forces with the moisture. In this case, though, it will not be classic for us is how it's trending. We'll have the moisture available for sure. We'll have temperatures at 32 below the surface. That's for sure. But the question is, where will this low setup? up and ultimately the low will determine if we have temperatures in the upper levels above the freezing mark.

That cuts off that cold air standard and it leads to precept types that could be freezing rain, of course, and sleek concerns too. So an overview, I do think if you're along I 85 and north, you'll see more of a snow to winery mix. We'll have some snowfall around the triangle too. But then our concerns will become mainly freezing rain in the sleet. And of course, that stretches all the way south into the sand hills and off to the east. We're talking potential for a 10th to up to one half of an inch of ice accrual. And that leads to that weighted tree branches. Power lines can come down as a result of trees coming down in dangerous travel. We'll be in the 60s tomorrow, 40s Friday with rain showers this weekend.

That's where the cold air settles in with 30s and 20s for highs. But feels like temperature, single digits Sunday, 13 Monday, down to 6 on Tuesday. So again, this is not our system for the weekend, but this system will bring us clouds and a few showers as we head into Thursday night and Friday. as well. But a winter storm watch already west of us, including for Dallas, Texas, back to New Mexico. That's for that weekend storm system. So watching some clouds for us now. Hise today will be upper 40s close to 50 degrees. This is late into Thursday morning. We're going to have temperatures in the 30s, maybe a stray shower. That temp jumps to near 60 degrees Thursday afternoon. And then clouds start to build into the region. Friday is where we start to see the rain showers developing. That cold front moves in. This is Saturday morning. We could have some snow. fall as early as Saturday morning with the frozen precept to the south in terms of freezing rain. But all this starts to lift to the north. And this is where our concerns build, maybe 12 plus hours of sleet and freezing rain concerns through that time frame. Here's your 7-8 forecast, powered by ACUweather. First alert days through your weekend. Enter early next week. Concerns

continue through the middle of next week because there'll be limited melting potential during the day. And at night, temperatures will be in the teens and possibly single digits. Back to you. Right, it's going to be a long couple of days. Coyland, thank you. Vice President J.D. Vance is heading to Minnesota amid the fatal shooting death of Renee Good by an ICE agent. We'll have that story just ahead. And former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, may be held in contempt of Congress in connection to the Epstein Files. And Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell attending a high-stakes case today at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Details two minutes away. Watch Steve Daniels. Tonight on ABC 11, I Witness News. Vice President J.D. Vance plans to visit Minnesota tomorrow. A person familiar with the planning says that that trip will include a roundtable discussion with local leaders and also remarks in Minneapolis. Tensions are high there and the city amid ongoing ice raids. And ABC News has learned that top Democrats in the state, Governor Tim Walls, Attorney General

Keith Ellison, the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and two county attorneys are being served with subpoenas by the DOJ. The Justice Department is investigating whether they conspired to impede ICE operations. Contemptive Congress proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton appear to be on track. It comes after an offer by the former president for a private interview in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation was rejected by the House Oversight Committee Chairman. A letter sent a Republican chairman, James Comer, proposed a limited interview with the former president on January the 16th with the two top lawmakers leading the Epstein investigation. In response, Comer called the offer unreasonable. Comer says the committee will take up the contempt of Congress issue today. If it's passed, he's previously said that the matter would go to a full House floor vote.

New A noon, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell today, attending a Supreme Court hearing in a case addressing whether President Trump can fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook. The Trump administration has accused Cook of mortgage fraud allegations. But the Federal Reserve Act restricts presidents from removing governors unless there is evidence of wrongdoing. Cook has denied the allegations. The Supreme Court allowed her to keep her job while they consider the case. And we are tracking a winter storm that's headed our way. Bianca Holman is live with how the NCDOT crews are preparing. And today marks one year since a Raleigh police officer was seriously wounded after being shot in the line of duty.