ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at Noon - June 26, 2026

Episode Date: June 26, 2026

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Breaking right now at noon, major employer SAS Institute based in the town of Kerry announces hundreds of job cuts throughout the company. Two firefighters are injured battling a house fire in Garner. Cindy Bay is here with an update. And breaking right now, it is a race against time as Venezuela. The death toll there rises from those back-to-back earthquakes, help now arriving from around the world. And June is Pride Month, and one of the biggest events is happening in downtown Raleigh. 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-I Witness News. Good Friday afternoon. Thank you for ending your week with us. I'm Barbara Gibbs. Amber Repenta has the day off today. Spotty showers are possible today. Tomorrow, though, a first alert day with the threat of storms.

Meteorologist Steve Stewart joins us now with more on the forecast. Hey, Steve. Hey, Steve. But you're right. Yeah, there's a few storms around as we go throughout the day. Today we'll make it to the 90s. The clouds that are out there now are going to break apart a little bit. We'll have enough sunshine to heat things up. Yesterday was only 88, so a little bit warmer today. And there you see the rainfall for the month. Nice to see that. Just a little bit of a deficit right now. And we could add to that with some scattered pop-up showers and thunderstorms. Seeing a little activity just out to our west now. First alert Doppler net showing some heavier showers here. But that's kind of lifting off towards the triad now. That could clip up in person, kind of. soon. Person County all the way down, say into Durham County could get a little bit of a shower here pretty soon. We'll watch the radar later this afternoon, but nothing severe expected. We'll up the chances for tomorrow, late day into the evening hours, and then we'll keep the chances fairly low, but still around as we go into Sunday and Monday for isolated showers and thunderstorms. After that, likely going to be dry for a while. Clouds out there at North Hills, 85 degrees. The dew point is 65, not terrible, but the dewhunt in the sand hills in the 70s. It feels rather impressive there. Bit of a breeze, too, at about 13 miles an hour. Low 80s in our northern county, 79 in Silas City with some showers nearby, near 90 down in Clinton, and a dew point there in the lower 70s.

Taking the pups out for a walk this evening, again, there could be a shower or a thunderstorm around, so just be advised. You might get caught in a heavier downpour. Not everyone gets it, but there will be some rain showers around. Coming up, heat wave for the first week of July, and this one means business. More on that coming up in a few minutes, Barbara. All right, thank you, Steve. Well, hope you're ready for that summer heat.

Our next heat wave is right around the corner. Steve was just talking about. Those feels like temperatures could be near the triple digits starting this weekend. And right as we head into some busy back-to-back weekends in downtown Raleigh. John Dowding joins us live from downtown. John, good afternoon. Medical experts are out warning anybody to look ahead and be prepared because it is a cumulative thing this heat. Yeah, Barbara.

And the biggest thing, too, they want people to remember is it doesn't take much for this heat to start impacting your health. and without Raleigh this weekend, July 4th next weekend. Doctors want to remind people try to take it easy. If you're planning on going outside during this heat wave that like Steve was talking about is right around the corner. Doctors say take those preventative steps now

to stay healthy in the heat. I mean staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest before heading outside. Doctors at UNC Rex Hospital say children in the elderly or those with medical conditions typically need to be the most cautious when it comes to heat exposure. But they also say those days of back to back heat can quickly take a toll on the body.

The challenge when it gets to be so many days in a row, the effects can be cumulative. So each day, you're starting to lose volume, and it's going to get harder each day to go out. Now, some other important things and easy steps you can take to try to keep yourself healthy while we're having those really warm days coming up in the next couple days here.

Have a small fan on you so you can fan yourself off and stay cool when you're outside. Also, try to wear light-colored and loose clothing so you're not trapping in the heat as much. But again, just don't ignore those simple warning signs from your body telling you to get inside and to stay cool. Live here in downtown Riley, I'm John Dowding. ABC 11, eyewitness news. That is very good advice, John.

Thank you. And with the heat and the storms and the forecast this weekend, now's a great time to download the ABC11 mobile app. It is free and you can check the latest weather conditions directly from your device. Just search for ABC 11 in your phone's app store. Well, breaking news right now, one of the largest employers in Wake County, SAS Institute, the elimination of 300 positions throughout the company. The employees who are affected can apply for other open positions or take advantage of the transition services. SAS, a prominent North Carolina analytics software provider did not share specifics on the location of the layoffs. The company

has more than 400 offices worldwide with its main campus in Kerry. Well, right now at noon, we're working to find out more about a house fire in Garner. Firefighters responding to a morning call on Old Cascade Drive just off White Oak Road. Cindy Bay joins us now live with at least two firefighters injured. What else do you know, Cindy? It all took about 20 minutes for the fire to be put out. But as mentioned, firefighters were injured in this. You can see the damage to the front of the home, the door, windows, and part of the roof were all hit.

Video from our crews in Chopper 11 shows firefighters from Wake and Johnston counties responding to the fire on old Cascade Drive. Officials say the homeowner woke up to smoke detectors escaped safely and a neighbor called 911. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene and with no fire hydrants nearby, crews had to truck in water. The fire is out, but you can see the damage is clear and you can still smell the smoke. The homeowner and his neighbor declined to comment, but both are safe in Garner. Cindy Bay. ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, Cindy, thank you. Breaking right now in Venezuela, the death toll is rising to more than 550 after the back-to-back earthquakes there. Experts warn it could go much higher. Crues are searching through the rubble for survivors as international aid begins to arrive.

ABC's Phil Tatt has the latest. Aid and rescue teams from around the world are on their way to Venezuela, including this team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The entire humanitarian system is moving very fast. scale supporting the government-led response in Venezuela, top priority, search and rescue. One of those rescued, a four-year-old boy carried to safety as rescue workers search for more people trapped after the two quakes. But now earthquake experts warned the death toll could top 10,000. The massive magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit just 39 seconds apart Wednesday. Aerial view shows the extent of the devastation in the hard-hit city of Liguida, building after building damaged or destroyed.

And now growing concerned that some buildings currently standing could collapse. Even in my own building, there are many, many cracks in some of the apartments. In my own apartment, there's a lot of cracks in the walls. For its part, the U.S. military sending two Navy ships and two planes to provide assistance. A Marine General will lead U.S. relief efforts. Volunteers in Miami also stepping in, shipping supplies to those in need. Everything is important. Food, medicines, their families, they lose everything.

The International Organization for Migration says that 6.76 million people in Venezuela will be impacted by the quakes in some way, some 2 million people in Caracas, alone. I'm Phil Tate, ABC News, New York. The Kerry Town Council passes a new budget with a commitment to public safety and a property tax increase. The $579 million budget clears the way for new officers and firefighters. The significant investment comes at a cost to people who call carry home. There is now a property tax increase of $2.75 per $100 of assessed value, which is down from the proposed $3.75 in the original budget. There is also an investment in the new positions in budget and

accounting, including a budget director and two audit-focused finance positions to help improve oversight and transparency. Well, now to a crash in Wake County, a car slams into the back of a parked tractor trailer on Highway 401. This is just south of Old Stage Road, and you can see the front end of that car going underneath the truck. No word on what happened to the driver and what led to the crash or if any charges will be filed. Durham is headed for an even deadlier year than last, and today behind closed doors, city and county leaders are pushing to stop at the final day of a three-day gun violence summit wraps up today at Durham Convention Center. Researchers blame personal conflicts and drug disputes for the surge and killings.

The summit's plan to fight back is expected in two months. State senators advance a bill that would ban homeless encampments on all public property statewide. Under the measures, cities and counties could still designate specific areas for people to sleep outside, but only if they provide bathrooms, running water, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. site. Drug use would be banned in those areas. The bill also creates drug-free zones, targeting the homeless population where anyone caught using or selling faces felony charges. The bill now heads to the state house. Out Raleigh Pride returns to Raleigh. It kicks off tonight,

and ABC 11 is a proud sponsor. Tamara Scott, some streets in downtown Raleigh already closed for this festival, right? Hey, good afternoon, Barbara, yeah, and for a good reason, take a look here. I am. City Plaza. You can see There's already a lot going on here. They have already blocked off this end of City Plaza on Fayetteville Street. There's also other areas of this downtown area that are already blocked off the roads. Because they have a lot to prepare for. There's a lot going on this weekend.

So if you are driving down here, you're going to want to plan ahead. There's already street closures, Fayetteville Street between Martin and the south and where I am at City Plaza, but also Davy Street between Salisbury Street and Wilmington. Now that closure expands tomorrow. That includes Fayetteville Street between more. Street and Martin Street along Hargett and Martin Street and between Salisbury and Wilmington. Now, the city is offering free parking and it's five city-owned parking garages, so hopefully you'll be able to find some parking. Now, this is true for the two different events that are happening tonight and tomorrow.

As you can see, the stage and the roadblocks, they're already going up for both days this weekend. Starting tonight at 6 o'clock, Fayetteville Street is hosting an adult-only 18-and-up celebration with live entertainment, vendors, performances. and a smaller two block footprint. That's what that stage is for. Then on Saturday, the festival expands into a family-friendly event, filling downtown with live music, local artists, food vendors, a kid zone, plus a beer garden and community organization. So we know downtown is going to be packed again this weekend.

ABC 11 is a proud sponsor of the Out Raleigh Pride event this weekend, and we know a lot of folks are going to be out here having a good time. You might see some familiar faces. Back to you. All right. Thank you so much, Tamara Scott, live for us in downtown Raleigh. The Stanley Cup belongs to the Carolina Hurricanes right now, and now the work begins again. Tonight, the Hurricanes make four picks in the 26 NHL draft with the entire hockey and scouting staff gathered at Lenovo Center,

the first round at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The draft is where champions are made. Just asked the cane, Sebastian Ajo, pick 35 in 2015. Andre Svetnikov, pick two in 2018. Seth Jarvis, pick 13 in 2020, all now holding. a Stanley Cup. And as the team leaders look for their next big star, the Canes have announced their preseason schedule just 87 days until the Stanley Cup champions are back on the ice. The preseason kicks off September the 20th. The Keynes will face the Florida Panthers in Florida. Their first preseason game in Raleigh is Tuesday, September 22nd. The preseason schedule includes a stop in Greensboro on Thursday, September the 24th. Well, Iran launches an attack on a cargo

ship in the Strait of Hormuz, putting the peace deal with the U.S. to the test. story just ahead. And family and friends will gather this weekend to say goodbye to a one-year-old boy who was fatally shot by police in Mississippi. That story new at 1230. And if you are in the market to buy a new computer or game console, be prepared to pay hundreds of dollars more. We'll explain why the data centers being built around the country are driving up costs. Eyewitness News. We are Local News Weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. Well, now to a major setback in the war with Iran, a United Nations evacuation mission halted after an Iranian drone struck a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The UN now refusing to move any stranded vessels until the safety of every ship can be guaranteed.

The White House responding, warning that the attack would be a direct violation of the peace agreement that ended the war. A federal judge orders the Justice Department to release more unredacted files tied to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or explain why the information remains. secret. The ruling gives officials until July 2nd to justify key redactions, including names and emails and alleged co-conspirators listed in a draft indictment. One of those documents includes notes from the FBI's interview with a woman who accused President Trump of assault. Those claims were uncorroborated and President Trump has denied the allegation. A possible plea deal in the works for Luigi Mangione. He is the man charged with a murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan in Cold Blood. Mangione pleaded not give him.

guilty to state and federal charges after his arrest for the fatal shooting. ABC News has learned his attorneys are now discussing a possible guilty plea ahead of a hearing on Monday. His state trial is scheduled to begin in September. The federal trial is set for next year. The Durham Performing Arts Center setting a new record for this season. That story is coming up in two minutes. And German automaker Volkswagen today announcing plans to cut 100,000 workers. That story new at 1230.

And we're learning about the star-studded funeral for music, legend, Clive Davis. Just ahead, some of the artists from his long career who are expected to take part in the service. The Durham Performing Arts Center, or Deepak, is celebrating one of its best years ever. The Deepak welcoming more than 600,000 guests for 258 performances this past season. That is the second best season in the theater's 17-year history. In recently released 2026 mid-year national rankings, Deepak was ranked the number one venue in the United States by Billboard Magazine. Congratulations. Well, next weekend, join us for a 4th of July party. Raleigh's Dix Park is bringing back its fireworks show and live performances for America's 250th birthday.

The fun kicks off in the mid afternoon and runs through the evening and here's what you can expect. A fireworks show, of course, and a DJ, live music, craft station, lawn games and inflatables, shaded picnic areas, and if food and beverage vendors, no alcohol is allowed. Here's the list of what to bring, blankets, small coolers, refillables, water bottles, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and flashlights, and the bag policy includes small clutches and fanny packs. Bigger bags need to be clear and medical and diaper bags are allowed. And ABC 11 is a proud sponsor of the 4th of July fireworks in the city of Raleigh. Let's get a meteorologist Steve's here. Boy, it is going to be just unbelievably hot next week.

I mean, leading up to the fourth, it's going to be hot. Yeah, yeah. And the fourth probably too. Going to be at least 100 if not higher. So yeah, we got to. Take it easy out there and drink lots of water. But that's a few days away. We got some time out there today. See the clouds, it's warm, it's humid out there, especially in the sand hills. We already had a passing shower in Durham, and we'll see a few more of those as we go through the evening hours. Few storms around this weekend, too, maybe a few of them strong tomorrow.

We'll show you that coming up. Seasonally hot, not terrible, but good pool weather over the course of your weekend and early next week. But the dangerous heat that is really starting on July 1st and lasting for days. We're talking about a huge ridge of high pressure that's going to build in right across the Ohio Valley, and we're under its influence, and that sinking air is going to bake us. We'll have a few days in a row over 100 degrees. That's the ambient temperature. The feels like temperature could be close to 110 for a few days, likely going to be dealing with extreme heat warnings for at least two, if not three of those days, as this ridge is really going to be strong. Meantime, you see some showers heading up towards the triad right now.

A little branch of that moved right across Durham's. We had a brief little shower and we'll watch this little cluster of showers too. That's going to move into Moore County fairly soon and we'll probably get some lightning a little bit later on. And in and around the triangle, those chances are going to be elevated late afternoon through the early evening hours. So don't be surprised if you get caught in a heavier downpour. The severe risk is for tomorrow. It's a level one for a lot of us, but from Northern Wake County, including Person County, off to the north and east. That is a level two tomorrow as we could get some stronger storm.

coming in late day into the evening. Don't take this literally, but there could be some storms that really have some impressive wind with them as they move across the region. Things will quiet down and less coverage of those pop-up storms expected on Sunday. 85 right now into North Hills, a little breezy out there. Not much of a heat index here because of dew points in the 60s. Lower 80s up in Roxburgh and Burlington, we got some outflow for those showers there cooling you down near 90 in Clinton, but higher dew points down here. So the higher dew points that, really feels rather muggy and that higher dew point should spread to the north over the course of the weekend. Want to see something tonight? Maybe go out the deep app and watch the blaze professional women softball numbers in the upper 80s around start time at six getting down to 77 when you leave later in the evening hours. Fronts just to our north looks like any storms will be scattered in nature. Most of us are going to be probably off to our south and east. And then Monday we'll keep a few storms around as that fronts right over us. This is the coolest day we're going to have. have in about a week and we're still going to be in the 90s. That extreme heat that heads east and we're really going to feel it. Up in the mountains this weekend, some scattered showers and

thunderstorms around, not a washout. And same thing at the beaches. I think the coverage could be a little bit higher Sunday late afternoon into the evening hours. So our temperatures today will be in the upper 80s and low 90s, some isolated passing showers and thunderstorms that continues through the evening. Lows are going to be in the 70s. First of all, seven day then, 94 tomorrow, risk of a strong storm. Sunday and Monday still a little unsettled. Tuesday we're heating up. The heat wave starts on Wednesday, Barbara.

And then look at Thursday and Friday. Both days could be record highs. Anytime you talk about records in July, you know it's going to be hot. No doubt about it. All right, boy, Steve, thank you. We have got to be ready for that. Well, the jury in the Palisades' arson trial

are struggling to reach a verdict. That story just ahead. And New York's Mayor Zora Mondani making a good on a promise from his campaign. Detroit Lions Cornebacterian Arnold is facing kidnapping and robbery charges in Florida. The 29-year-old is accused of luring three men to an apartment where prosecutors say they were robbed, beaten, and held at gunpoint. Authorities believe Arnold planned the attack after accusing the victims of stealing $250,000 in belongings from his Airbnb. Arnold denies all the allegations.

He is currently being held behind bars in Tampa without bond. In California, the jury is deadlocked in the arson trial for a man accused of seven. the deadly palisades fire in Los Angeles. The judge ordered George to resume deliberations today. The palisades fire was the most destructive wildfire in L.A. history. More than 23 acres burned, leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. Twelve people were also killed. A top official in the National Park Service says the liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial

reflecting pool was cut with a sharp knife or a razor this month. About 70 fence post tops were thrown into the pool. A police report was filed about it. The vandalism caused damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project. The reflecting pool will be drained again to make repairs in time for the 4th of July celebration. Well, high gas prices fueled by the war with Iran are putting the brakes on how much we've been driving. A new Gallup poll says nearly six out of every 10 Americans say that they're driving less. Almost half say gas prices of force changes to summer vacation plans.

And checking the pain at the pump right now, The national average for a gallon of unleaded is down to 390, down seven cents from last week. In North Carolina, you can expect to pay around 356 on average, about two cents better than it was a week ago. Well, now to breaking news and carry. Emergency crews are on the scene of a water main break. This is a live picture from the scene on Airport Boulevard at Sorrel Grover Church Road. We've learned the center turn lane and left lane to I-40 are closed now. We will continue to monitor the situation and bring you updates as we get them.

Well, today is the grand opening for a brand new bakery in Durham. That story is just ahead. And one of President Trump's former national security advisors turned adversaries John Bolton today pleading guilty to mishandling classified information. And it is all new and NC made were highlighting products made right here in our state. Today, the story behind Larry's Coffee.