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

Episode Date: March 26, 2026

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Breaking news right now at noon. Coaching Carousel, another local team may be looking for a new head basketball coach. We have live team coverage this noon. Michael Perchick is on the news that a source says Will Wade is leaving NC State. Sean Coffey following the coaching search already underway as well at UNC. And new developments in the murder of a beloved Raleigh teacher. The next step is putting the man accused of killing her. Zoe Welsh on trial. Plus, the new details just end on an overnight shooting in Nightdale. What we're learning about the woman?

Who was shot? And we are tracking the war with Iran and the role for Bragg troops could soon be playing. 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 Thursday afternoon. I'm Barbara Gibbs. I'm Amber Repenta and it is Friday Eve, March 26 and the weather roller coaster continues in full effect. Yeah, meteorologist Steve Stewart is here with us. He says the days of the 80s, we've got a few more before the bottom drops out. What is going on? Yeah, we're going to continue up and down.

I think next week's going to be pretty nice. You're going to like the way that looks, but big drops as we headed to the upcoming weekend. Looking pretty good. We got some clouds out there passing by right now. Temperatures are going to be up there about 80 degrees today. The normal high is at 66. So well below that, we were normal yesterday, but a good 14 degrees above that. 87 is the record high. Not quite that today, but we could be talking about records for tomorrow.

We've had four days of measurable rain this month, and that's it. We need some more rain. That deficit now looks like most of the last seven months. We've only had one, and that was last month where we had a little bit of a surplus, but it's really dry going into the growing season. We don't like to see that. So rain is coming. It's tomorrow night for the most part. Most models a quarter inch or less. Her high resolution rapid refresh models a little bullish on it, but that's the convective nature. Some areas could pick up some heavier rainfall, but widespread heavy rain doesn't look to be on the cards here. 71 degrees right now at North Hills with a breeze at about 12 miles an hour. 18 degrees warmer than this time yesterday. It feels great out there, but the pollen's pretty high. You'll notice that. 67, Oxford, 71 Chapel Hill and Fayetteville currently at 68.

and that breeze is going to keep blowing the pollen around. So if you want to take an evening walk, if you're not allergy sensitive to that pollen, it's going to be fantastic. Temperature-wise, getting all the way down to 70 by 10 o'clock in the evening hours. So this weekend, we're going to turn a lot cooler. More on that coming up in just a few minutes. All right, Steve, thank you. We are in the Breaking News Center right now following potentially some big news from NC State.

Yes, sources telling Ivan's news that head basketball coach Will Wade is won and done, leaving the university after just one year. Michael Perchick is joining us live. He is on campus at NC State getting reaction on this surprising development. Michael? Yeah, Amber, Barbara, multiple sources telling ABC 11. That is the expectation that Will Wade will be leaving Raleigh after just one season, though it is important to note no official word at this time.

Wade will reportedly return to LSU where he previously served as head coach from 2017 to 2022 before being fired there over alleged recruiting violations, part of a federal corruption investigation. In his first and now potentially only season at the helm for the Wolfpack, the team went 2014 getting knocked out in the first four of the NCAA tournament. Students on campus disappointed with his apparent and sudden departure. I'm very like sad and kind of mad to at the same time because that he left because he I felt like he promised a lot to us at the beginning of the season that he was going to basically like bring us back up to like top of the ACC, bring us back to. bring us back to the NCAA, but didn't really have been. We have reached out to the universe for comment. They have not responded at this time, something we are certainly tracking and something

generating plenty of discussion right here on campus off Hillsborough Street. I'm Michael Perchick, ABC 11, high witness news. A lot of discussion. We'll wait and see when the university decides to speak about it. All right, Michael, thank you. All right, new at noon, we are also hearing from leadership at UNC Chapel Hill as the school launches its search for their next men's head basketball coach. Sean Coffey is in Chapel Hill now where the Board of Trustees just wrapped up a meeting.

The UNC Chapel Hill Board of Trustees held both open and closed sessions all morning long. But Chancellor Lee Roberts and Chair Malcolm Turner addressed the media and were asked specifically about the future of the men's basketball program. They addressed the next steps for hiring a men's basketball coach, saying Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham and future AD Steve Newmark are running that process. But they declined to get into any specifics regarding. what they're looking for in their next coach, nor the timeline for when a hire might get made. I don't have much to add to what I said yesterday.

Hubert and Leslie Davis are phenomenal people. Coach Davis will tell you that he met his wife here at Carolina and became a Christian. Here, his uncle's jersey is hanging in the rafters. Hubert and Leslie are Carolina parents. They love the university deeply, and the university loves them back. They'll always have a place of pride. in the hearts of the Carolina family. Ultimately, they said that the board will only act in the approval process,

and they'll wait on the recommendations of both Cunningham and Newmark once those interviews for the next men's head basketball coach take place. In Chapel Hill, Sean Coffey, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Big developments in sports, Sean, thanks. And breaking now here at new, new developments in the Zoe Welsh murder. She is the Ravenscroft teacher killed at her home. Today, prosecutors are hiring an expert to determine if the suspect Ryan Camacho is competent to stand trial. Camacho's defense team has stated he is unable to understand the

nature of the crimes he is accused of committing. Also breaking at noon, we have a sad update to a shooting overnight in Nightdale. This was the scene on Broken Arrow Court, and we are just learning that the victim from this, 43-year-old Jessica Wells has died. Investigators say a man is in custody, and they're calling this an isolated incident. Well, now to the war in Iran and new developments this afternoon, the Pentagon is preparing to surge as many as 5,000 troops to the Middle East. This will be a mix of army paratroopers and Marines. We now know that some of the forces are already in transit. This is talks between President Trump and Iran may be appearing to have stalled to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And we know also that among those preparing to head to

the Middle East are from right here in our area. Yeah, Keila Davis is live at Fort Bragg this noon. This is, of course, home of the 82nd Airborne Division. Hi, Kila. Hi there, you know, we're working to learn more about the 82nd Airborne Division deploying to the Middle East. Still a lot of unanswered questions here, but here's what we do know. A defense official familiar with this matter confirms that elements of the 82nd Airborne Division will be deploying to CENTCOM. So there's no timeline on when this could happen or if soldiers have already left.

Eyewitness news has covered many deployments over the years and defense officials say as the war in Iran ramps up, things are different. this time. More security measures are in place. Now this all comes as the U.S. Army just raised the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42. It's also relaxed the rules on recruitment allowing people with prior drug convictions to enlist. So again, we're working to learn more about the 82nd Airborne Division deploying when they are expected to deploy and when we know more, so will you. Reporting live from Fort Bragg, Akela Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, Akela, thank you. There is encouraging news this afternoon about gas prices. The average price of gas falls for the first time since the start of the war in Iran. You will not see a change probably in prices at the pump quite yet. The price only dropped by a fraction of a penny.

AAA is reporting the nationwide cost of regular unleaded on average is $3.98 cents a gallon. In our area, Durham County has the highest prices on average at 385, just a little bit lower in Wake County at 381. And it's even lower than that in Cumberland County at 374 on average. Well, growing wait times at airport checkout lines. We're hearing from TSA agents working without pay. Also, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Flores, back in a New York courtroom. We'll show you what happened. Someone needs to do the right thing.

Savannah Guthrie gives her first interview since her mother Nancy disappeared nearly two months ago, her emotional plea for help. At MedCan, we know that life's greatest moments are built on a foundation of good health. From the big milestones to the quiet winds. That's why our annual health assessment offers a physician-led, full-body checkup that provides a clear picture of your health today and may uncover early signs of conditions like heart disease and cancer. The healthier you means more moments to cherish. Take control of your well-being and book an assessment today. Medcan. Live well for life.

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And new at noon protests outside a federal courthouse in New York where ousted Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife were back before a judge. Both are facing charges of narco terrorism. Maduro's lawyers trying to get the case dismissed arguing they don't have enough money to pay for their own legal defense. Prosecutors arguing they are still allowed access to their own money. Maduro claiming he cannot afford to pay the fees on his own. Maduro and his wife deny all wrongdoing if convicted both Maduro. and Flores could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Well, now to Savannah Guthrie, giving her first interview since her mother, Nancy,

disappeared nearly two months ago, making a passionate plea for help. ABC's Aaron Kuterski has the story. Nearly two months since her mother's abduction, a grief-stricken Savannah Guthrie in her first interview is renewing her desperate plea for Nancy Guthrie's return. Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. Yeah. We are in agony. It is unbearable.

The Today host says she constantly replaced the early morning of February 1st, her vulnerable mother alone, a masked intruder at the door. And to think of what she went through, I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. Despite thousands of. tips and weeks of investigation, there are no new leads. Only these images from Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera showing the armed man in a mask with a gun, holster, jacket, and backpack.

I think the timing of Savannah's interview is just about right. It's been a while since we've had any sort of public dialogue with law enforcement. I think it's an excellent idea because there's really nothing to lose in doing it. And the potential, obviously, is what you might gain. Ketursky, ABC News, New York. Unimaginable. It's incredibly heartbreaking. No words, I couldn't imagine what she's going through. The recovery from Hurricane Helene.

Governor Josh Stein making a new pitch to help Western North Carolina. And those growing wait times at airport security lines, a TSA agent gives her insight into the problem. Where are my gloves? Come on, heat. Any day now? Winter is hard, but your groceries don't have to be. This winter, stay warm. Tap the banner to order your groceries online at voila.ca.

Enjoy in-store prices without leaving your home. You'll find the same regular prices online as in-store. Many promotions are available both in-store and online, though some may vary. Today we'll learn more about the next round of funding for Hurricane Helene Relief. Governor Stein is expected to announce his third state budget request and discuss the next phase of rebuilding Western North Carolina. The governor will hold a news conference around 1 o'clock today in Mitchell County after attending a groundbreaking for a new hospital. Well, equal payday is today, and North Carolina women are closing the gap, but many say there's still a long way to go. Tamara Scott shows us how pay and representation impact women across the state.

Well, now, this isn't a random day in March. March 26 is meant to show how far into the year women have to work to catch up to what men earned in the last year. New North Carolina numbers show that there has been progress. But women that I spoke would say there's still a long way to go. Before the first email, meeting, and before the first. Good morning. Stephanie Farley is doing what many women do every day, showing up to move up, even if their paycheck does not. I am very proud that as a 21-year-old, that I felt empowered enough to have the tough conversation. and even while being told no, that that helped to shape my conversations for the future.

A future for the gender pay gap that for all women in North Carolina seems bright, but still far away. In the report from the North Carolina Department of Administration, the gender wage gap for women's earnings compared to men in North Carolina went up to 83% from 80% in seven years. This brings the state's national ranking from 31st to 9th. But still, a woman with a bachelor's degree earned 72 cents for every dollar earned by an equally educated man. What it means is that perceptions still exist in terms of how people think about the value of a man's work than women. Farley is now an executive in the triangle, but says that gap is still showing up inside of one of the triangle's biggest industries. I think it is still a crisis.

So if we look at the statistics, even here in North Carolina, North Carolina is ranked eighth in tech. There are 38% of the tech workforces female. Eyewitness news met her at the Coven in Kerry, a co-work space built for women and designed around realities, such as child care that can shape careers. There is a private mother's room. The states point to child care cost as a major factor in the disparity. Annette Taylor says that has to also change if we want the gap to continue to close. We do know that women are paying between 20 to 26 percent of their income a year on child care.

Stephanie says a good place to start on your equal paid journey is do your research, look at full compensation packages, and find good mentors. You will be told no at different points in your career around compensation, and that's okay. Understand your worth, advocate for it, and advocate for others around you. And there are ways for you to check more about your own profession. Look up pay ranges for your job title and your area. Compare your experience, certifications, and location. Look at documents and measurable impact and ask for compensation review and the pay range for your role.

Tamara Scott, ABC 11, eyewitness news. All right, let's go to meteorologist Steve Stewart with the forecast up and down still happening. It is, yeah, yeah. time of year, but a big drop, about a 30 degree drop on on the Saturday morning. So yeah, you're gonna notice that for sure. Hey outside right now we're looking good. Got some passing clouds around. There's a lot of pollen in the air.

You can sometimes see it when that breeze picks up a little bit, kind of give a little bit of a yellow cloud moving across the sky. Rain comes after sunset tomorrow. We could get up to a record high. We're gonna be around 87 degrees that entire record. Brief cool down over the weekend. Then we'll moderate again. Temperature starts to come back up and most of the week is likely.

likely going to be back to the 80 starting on Tuesday and lasting all the way through Friday. But look at that drop. That's a steep drop from 87 down to 57 degrees. And again, the rain likely going to come here Friday evening after sunset overnight into the early morning hours. And then we're done with the rain. And another long dry stretch will come our way. So most models about a quarter inch or less at around RDU, the high resolution rapid refresh model, a little bullish on the amounts and because of the convective nature. So can't rule out a couple areas. Maybe. Maybe. getting some heavier rain. But you see the band that'll come in and our model even slower, about 9 p.m. before it hits the northern counties and then presses south by midnight. A lot of

us are going to be done with the rain. And then as we get into four in the morning, cloud's starting to break and we're going to have sunshine all being a lot cooler as we headed to the upcoming weekend. 71 into North Hills right now of the breeze about 12 miles an hour. That's 18 degrees warmer than this time yesterday with widespread low 70s across the board. Still upper 60s there in Fayetteville and Roanoke Rapids and Roxburgh currently at 72 degrees. Evening out, if you're heading to the Deepak tonight to see Britt Floyd, the moon, the wall, and beyond. 76 when you're walking in, really nice and near 70 by the time you head home. No jackets are required this evening.

There's the front settling to the south, much cooler. 57 degrees for a high on Saturday with a chilly breeze to boot. Then as we go into Sunday, a little bit of a windship. We'll moderate back to the mid-60s, close to normal. We'll see some afternoon clouds around. them at least high clouds and overall looking pretty darn good and then day by day we'll start moderating those temperatures once again up in the mountains little chilly but a good weekend to get away beaches will be cool for that walk on the beach make sure you have a jacket if you're

heading out there both days temperatures are going to be below average around here today our highs likely going to be up around 80 in the triangle in Fayville upper 70s in our northern counties should be a pretty sunset for tonight and then as for today and then for tonight low temperatures getting down to the 60s and that's it It is going to be a mild overnight tonight for sure. First of the 7 a day of them. Tomorrow, tomorrow 87 could tie a record at R2U.

The rain comes after sunset. Daytime will be fine. Much cooler as we go into the weekend. On Sunday, the crop walk will be fantastic, although there could be some frost early in the morning hours. 75 Monday, Tuesday, sun and clouds in 80 degrees. We welcome April in the mid-80s. Going to keep it warm as we finish the work week.

More clouds on Thursday, but likely going to stay dry. Maybe we'll get a shower by Thursday. evening. All right, Steve. Clear some of the pollen out too. So that's an added bonus. Team, thanks. Good one. Saving you money on everyday items. This noon, we're looking at soda prices, how much more you're paying and how you can save. And the cost of the war in Iran, how the conflict is impacting inflation here at home. When Westchap first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion. Inline skates were everywhere, and two out of three women rocked the Rachel. While those things stayed in the 90s, one thing

hasn't is that fuzzy feeling you get when Westjet welcomes you on board. Here's to Westjetting since 96. Travel back in time with us and actually travel with us at westjet.com slash 30 years. There are more signs that the war in Iran could hit the accelerator on inflation, fueled by energy costs that were already rising before the war started. American import prices last month jumped by the most in four years. The 1.3% increase reported by the Labor Department also shows higher prices for food and consumer goods. When you are headed to the grocery store, it can feel like the receipt is shorter, but the bill is larger. Yes, so we are taking a closer look at some of those grocery list staples so you can be money smart with your weekly budget.

So this week, we are tracking soda prices, and like many things, you are paying more for your favorite soda. You might have noticed. Here's the stats, though, as of February this year, the average cost of a 12 pack of soda in the United States is a little over $7.12. But the average cost in January 2020 was just over 433. That's also adjusted for inflation. So today that would be 550, which means soda is almost 30% higher than it was six years ago. So if you are looking to save next time you head to the grocery store, you can try looking for sales, of course, and then stock up when you can then. Most stores also frequently offer buy to get two free deals.

So try the store's brands as well like Sam's Cola at Walmart. or you can buy in bulk at Sam's or Costco. For more tips to keep you money smart, visit our Price Tracker tool on our website. Just type in ABC11.com backslash price tracker. Well, today you'll get a chance to get a progress report on the ongoing work to improve Raleigh Parks. The city hosting a community event detailing the 23 projects

currently underway across the city. They all are funded by a 222 parks bond. Voters approved to invest in neighborhoods. Tonight's event is happening from 4.4. 30 to 730 at the All-Face Chapel at Dix Park. There will be food, music, games, and activities. Well, there could be another coaching change at a local university. What we're learning about the future of Will Wade at NC State. And we're following our local teams in the NCAA tournament, our local, we're live in D.C. where Duke is preparing for the Sweet 16.