ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at Noon - May 18, 2026

Episode Date: May 18, 2026

Eyewitness News at Noon - May 18, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right now on I'm in this news at noon, we are tracking a stretch of near record heat. That's right. Yesterday, record high. We're going to be right to close to it, not only today, but for the next few days, then some changes. A bit of a pattern change. I've got your forecast. All right. And the heat is impacting our furry friends. We'll break down how you can protect your pets from the rising temperatures. And gunfire erupts at an apartment complex in Durham, leaving a woman dead. What police are telling us about the shooting? A Wake County school teacher charged with child sex crimes is set to face a judge. today. We'll walk you through the new details in this case. 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 eyewitness news. And good afternoon. On this Monday,

I'm Barbara Gitt. I'm Amber Repenta. Thanks for joining us here for Iwood News at noon. And right now, we have a live look at downtown Raleigh. This is our Pindo Sky Camp 301 Hillsborough, Strait. and you can see just really clear and hot. We're tracking rising temps across our viewing areas. So let's get straight to meteorologist Steve Stewart. Hey guys, you even notice the haze in the air too. That's the humidity. That's going up. So you're going to notice that as well.

Not oppressive, it's not going to be dangerous heat. Where we're going to have heat advisories issued or things like that, but definitely hot up around 94. So the feels like temperature could be as high as 95 or 96. It'll only go up a couple of degrees. But still, that's a hot one. The record's 95's. So we're flirting with another record.

We did get a record at 94. yesterday and don't forget the average is 80. So a good 14 degrees above where we should be. And it's not just today. It's tomorrow. It's Wednesday as well. We're going to be flirting with record just about each and every day as our highs are going to be in the mid-90s under the ridge of high pressure. On the periphery of that ridge, that's where all the thunderstorms and severe weather is going on. We have multiple severe outbreaks that have been going on days of it just out to the west.

Here's that massive ridge that's over us now. This is eventually going to start to break down, turn more zonal, and that'll do you. two things. It'll cool it down, but it also opens a door for us to start talking about some rain chances coming into play. Eighty-nine at North Hills right now. That dew point in the mid-60, so a little heat in next feels like about 91 with a west breeze at 12 miles an hour. That breeze that helps out a little bit. 84 and Oxford, 86, Siler City and Fayetteville currently at 87 degrees. You see those dew points in the 60s, even a 70 dew point. Now that starts to get a little bit more oppressive down there. That row and oak rapids, hygrometers, always a little

It's probably closer to a 69 dew point there. Evening walk is gonna be a little sweaty. Once we get to around 8 o'clock, we'll fall down to those mid 80s by 10 o'clock, still at around 80 degrees. How does your holiday weekend look? There will be some hitting mist storms around. More details on that coming up in the 70 forecast, Amber. All right, see you soon with more.

Steve, thank you. And as the temperatures rise, Governor Josh Stein is declaring this heat safety week. Last year, there were more than 5,700 heat-related visits to North Carolina emergency departments. And the danger isn't just for people. Bianca Homan is live in Raleigh reminding us that our pets are especially susceptible to the heat. I know watch somebody yesterday with their dog and I'm like, oh, you can't be out very long with that.

Yeah, if you think about it, you guys, the temperatures have really spiked these last few days. We've been out here at the park and I can guarantee you when folks bring their pets out here. They're not staying out here too long, max 10 or 15 minutes. But your vehicle can have to become an oven very quickly reaching temperatures that put your pet at risk for serious illness. or death just like humans. So look before you lock. According to the veterinary, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association,

temperatures inside the vehicle can rise about 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. So the longer you wait, they higher the temperature climbs. So imagine on a 70 degree day, that's more than 110 degrees inside your vehicle. So before you put your pet inside your car, ask yourself, do you really need to take the pet with you?

Pet heat stroke can look like excessive panting, increased heart rate, drooling, and even collapsing. So we spoke with dog owners here at Dick's Park, about their ways, the ways that they keep their four-legged friend hydrated. I'll always have a bottle in the car and a bowl. So if I'm out on a hike and there isn't one of these, I have water for them. So it's a must.

And he'll let you know if his feet are bothering him. But yeah, that's why you look for grassy areas. They're nice and cool. Dirty areas, they like dirt because it's cool. But the cement's not too bad right now, but it will get worse. So you don't want to spend too much time on it, especially black top. So again, just like you heard that gentleman say, keeping a water bottle with you is very important if you plan to walk your dog and then also using the grass. We actually even saw one woman pick up her dog from the gravel there and walk the dog and actually pick up and carry the dog here to the grassy area.

Again, we have to really think that their pause can be extremely sensitive. So just have some great reminders now that the weather is warming up in Robbieby, Oklahoma, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Great reminders. Again, yeah, we need to watch out for those. I also have like a portable bowl that you can take to. and water, you just gotta take care of them. Thank you so much. Yeah. Well, as the temperatures rise, there now is a great time to download the ABC 11 mobile app. We'll send you the weather headlines directly to do rice and you'll also have access to check the first alert Doppler net and the seven-day forecast to plan your day and your week ahead. And new at noon, we're learning more about the woman

shot and killed at a Durham apartment complex overnight. The gunfire erupting early this morning on Rochelle Street. Tamara Scott's been covering the investigation all through throughout this morning until now. So Tamara, you're learning that the victim was someone who dedicated her life to ending violence. Hey, good afternoon, Amber. Yeah, and the family that I've spoken to this morning tell me that the person who was killed

was Michelle Keenan who was the victim here. And I've been here on scene all throughout the morning. And it was interesting to me as throughout the morning early, they were canvassing this yard here, focusing there. But as the morning went on and I got a chance to talk what the family became, clear that the tragedy happened in that second floor apartment. This is Michelle Keenan, a woman who is known for pushing against gun violence and advocating for

her community. Family tells me that last night she was in her apartment here at the Rochelle Manor neighborhood when she heard gunfire outside. They say she went to check and bullets came through her window and struck her. During police say just before 2 a.m., they got the call for the shooting. When they arrived, they found Keenan and she was taken to the hospital where she later died. I describe her as a mentor, an advocate, and someone deeply involved in her community. Family also operates the 5K Foundation, which runs a gun violence provision and prevention initiative called play games, not guns. They released the statement on her passing this morning, saying in part this was a senseless crime that took the life of a woman deeply loved by so many. It has left another child without a mother, another family grieving, and another community forced to carry the weight of preventable violence.

This has to stop. Now, loved ones, they tell me that they're, of course, heartbroken, saying that Michelle dedicated so much of her life to trying to stop gun violence only to lose her own life to it. Now, at this point, Durham police have not announced any arrest or released any information about possible suspects. This is still an active investigation. They're saying if you know anything to give them a call. Back to you. Just a heartbreaking scene there in Durham. Tamara, thank you. And breaking news, the police investigation in Clayton is now.

a murder investigation. Chopper 11 was over the apartments here on East Main Street as police were called to a stabbing. Police tell us that a suspect is in custody and that there is no threat to the public. A Wake County schoolteacher charged with multiple sex crimes against children is expected back in court today. Stephen Coles is now facing 19 charges, six more than when he was first arrested. Prosecutors say Coles allegedly abused three different victims. The I-Team uncovered new court documents revealing the alleged abuse of one victim happened at least six. times between 2006 and 2014. Coles has taught at Broughton High School since 2016. Wake County School says the alleged abuse did not happen on campus. Coles is doing court at

1.30 this afternoon. Happening today, Governor Josh Stein will shine a spotlight on the efforts to prevent opioid deaths. The governor will visit a substance abuse rehab facility in Charlotte, highlighting how opioid settlement funds are supporting people recovering from addiction and preventing fatal overdoses. State health data shows overdose-related deaths. decreased by more than a third from 2023 to 2024. Today, Wake County residents can speak out about the budget proposal that could raise property taxes by a small measure. County Commissioners holding a public hearing during their meeting at 2 o'clock a 2.28 billion dollar proposal would fully fund the request from Wake

County Schools and EMT and Detention Center positions and reopen a jail annex. Commissioners are set to vote on the proposal on June 1st. Also happening today, work begins to improve a busy road in Garner. NCDOT is set to widen old stage road from two to four lanes between the triangle expressway and rock service station road. The intersection at rock service station will also be reconfigured with traffic lights and medians. The work is expected to be complete in the fall of 2027. Right now the clock is ticking for the u.s and Iran to reach a peace deal as global oil prices continue to skyrocket where negotiations stand now. And straight ahead here at noon, a judge tosses out some key evidence of the high-profile murder trial of Luigi

Mangione. We'll break down the new details in this case at 1230. Staples Preferred Business Membership, built for busy business owners, because you've got bigger things to think about. With Staples Preferred, get free delivery, no minimums. Staples Preferred unlocks up to 3% back, plus 10% savings on print and exclusive wireless offers. less thing on your plate. Actually, a lot less. Visit staples.ca slash preferred. That was easy. President Trump is ramping up his threats against Iran, repeating his warning that Iranian civilians will be in danger if a peace deal is not reached soon. The president has not offered

a deadline. And Iranian officials say they're negotiating through Pakistani mediators. ABC's Christian Cordero has the latest from Washington. Today, as gas prices hover at roughly $1.50 more expensive since the war in Iran began, a new round of threats from President Trump, warning Iran that the clock is ticking to make a deal or there won't be anything left of them. The president also posted a series of AI-generated images this weekend, showing him pressing a red button with explosions and mushroom clouds over an unspecified target on the screens behind him.

Trump hasn't put a specific deadline on negotiations. and Iran's foreign ministry on state TV says today it responded to the American proposal through Pakistani mediators. The regime didn't share details of the counterproposal but did say it's not willing to compromise over Iran's quote right to enrichment through a decades old treaty. Though the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran technically appears to be intact, regional allies are reporting new drone strikes. Saudi Arabia says its air defenses intercepted three drones coming in from Iraq. airspace over the weekend. And another drone hit the United Arab Emirates only nuclear power plant. Iran has not taken responsibility for the strike. Global oil prices, meanwhile, are ticking up.

Today at $110 per barrel. A regular gallon of gas in the U.S. now averages 447, according to Gas Buddy, forcing Americans to find ways to save money. We did just get another car, a new CRV, so it'll get a little bit better gas mileage than this guy. I kind of shop just around the edges of the supermarket, the fresh produce, the cheese and meat, and I just stay out of the middle. The International Energy Agency notes the supply lost from the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz

is depleting global oil inventories at record pace. Kristian Cordero, ABC News, Washington. Well, as the drought continues, are water restrictions working? We have an answer from authorities. Also coming up a big celebration at a Wake County school as their leader is awarded Principal of the year. Now at noon, the surprise celebration for Wake County Principal, recently named the state's principal of the year. That's right. Dr. Mariah Walker of the Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy was celebrated on campus this morning.

Sean Coffey is live in Raleigh where that celebration just wrapped up. What a great day for them, Sean. Yeah, it really was Barbara and Amber. Walker officially won this statewide recognition on Friday. Today was the first chance that the women, young women and staff here at the Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy had a chance to celebrate their principal. And Walker was understandably all smiles as his event took place here earlier this morning as a large number of students surrounded their principal outside the school's gymnasium here on campus. In winning that award as North Carolina's principal of the year, Walker will spend the next school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the profession with financial help from Wells Fargo and the Department of Public Instruction. Today, the crowd heard from some of her current and former students before Walker took the microphone and thanked them.

They believe in your purpose and we believe in your purpose and it is so important that you find that and that you lean into it because there will be nothing else that is more important that sustains you in your life than believing that this world will be better because of something that only you can bring. Walker is a four-time NC State graduate here in Raleigh. She also holds various leadership. positions in the county. But later on today you'll hear from some of her students, both current and former, but the impact she's had on them, that's part of our full story from today's event coming up on eyewitness news at 430. Amber, Barbara? Big congratulations to Dr. Mariah Walker there. Thank you, Sean. Meantime, water supplies are dropping as the drought continues. The city of Raleigh says that its pool is at 77 percent. Now that is down 1% since last week. The city says that water restrictions are working and water usage has dropped by about nine million gallons per day since the restrictions

were implemented. In Wake County pool season is just days away, even though it's hot enough for it right now. The county's four summer pools will open on May 23rd. That includes the pool at Lake Johnson and West Raleigh. The other three pools are Biltmore Hills, Longview Pool and the Ridge Road pool. Check the city's website for opening hours. And in the meantime, public pools in Fayetteville will open on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day Fund. There are four public pools across the city. Chalmers pool is currently undergoing maintenance for faculty facility upgrades. So just be aware of that if you're going to make some plans, especially for Memorial Day.

Boy, it's hot enough to get to the pool right now. Heck yeah. Yeah, in our neighborhood, the pool opened up a few days ago and it's it's been packed. Packed. Absolutely. Is the water cold, though, still a little bit? I don't know. I didn't go here.

I'm assuming it is a little bit chilly. It takes a while for that to warm up, as you know. Outside right now, look at the gorgeous sunshine, couple little tons. tiny fair weather clouds and that's really all we'll see maybe a few more. Those those splash pads are going to be pretty popular today. And this heat lasts all the way through Wednesday where highs are going to be in the mid-90s. Fronta comes in on Thursday. Shows and some thunderstorms, mainly later in the day into the evening hours. And then through the holiday weekend, it looks to be unsettled. Not a washout. There'll be scattered showers and thunderstorms around, but there'll be plenty of moisture that's available with the heating of the day. We can see these pop-up showers and thunderstorms. Again, the coverage is going to be hit. but that warm front lifts to the north. That means it will likely be in the 80s and rather sticky as well. Highest chance on Thursday will keep those chances elevated Friday all the way through the weekend and likely Monday as well.

Again, it's going to be hit and missed during that time period. If you take a look, it looks like the best chance when that front comes in, a scattered showers and thunderstorms. And then by Friday, amounts are going to be less, maybe a tenth of an inch and a couple spots, a quarter inch of rainfall. So the lion's share of the rain by the end of the week is going to be on Thursday afternoon. 89 at North Hills right now feels like 91 with a dew point in the mid 60s. A west breeze about 12.

That makes the field just a little bit better. 84 into Roxborough, 86 and to Sanford and Fayetteville currently at 87 degrees. If you have evening plans, if you're dining outside, yeah, a little hot for sure. At 7 o'clock, we're still holding on to 89. By 9 o'clock, we're down to 83. Should be really nice at that time under mostly clear skies. And if you're out tonight, early evening hours, if you wait too late, the moon's going to go underneath the horizon. in there. But you can see that Crescent Moon really close by his Venus and just above that is going to be Jupiter in the night sky for tonight. Here comes the front. And now it gets closer to us. Still a very hot day on Wednesday near record highs. Front settles in. We'll get some scattered showers and thunderstorms developing along that frontal boundary. And then that front's going to start to retreat a bit as we get into the weekend. But this moisture is going to be heading east. And along as we have that available moisture, we have chances for showers and thunderstorms each and every day. Now, I think the mountains this

weekend. A little better coverage. Not going to be a washout in the individual day, but just keep in mind that you could be dodging some showers and thunderstorms. Beaches look better. I think Saturday looks fantastic. Few storms on Sunday and you might be dodging a few on Monday as well, but the lion's share of the day is going to be just fine and ambient temperatures are going to be in the lower 80s. Feels a little bit warmer with the higher dew points. Hot today. Here we are. We're in the 90s. Could be flirting with record highs today. 60s overnight. Today, mile little bit on the muggy side. Again, we should be in the upper 50s, so about 10 degrees warmer to start the day. Another 94 on Wednesday. Thursday, those storms develop later in the day. That's a Kane's first game. And then as we head into the weekend, the Kane's second game, I think it's just going to be isolated. Still a bit unsettled. We'll have temperatures in the 80s. You'll be fine, but at times you might have to head indoors as a storm moves on by. And we'll continue that trend on Monday, guys, with some hit or miss storms on Memorial Day. What about 80s? Can you believe Memorial Day is here already?

It's here. It's fast. All right. Steve, thanks. A highly acclaimed Hollywood star joins the Star Wars universe. Straight ahead here at noon, actress Soborney Weaver talks about her debut in the new film, The Mandalorian and Grogu. All right, from Alien to Avatar, Sagerni Weaver has delivered some truly out of this world performances. And now the queen of sci-fi is joining another franchise making her debut in the Star Wars universe alongside the Mandalorian and Grogu.

To become part of this cavalcade of stars, this pantheon of incredible talents from every aspect of the business is the greatest honor I can think of. Sigourney basically created the ultimate icon of female badassery in cinema, which I think stands, you know, to this day, you were the intelligent woman that the men didn't listen to and they all got wiped out. And let that be a lesson to us all. I've been playing a space dad in the Star Wars universe for eight years now, but Zagorny Weaver is the original space mom. I've been able to hummingbird my way from one story to another, from one amazing character to another, one decade to another, following great stories no matter where they lead me.

And I've worked with the most wonderful people. You know, if you're going to end up on your... knees on Hollywood Boulevard. This is by far the best scenario. Star Wars The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters this Friday. All right, we now have an update on a Clayton couple featured on America's Funniest Home Videos. They have officially won the show's grand prize and it's all because of a sassy spouse squabble caught on their front door camera. If you haven't seen it, you gotta see it. No tell me you fail.

No, I'm not here picking wood. Huh? I'm picking weeds. Why don't you think I did? I wouldn't just lay down. Picking weeds. I love her. That's hilarious.

All right, the Bun family previously won $120,000 on America's Funniest Home Videos. They took them the grand prize on the season finale, which includes a vacation on the Disney Wish cruise line. So congratulations. That's what a little sass will get you, Amber. And I'm glad she fell almost perfectly into the grass, so she didn't get hurt. So we're glad she's okay. Don't tell me you fell.

I'm picking weeds. What'd you think? That one's always. I mean, he had that comment. He did. That was a good. I'm glad. Congratulations.

They deserved it. So funny. A woman is killed after a shooting at an apartment complex in Durham. Straight ahead here at 1230. What police are saying now about the investigation. Right now, a woman is behind bars after a crash. Leave several people hurt in Moore County. What we know about the charges.