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

Episode Date: October 21, 2026

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Several stories are breaking right now at noon. The defense rests its case in the murder trial of a UNC Chapel Hill student without calling any witnesses. What is next in the faith hedge path trial and when the case could go to the jury. A major pharmaceutical company in North Carolina announces layoffs today. We'll explain the economic impact. More than 700,000 people have voted so far in the midterm elections. Some mail-in ballots, however, are being turned away. Find out how you can track your vote.

It's the news at noon. 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. Breaking news right out of the gate at noon in the murder trial of a UNC Chapel Hill student. Good afternoon. I'm Barbara Gibbs. Amber Repenta has the day off today. The defense rests its case within the last 90 minutes without calling any witnesses. Miguel Salgaro Alvarez is charged with killing UNC student Faith Hedgepeth in 2012. Akela Davis has been following the trial

from the very beginning. She joins us now live with the breaking details. Akela, good afternoon. Hi there, good afternoon, yes. So a shocking turn of events in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial. On Monday, the defense said they would be putting on evidence in this case. Today we learned they are not.

Take a listen. We will be not offering evidence and we will be prepared to close tomorrow. All right. Ladies and gentlemen, the record shall reflect, you've heard all the evidence in this matter. It will soon be your duty to decide from the evidence what the facts are and to apply the law that I will give you to those facts and arriving at your verdict in this case. Now prior to arguments of the lawyers and the final instructions of the court on the law that

will follow the lawyer's speeches, I'm required to confer with the lawyers about the law in involved in this case. Now, when this moment happened, I saw the shock on some of the jurors' faces. It was the defense attorney's job to create enough reasonable doubt in the case to acquit Miguel Sargiero Alvarez, weighing the value of putting on witnesses against what they feel they've already accomplished, I should say. This is a major gamble for the defense because of how it may appear to the jury, but attorneys apparently feel they've raised enough questions in this case.

Before this moment, the judge asked the defendant Miguel Sargira Alibera as a series of questions, including if he was going to testify. If you don't want to take the witness stand, that your lawyers cannot make you take the witness stand. I understand, Your Honor. You understand the prosecutors cannot make you take the witness stand? Yes, Your Honor. Do you understand the court that I cannot make you take the witness stand?

Yes, Your Honor. Who is the only person that can make you take the witness stand? Myself. All righty. Now, have you made a decision? I don't want to know the answer yet, but have you made a decision about whether or not you're going to testify? Yes, I've made the decision.

Have you consulted or spoken with your lawyers about that decision? Yes, we already consult with them. And then after consulting with your lawyers, what is your decision? Are you going to testify or not? I'm not going to testify. So you just heard it there. The defendant, Miguel Targira, Alvarez, saying he is not going to testify. The jury was dismissed for the day. Closing arguments are expected. Tomorrow, back to you.

Wow. Okay. A surprising turn of events. Akila, we know you've been there the whole time. You'll continue to bring us updates. And we look forward to the next case of events. Thank you so much. Well, the weather has. been gorgeous this week and the trend will continue into the weekend. Let's go to meteorologist Steve Stewart. He joins us now. Boy, he finally feels like fall. Yeah, it does, right? Yeah, chilly mornings, nice afternoons, a bit a bit breezy at times, a little less of a breeze today and tomorrow. So that's some good news there. And we've been tracking that Northeaster, which is now starting to pull away a little bit, still got overwashed on Highway 12. So got some larger swells

coming in. But overall, this is going to be improving. Upper level winds are going to pick this up and start to accelerate it off to the north and the east. About 72 today. That's pretty much normal. The average is at 71, not as breezy today. Yesterday we did top out at 75. Little surplus of a quarter inch is going to keep going down. We don't have rain in the forecast really for the rest of the month, folks. So this is going to go on the other side of the line,

but it's not as bad as September and August, obviously, but we need to get some rain around here in a big way, and we just don't have anything coming. 64 degrees, it's nice out at North Hills. Now, still in north breeze at about 10 miles. an hour. Three degrees cooler than this time. Yesterday, widespread temperatures in those low to mid-60s up around Oxford. Roxburgh at 63-67, though, and Irwin and Faveville, also at a pleasant 67. Evening plans if you're heading out to the D-Pack tonight, Jacob Collier, 59 when you walk in when you head back to your car, bit chilly and down to 48 degrees. Overall, coming up this weekend, make some plans to get out. It's going to be pretty darn nice. More on that. Coming up for the 70 forecast. All right, Steve, thank you. Happening now, Raleigh Police searching for a hit-and-run driver who slammed into a motorcyclist on the belt line.

They're looking for a white truck pulling a utility trailer. It happened around 7.30 last night near I-87. The rider suffered a severe leg injury but is expected to survive. The westbound lanes were shut down for hours. If you saw anything or know anything, you're asked to call Raleigh Police. New at noon, a groundbreaking in Raleigh on 200 new affordable housing units. The community is south of downtown at the corner of U.S. 70 and Chapin-Oak Road. across from the cookout.

Sean Coffey joins us live. Sean, good afternoon to you. Local and state leaders came out to celebrate this future Chapman O community. Yeah, that's right, Barbara. Good afternoon. This is the second major affordable housing development that we've covered in Raleigh

in just the last few weeks or so here. Once the work behind me continues, this site will eventually become a $50 million 200 unit affordable housing development that comes as Raleigh City leaders continue to grapple with the area's growth. Those units will be one, two, and three bedroom, Apartments here on this land with several dozen units in the future earmarked for Wake Tech students who meet the income criteria.

That's because this land was actually donated by Wake Tech. Before breaking ground, local officials said they needed to meet this moment as Wake County continues to see a rise in cost of living. Folks in affordable housing deserve safe, comfortable places to live near resources like transportation and education. Chapmanope would give over 200 families exactly that. And this is the topic that will be top of mind here in the Capitol City of the course of the next couple days. Tomorrow there's an affordable housing comment that begins over at the convention center that will run through the end of the week. Malivan Raleigh, Sean Coffey, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Sean, thank you.

Vote 2026, the midterm elections are now less than two weeks away. Thousands of voters have already cast their ballots. New numbers from the state board of elections show more than 730. thousand votes are in so far including nearly 690,000 people who voted in person and more than 44,000 absentee ballots. Some mail-in ballots, however, have been turned away. Michael Perchick joins us live to explain what's happening here and how you can track your vote. Michael, good afternoon. Good afternoon, Barbara, through Sunday absentee ballots well down in North Carolina compared to the same time period last year. And that's largely been obscured by the fact, as you mentioned,

in-person early voting has seen as massive. So there's no one clear reason why we are seeing fewer absentee ballots at this juncture. But it does coincide with those new restrictions being put in place by the State Board of Elections, namely how those ballots must be submitted and who can submit a ballot on behalf of an absentee voter. In years past, improperly sealed envelopes could be more easily cured. Now they are being spoiled, meaning those voters will need to restart their process. This week, a federal judge upheld the state's new restrictions, Shruti Parikh, with North Carolina, Asian American Together says it's already impacting voters.

We were disappointed. We've seen that through October 6th in the largest five counties in North Carolina, 2.2% of the ballots, absentee ballots had already been spoiled because of that inner envelope not being sealed. North Carolina Asian American Together, one of the groups who are part of that lawsuit. You can track the status of your mail-in ballot online through ballot tracks. So coming up this afternoon, we hear from the State Board of Election to their instructions to ensure that folks are properly submitting those absentee ballots and what you need to do if your ballot is spoiled. In Kerry, I'm Michael Perchick, ABC 11, eyewitness news.

Right, Michael, thank you. Happening today, your chance to go behind the scenes of this election. Durham County's board is inviting residents into their office to see how ballots are designed, process, counted, and secured. The officials in charge will also be on hand to answer any questions. The tours from 530 to 7 tonight at the Board of Elections Office on South Roxborough Street. Stay with eyewitnesses for continuing coverage of the midterm elections. Look for our reporting on air online on ABC11.com on Disney Plus and everywhere you stream. And be sure to join us on election night for live results as the big races are called.

More breaking news right now at noon. Attorney General Jeff Jackson's office says they've received more than 470 fuel check complaints. The gas tax holiday went into effect less than two weeks ago. requiring gas stations to pass the savings along to you. The AG's office is now reaching out to gas stations that may not be following the law. They say that they will continue reviewing the complaints and will investigate any that warrant further action. You can report gas stations that may not be complying on the state's fuel check page. happening today more employment opportunities in

Raleigh. The city's hosting an expo and job fair connecting people with municipal positions. It's happening now until four today at the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. You can pre-register on the City of Raleigh's website. It is Military Appreciation Day at the North Carolina State Fair. The day kicking off with a military parade, special performances, and marching bands from across the area. Service members get in free all day today to show your military ID and bring up to three

guests on the house. The state fair is saying that it's all about showing our thanks for all of our military services. And don't forget, tomorrow's Hunger Relief Day at the fair, you can get. into the fair free just by donating six non-perishable food items. This is the 33rd year of this event and since 1993, fairgoers have donated more than six million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. It's incredible to see how much this event has grown year after year. Each year we collect hundreds of thousands of meals to give back to our

neighbors facing hunger right here in the state of North Carolina. And yes, it's here in Raleigh, but it's also in many of the communities that the food bank serves all throughout Central and Eastern North Carolina. And we want to remind you about the ABC 11 Together Food Drive, also supporting the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. This year marks 40 years of supporting our neighbors in need. The Food Drive kicks off November the 18th, and our goal this year is to raise 1.4 million meals. And we will all be out at the state fair tomorrow. Joel Anna Quaylan taking eyewitnesses on the road at 10 a.m. We're broadcasting live. from the fairgrounds on hunger relief day. So tune in. Well, Pfizer announcing layoffs in North Carolina.

The breaking details new at 1230. An American imprisoned in Russia for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine is released. It comes as a visit by the Trump envoy to the Kremlin. And Pope Leo on the move, the pawn of taking his first Pope Mobile ride since his cancer surgery. 630 and 11. New at noon, an American detained in Russia for more than four years is now free. The U.S. says the retired teacher was wrongfully detained. In the meantime, an update on the tensions between President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine and conflicting claims over why access to a critical communication system for Ukraine's

military was cut off. ABC's Olivia Rubin has details. Today, American Stephen Hubbard is on his way back home, released from a Russian prison where the U.S. State Department says he was wrongfully detained for more than four years. Russian state media releasing this video, showing the 74-year-old English teacher meeting American special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, who's in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Hubbard was living in Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion in 2022 when he was captured, sentenced to six years in Russian prison after a closed-door

trial on allegations of acting as a Ukrainian mercenary, which he and his family denies. A man who says he shared a cell with Hubbard says they endured brutal conditions, including freezing cells, starvation diets, and torture. Still, in talks with Putin today, Witkoff making these stunning remarks, calling the Russian president a quote, humanitarian. You talk so much about my president, President Trump being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir. And I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again.

And telling Hubbard this. We just like President Putin, who sends your blessings and wishes and good things. President Trump praising the release and saying he gave Putin nothing in return. But Trump recently paused, sweeping new Russian sanctions approved by Congress set to go into effect and struck a controversial deal to buy Russian diesel. And Hubbard's sister today telling ABC News she thanks President Trump for bringing her brother home. now headed to San Antonio, Texas, where he'll be checked out medically and receive any necessary treatment. Olivia Rubin, ABC News, Washington. And this is just in. North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis

reacts to Whitkoff's characterization of Putin as a humanitarian. Tillis tweeting out the definition of humanitarian and calling it, quote, an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say, end of quote. Well, just days after surgery for lung cancer, Pope Leo appears today at the Vatican greeting crowds in the Pope Mobile waving. to the faithful. The Pope left the hospital this past Saturday after doctors removed a portion of his right lung. The 71-year-old Pope Leo is scheduled to travel to Latin America from November the 6th to the 17th. His medical team says he should be clear for air travel in a few weeks. Well, the new Buckees in North Carolina, the project now moving forward. And we have an update to that

gas leak in Wake Forest that forced parts of downtown to evacuate. An R&B singer, Lee Chiquese, is spotted at a Duke basketball game. We'll explain why. That's new at 1230. Well, Buckies is one step closer to a new location in Rocky Mount. The mega gas station and convenience store company says it started the permitting process to build one of its supersized travel centers on 34 acres, right where I-95 meets Highway 4. In a press release, Buckies projects more than $60 million in investment and nearly 30 million in taxable sales every year. Next up, a community meeting where neighbors get their say. Well, now to a shelter-in-place order in Wake Forest after a natural gas leak.

Crews worked through the night to repair the line ruptured by a construction crew last night. The work shut down South Brook Street for hours near Town Hall. The repairs wrapped up around 5.30. All right, check out this scene from earlier this morning, a car going up in flames on I-40 near Jones Sausage Road. The fire raged for several minutes before crews were able to put it out. We've reached out to fire officials to confirm if they're in. investigating the source of those flames and if there are in the injuries resulting.

I know that is very dramatic. Yeah, it is. That's got a meteorologist Steve Stewart. Got a lot going on, but right now it's just a gorgeous week. Yeah, yeah, it is. You know, sometimes in the weather department, when you get a stretch like this, you can get a little bored, you know, because it's the same. It's beautiful. It's nice.

I'm not bored. I know you are very happy. I know. And listen, it is going to be a continuation of this very pleasant. stretch of weather that we have outside right now. Lots of sunshine coming our way and no rain either. So chilly mornings and some pleasant afternoons. That's not going away anytime soon.

So the state fair ends this weekend. It'll be a little bit cooler. I think mainly sunny. There'll be some clouds around on Sunday, but not a lot. So really should be a pleasant weekend for that. The drought worsens. This is the bad news.

I really don't see rain for the rest of the month. I mean, we could go 14 days and beyond without getting rain. So the little tiny surplus we have now is going to get Widdled away and eventually it's going to be a deficit as we finish the month. Lake Mickey and Carr Lake are so far below full pool and Falls Lake now approaching six feet below once again like it was earlier this season and unfortunately there's absolutely nothing coming no rain chances at all. There is that area of low pressure out here the nor'easter if you will that still has potential to get some tropical characteristics. This is going to get absorbed. This upper level trough is going to start to move in out of Canada and kind of grab onto it and then start to accelerate it quickly away. High pressure builds in behind it. And that's that little cooler weather we'll feel as we head into the upcoming weekend.

64 to North Hills with that north breeze at about eight miles an hour. 62 and Oxford, 65 Rocky Mount Wilson, Fayetteville and Clinton, both at 67. A little bit cooler than yesterday. Johnny blue skies and the dark clouds in town tonight. Heading out to Lenovo Center for that. About 61 as you walk in when you head back to the car,

little chilly getting down to 51 degrees. Tomorrow morning bright sunshine on your drive into work. Numbers in the 40s early by midday, though, not bad at all, getting all the way up to 65 degrees. So we are looking at upper 60s as we go into Friday, a little bit cooler. That northeasterly breeze gets reinforced a bit as we go and do our Saturday with this high pressure. Any rain stays well off the coast. We'll have sunshine and temperatures likely in the upper 60s for heights, which is a little bit below the average for this time of the year.

Up in the mountains, the color looks amazing. get away for a drive. Both days should be just fine. And the beach is now little on the cool side, near 70, but still rather gusty with the winds, especially on the outer banks. Winds are going to be strongest there. Meantime, we're in the upper 60s and low 70s today. The average is 71, so a seasonable day today. Tonight, chilly, upper 30s and low 40s. The average lows at 48, so a little bit on the cool side, as it has been. And that's really the theme as we go for the next few days. I've got as a 73 tomorrow. Little cooler as we head into the weekend as we get into our Sunday.

The RDC Marathon early on in the 40s, little chilly, especially for folks who are watching. Runners should be fine. Last day of the state fair looks good with a few clouds. And tailgating for the Cains next Tuesday, ooh, looking good. Numbers in the mid-70s. All right, Steve, sounds great. Thank you so much. Coming up on eyewitnesses at noon, Jay-Z may have 99 problems, but finding a Super Bowl halftime performer apparently isn't one of them.

find out who he will select or may select for the big game and a truck left dangling off the side of the highway with a person goodness still inside will show you how strangers come to this man's rescue now to an update on the civil lawsuit tied to an alleged gang rape at Cornell University one of the defendants is being dropped from the litigation it comes after his lawyer said that the man was not president of the Kai Phi fraternity at the time of the alleged attack as stated in the lawsuit The defendant was never accused of participating in the alleged assault. A dramatic scene on Interstate 5 in San Diego, a truck dangling, look at that, off the highway after crashing into a car hitting the center divider, a passenger still inside that car, bystanders gathering, holding a blanket for him to jump into. He's then seen climbing out of the door, hanging from the cabin before jumping to safety. The driver of the truck who was ejected in the crash, both are okay. Breaking right now, Pfizer is laying off workers at two plants in North Carolina,

our Dewan Hogarth is live with the economic fallout. Also breaking right now, the UNC Chapel Hill murder trial that could soon be in the hands of the jury are Akela Davis, live from the courthouse. If you think she'll make your life better, you're fooling yourself. And an unusual twist in the Ohio governor's race, the mother of Democrat candidate Amy Acton is featured in an ad for her Republican challenger.