ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at Noon - September 10, 2026

Episode Date: September 10, 2026

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Several stories are breaking right now on eyewitnesses at noon. Chopper 11 over the scene in Chatham County of a missing Raleigh Man and the search going on in the Hall River. Sean Coffey's live on the scene to explain what's happening. Also breaking right now, it's being called the largest environmental damage payout in North Carolina history. Attorney General Jeff Jackson reaching a massive settlement over so-called forever chemicals and local waterways. In your voice, your vote, the North Carolina Senate race in the spotlight at the Republican Party's first ever midterm convention. And Raleigh Police investigating multiple car break-ins outside two gyms in Wake County. It's the news at noon.

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 we begin with that breaking news about a water rescue in Chatham County, a man reported missing from Raleigh pulled to safety. Thanks for joining us. I'm Amber Repenta. And I'm Barbara Gibbs. Chopper 11 over the scene as rescue crews arrived at the river. Sean Coffey joins us from the scene at the Hall River. Sean, what's going on now?

Yeah, good afternoon, guys. Well, the scene has been cleared in the last few minutes, but quite a dramatic scene unfolding here by the Haw River earlier today. Fortunately, that man is expected to be okay, has been taken to the hospital and be treated for some of those injuries. He sustained here. But this is what it looked like earlier from Chopper 11 as that dramatic scene unfolded. here in Pittsburgh, emergency crews venturing out onto a rocky portion of the river to help stabilize that man who has since been identified as Preston Scott Hill of Raleigh. A spokesperson for the Chatham County Sheriff's Office says Hill was found in the river here and that a rescue operation was launched, including a helicopter, which was used to pull him to safety and ultimately take him to the hospital. We could see Cruz using a stabilizing board to help get Hill off the rocks and into that helicopter before he was pulled out of the area.

The Chathoms County Sheriff's offices that they were assisted by NC Hart, which is the Hello Aquatic rescue team here, as well as several fire departments. Again, this man had been reported missing from Raleigh three days ago before he was being found on the river here. If we have any updates on this situation,

we'll be sure to update you. But again, the most important thing at this point, that person is expected to be okay is currently in the hospital being evaluated. 11 Pittsburgh, Sean Coffey, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Wow, what an ordeal for him. So glad that they found him and he is okay. We'll follow that.

And turning now to your first alert forecast on this Thursday, the heat and humidity creeping back up today. It is indeed. It's also dry. Today's just released drought report shows a lack of significant rain, keeping severe to extreme drought conditions across the northern tier of our viewing area. Recent rains, though, have helped in the sand hills. It's going to be here all just Quaylin Murphy with coming the forecast. I know maybe some rain this weekend, but not enough to make up the deficit for the month. But some spots are drought free, actually. Cumberland County, most of that area, drought free along with most of Hoke County. the problematic areas have been along the North Carolina, Virginia state lines. Severe to extreme drought continues for these areas, including Carr Lake. So we really could use some rain.

Today, the rain potential is very spotty north of the triangle primarily. Tomorrow we'll introduce a chance for showers and storms, greater coverage coming our way on Saturday before Sunday leads to some drier conditions. But so far this month alone at RDU, a deficit now over one inch. Meanwhile, Fayville is enjoying a nice surplus of rainfall there. Now completely dry. We have a few thin, serious clouds out there and we're heating up. We're near 90 degrees already at RADU. Five degrees up on yesterday's temperature at this time. A wind from the west at 12,

but it's the dew point temperatures that make that difference with the humidity values climbing. Actual temperatures now in the 80s for all of us, but it feels like the 90s for all of us as well at this point. We're gonna see sun and clouds in the mix today. Here's the rain to the north. A lot of that will not make it into a region, but we could see a stray shower to north of the triangle today. Bank on temperatures in the mid-90s this afternoon. Feels like temps 95 to 100 today, so the humidity is definitely back. Still hot for the evening game. The Durham Bulls back and play first pitch 645.

It's bark in the park, so don't forget the water for your pets, too. We'll talk about the rain and time it out for Friday and Saturday when I come back. Right now, back to you. All right. Thank you, Kuelan. More breaking news right now. A major announcement from the state attorney general. North Carolina has just reached a $600 million legal settlement with chemical giant Kim Wars.

Yeah, the company is accused of dumping illegal, unpermitted PFA chemicals or forever chemicals, as they're known, into North Carolina waterways, including the Cape Fear River, the drinking water source for half a million residents. Let's go to Penelope Lopez. She's following this, joining us live with more on these breaking details of this settlement. Penelope. Hey, good afternoon. You know, this is years in the making and a big win for tens of thousands of people who've been drinking water from the Cape Fear River, as well as other waterways. eyewitness news is learning that a vast majority of the settlement will go directly to local governments that includes here in Fayetteville, Hope Mills, and the Sand Hills. After years of PFAS concerns and well-documented health risks, the state is holding DuPont and Comor's chemical manufacturers accountable. State officials accuse these companies of illegally dumping chemicals into the Cape Fear and other waterways. The agreement guarantees $455 million to the state and to 11 local governments that joined the deal to be paid over the next 10 to 15 years. Today's agreement secures Comor's obligation to provide clean drinking water and repair the damage done to southeastern North Carolina,

including installing multiple treatment systems for contaminated groundwater and constructing a subsurface barrier wall to prevent PFS contamination from migrating into the Cape Fear River. Attorney Jeff Jackson says drinking water will now be a reality for many people. As many of you know, for many decades, a chemical plant outside Fayetteville knowingly discharged PFAS forever chemicals into the air and water, which led to downstream contamination of drinking water for over half a million people in our state. We knew that we were going to have to take the lead, which is why not only are we announcing a settlement. worth nearly $600 million, but this settlement is at least 20 times what the EPA was able to get for our state. And this deal also includes a significant key point. They have a deal securing funds just in case Comoros's declares bankruptcy. So there is a plan in place. Now we'll unpack more of the settlement coming up later today in our eyewitness news starting at 4. For now,

live in Hope Mills. I'm Penelope Lopez. If you see 11 eyewitness news. See you this afternoon with more on that. Major Settlement. Nelphi, thanks. We're following some breaking news right now in Wake County as well. A police response at Apex High School. Town officials tell us that they responded to a threat of the school that turned out not to be credible. We'll continue to follow that.

Also new at noon, Raleigh Police now investigating a rash of car break-ins outside two gyms. We're told several break-ins happened outside the Planet Fitness on Glenwood Avenue. And we're also hearing police are investigating a similar situation at the Planet Fitness off Six Forks Road. An elderly woman rushed to the hospital after a house fire in Sampson County. This happened last night around 9 o'clock on Bradshaw Street and Clinton. Eyewitness news on the scene showing the widespread response. We're told the woman is suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. It is not clear what started that fire.

A North Carolina state trooper is now charged in the murder of a Cumberland County Sheriff's Deputy. The indictment comes more than five months after Captain Adam Bean was shot and killed outside of a home in Hope Mills. Sergeant Nekomie Oxendine, an 18-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, is now being held without bond for the crime. According to search warrants, Bean went to the home on March 27th and became upset after seeing Oxendine's truck parked there. The woman who lived at the home is the sister of Highway Patrol commander Colonel Freddie Johnson Jr. Oxendine has been now on administrative duty since that shooting, and the state highway patrol says its internal investigation remains underway. Today, Kerrytown Council will dig through a list of fixes sent down from the state auditor's office. The council is set to review the 13 recommendations detailed in an explosive report.

that outlined extravagant spending, lack of oversight, and transparency. A subcommittee met Tuesday to review those recommendations and discuss the next steps. It will now go before the full board during the meeting at 5 o'clock. And you can read more about the report right now on ABC11.com. This noon, we're learning stunning new details about the deadlock jury that failed to reach a unanimous decision in the trial of Lindsay Clancy in Massachusetts. It's new here at 1230. We have an exclusive interview with one of the three men on the jury. Also, President Trump making a bold and expensive offer to voters ahead of the midterm election.

It comes as gas prices get even higher. And in two minutes, find out how the rising cost of beef is impacting Omaha steaks, a century old business. Eyewitness News. We are Local News weeknights four to six 30 and 11. With the midterm elections less than two months away now, the economy remains front and center on the minds of many voters. President Trump promising that after Americans go to the polls, prices will come down. at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas that started last night. He even went as far as to promise thousands of dollars to every American adult if the Republicans win. As ABC Stephen Portnoy reports where that money would come from and if it's even possible is a big question.

At the Republicans' midterm convention, President Trump defending his decision to attack Iran despite the war's impact on gas prices. Guys come up. You know, I wish you didn't do the war in Iran. Gasoline's up. Let me ask you one question. Can Iran have a... nuclear weapon? Absolutely not. The convention crowd in Dallas cheered, but the most recent national poll shows the president's approval rating at a record low of 33%, mainly driven down by concerns about the economy. The goal of the unprecedented GOP gathering is to boost Republican candidates who are facing headwinds over voter concerns about the war and the cost of living, including the

price of gas, which now sits at 427 per gallon, according to Gas Buddy. Diesel prices are nearly $6 a gallon for the first time ever. Mike Jenga owns a trucking company in Texas, and he told ABC's Rachel Scott he's struggling because of skyrocketing fuel prices. I want to make sure things I can survive in business. I want to make sure I'm going to be able to treat

my kids. President Trump promises gas prices will drop after the midterm elections in November. And he added another promise if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate. I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America.

for $5,000. Congress would have to authorize the payments amid the existing $40 trillion national debt. The president didn't say how he'd come up with the estimated $1.3 trillion extra dollars it would take to pay every American adult. Vice President Vance claimed that the money would come from tariff revenue.

Meanwhile, according to government data out today, wholesale prices in August were up 5.4% from last year. The key report on consumer prices will be released tomorrow. Stephen Portnoy, ABC News, Washington. New and noon, Omaha Steaks is slashing its menu and expanding its retail footprint as beef prices continue to soar. The 109-year-old company is cutting its selections from nearly 500 items to about 120 at 75 percent reduction. It's also pushing cheaper cuts, including top sirloin, as consumers pay about 27 percent more for beef than they did three years ago. Omaha Steaks plans to double

its retail footprint over the next two years, eventually opening about 80 locations. The stores will also serve as many fulfillment centers helping cut shipping costs and delivery times. The company says orders that once took nearly a week now arrive in less than two days. Well, now that the back-to-school shopping season is done, retailers are looking ahead to the holidays. Deloitte says holiday sales could grow this year by as much as 4.8%. That would translate into retail sales of around $1.7 trillion. This comes as shoppers of every income level are looking for deals and switching brands to stretch their budgets. Philanthropist McKenzie Scott makes another huge donation to an HBCU here in North Carolina, just ahead the milestone she just reached.

And she is known as the grandmother of Juneteenth just ahead the high-profile guest who will take part in Opel Lee's 100th birthday celebration. New at noon, McKenzie Scott continues to be among the world's wealthiest women despite making significant donations to historically black colleges and universities. Scott announcing a $42 million financial boost to Elizabeth City State University, which is about $100,000. 40 miles northeast of Raleigh. With that donation, according to Fortune, Scott has now donated more than a billion dollars to HBCUs. Jeff Bezos' ex-wife has made donations

to major schools such as Howard University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Winston-Salem State University. Fort Worth's iconic grandmother of Juneteenth, Dr. Opel Lee is turning 100 years young, and the whole city is going big for that celebration. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will take part in the centennial birthday celebration,

It's on October 7th at the Fort Worth Convention Center. So a lot of people are going to be there. Mrs. Obama will be part of the National Juneteenth Museum's United Voices Speaker Series, and Lee became widely known as the grandmother of Juneteenth after she spent decades advocating for Juneteenth. She was part of the ceremony when President Joe Biden signed the legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Another record month for heat, August of 26, going down as the warmest August on record globally. average surface air temperature was 62 and a half degrees Fahrenheit. It was not only the warmest August on record, but tied the warmest month ever for the planet.

The prolonged heat is being blamed for rising ocean levels, stronger storms, and devastating wildfires. And the heat's definitely back with us today after some nice days in the 80s. Yeah. September's trying to tie. It's trying to tie in terms of temperatures here, but not in terms of the tropics. Things are quiet. There's another record on the block here in the tropics. So far we haven't had any hurricanes. into Saturday with zero expectation, which is the case right now. This will be the latest season,

not with no hell hurricane developing. So definitely seeing quiet conditions out there. No tropical development expected in the next seven days. Today is September 10th. It also marks the peak of hurricane season. So we're pushing our way through the end of the season through November 30th. We've been through five name systems so far. That's Edouard Fay is the next name up on the list. And again, not seeing that anytime soon. High temperature average today is 84 will be 10 degrees. above average today and also into tomorrow. Temperatures into Saturday will come down into the upper 80s because we'll have a bit of rain

and storm activity around, but then we bounce right back to 90 degrees Sunday into early next week. Those humidity values also on the way up as well. Today you'll feel the difference if you haven't been out yet and those numbers continue to climb through the weekend. Things are quiet here at home. Just a few thin clouds. More cloud cover to the south.

There were a few thunderstorms around Myrtle Beach. Those have since pretty much weakened, but the cloud cover lingers. lingers. More clouds to the north as well with the trough beginning to push towards areas around the Appalachian Mountains. So we could see a little sprinkle later today. That's about it. Here's a live look into downtown where it's 89 degrees. 89 in Durham, 86 Rocksboro, those mid to upper 80s from Sanford to Goldsboro and fit, value factor in humidity. It feels more like those 90s out there for most spots right now. Through lunchtime today, 90s will be the high temperatures through the afternoon. We'll be around 92 in Clinton, 93 Goldsboro. Durham and 91 in Henderson. More 70s tonight and 60s into tomorrow morning heading into areas north. So again, the drop monitor is showing that we really need some rainfall around here. We'll have the rain potential building tomorrow and Saturday for sure.

Sunday, maybe a lingering shower in the morning. That's how it looks right now. So we have this front approaching problem is there's not much upper level support. So ultimately it's not going to make it all the way through. But it dives close enough to the area tomorrow and Saturday to bring about some showers and storms. This is today, and again, I can't roll out a sprinkled north of the triangle, but we're going to be dry for the most part through the evening hours. Heading into Friday morning, you'll have a dry start by 10 tomorrow morning.

We're low to mid-80s. By the afternoon, there's your chance for a few showers and storms through evening, too. So high school football games could be impacted. Also, NC State first game kicks off tomorrow as well. Could be some showers and storms around there too. By Saturday afternoon, we'll have better coverage of rain and storm, so a bit sogier around, and also some locally heavy rainfall Friday and Saturday. which means ponding possible on the roads,

maybe some minor flooding in spots too. At this point, severe weather is not a concern for us. However, we could see some gustier storms developing in spots. In terms of your seven-day rain potential, this will be about one-half of an inch or less, but there will be a chance for some spots to come in a little bit higher on those totals if those storms are a little bit stronger. Here's your 70 forecast, power by acqueweather.

So tomorrow, a few storms, 94, the high upper 80s on Saturday with scattered storms, 90s into early next week. Thank you, Kuelan. The state of Florida is suing streaming giant Netflix. We'll explain why in two minutes. And the city of Charlotte prepares to honor the memory of those killed on September 11th. A legal battle is developing between the state of Florida

and the world's largest streaming service. The state's attorney general announcing a lawsuit yesterday against Netflix. The state accuses the tech giant of secretly tracking children's activity and profiting from that data. According to the lawsuit, the state is seeking billions and damages. And once the company to delete data,

it allegedly collected, the suit was brought after parents complained and that sparked an investigation into Netflix. In a statement, Netflix says it takes privacy seriously and the lawsuit lacks merit. Now to a really powerful tribute, look at this, taking place, taking shape in Uptown Charlotte. Charlotte Fire joined crews at Romare Bearden Park as they tested the 9-11 Memorial Lights ahead of this week's flags and lights of remembrance ceremony. It's being presented by the Firefighter Stephen Cookely Foundation in memory of those lost on September 11th, 2001. To mark the 25th anniversary, two pillars of light were visible above the uptown skyline from dusk until dawn. It will be on display again creating a visible

symbol of remembrance and reflection that can be seen for miles as we mark the 25th year. Now to the drone show that also eliminated the skies over New York City Harbor last night as part of a tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks. 2,97 lights, one for each person killed in the attacks. The lights rose over the harbor before assembling into the outline of the Twin Towers at full architectural scale. Isn't that remarkable? It is something else. I saw that this morning and I thought, wow, it's just leaves you speechless. Yeah, it made me take pause and just kind of stare at that in awe. Yeah, absolutely. Wow. Well, less than a week after a judge declared a mistrial in the Lindsay

Clancy case in Massachusetts. Just ahead, in an ABC News exclusive, we're learning one of the three men on the jury were hearing from one about what led to the hung jury. And we're also just now 53 days until the midterm elections. Just ahead, Tamara Scott is live with an update on the North Carolina Senate race.

And just months after making history to NASA astronauts are hanging up their spacesuits. And a reminder, you can find eyewitness news live on ABC 11 Disney Plus and everywhere you stream.