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

Episode Date: September 21, 2026

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Right now on I mean to see as noon, we are hours from a vote on a major hospital merger with potential far-reaching impacts across the triangle. And in your voice, your vote, Vice President J.D. Vance holding a campaign event today in North Carolina in an effort to rally support for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections will take you there live. And a high-profile murder case back in the spotlight this noon, the final pretrial hearing now underway in the Faith Hedgepeth case. It's the news at noon. Right now, live coverage from your love. 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 Monday afternoon. Thanks for starting your week with us here at noon. I'm Amber Repent. And I'm Barbara Gibbs. We have your first

alert to scattered storms today and a big cool down tomorrow with high temperatures in the 70s. Look at crazy. The storms increasing between 3 and 11 this evening. Let's get the latest from meteorologist Quaylin Murphy. Hey, Kwe. Good afternoon. Yeah, a little breakdown here and temperatures coming our way. Not so much tomorrow, but by the middle of the week, we'll have a drop in temperatures going from the 90s today into the 70s by Wednesday. We do want to alert you to a chance for some storms that could be a little strong today. Listen, though, if you're south of the triangle, you won't have much happening rainwise today and to the east as well. This is mainly confined to the triangle points west and north later today. So that rain chance up to around 30 to 40 percent. But I'm really thinking towards this evening and later tonight will have the best potential to see some. showers and storms. There is a level one of five risk for severe today between roughly three o'clock this afternoon and 11 o'clock tonight. That's the window. Things are dry right now. We have a lot of sunshine out there, but here's the front we're tracking. Already begin, it's push into our state at this time. So that's going to help trigger some showers and storms. We await those, though,

and temperatures are climbing. We're at 88 degrees at RDU. Due points ranging from the upper 60s to the low 70s right now. These are the actual temperatures in the 80s for all of us now, but feels like attempts are ready into those low 90s as humidity values climb. So we'll be in the low at 90s today. Definitely a summer feel 84 at 7 with a few showers and storms and then we'll dry out late tonight tomorrow morning starting off in the 60s and 70s. Your first alert that it will be seasonably warm Wednesday and then we're going to be unsettled through Thursday. So you're going to have rain and storm chances pretty much each day this week through Thursday. Some of the rain could be locally heavy at times. Fall arrives tomorrow evening. So tomorrow afternoon the final hours of summer. But much cooler, we'll talk about when we'll see some 50s for lows coming up.

All right. Waiting on fall, Quay, thank you. Well, now's a great time to download the ABC 11 app. It's a great way to stay up to date on current weather conditions. We will send you watch until morning straight to your devices. Plus, you can always check the first alert, DopplerNet and the 70 forecast. A rally is planned today as Wake County Commissioners are set to finally vote on that controversial proposal to merge WakeMed with Atrium Health. Now, the deal would shift significant operational and financial control from WakeMed. to Atrium, which is one of the nation's largest health care systems.

Elena Athens joins this live from Nash Square with those against the merger planning to hold a protest. Elena, good afternoon. Good afternoon to you, Barbara. Yeah, they're still setting up right now, but that rally is expected to get on away just about a half an hour from now. The Patience Union is holding this demonstration ahead of the Way County Commissioner's meeting. We're being told that there is a petition with more than 1,500 signatures, and that is

going to be presented during this afternoon's meeting. board members are expected to vote on the WakeMed atrium merger. The proposed deal would shift significant operational and financial responsibility from WakeMed to Atrium, which is one of the nation's largest health care systems. The state employees association of North Carolina has said that the change will likely drive up premiums for all state health plan members statewide by at least $100 a year. WakeMed has said the merger would create $2 billion worth of investment money in Wake County and more than 3,300 jobs. The health care system said in a statement of the merger, it remains confident. It will strengthen care for patients and communities across Wake

County and the broader region. So that county commissioners meeting, which the board again is expected to vote on this merger, that's going to get underway at 2 o'clock this afternoon. We're live in Raleigh, Elaine, Athens, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Elena, thank you. Well, now to your voice, your vote just 43 days until the midterm elections. All eyes on North as the U.S. Senate race heats up. And just last week, President Donald Trump was in the state rallying for Republican Michael Watley. And today, Vice President J.D. Vance is headlining a rally of his own, this one in Greensboro.

Sean Coffey is there. He's joining us live from the Curry Convention Center with more on this rally. Hey, Sean. Yeah, hey, Amber and Barbara. We're expecting to hear from the Vice President around 1230 as Republicans continue their all-out blitz here in North Carolina following President Trump's visit to Gastonia last week. We actually just heard from Michael Wally a few minutes ago who called Roy. quote, the worst governor in North Carolina history, saying he was a soft on crime radical

or not the moderate candidate that he has been campaigning in North Carolina as. Watley said he would fight for North Carolina, he said that he would fight for common sense here. Several Republican speakers here today have called this race, quote, a race between common sense and crazy. We also heard remarks from Lori Bucket, who's obviously campaigning for her own race for that district one congressional seat in North Carolina as well as from U.S. representatives, Virginia Fox, Richard Hudson, and Addison McDowell. as well. The final speaker up on stage was Senator Ted Bud, and we are expecting

JD Vance to be the final speaker at this event today. Meantime, we are getting a response from North Carolina's a Democratic Party as well to today's rally. A spokesperson telling us, quote, while Michael Watley is busy cozying up to his fellow DC insiders, North Carolinians, are paying outrageous prices for gas thanks to Watley's war in Iran. Wattley is looking after his bottom line at the expense of North Carolinians, and that's exactly how he would abuse a seat in the Senate. Again, we are expecting the vice president in just a three minutes here. Less than a half hour now.

We'll have another update for you coming up at 1230. But obviously, we have seen this press in North Carolina. Of course, on the last week, week and a half or so as we gear up toward the midterm elections. We'll have another update for you at the bottom of the hour. For now, we're live in Graysboro. Sean Coffey, ABC 11. All right, Sean, thank you. And as we count down to the midterm elections here, the important date you need to know,

early voting in North Carolina starts Thursday, October the 15th. It ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, October. October the 31st. There will be no early voting on Sundays in Chatham, Nash, Wayne, and Harnock counties. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd. Polls across the state will be open from 630 a.m. Until 7.30 p.m. Whether you vote early or on election day, be sure to bring your ID. Happening today, North Carolina voters get their chance to weigh in on the state's election rules. The State Board of Elections is opening a public comment period on nearly 30 rules covering things like absentee voting and voter ID. The comment period runs now through

November 25th and you could submit feedback online by email or by mail. 14 years after UNC Chapel Hill student Faith Hedgepeth was found murdered in her apartment on campus. The trial is finally about to get underway. But first, one final court hearing today as attorneys argued the last motions before a jury is selected. Akila Davis is following the issue. She's joining us live at the Durham County Courthouse. So Akela, walk us through what's happened so far. Amher and Barbara, the defense today presenting evidence that someone else may have killed faith Hedgepeth. Attorneys focusing on blood found on Christina Corina Rosario's hand suggesting that it may have belonged to faith. So the defense highlighting some inconsistencies

in Rosario's statements when questioned in September of 2012 about what was on her fingers. Rosario said she didn't know. She told investigators she had been throwing up something red. But former UNC soccer player Jordan McCrary told investigators he was certain he saw a small smudge of blood on Rosario's finger when she got in his car. He said Rosario confirmed to him that it was in fact blood. She said she just didn't know where it came from. The defense today questioning why her account had changed. Attorneys also presenting evidence of blood found on the bathroom sink inside the apartment. They played video of Rosario telling investigators she

didn't use the bathroom sink after vomiting. The defense questioned why she wouldn't have used the sink to wash her mouth or clean herself up, especially since she had planned to stay with Jordan that night. Now, this pretrial motion comes one week before the trial officially begins. I'll have more ahead on eyewitness news at 4. Reporting live in Durham, Akela Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Right, Akela, thank you. Happening today, the Winston-Salem teenager who recorded a live stream of a California mosque

shooting that killed three people and then disseminated the attacker's writings online is due in court. Sarah Santiago is charged with murder by aiding and abetting, even though she was not physically present for that crime in California. Authorities say that Forsyth County teenager communicated with the shooters through a messaging app. Her attorney says Santiago is not guilty of all charges. The Kerrytown Council is meeting again today to discuss that scathing audit report exposing how the town was spending your tax dollars. The state auditor blasts the town for the culture of extravagant spending and lack of oversight.

This all stems from a major investigation into the former town manager who was using taxpayer money for high-end expenses. Well, a lot of you are weighing in on this story online. The owners of two popular Glenwood South bars. Teets and Lucky Bs are looking to rezone the properties, which could turn the small, cozy spaces into a massive 40-story tower. Former Keynes player Bates Betaglia and his brother run the bars. A neighborhood meeting on the proposal happens tonight. It's at 5.30 at the Halifax Community Center. husband is breaking his silence following her high profile murder trial in Massachusetts that

ended in a mistrial new at 1230 hear what he said about the online conspiracy theories gas prices jumping again rippling through the economy will president trump meet with the president of iran while at the united nations in new york that story in two minutes eyewitness news we are local news weeknights four to six 30 and 11 diesel hitting another record high prices slowly ticking up over the past weeks and squeezing Americans' pockets. As President Trump threatens to mountain news strikes in the war in Iran, ABC's Olivia Rubin is in Washington with more. Today, amid fears over the war in Iran could escalate, the price of diesel back here at home

hitting a new record high, 649 a gallon, according to Gas Buddy. A lot of customer think we do that. They really mad about the prices. Those price hikes rippling through the economy and gas now averaging 443 a gallon for regular, According to Gas Buddy, even Trump's own supporters, frustrated. I voted for Trump three times, but, you know, not happy with him for sure. But it's all a mess. I don't know.

The other side's just crazy. Intentions rising overseas. Iran backed Hootie rebels in Yemen launching strikes against Saudi Arabia, marking the first direct attack on the capital of the key U.S. allies since fighting resumed. Now President Trump threatening to escalate even further, telling Fox News he's deciding, quote, whether or not to blow up their nation or to hurt them economically or make a deal. I think we all have to accept that so long as the Iranians are trying to terrorize international shipping, we of course are going to try to push back against that.

Iran vowing they would mount a counteroffensive, a military spokesperson saying, quote, we will definitely bring new weapons with new capabilities into the battlefield. Meanwhile, more strikes overnight. A ship hit in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving two crew injured. The State Department now warning Americans to seriously. reconsider travel to the region. And with these questions, President Trump headed to the United Nations in New York this afternoon, where Iran's president is also expected to attend. No word yet from the White House if the two plan to meet. In Washington, Olivia Rubin, ABC News. All right, if you have an old car seat for babysit, you can now take advantage of a deal

being offered by Target. That story just ahead. And more than two dozen firefighters responding to a house fire in Raleigh with two adults inside. We have an update in two minutes. And yellow Stone Park officials reveal just how many items visitors leave behind. Look at. We are working to learn more about a fire investigation underway in Raleigh. Our breaking news crew capturing the response at a home on Canterbury Road, more than 40 firefighters on the scene were told there was damage to the home's sunroom. Two adults were home at the time, and fortunately no one was hurt.

Meantime today is day two of the Wake County Public Schools Family and Community Summit. the district holding a series of discussions connecting staff and parents with resources to support student success. The summit is underway at Leesville Road High School. It runs until 2 o'clock this afternoon. Target's car seat trade-in event is back from now through October the 3rd. You can drop off an old or damaged car seat to get 20% off a new car seat or any baby gear. You can find drop-off boxes at any participating Target store. This is the 10th year for this program. Well, if you plan a trip to Yellowstone National Park, hold on to your hats and your sunglasses,

and all your stuff. The park's geology team collects anything lost or left behind by visitors in the park's hydrothermal areas. As of early September, the team removed more than 20,100 pieces of trash. That includes 5,600 rocks and sticks and more than 280 hats, which is a record. Other items found, sunglasses, camera lens covers, as well as hair accessories. Wow, a lot of binkies, too. Wow. Hold on to your stuff. I guess it's easy to get. distracted a beautiful place like that. A beautiful place like that. Yeah.

We're looking at falls arrival tomorrow evening, 8 o'clock. And the weather's going to respond. Wow. Okay. From the 90s today dropping into the 70s by Wednesday. I think some days this week will struggle to get out of the 60s. Yeah, so fall arrives tomorrow evening 8.05 officially, that's when the equinox occurs. That's when the sun's rays are directly over the equator.

And on that day, we'll get approximately 12 hours and eight minutes of daylight. Low 90s today, so easily 10 to 15 degrees above average. Our average high as of today is 81. We'll be in the mid 80s tomorrow. We'll call tomorrow our transition day, but then everything drops Wednesday's high, 71, 60s Thursday and 70s right into your weekend. For today, your first alert to some spotty rain, isolated storms this afternoon. Scattered later tonight, the best potential will be north of the triangle. But we do have a level one risk for severe from the triangle west and north.

The window 3 p.m. until 11 o'clock tonight. Any storm that does manage to develop could have some gusty winds in downpourst too. None of that right now. Everything's dry and lots of sunshine too. A live look into downtown temperature in the triangle upper 80s, 82 in Roxborough, mid to upper 80s from Sanford to Goldsboro and Fayetteville as well. It feels like temperatures into the 90s. So yeah, it's still a bit more humid out there too. Highest north upper 80s. You'll see some storms a bit sooner. We'll be in a load of mid 90s, triangle and south. Tonight we'll see some 60s and 70s. Storm chances will wind down and we'll have mainly cloudy skies overnight. Wherever we see rainfall later today, that's where we could see some fog tomorrow morning. We're going to be unsettled through Thursday. So I would say have your rain gear through the middle of the week. Well, you won't need it for the weekend. Things do dry out. There could be some locally heavy downpours today, but more of the potential tomorrow and Wednesday

with some of that minus street flooding possible. So here's our synoptic setup, the cold front pushing into the state now. And we will see some spotty rain, maybe a stray storm this afternoon. afternoon. I think the coverage is better north later tonight. That's where we'll see some downpours. Tomorrow starts dry, even early afternoon to spotty on the storms. But tomorrow evening, I am concerned to see some training of rainfall, heavy rain at times through the evening and possibly into early Wednesday morning. Wednesday we're tracking some scattered rain at times. And that will be a transition day because the front starts to push to the south of the region. We're going to have a lot of cool air setting up too. And also watching an area of low pressure form off the coast as well. I think that could cause a minor flooding along the coastline just with the push, the winds causing more that water to pile up on shore. We're also going to have a phenomenon setting up called cold air damming. We have a cold high pressure to the north. And that's going to funnel in that air. It gets pushed up or jammed up against the mountains. And that's going to allow for more clouds and a chance for some showers as the week goes on.

So we'll be watching for the cool down through the end of the week. Rain totals about two inches or less for most of us. In the tropics, nothing in the Western Atlantic Faye, still southwest of the Azores, but it's a weakening system out there. 93, your high today, hot and humid, a few showers and storms later this evening and tonight, upper 60s. Tomorrow, 85 degrees, fall arrives Tuesday evening, Wednesday, your first full day of fall. It will feel like fall. Temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below average between Wednesday and your weekend. But the weekend, turn up time, sunshine, high temperatures, low to mid 70s, and 50s at night.

So some good sleeping weather coming our way, starting Wednesday night, really. Oh, that sounds awesome. Thank you so much. President Trump will meet today with New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani behind closed doors. We have the details just ahead. In-person early voting now underway in several states ahead of the midterm elections. And Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker opens up about his recent weight loss and how he was able to shed the pounds. New at noon, Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, has died at the age of 27. Medical Examiner records reveal he died at rehab at a facility yesterday.

He was the older brother of model and actress Kyagerber. Presley began modeling as a teenager and working with major fashion brands including Burberry, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. He had spoken publicly about his mental health and substance abuse. Also happening today, President Trump and Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, set to meet in New York as the UN General Assembly gets underway. In a social media post Sunday, Zelensky thanked the president for a recent visit. to Kiev by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner.

He also thanked Trump for signing a new Russia sanctions bill into law. President Trump also meeting with New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani this afternoon, ahead of the UN General Assembly. A spokesperson says that they'll focus on issues affecting New York City and New Yorkers. The too often get along really well, despite their opposite political views. President Trump is also expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron later today, ahead of the president's big speech tomorrow morning. In new at noon, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is opening up about his weight loss journey.

The governor says he has lost 80 pounds while using a, quote, life-changing GLP-1 medication since he was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago. Pritzker revealing at a recent interview, his father died of a heart attack at the age of 39 while playing tennis, and also that he's been overweight since he was seven or eight years old and had gained more weight during his time as Illinois governor. Right now, the billionaire Hyatt Hotel's heir is seeking a third term. governor and widely seen as a contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Two well-known hospitals in North Carolina could be joining forces, but the proposed merger has drawn scrutiny from community and health care advocates. We'll have a live update. And Vice President J.D. Vance rallies today for North Carolina Senate candidate Michael

Watley and other Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. And we have new details on the ice involved shooting of a Venezuelan man in Austin, Texas. And a reminder you can find, IWitness News Live on ABC 11 Disney Plus and everywhere you stream.