The blooming of the WRAL Azalea Garden has been a constant symbol of the return of spring.  

WRAL Azalea Gardens: Everything you need to know for your visit

WRAL Azalea Gardens

Allergy season is here. It's earlier and stronger than expected.

In Depth with Dan: How pollen season is changing

Pollen on car

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reports there are 7 beaches across the state either closed or under an advisory for poor water quality.

<b>MICHIGAN</b> — The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reports there are 7 beaches across the state either closed or under an advisory for poor water quality.

In Mid-Michigan that includes one closed beach and one beach under a contamination advisory.

Here is a list of the beaches that are closed:

*Saginaw Bay-Lake Huron- Wenona Beach in Bay County

Lake St. Clair- St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach in Macomb County

Pickerel Lake- Camp Petosega in Emmet County

Lake St. Clair- New Baltimore Park Beach in Macomb County

Here is a list of the beaches that have a contamination advisory in effect:

*Ross Lake- Beaverton City Park in Gladwin County

Otsego Lake- Otsego State Park in Otsego County

5 Michigan beaches closed, 2 under contamination advisories

A 38-year-old man, Jonathan Lecompte, died while trying to stop a carjacking incident in Lumberton.

Good Samaritan killed while trying to help carjacking victim in Lumberton

Jonathan Lecompte

Tuesday will be partly cloudy and warm with storms expected to move in during the evening hours.

Summer-like heat in store ahead of potential storms Tuesday⛈️

Rain chances, Tuesday, April 16

Baker's attorney, Lee Turner, said the young girl had been posing as a 19-year-old East Carolina University student. The judge, however, wasn't buying it.

'Under 13 is under 13': Judge responds to attorney's claims that man charged with kidnapping & rape believed 12-year-old girl was college student

Man faces kidnapping, statutory rape charges after Wake County traffic stop

Thirteen years ago, on April 16, 2011, 30 tornadoes touched down in North Carolina for the greatest one-day total on record for the state.

13 years ago today: 30 tornadoes ripped through NC, killing 24

Neighbors of victims reflect on memories, 10 years after tragic tornadoes

"It's unknown at this time if any drugs collected at the scene of each location, if any, is laced," the Goldsboro police chief said in a statement. "That is part of the ongoing investigations, and it's too soon to say."

4 bodies found in Goldsboro raises concerns about fentanyl

Bodies found in Goldsboro

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Powerball drawings, as shown live on WRAL.

Powerball Drawing

Fans of the NC State Wolfpack's men's and women's basketball teams are celebrating the teams' run to the Final Four on Monday night on Hillsborough Street at the Memorial Belltower. NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson, Athletics Director Boo Corrigan and Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin are expected to speak Monday night at the event.

NC State men's and women's basketball teams honored for Final Four appearances at Memorial Belltower

Videos

Caitlin Clark has been selected with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. The former Iowa star became a household name among basketball fans during her record-breaking college career. 

Caitlin Clark taken No. 1 in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, as expected

WNBA_Draft_Basketball_52462

Drake Powell is one of the top high school basketball players in the country.  Next year the Pittsboro native will play for his dream school UNC, but this season he had unfinished business at Northwood High School.  WRAL's Pat Welter followed Drake and the Northwood Chargers on their quest for a state title this season.  The Prince of Pittsboro is a documentary that takes you behind the scenes of their most emotional moments and shows a side of Drake and his head coach Matt Brown that you've never seen.  

The Prince of Pittsboro: UNC commit Drake Powell's final season at Northwood High School 

The Prince of Pittsboro 

The "30 for 30" documentary will explore Stuart Scott's impact on broadcasting, journalism, sports, and culture.

ESPN planning to make '30 for 30' documentary on Stuart Scott

Williams, UNC return to court for Late Night

Traveling baseball team, Savannah Bananas, spent the morning playing with the Miracle League of the Triangle in Durham.