More than 21% of North Carolina's four-year-olds enrolled in the state's pre-kindergarten programs during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the prior year but still below the state's pre-pandemic highs, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

North Carolina ranks 29th in public pre-K enrollment, new report shows

Durham County budget increases funding for pre-K students

Compared to pre-pandemic prices, ground beef is up 35%, chips are up 45%, bread is up 57% and a 12-ounce can of soda is up 66%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks trends on common grocery store items.

WRAL Investigates: 'Greedflation' and other drivers behind inflation at the grocery store

A look at inflation at the grocery store

Get a FREE 10 oz container of organic baby spinach with a $5 purchase at Earth Fare through Sunday!

Get a FREE 10 oz container of organic baby spinach with a $5 purchase at Earth Fare through Sunday! <a href="http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Click HERE </a> to log into your Earth Fare account and print the coupon. If you don't already have an account, sign up so you can start getting the weekly Earth Fare freebies.

Free baby spinach with $5 purchase at Earth Fare

Earth Fare free spinach

NEW YORK — A man set himself on fire Friday afternoon near the lower Manhattan courthouse where jurors were being chosen for the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump.

Man Sets Himself on Fire Near Courthouse Where Trump Is on Trial

Outside Court, Trump Is the Center of Attention. Inside, He Has a Rival.

This weekend offers a pleasant mix of sunshine and showers, perfect for both outdoor activities and catching up on some rest and relaxation.

 Raleigh weekend brings sunshine, showers & comfortable temperatures

Weather for the weekend 

Capitol Broadcasting Company, the parent company of WRAL News, is part of the 2024 class inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame at the University of North Carolina.

WRAL parent company inducted to NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame 

The crash involved a school bus from Corinth Holders Elementary School at North Carolina Highway 96 and Earpsboro Road in Johnston County, according to authorities.

Johnston County school bus involved in crash on NC 96 

UNC staff and hospital executives got their first looks at the product of the years-long construction project: a new hospital dedicated entirely to surgery.

New UNC surgical hospital to bring more beds, new procedures to patients

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

WRAL Late News 

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

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

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Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — Justin Turner hit a solo homer and drove in another run with a single as the Toronto Blue Jays won for the fifth time in six games, beating the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Friday night.

Justin Turner's homer, RBI single highlight Blue Jays' 5-1 win over the Padres

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rookie Wenceel Pérez hit a go-ahead two-out single in the ninth inning and the Detroit Tigers handed the Minnesota Twins their season-worst fifth straight loss, 5-4 on Friday night.

Tigers hand Twins season-worst 5th straight loss. Wenceel Pérez hits go-ahead single in 9th

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The Carolina Hurricanes are no stranger to playoff hockey. They're in the postseason for the sixth-straight season and are regarded as a Stanley Cup contender.

Chaotic Canes hope late-season surge continues into playoffs

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General manager Don Waddell likes how his Carolina Hurricanes finished the season, winning 16 of their final 21 games. He knows it means nothing now.

NHL PLAYOFFS: 'It's wide open' is the theme as the race to the Stanley Cup begins

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jordan Montgomery pitched six strong innings in his season debut, Blaze Alexander hit a grand slam and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 17-1 on Friday night.