We’re also following the US Senate passing a potential ban on TikTok and the charges a 74-year-old man faces after a shooting on the Shaw University campus. Plus, where candidates for NC superintendent say school safety falls short and the improvements that can be made. Watch WRAL-TV at 11 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11: Wet weather is just around the corner. The hours for rain tomorrow and a rumble of thunder

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods, so purchasing separate flood insurance is crucial in North Carolina, especially in high-risk areas.

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods: How to protect your home in North Carolina

Princeville residents weigh options after Hurricane Matthew

Athens Drive Magnet High School and Conn Magnet Elementary School won national awards Saturday at the Magnet Schools of America's annual conference.

Top two magnet schools in the US are in Wake County

Athens Drive High School

​North Carolina is known for being the home of Krispy Kreme Donuts and Pepsi, but America Idol has recently shined a light on talent from the Tar Heel State, providing the show with the most winners from any state.

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is known for being the home of Krispy Kreme Donuts and Pepsi, but America Idol has recently shined a light on talent from the Tar Heel State, providing the show with the most winners from any state.

At just 17 years old, Garner native Scotty McCreery won season 10 of "American Idol". Since then, he's released three No. 1 albums, selling more than 2.6 million albums total.

The now 22-year-old also has a book, "Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream,” that’s scheduled to be released soon.

High Point's Fantasia Barrino took the title in season three. She ranks 5th in album sales among "American Idol" contestants with 3.5 million albums sold.

Barrino has performed on Broadway and in a Lifetime TV movie based on her life. The NC native has also won numerous awards since being crowned "American Idol," including a Grammy.

Caleb Johnson—an Asheville native—was crowned the show’s winner in season 13. His first album after the show sold 26,000 copies.

Johnson recently released a new single called "Holding On".

Former YMCA camp counselor and Raleigh native Clay Aiken finished second in season 2. He ranks 4th in album sales among "American Idol" alumni, selling more than 5 million.

Aiken appeared on Broadway and reached the finals on Celebrity Apprentice. He turned to politics in 2014 with a run for Congress. Aiken is currently a political commentator on CNN.

Chris Daughtry finished 4th in season five; he tops all other "American Idol" non-winners in album sales, selling more than 9 million copies.

Daughtry most recently portrayed Judas in the live broadcast of “The Passion” on Fox.

Albemarle's Kellie Pickler finished two spots behind Daughtry, coming in sixth place in the show’s 5th season.

Pickler sold more than 2 million albums. She and her husband currently have a reality show, “I love Kellie Pickler,” which was recently renewed for a second season.

Lynda Loveland

Jon Stout

'American Idol' highlighted talent in North Carolina

Clay Aiken 

Students told WRAL News they heard multiple gunshots on the campus of Shaw University in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday.

74-year-old arrested, charged with shooting at man on Shaw University campus, police say

Kamal Rasool Abdal-Rafi

School safety is a top-of-mind issue for many people in North Carolina. We asked the two candidates for state schools superintendent how they plan to address the problem.  

State superintendent candidates weigh in on school safety 

Mo Green and Michele Morrow are running for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dozens of people are being forced to leave a homeless encampment on a strip of land along the Raleigh and Garner border, not far from the highway.

'Nowhere else to go:' Dozens forced out of homeless encampment along highway near Raleigh 

'Nowhere else to go:' Dozens living in encampment by Garner highway forced to move

We have one anomaly in the overall lovely spring weather this week. There is about a 50 percent chance for showers on Wednesday afternoon.

Light showers on the way Wednesday, record heat possible next week

At the bus stop, Wednesday, April 24

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that’s expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on the short-form video app for income.

Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature

Congress_TikTok_26201

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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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School safety is a key issue for many people in North Carolina, and the subject is top-of-mind as the state heads toward the November elections. WRAL's coverage of the 2024 election includes unedited livestreams of candidate appearances, full interviews and fact-checks of statements on issues voters tell us they care about most.

Republican state schools superintendent candidate Michele Morrow hosts campaign event on school safety

Police officers surround a building on Shaw University's campus after a person was taken into custody for possession of a firearm.

Shots fired at Shaw University campus, man in custody

Firearm brought to Shaw University campus 

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

Videos

The Carolina Hurricanes scored 5 unanswered goals to steal Game 2 at home on Monday. What the win could mean for their ultimate goal this postseason, NFL Draft talk and more!

Canes magic, the Drake Maye debate and Uncle MJ in the sports moments of the week

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Since his final NBA season playing for the Dallas Mavericks in 2021, JJ Redick has served as an analyst and basketball commentator for ESPN. 

Duke legend JJ Redick to interview for Hornets head coaching job, report says

JJ Redick and other Duke greats were honored at halftime during the Duke vs. Maryland game pm Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. (Photo by: Will Bratton)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes were down big at home in the NHL playoffs, playing desperate hockey full of withering long shifts in the offensive zone as they tried to rally.

'American Idol' highlighted talent in North Carolina

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