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

The Wake County Board of Commissioners reviewed an audit Monday of all county departments for the past year and the Environmental Services Department for the past two years to determine if there was any questionable spending.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — The Wake County Board of Commissioners reviewed an audit Monday of all county departments for the past year and the Environmental Services Department for the past two years to determine if there was any questionable spending.

The audit came in response to Craig Wittig's June 3 firing from the county's Solid Waste Management Division after an internal review raised questions about travel expenses for 46 trips since he was hired in 2006.<br />

Wittig has said that each trip to Disney World and Las Vegas and one trip that included whale-watching on the coast of Maine were to research environmental programs in other parts of the country so that Wake County could develop a state-of-the art recycling program.

County Manager David Cooke said Wittig's work-related expenses from April 2006 to April 2008 totaled $37,350.46. The county considers more than $19,000 of that amount questionable and nearly $10,000 recoverable, he said.

According to the audit, abusing tax dollars with out-of-town trips is not a systemic problem in Wake County.

Audit of Wake County departments reviewed

The Storm Prediction Center has the Triangle under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday.

Level 1 risk: Severe storms, damaging winds & hail possible Friday⛈️

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

A water rescue and search is underway Friday at Harris Lake in Wake County.



Person pulled from water at Harris Lake, search continues for other boaters

The owner of Clyde Cooper's Barbecue is selling the space in downtown Raleigh, according to a real estate agent representing the restaurant.

Clyde Cooper's Barbecue selling downtown Raleigh space for $2.9 million

Clyde Cooper's Barbeque

Units responded to a hazmat incident at the USPS at 139 E. Vance Street. The store was evacuated.

USPS evacuated due to hazmat situation in Zebulon

USPS denies some homes free COVID-19 tests

A sexual misconduct complaint has been filed against the senior pastor of a local church Thursday.

Edenton Street UMC pastor will not return after being suspended for sexual misconduct allegations

Rev. Greg Moore

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

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

After 22 years in business, Armadillo Grill on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has closed.



Glenwood South staple Armadillo Grill closes

Videos

Game 1 is Saturday night in Raleigh. Game 2 is Monday at PNC Arena.

Make your plans: Complete Hurricanes-Islanders first-round schedule

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Brandon Butterworth picked up his first hit of the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat No. 11 North Carolina.

NC State beats UNC with walk-off homer in first game of baseball series

NC State at UNC

The No. 15 Tar Heels have now beat No. 25 Duke in 15 consecutive games. Both teams now prepare for the ACC championship next week.

Women's Lacrosse: North Carolina pulls away in the third quarter, beats Duke

Duke vs. UNC women's lacrosse

Over the course of her career, Ashley Twichell has pushed through situations that might have otherwise been the end of it, including a recurring shoulder injury and the COVID pandemic.

Audit of Wake County departments reviewed

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No charges expected against ex-Wake employee

Commissioners vote in favor of countywide audit

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