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

Waverly Place, at the corner of Tryon and Kildaire Farm roads in Cary, is hosting a Winter Wonderland event on Saturday that promises snow, sledding and Santa.

<strong><a href="http://waverlycary.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waverly Place,</a></strong> at the corner of Tryon and Kildaire Farm roads in Cary, is hosting a Winter Wonderland event on Saturday that promises snow, sledding and Santa.

This week, WRAL News showed how the once struggling shopping center is  <a href="https://www.wral.com/story/business/story/10465999/"> undergoing a transformation</a>  with even more shops and restaurants scheduled to move in during the coming months. 

For years, Waverly Place, at the corner of Tryon and Kildaire Farm roads in Cary, has struggled with keeping businesses and attracting customers. Now, it's undergoing a major transformation.

Renee Chou

Terry Cantrell

Waverly Place undergoes changes

Waverly Place in Cary

Saturday's event will also feature hot chocolate and holiday music.

The party starts at 3 p.m., and the center's tree lighting ceremony is at 5:30 p.m. 

Visits with Santa will be from 5-7:30 p.m.

Waverly Place in Cary plans snow, sledding fun

The Storm Prediction Center has the Triangle under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday. Over the weekend, the Triangle will feel a cooldown due to an incoming cold front.

Level 1 risk brings possibility of severe storms ⛈️; cooldown coming this weekend

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

One man was rescued and another died Friday at Harris Lake after a boat crashed into a cement pole, officials say.



Boater killed, another rescued from Harris Lake after boat crashes into cement pole

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

NEW YORK (AP) — A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money case, setting the stage for opening statements next week in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president.

Full jury of 12 people and 6 alternates is seated in Trump's hush money trial in New York

Trump_Hush_Money_52535

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

The U.S. Marine Corps said a Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was killed during a training exercise in Carteret County.

Marine dies during training exercise in eastern NC

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

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

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

Gov. Roy Cooper joins United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to make a clean energy announcement.

Gov. Cooper makes clean energy announcement

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Videos

Mark Mitchell announced he has committed to the University of Missouri in a post to his Instagram post.

Former Duke forward Mark Mitchell commits to Missouri

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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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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

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.