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

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 2,000 members who shared their experiences with pet insurance.

Is pet insurance worth the bark? Survey reveals middling results

Pet insurance

Downtown Raleigh will celebrate First Friday tomorrow with art, live music and deals.

Our best bet for this month is an an exhibit at the Visual Art Exchange. Check out their new exhibit <strong>Monochrome</strong> from 6-9 p.m. on Friday. It features artwork done solely in the monochromatic or a one-color scheme. The exhibit runs through the end of the month.

Check out our <strong><a href="https://www.wral.com/your-guide-to-raleigh-s-first-friday/10757527/">complete guide</a></strong> to Downtown Raleigh's First Friday for more events!

First Friday Best Bet: Monochrome

monochrome

The Storm Prediction Center has our southern counties under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday.

Level 1 severe risk Friday afternoon: Damaging winds and hail possible

Chilly mornings on the way 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

Iran fires air defense batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site after drones spotted

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Firefighters said when they arrived here just after midnight, the side of the home was engulfed in flames.

Fire forces 11 people out of home in Durham

11 people escape house fire in Durham

Residents in Anderson Creek Crossing in Spring Lake, are on high alert after discovering a disturbing pattern of tampered mail.

Torn envelopes, missing money: Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

In an interview with WRAL on Thursday, Hill alleged that she and her organization had also received undue scrutiny from a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services employee. Hill purported that the attention was due in part to her connection to Robinson. 

'We were being targeted': NC second lady says scrutiny of her nonprofit was political vendetta against Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson 

NC Flag

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

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

If the Panthers want to start winning again, they're going to need a good -- maybe even great -- draft class. Here's an in-depth look on who Carolina should be targeting and when.

Gerber: The perfect Panthers NFL Draft gameplan

Panthers introduce rookie QB Bryce Young

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

Caleb Love declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while keeping the option to return to college for his final year of eligibility. 

Former UNC guard Caleb Love declares for 2024 NBA Draft, will maintain college eligibility

Caleb Love

After the death of a Harnett County teenager, the softball community in Eastern North Carolina remembers her through stickers and fighting the stigma around mental health.

A North Carolina softball family is honoring one of their own, focusing on suicide prevention

Helmet stickers honoring Aubrey Horne

The NHL has set the start times for game 1's across the Eastern Conference. The Canes are the opening act with puck drop Saturday at 5 pm from PNC Arena.

First Friday Best Bet: Monochrome

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Your guide to Raleigh's First Friday

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