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

<b>HARNETT COUNTY, N.C.</b> — Authorities in Harnett County need your help to find a person who allegedly tried to abduct a 15-year-old girl.

According to the sheriff's office, a man tried to force the teen into a vehicle in the Carolina Seasons subdivision, located west of Highway 87 near Ponderosa Road.

Investigators said the teen was able to fight off the suspect and escape.

Authorities are looking for a white male in his late teens or early 20s. He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with blond hair. The man was driving a newer medium-sized Ford truck with extended cab.

If you have any information about this case, you are asked to contact the Harnett County Sheriff's Office at

Harnett Teen Fights Off Attempted Abduction

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

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

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site

Iran_53492

A local Hip-Hop artist and UNC-Chapel Hill educator died, the North Carolina Arts Council announced Thursday on Facebook.

NC Hip-Hop icon Kevin "Rowdy" Rowsey dies

Kevin "Rowdy" Rowsey

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

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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

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 game one of weekend series

NC State at UNC

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

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

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.