50 NC counties and 1 VA county are under alert, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties.

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 first patrol K-9 certified under Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison has passed away.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — The first K-9 patrol dog certified under Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison has passed away.

The sheriff’s office said Wednesday that Jet died last Saturday. He was 10 years old.

“He never complained about the temperature, what's for lunch or the overtime hours,” his handler, Deputy Tom Hawley, said in a statement. “He just loved being at work by my side, just as much as I enjoyed being by his.”

Kathy Hanrahan

Wake K-9 patrol dog passes away

Wake Sheriff's Deputy Tom Hawley and Jet        

Tuesday is expected to be another cold start, and some areas could see light frost.

Chilly Monday night ahead, light frost possible in the morning

Frost advisory, 3 a.m. until 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 23.

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.

Aho, Martinook cap Hurricanes' late rally to beat the Islanders for a 2-0 playoff series lead

Islanders_Hurricanes_Hockey_23556

The "Dueling Dinosaurs" exhibit opening this weekend at Raleigh's North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will feature what's believed to be the most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered.

'Dueling Dinosaurs:' One-of-a-kind dig, laboratory access at Raleigh science museum

DinoLab at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

As Jewish people started celebrating Passover on Monday, Jewish people around the country are on edge after the FBI reported an increase in threats against Muslim and Jewish Americans.

'Passover is significant': Hundreds gather for seder dinner in Carrboro as FBI warns of uptick in violence against Jewish people

Carrboro Passover Seder

Police are investigating after officers found a 13-year-old dead early Monday morning in a Raleigh apartment.

'No mother wants to hear this:' 13-year-old girl found shot to death in Raleigh apartment

Crowd gathers outside Raleigh apartment complex where 13-year-old was shot and killed.

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

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Powerball drawings, as shown live on WRAL.

Powerball Drawing

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

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)

It looked like the Hurricanes were heading back to New York tied 1-1, but the Canes offense exploded to snag the win against the Islanders.

Canes complete comeback, defeat Islanders 5-3 in Game 2 of first round series

Islanders_Hurricanes_Hockey_34303

Roman Gabriel was the ACC Player of the Year in 1961 and 1962 and was selected No. 1 in the AFC Draft and No. 2 in the NFL Draft . He played 16 seasons in the NFL.

Former NC State QB Roman Gabriel, 2-time ACC Player of the Year, dead at 83

Roman Gabriel

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- So much for Michael Jordan being a jinx at the race track.