Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

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

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Tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings were canceled Wednesday morning as a storm system passed through the Triangle, leaving the area mostly unscathed.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — Tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings were canceled Wednesday morning as a storm system passed through the Triangle, leaving the area mostly unscathed.

&quot;Some of us can breathe a sigh of relief,&quot; said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

The storm dumped heavy rains, but did not bring any lightning or thunder. The only report of damage was a downed tree in Sanford in Lee County.

On Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. the tradition is tripled. WRAL will light towers at WRAL's Western Boulevard station, American Tobacco Campus in Durham and Rocky Mount Mills.

<p>Join us on December 1 as we celebrate one of our favorite holiday traditions – the 63rd annual {{a href="video-19409734"}}lighting of the WRAL-TV tower{{/a}}, creating a 300-foot beacon to light Santa's way to Raleigh.</p>

<p>We'll also light the towers at our sister properties at the {{a href="video-19409734"}}American Tobacco Campus in Durham{{/a}} and {{a href="video-19409738"}}Rocky Mount Mills{{/a}}.</p>

<p>You can watch the WRAL Tower Lighting Special to see all three towers lit from the comfort of your own home.</p>

<p>Or choose to celebrate with us in person in Durham or Rocky Mount. Each ceremony has musical guests, prizes and photo opportunities.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-20009330"}}</div>

<h4>WRAL Tower Lighting Special</h4>

<p>Debra Morgan and David Crabtree will head up the WRAL Tower Lighting Special 2021, with Lena Tillet live from Durham and Dan Haggerty live in Rocky Mount.</p>

<p>In Raleigh, we will turn the 300-foot WRAL TV tower into the area’s largest lighted tree for the 63rd year!</p>

<p>Tune in for seasonal guest performances by:</p>

<ul>
	<li>North Carolina country/pop musician Rory John Zak</li>
	<li>Bluesman and storyteller Randy McQuay</li>
	<li>A cappella group Catch 22</li>
	<li>Walltown Children's Theater Group</li>
</ul>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-20012064"}}</div>

<h4>American Tobacco Water Tower lighting in Durham</h4>

<p>Visit Durham's American Tobacco Campus from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 to celebrate the season with the lighting of the Lucky Strike Tower!</p>

<p>The holiday lights event will feature special appearances by Wool E. Bull, Rudolph, Frosty and Mr. &amp; Mrs. Claus.</p>

<p>We’ll also have 2,000 light wands to distribute courtesy of our friends at Dominion Energy and NC 811.</p>

<p>Expect live shows by local talent like:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Barriskill Dance Theatre School</li>
	<li>Catch 22 Vocal Band</li>
	<li>Elevate</li>
	<li>Empower Dance Studio</li>
	<li>Walltown Children's Theater Group</li>
</ul>

<p>After the tower lights, grab a hot cocoa, stroll the river and enjoy post-show music, art and entertainment. And don’t forget to take that holiday selfie with the illuminated American Tobacco Water Tower in the background! #WRALHolidays #ATCHolidays</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-20012041"}}</div>

<h4>Holiday tower lighting at Rocky Mount Mills</h4>

<p>Rocky Mount Mills will host a festive night of live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and a storytime with Santa on Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.</p>

<p>Expect events full of holiday cheer like:</p>

<ul>
	<li>North Carolina blues musician, storyteller and one-man band Randy McQuay</li>
	<li>Horse carriage rides through the festive mill campus</li>
	<li>Storytime at the coffee shop with Santa and Mrs. Claus</li>
	<li>Local breweries and restaurants planning holiday activities and cocktails</li>
</ul>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-14235681"}}</div>

<h3>WRAL's holiday tower lighting: A beloved 63-year tradition</h3>

<p>This December marks the 63rd year that WRAL and Capitol Broadcasting Company have ushered in the holiday season by lighting a 300-foot tall tower of almost 3,000 colorful lights, becoming one of the tallest "Christmas trees" in Raleigh.</p>

<p>It all began in 1959, with Capitol Broadcasting founder A.J. Fletcher reading "A Christmas Carol" to viewers before the tower was lit.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-20012056"}}</div>

<p>Over time, the original tradition was embellished with new ones, including musical performances, aerial video from Sky 5, manufactured snow to set the mood and streaming video to the web and mobile phones.</p>

<p>In 2017, WRAL anchor {{a href="video-17155298"}}Bill Leslie debuted a Christmas original composition{{/a}}.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-17155298"}}</div>

<h3>Celebrations from seasons past</h3>

<ul>
	<li>{{a href="video-18807761"}}WATCH: 2019 WRAL Tower Lighting{{/a}}</li>
	<li>{{a href="video-18024184"}}WATCH: 2018 WRAL Tower Lighting{{/a}}</li>
	<li>{{a href="video-18031126"}}WATCH: 2018 tower lighting at American Tobacco in Durham{{/a}}</li>
</ul>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="blogpost-19317026"}}</div>

<h3>Nights of Lights returns to Dix Park</h3>

<p>In 2020, WRAL News teamed up with the City of Raleigh and Dix Park to create a magical wonderland of lights spanning 1.3 miles of rolling hills and grassy fields – all from the safety of your vehicle.</p>

<p>{{a href="blogpost-19317026"}}WRAL's Nights of Lights{{/a}} has returned for its second year, quickly becoming a new holiday tradition in the Triangle. this year, we have more lights, more nights and less traffic! The show runs Nov. 20 through Dec. 24, and {{a href="external_link-19359183"}}tickets are on sale now{{/a}}.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="page-6437698"}}</div>

<h3>Holiday lights abound</h3>

<p>As Christmas approaches, homes and businesses around the Triangle light the night with unique displays, musical choreography, inflatables and decorations – and we don't want you to miss any of them!</p>

<p>We've compiled a {{a href="blogpost-19376589"}}guide to the best big Christmas light displays around the Triangle{{/a}}, complete with addresses, so you can just pull out your GPS and go explore.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="blogpost-19376589"}}</div>

<p>Or see them all without starting the car {{a href="page-6437698"}}using our online map{{/a}}, and {{a href="page-6432462"}}be sure to share your photos{{/a}}!</p>

<h4>Television special and COVID-19 safety</h4>

<p>Can’t join us in person? We will once again celebrate the 2021 holiday season by lighting the towers at all three locations in one very special TV event.</p>

<p>Watch from the comfort of your home Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. only on WRAL and wral.com!</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-20009330"}}</div>

<p>Our in-person events will follow safety protocols to help keep people safe this holiday season:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Masks are highly recommended regardless of vaccination status</li>
	<li>Complimentary holiday masks will be available</li>
	<li>If you are not feeling well, as a courtesy to others, please stay at home and watch the tower light on WRAL and WRAL.com.</li>
</ul>

2021 WRAL Tower Lighting

20009 Tower lighting_01

Temperatures will slowly get cooler as the week continues with highs leading into the weekend at or around the 50-degree mark. Lows will be in the upper 20s and lower 30s.

&quot;Stay well bundled as colder air will be the norm in the coming days,&quot; Gardner said.

The temperature will be around 48 degrees Wednesday evening as WRAL hosts it annual <a href="https://www.wral.com/entertainment/holiday/page/8693394/">tower lighting</a> at the station, 2619 Western Blvd.

Those who don't want to brave the cold weather can watch the festivities from the comfort of their homes beginning at 5 p.m. Musical entertainment kicks off the evening, which ends with the tower lighting around 6 p.m.

Kelly Hinchcliffe

Triangle breathes 'sigh of relief' as storm passes

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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 

Durham police are investigating a drive-by shooting Thursday night. 

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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.

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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

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More than 4,300 North Carolinians died from overdoses in 2022. That trend continues going up, devastating entire communities.

2022 data: 12 people a day died from drug overdoses in North Carolina 

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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.



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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.

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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.

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The Coyotes are moving to Salt Lake City in a deal that was signed less than 24 hours after Wednesday night's 5-2 win over Edmonton.

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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

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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.

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