We’re also following dozens of people rallying in Durham. Plus, find out the driest and wettest hours this weekend. Also, a new video shows how thieves used a forklift to break into a local gun range. Watch WRAL-TV at 7 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 7: Marijuana could get reclassified as a less dangerous drug. The ripple effect this change could have in NC

It's that time of year when your child will be taking end-of-grade tests or EOGs. What are EOGs and how can you help them be better prepared?

End-of-grade tests: Everything you need to know about these annual exams

Student testing 

Triangle residents who are fans of thrills and themed attractions don't have to travel far to experience some of the best.

Guide: Amusement parks within driving distance of Raleigh

New Carowinds rollercoaster nears opening date

Deaf Coverage

Smart glasses are giving deaf people a head-up-display of live, real-time subtitles, as they chat, right in front of their eyes.

so excited because I want to show you something that I think it's going to be amazing and I love you as my friend to tell me what you think about this, put these on fine, good for you. Can we see anything? Well I'm talking to you so this is a new way of being able to communicate and be included. She's like, she's naturally looking at me but she's realizing she doesn't have to look through the glasses. You are the best in the world to experience. Yes, she feels very honest. Yeah. Right. Mhm Shits Gillian, how are you doing very well. Thank you. How are you? I'm doing well. Do you want to get dinner sometime this week? Yeah, definitely. That sounds good. Good. I can't wait. Looking forward to seeing you. Okay, I'll talk to you soon. Thanks Jillian spew soon. Okay bye bye bye. Yeah. Running off 4G now so it's not going to be as good I'm saying. Yeah. So my granddad is 97 years old, still full cognitive capacity, but like most 97 year olds unfortunately starting to lose his hearing or is very much lost his hearing. This innovative technology and it was me as a deaf person to be right in the mix. I'm getting a live subtitled stream of the conversation. There was just a little epiphany moment where I thought, well hang on a second, he watches tv all the time with subtitles on. Why can't we subtitle the world and then lift them up as though you're putting them on. So effectively we're taking that audio stream from the microphone on. The glasses were running it through a piece of transcription software, which users have probably seen before. The inability to turn audio into sub captions. What we're doing, though, is then taking those captions and putting them into augmented reality. If any of you have got a heads up display within your car, it's the exact same technology that we use. So effectively those images are projected straight into your eyes.

Smart glasses give deaf people real-time subtilties as they talk

Smart glasses help the deaf understand conversations

Hearing loss can happen at any age. But the issue is more dominant among older adults. The National Institute on Aging says around 1 in 3 people between 65 to 74 suffer from hearing impairment, while 25% start having symptoms after turning 60.  

A comprehensive senior living guide for the deaf and hearing impaired

Couple Of Two Sad Old People In Love Sitting Together At Home. S

The bill received little opposition before the veto by Cooper, who said it was yet another General assembly takeover of education board appointments.

Cooper vetoes bill on new oversight for state's deaf and blind schools

Gov. Roy Cooper

Social distancing makes communication impossible for those who rely solely on touch.

inside the Knoxville center of the death, the pandemic means silence and empty chairs, another lifeline cut for people who cannot see or hear. It's almost like they're in a prison. It's very lonely for the half dozen deaf blind people in Knoxville. Monica Sherman's team interprets their world. Their hands would touch right about here on my hand, the way her hand fits over mine. In the era of Corona virus, this is not six feet apart. If you're only communication is through touch. It isn't big dark wall just right in their face. Social distance means total isolation. Everything is so tactile. They've got to touch everything, you know. But with the Corona virus, it just really turned their world upside down. Through interpreter Don Munroe, Sherman says. For some deaf blind, her support service providers are there only interaction. In a world of dark silence, they are the bridge between the deaf blind and the rest of the community. Szymon wants the governor to designate them essential workers. So as the deadly virus spreads, her deaf blind clients can continue to live Without me, she would be in the complete dark call Sullivan 10 News

'It's turned their world upside down' COVID-19 takes toll on deaf & blind

Deaf and blind dealing with coronavirus pandemic

Coworkers come together to help deaf Trader Joe's clerk interact with customers after COVID-19 masks create a communication breakdown.

I'm a very positive person and I always love to show my you know myself the way I am as a deaf man in Washington's We met Matthew Simmons with help from interpreter Emily Sizemore Matthews a teacher's aide at the Washington School for the Death He also works part time at Trader Joe's in Vancouver  Over the years he's taught his co workers their basic sign language and relies on lip reading skills to help his customers They're like fascinated Wow Death Man works in a store that's so awesome and it really shows that we can do anything But when customers started wearing masks it created a communication barrier Matthew could no longer read their lips leading many confused customers toe walk away from him I start to get anxiety because I wasn't sure how to react didn't know what to do Then Matthews boss Alexandria Baker got an idea She took one of Matthew's Trader Joe's T shirts and wrote Deaf I read lips on the front and death Please tap me on the shoulder for help on the back Matthew says Right away customers started lowering their masks just for a few seconds to ask him questions and it's been such a positive experience with no concerns from customers Managers also let Matthew write a message to customers on Plexi Glass and gave him whiteboards to use At the check out stands one customer wrote It must be hard with everyone wearing masks Thank you for your help If all else fails co workers are always near to help bridge the communication gap You know they're always there for me because they don't see me is just death They see me as a great friend a great coworker someone to really connect with you know because we're a team and actually you know not just a team or a family Truthfully we are a family a trader Joe's and that's very important in my heart Matthew expressed his appreciation in this now viral Facebook post  Readers have shared it nearly 5000 times and send him countless messages many from the deaf community really inspiring messages regarding the shirt and they they told me that they had showed their bosses and they can make the same kind of shirt that would apply to what I did and I was like absolutely go ahead whether it's working through a job challenge or something else entirely Matthew hopes his story will remind others that if you need help it's always okay to ask simply don't give up Really That's my overall message Don't be afraid In Vancouver Catherine Cook KGW News

Coronavirus hurdle: Co-workers find solution for clerk who can't read lips due to face masks

Helping out deaf employee

Kenzi Cayton, born deaf, has been using cochlear implants for years. Now her idea could change the devices in a big way. 

Implant innovation: 8-year-old's invention is global winner

8-Year-Old's Invention Is A Global Winner

It's a special bond between two adorable puppies who are looking for their forever home.

Deaf and blind puppy has her own guide dog ... her brother

A fast food worker refuses to serve a deaf woman who couldn't use a drive-thru speaker and then mocks her sign language in an encounter caught on video.

Caught on camera: Fast food drive-thru refuses to serve deaf woman

deaf woman at drive-thru

50% of those over 75 have hearing loss, though fewer than one in three have sought help for it. The most compelling argument in favor of hearing aid use is that not using one can significantly contribute to cognitive decline.

Now Hear This

Man Trying To Hear 

A kindergarten class in Tennessee decided to surprise their school's longtime janitor for his 60th birthday by singing to him - in American Sign Language.

Kids sing (and sign) Happy Birthday to deaf janitor

Starbucks has officially opened its first signing store in the nation's capital.



First signing Starbucks opens in DC for customers with hearing deficits

Growing old and declining to the point that you are entirely dependent on those caring for you is so difficult; and it's made all the more scary, if you are blind and nearly deaf. Here are some tips I've learned from working with John.