This year marks the 65th annual lighting of the WRAL-TV tower in Raleigh, an annual tradition that has grown to include celebrations with towers at American Tobacco Campus in Durham and Rocky Mount Mills.

WRAL lights towers in Raleigh, Durham and Rocky Mount

Students are reported for possession of non-firearm weapons about 20 times as often as they are for firearms. But schools are still relatively safe places, and many crime statistics in schools have been improving for years, experts say. 

Easy to conceal, harder to detect: Knives more prevalent than guns in schools 

School lockers 

A 74-year-old truck driver was killed Sunday night in a crash on Interstate 95. 



<b>LUMBERTON, N.C.</b> — A 74-year-old truck driver was killed Sunday night in a crash on Interstate 95.

Around 10 p.m., officers with the Lumberton Police Department responded to a crash involving a tractor-trailer and a pickup on I-95 southbound near Exit 19.

Police said a Ford F-150 getting on the highway cut in front of and collided with the semi, which then went off the road and down an embankment. The truck driver, Earl Johnson, 74, of Wade, was transported to Southeastern Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

The pickup driver, Clifton Trey Oxendine, 26, was not injured. He has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and a child restraint violation.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Lumberton Police Department 910-671-3845.

Jessica Patrick

Matthew Burns

74-year-old truck driver killed in crash on I-95 near Lumberton

Handcuffs on prison bars

The morning will start off with some sunshine, but clouds will quickly move in by noon. 

Don't forget your umbrella!☔Rain expected for the next 3 days

Wetter and warmer weekend

According to an arrest warrant obtained by WRAL News, 26-year-old Daquan Seandre Thomas is charged with felony murder and felony concealment of 22-year-old Tyrone Taylor. According to Sheriff Wayne Coats, Thomas was already in jail for a domestic violence incident with the victim's sister.

'Infectious smile': Community grieves youth pastor found dead after missing for 10 weeks

Body of missing Dunn man found; suspect in custody, charged with murder

A landlord with properties spanning across the state, including multiple units in Raleigh, faces potential disciplinary action and legal scrutiny.

Landlord who charged NC State students $18,000 for beer pong table at center of multiple investigations

5 On Your Side investigates landlord with history of excessive charges

Medicaid expansion means North Carolina's working poor can go to the doctor for free. It also means billions in new federal funding for hospitals.

After 14 years, billions to flow as 600,000 qualify for Medicaid insurance in NC

Wake County adding 74 jobs to Medicaid office but can't hire yet

A private security force is now on board to begin patrolling in and around the downtown transit center where crime increased through the first nine months of this year - including two homicides.

Armed security group to beef up enforcement around Raleigh transit station

Downtown Raleigh transit station

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Umbrellas for the weekend 

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday plans to name a replacement for State Auditor Beth Wood, who previously said she would step down in the wake of charges related to her use of state-issued vehicles.

Replacement named for State Auditor Beth Wood

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

N.C. High School Athletic Association Commissioner Que Tucker and President Chris Blanton hold a press conference following the winter board of directors meeting in Chapel Hill.

NCHSAA press conference following winter board meeting

Videos

Here's a look at which bowl bids NC State, North Carolina and Duke could accept.

Which bowl game will NC State, North Carolina and Duke play in?

Dave Doeren with Mack Brown

George Williams, a former St. Augustine's University coach, was fired in July 2020. He continues to coach athletes and is preparing several for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Famed track coach George Williams helps athletes prep for Paris Olympics, reflects on departure from St. Augustine's University

NC State quarterback MJ Morris will enter the transfer portal. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

NC State QB Morris to enter transfer portal

MJ Morris (16) in the pocket. 

The North Carolina Lottery Commission has not committed to a date for when sports betting would be allowed in the state.

Sports betting won't start in North Carolina before Super Bowl

Mobile sports betting

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists in his 500th regular-season NHL game and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thursday night.