13 NC counties are under alert, including Johnston, Wayne, Harnett, and Sampson counties.

We also hear from Durham leaders after the headliner for the Bimbe Festival said she was never contacted for it. Plus, The latest on two shootings involving police officers and how AAA is partnering with local law enforcement to prevent thieves from taking parts from your car. Watch WRAL-TV at 7:30 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 7:30: Storms possible tonight. Who could see the heaviest rain during a WRAL Weather Alert Day, plus when the rain returns next week

The North Carolina Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to ban anyone from wearing masks in public for health reasons, following an emotional debate about the wisdom of the proposal.


NC Senate votes to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons

Protestors gather in Graham 

A year later, the full impact of the North Carolina abortion law is becoming clearer for both supporters and opponents.

A year later, impact from NC's 12-week abortion ban coming into focus

Ultrasound

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at a law enforcement forum in downtown Atlanta Tuesday morning.

<b>ATLANTA, GA</b> — U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at a law enforcement forum in downtown Atlanta Tuesday morning.

Sessions and other featured speakers spoke at the National Law Enforcement Conference on Human Exploitation at the Sheraton in downtown Atlanta.

Sessions' visit comes amid a rift with President Donald Trump, who sent a series of tweets early Monday morning blaming the Justice Department for its defense of the travel ban. The tweets accuse the department of submitting a "politically correct" version of the ban.

Sessions and the Justice Department did not respond to the president's tweets.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions attends conference in Atlanta

Saturday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day due to numerous thunderstorms brewing in the evening. We'll get a break from the rain on Sunday.


WRAL Weather Alert Day: severe storms possible this evening, dry Sunday on tap

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Despite announcements from organizers that Monica would be headlining the event, Monica shared on social media that she will not be in attendance -- and that she was never even booked.

Monica, Durham Bimbé Festival headliner, says she was never contacted about festival

Headliner of Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival unable to attend due to booking error

Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said that 13-year-old Isaiah Gaymes died around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday. Willard said he died at the Medical University of South Carolina from blunt force trauma.

Warrant: 13-year-old boy beaten to death with piece of wood, handgun

Isaiah Gaymes

The Roxboro Police Department is grieving the loss of a beloved and loyal police K-9 named Kilo, who passed away Saturday morning after ab unexpected medical emergency that began earlier in the week.

'Rest easy, good boy:' Roxboro police K-9 Kilo dies after medical emergency 

Both directions of I-40 were closed for around four hours early Saturday morning as law enforcement and crisis negotiation teams worked to resolve a mental health crisis situation involving a woman and children.

Mental health crisis involving woman, children shuts down I-40 both directions for hours

Interstate 40 

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.

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

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

Videos

Fans can now register for a chance to buy tickets for the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.

Fans can register for a chance to buy tickets for the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow

Golf

The Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated from the NHL playoffs Thursday night, moving the team into one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history.

Hurricanes face off-season of change. Which Carolina players are free agents?

Rangers_Hurricanes_Hockey_08460

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Shane Lowry switched putters in New Orleans last month, frustrated by what was happening on the greens.

Shane Lowry ties a major championship record by shooting a 9-under 62 to get into the mix at the PGA

APTOPIX_PGA_Championship_Golf_20877

Duke softball head coach Marissa Young shares the pains and the joys of the past year after her husband suffered a heart attack last year.