We’re also following the US Senate passing a potential ban on TikTok and the charges a 74-year-old man faces after a shooting on the Shaw University campus. Plus, where candidates for NC superintendent say school safety falls short and the improvements that can be made. Watch WRAL-TV at 11 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11: Wet weather is just around the corner. The hours for rain tomorrow and a rumble of thunder

Have you noticed an unusual smell or flavor in your tap water over the past few days?

What's wrong with Raleigh tap water? Algae bloom at Falls Lake behind the smell, color

'Earthy and musty:' Here's why your tap water may taste strange this weekend in Raleigh

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

The National Multifamily Housing Council says a third of U.S. apartment renters didn't pay their April rent during the first week of the month.


<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — The coronavirus outbreak and the necessary social distancing has businesses closed and unemployment soaring. As a result, Americans are facing unanticipated financial challenges.<br>

The National Multifamily Housing Council says<a href="https://www.wral.com/story/nearly-a-third-of-americans-didnt-pay-rent-this-month-new-data-shows/19048981/"> a third of U.S. renters didn’t pay their April rent </a>on time. According to the US Department of Labor, more than 14 million American workers have sought aid in the form of jobless benefits since mid-March.

Some of those people are having to decide between putting food on the table or a roof over their head.

Mituan Artist has been out of work since March 20. Without income, she was unable to make rent for April.<br>

“It’s been tough. It’s just been hard to pay the bills right now. You have to get your groceries or pay rent. With us being stuck in the house, we have to pay bills and necessities,” Artist said.<br>

According to the National Multifamily Housing Council only 69% of tenants paid any of their rent between April 1 and April 5, compared with 81% in the first week of March and 82% in April 2019.<br>

Those who are struggling with financial decisions are encouraged to talk to their property managers. Many are willing to work something out to help tenants pull through.<br>

“Go to your property manager and talk to them," Caitlin Walter, VP of research at NMHC, said. "They are people too, and they’re going to realize that, and we also are aware stimulus checks are coming."

The federal government has started making direct deposits to tens of millions of Americans to help people survive financially in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The health crisis has evolved into an economic crisis as businesses and schools shut down to slow the spread of the virus.

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="video-19057072"}}</div>

<p>The federal government has started making direct deposits to tens of millions of Americans to help people survive financially in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The first payments began showing up for some people on April 11, and millions more were deposited on April 15.</p>

<p>When and how much can you expect to receive? Check the IRS' new <strong>{{a href="external_link-19055412"}}Get My Payment tool{{/a}}</strong>. The tool is supposed to provide the timing and method of payment (direct deposit or check), and allow taxpayers to provide direct deposit information to speed payments.</p>

<p>Based on the CARES act approved by the U.S. Senate and the House last month, many Americans will receive a payments of $1,200, and families would see an extra $500 per child they claim as a dependent on their tax returns.</p>

<h3>Want to know how much you are projected to receive?</h3>

<p><strong>Answer four questions below </strong>to see an estimate of the stimulus payment you are eligible to receive under the CARES act. Additional information is provided below the calculator.</p>

<hr>
<div class="dembed">{{embed href="block-19030805"}}</div>

<p> </p>

<hr>
<h3>When can I expect my check or direct deposit?</h3>

<p>For as many as 60 million Americans, the money is likely to arrive by <strong>via direct deposit,</strong> based on their 2018 or 2019 tax returns.</p>

<p>Taxpayers without direct deposit arrangements who want to add their bank account information to speed receipt of their payment will need to provide the following additional information on the new government website:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return submitted, either 2019 or 2018</li>
	<li>The refund or amount owed from their latest filed tax return</li>
	<li>Bank account type, account and routing numbers</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>{{link href="external_link-19055412"}}</strong></p>

<p>Americans who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 can use {{a href="external_link-19051311"}}“Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here”{{/a}} website to submit basic personal information to securely receive their Economic Impact Payments.</p>

<p>Americans who filed 2018 or 2019 tax returns with direct deposit information or receive Social Security do not need to take action. They will automatically receive payment in their bank accounts.</p>

<p>If you have moved since filing your last tax return, you will likely need to <strong>{{a href="external_link-19056991"}}update your address with the IRS{{/a}}</strong>.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="story-19057656"}}</div>

<p>Paper checks for those who don't supply direct deposit banking information should start going out by the week of May 4 – about 5 million checks a week.</p>

<p>Sen. Thom Tillis said those checks may take weeks to distribute, with the money going first to people with lower incomes. It could take months, into September, to distribute all paper checks, according to some reports.</p>

<h3>How the federal relief payments are calculated</h3>

<p>Individuals earning up to $75,000 a year will be eligible for the full $1,200 payment. Reduced checks will be sent to individuals making up to $99,000 a year. The payment drops $5 for every $100 in income above $75,000).</p>

<p>Taxpayers filing joint returns are eligible for $2,400 check provided their adjusted gross income is under $150,000. Payments will be reduced by $5 for every $100 of income above $150,000, up to $198,000. Married couples also will receive an additional $500 for every child under 17.</p>

<p>People who file as a “head of household” (typically single parents with children) are eligible for a $1,200 payment. Payments will be reduced $5 for every $100 of income above $112,500. Heads of household will also receive an extra $500 per child under 17.</p>

<h3><strong>What happens if I don't see a direct deposit or check when I am expecting one?</strong></h3>

<p>For security reasons, the IRS plans to mail a letter about the economic impact payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment. If a taxpayer is unsure, they’re receiving a legitimate letter, the IRS urges taxpayers to visit IRS.gov first to protect against scam artists."​​​​​</p>

<h3>My child was born in 2020. Will the stimulus payment include them?</h3>

<p>Stimulus checks or direct deposits will not include payments for children born this year. To expedite payments, lawmakers based all eligibility for relief payments based on 2019 or 2018 tax returns. You will be eligible to get that $500 tax credit when you file your 2020 taxes.</p>

<h3>What about people on social security and disability?</h3>

<p>Good news. People on Social Security, retirees and people receiving disability payments are eligible to receive the coronavirus relief payment provided their total income does not exceed the limits given above. According to the Washington Post, low-income Americans on Social Security <strong>do not need to file a tax return</strong>. As long as they received an SSA-1099 form (the Social Security benefit statement), the government will send them a payment via the usual way they get their Social Security payment.</p>

<div class="dembed">{{embed href="tag_page-18901037"}}</div>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

How much and when: Check your stimulus payment

Coronavirus money

Left in a difficult position, residents are now depending on the government for help.<br>

“We’re depending on the unemployment and the stimulus checks that the government says we’re going to get,” Artist said.<br>

Walter says it's possible that next month the number of people who can't pay their rent <a href="https://www.wral.com/story/rents-are-late-and-it-s-only-going-to-get-worse/19047277/">will be even higher</a>.

Leslie Moreno

Jodi Leese Glusco

Can't make the rent? Make sure to ask for help

Apartments

Students told WRAL News they heard multiple gunshots on the campus of Shaw University in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday.

74-year-old arrested, charged with shooting at man on Shaw University campus, police say

Kamal Rasool Abdal-Rafi

School safety is a top-of-mind issue for many people in North Carolina. We asked the two candidates for state schools superintendent how they plan to address the problem.  

State superintendent candidates weigh in on school safety 

Mo Green and Michele Morrow are running for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dozens of people are being forced to leave a homeless encampment on a strip of land along the Raleigh and Garner border, not far from the highway.

'Nowhere else to go:' Dozens forced out of homeless encampment along highway near Raleigh 

'Nowhere else to go:' Dozens living in encampment by Garner highway forced to move

We have one anomaly in the overall lovely spring weather this week. There is about a 50 percent chance for showers on Wednesday afternoon.

Light showers on the way Wednesday, record heat possible next week

At the bus stop, Wednesday, April 24

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that’s expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on the short-form video app for income.

Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature

Congress_TikTok_26201

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

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

School safety is a key issue for many people in North Carolina, and the subject is top-of-mind as the state heads toward the November elections. WRAL's coverage of the 2024 election includes unedited livestreams of candidate appearances, full interviews and fact-checks of statements on issues voters tell us they care about most.

Republican state schools superintendent candidate Michele Morrow hosts campaign event on school safety

Videos

The Carolina Hurricanes scored 5 unanswered goals to steal Game 2 at home on Monday. What the win could mean for their ultimate goal this postseason, NFL Draft talk and more!

Canes magic, the Drake Maye debate and Uncle MJ in the sports moments of the week

Islanders_Hurricanes_Hockey_28911

NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Rizzo snapped a lengthy power drought with a two-run homer that capped a four-run first inning, and the New York Yankees held on for a 4-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

Rizzo's 2-run homer in 4-run first leads Yankees over Athletics 4-3

Athletics_Yankees_Baseball_74640

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)

A plan is in place for Rory McIlroy to rejoin the PGA Tour board, a move that would require the board's approval and could be viewed as a chance to help to improve stalled negotiations with the Saudi financial backers of LIV Golf.

Webb Simpson offers to resign from PGA Tour board. But only if McIlroy replaces him, AP source says

RBC_Heritage_Golf_58009

Trailing 9-4 in the top of the seventh inning, No. 7 Duke (29-11, 13-8 ACC) rallied to score nine runs over the final three frames including four home runs to down No. 23 Virginia Tech (25-12, 12-9 ACC), 13-10, and earn its first series victory in Blacksburg, Va., since 2018. 

Can't make the rent? Make sure to ask for help

More On This

Renters struggling amid coronavirus slowdown