We’re also following where tonight’s severe weather hit the hardest and the rare opportunity to see the northern lights. Plus, the red flags to look for and the critical conversations to have with your child that could protect them from predators. Watch WRAL NEWS at 11 and search for these stories and others on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11 : More showers in the forecast this weekend. The best day to enjoy with mom on her special holiday

More than a dozen former employees say understaffing at Brynn Marr Hospital contributes to what they describe as a dangerous place for patients and employees. Hospital officials say allegations of violence, sexual assaults, overmedication and lack of mental health therapy are unfounded.

Former employees say short-staffed NC psych hospital rife with violence, abuse

Brynn Marr Hospital

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 

Since the start of the pandemic, North Carolina has recorded more than 2 million cases of COVID-19. 

Since the start of the pandemic, North Carolina has recorded more than 2 million cases of COVID-19. That doesn't necessarily mean 2 million people have tested positive for the virus, since the number includes every test, not every individual. Some people have had the virus more than once, and others have had multiple positive tests while trying to see if their body has cleared the virus.

35,754: New cases of COVID-19 reported in North Carolina on Jan. 14, 2022.

44,833: New cases of COVID-19 reported in North Carolina on Jan. 13, 2022. It's important to note there was an irregularity in Thursday's results. From Dec. 31 through Jan. 11, some laboratory results from the GENETWORx laboratory were not submitted to the state, causing Thursday's numbers to be higher as the figures included data that otherwise would have been reported earlier. The state said 36,473 test results, including 10,791 positive results, were not included in earlier reports.

25,445: New cases of COVID-19 reported in North Carolina on Jan. 12, 2022.

6,978: New cases of COVID-19 reported in North Carolina on Jan. 12, 2021.

26,805: Rolling, seven-day average of new cases of COVID reported in North Carolina on Jan. 13, 2022.

8,781: Rolling, seven-day average of new cases of COVID reported in North Carolina on Jan. 12, 2021.

More than 4,300 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, the highest number to date, <a href="https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/story/nc-s-covid-hospitalizations-near-levels-seen-last-january-but-fewer-people-in-the-icu/20073428/">although not all of those people have coronavirus symptoms</a>. In North Carolina hospitals, about 18% of patients are testing positive for COVID-19.

Coronavirus hospitalizations are at their highest point in nearly a year, with patients who tested positive taking up more than 3,800 beds on Monday. However, those increased COVID hospitalization numbers may not tell the full story.

AT THE CENTER OF A FIRE AND DEATH INVESTIGATION IN JOHNSON COUNTY. WE CONNECT THE DOTS FOR YOU. >>> RIGHT NOW AT 5:00, CORONAVIRUS HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE AT THE HIGHEST POINT IN NEARLY A YEAR WITH PEOPLE TESTING POSITIVE TAKING UP MORE THAN 3800 HOSPITAL BEDS AND NOT ALL ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES. >>> THE WRAL TEAM LEARNED THAT ONE IN THREE OF THEM ACTUALLY WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND JOE FISHER GIVES US THE INSIGHT YOU WILL ONLY SEE ON WRAL. >> Reporter: OMICRON IS SPREADING SO FAST THAT PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP AT THE HOSPITAL FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. THEY ARE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. >> PEOPLE THAT FALL FROM LADDERS OR GET A HEART ATTACK OR HAVE A GALLBLADDER ISSUE TEST POSITIVE. >> Reporter: UNC HEALTH IS TRADING 615 COVID PATIENTS WITH ONE IN THREE BEING ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OTHER REASONS AND THEN TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS. THE NUMBERS ARE EVEN HIGHER AT WAKEMED, FOR 60% OF COVID PATIENTS WERE ADMITTED FOR NON- COVID ILLNESS. >> UCONN MEN WITH A BROKEN LEG AND NORMALLY WOULD JUST GET SURGERY AND GO HOME. NOW, BECAUSE YOU HAVE COVID, YOU'VE GOT TO STAY LONGER. >> IT REQUIRES MORE STAFF, MORE SPACE AND MORE PPE AND A LONGER ISOLATION PERIOD. THIS DOCTOR IS THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT DUKE REGIONAL. >> YOU ARE TAXING THE RESOURCES. IT'S A TIME WHERE WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH STAFFING. >> THE NUMBER HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID TODAY, 3850, IS ABOUT THE SAME AS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE DELTA WAVE ON SEPTEMBER 7th. THE NUMBER IN THE ICU WITH COVID HAS DROPPED FROM 934 TO 706, A 24% DECREASE IN THE ICU ADMISSIONS IN FOUR MONTHS. >> THERE ARE PEOPLE ON HIGH FLOW OXYGEN ON THE FLOOR. >> Reporter: OF THE 25 ICU PATIENTS AT WAKEMED THIS WEEKEND, 22 WERE NOT VACCINATED. >> OMICRON IS NOT A WIMPY VIRUS AND CAN STILL CAUSE FOLKS TO GET SICK AND PEOPLE CAN DIE AND WE'VE SEEN THAT. >> Reporter: LIVES THAT DOCTORS SAY COULD BE SAVED WITH A FREE VACCINE. I'M JOE FISHER, WRAL NEWS. >>> HERE IS A LOOK AT THE HOSPITALIZATIONS TONIGHT WAS JUST NINE STAFFED ICU BEDS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL REGION INCLUDING WEIGHT, JOHNSON AND THREE OTHER COLONIES. THERE ARE 14 AVAILABLE BEDS IN THE DUKE REGION AND THE RISING HOSPITALIZATIONS COME WITH RECORD CASES. ON SATURDAY, WE ADDED MORE THAN 29,000 STATEWIDE AND MORE THAN 31% OF CASES ARE COMING BACK

Joe Fisher

Lauren DesArmo

Heather Leah

1 in 3 COVID hospitalizations arrived at hospital for unrelated issues

4,381: People in NC hospitals with COVID-19 on Jan. 13, 2022

430: COVID patients on ventilators statewide on Jan. 11, 2022

240: Available hospital beds across Wake, Johnston, Franklin, Lee and Harnett counties on Jan. 11, 2022

776,455: Cases of COVID reported across the United States on Jan. 14, 2022

2,011,302: COVID cases to date in North Carolina

19,706: Deaths in North Carolina from coronavirus

10: Rank of North Carolina among states with greatest number of reported cases

15: Rank of North Carolina among states by number of coronavirus deaths

59%: Population of North Carolina with either two shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one shot of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Ali Ingersoll

Jodi Leese Glusco

NC surpasses 2 million cases of COVID-19

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A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to create dazzling auroras that may be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California but also disrupt communications on Earth tonight and over the weekend.

Solar storms could create rare aurora displays, be visible in North Carolina this weekend

Northern lights in Pittsboro

Temperatures will drop down to the 50s tonight, making for a comfortable sleep.


WRAL Weather Alert Day ends for Friday: Quiet night ahead expected

Weekend planner

A Lee County teacher is facing several charges, including indecent liberties with a minor.

Lee County teacher arrested for alleged indecent liberties with minor

Lee County teacher charged with indecent liberties with a minor

A couple's breakup ended in a terrifying moment caught on a Ring doorbell camera.

On cam: Man says ex-girlfriend shot at him, tried to run him over in Fayetteville

On cam: Ring doorbell video captures violent interaction 

North Carolina's budget surplus is now expected to be approximately $1 billion, down from previous reports that have anticipated $1.4 billion.

NC's budget surplus will be $430 million less than expected, officials say

NC Sales Tax

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

Severe risk for Friday 

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

Interstate 40 West is closed Friday after a crash along the interstate near Garner.

Sky 5 flies over I-40 West crash near Garner

Sky 5 flies over I-40 West closure after crash near Garner

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

Videos

The Carolina Hurricanes hope to keep their season alive in Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Saturday night at PNC Arena.

With backs against the wall, Canes' resolve faces ultimate challenge

Rangers_Hurricanes_Hockey_78209

Bulls fall To Nashville, 7-1

Durham Bulls Logo

The United States Golf Association has opened its new headquarters in Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame.

USGA opens new headquarters in Pinehurst, showcasing historic golf artifacts

The United States Golf Association has opened its new headquarters in Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame. Photo provided by USGA.

Wake County and Raleigh approved a financing plan to pay for upgrades at PNC Arena. The renovation project won't begin until next summer.

What's next for PNC Arena upgrade after city, county approve financing plan

Tip off as the Pack take on the Heels

Dozens of people showed up on Douglas Street in Wilson on Thursday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Carolina Mudcats' new Wilson stadium.

NC surpasses 2 million cases of COVID-19

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