More than 21% of North Carolina's four-year-olds enrolled in the state's pre-kindergarten programs during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the prior year but still below the state's pre-pandemic highs, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

North Carolina ranks 29th in public pre-K enrollment, new report shows

Durham County budget increases funding for pre-K students

Compared to pre-pandemic prices, ground beef is up 35%, chips are up 45%, bread is up 57% and a 12-ounce can of soda is up 66%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks trends on common grocery store items.

WRAL Investigates: 'Greedflation' and other drivers behind inflation at the grocery store

A look at inflation at the grocery store

A crash in front of Sandy Ridge Elementary School on Thursday may have involved a school bus. 



<b>DURHAM, N.C.</b> — A crash in front of Sandy Ridge Elementary School on Thursday may have involved a school bus.

The crash was reported before 7:45 a.m. at 427 Old Oxford Road north of downtown Durham.

Sky 5 video showed a school bus in the middle of the road and officers directing traffic around it. The bus had its flashers on, but no damage was visible.

A sedan was off the road in a wooded area.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

Jamie Munden

Jessica Patrick

Crash near downtown Durham may involve school bus

The Storm Prediction Center has our southern counties under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday.

Level 1 severe risk Friday afternoon: Damaging winds and hail possible

Chilly mornings on the way 

Durham police are investigating a drive-by shooting Thursday night. 

Man injured in drive-by shooting on Chautauqua Ave., Durham Police investigate

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

Iran fires air defense batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site after drones spotted

Iran_53492

Residents in Anderson Creek Crossing in Spring Lake, are on high alert after discovering a disturbing pattern of tampered mail.

Torn envelopes, missing money: Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

More than 4,300 North Carolinians died from overdoses in 2022. That trend continues going up, devastating entire communities.

2022 data: 12 people a day died from drug overdoses in North Carolina 

Woman shows faces of those who died from overdoses in NC

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

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

After 22 years in business, Armadillo Grill on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has closed.



Glenwood South staple Armadillo Grill closes

Videos

After the death of a Harnett County teenager, the softball community in Eastern North Carolina remembers her through stickers and fighting the stigma around mental health.

A North Carolina softball family is honoring one of their own, focusing on suicide prevention

Helmet stickers honoring Aubrey Horne

Caleb Love declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while keeping the option to return to college for his final year of eligibility. 

Former UNC guard Caleb Love declares for 2024 NBA Draft, will maintain college eligibility

Caleb Love

Over the course of her career, Ashley Twichell has pushed through situations that might have otherwise been the end of it, including a recurring shoulder injury and the COVID pandemic.

Triangle-based Olympic swimmer finds new balance while embarking on motherhood journey

Ashley Twichell

If the Panthers want to start winning again, they're going to need a good -- maybe even great -- draft class. Here's an in-depth look on who Carolina should be targeting and when.

Gerber: The perfect Panthers NFL Draft gameplan

Panthers introduce rookie QB Bryce Young

The Coyotes are moving to Salt Lake City in a deal that was signed less than 24 hours after Wednesday night's 5-2 win over Edmonton.