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 

Delvin Ferrell was the teenager killed in a stabbing on Monday at Southeast Raleigh High School. Friends will remember Ferrell with a balloon release on Wednesday evening.

'We are forgiving': Family of 15-year-old stabbed to death at Southeast Raleigh High School grieves loss, holds no ill will

Family of 15-year-old killed at Southeast Raleigh High School plans balloon release 

A 49-year-old Wayne County woman who went missing on July 4 has returned home safely, sheriff's office officials said Wednesday. 

<b>DUDLEY, N.C.</b> — A 49-year-old Wayne County woman who went missing on July 4 has returned home safely, sheriff's office officials said Wednesday. 

Patsy Mitchell McMillan disappeared after being dropped off at a bus terminal on U.S. Highway 117 South in Dudley. McMillan had told a family member that she was going to New York City.

Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that McMillan had returned to her home in Wallace after returning from New York City. 

No other information about her disappearance has been released.

Derek Medlin

Duplin County woman returns home one month after disappearing

WRAL News

Police communication released on Wednesday provides some insight into the chaos inside Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School when a fight turned into a deadly stabbing earlier this week and the search for a suspect that followed.

All students involved in altercation ahead of fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh have been disciplined

911 calls reveal frightened students hid during fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh High School

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

This year marks the 65th annual lighting of the WRAL-TV tower in Raleigh.

While over Wednesday night temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s.

Brace for near-freezing 🥶 temperatures before warmth arrives

Temperature turnaround 

According to authorities with Nash County Public Schools, the school's new metal detection systems flagged an object that looked like a gun just before 7 a.m. Wednesday. The systems were installed over the summer at various schools in the county.

New security system at Rocky Mount High finds loaded gun inside student's backpack

Rocky Mount High School

Children with Medicaid can receive the 2023-24 COVID vaccine for free at any local health department or providers enrolled with the Vaccines for Children Program. The NCDHHS said pharmacies are not currently providers in the program.

Wake County grandmother turned away by CVS when she tried to get her grandkids COVID vaccine

Twana Bannister

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

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

The N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors holds it winter board meeting in Chapel Hill. This is the first of a two-day event for the NCHSAA.

2023 NCHSAA winter board meeting, day one

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

Videos

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard announced that he would be leaving the program.

Duke QB Riley Leonard leaving Blue Devils

clemsonduke32

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

Max Johnson, a former Texas A&M and LSU quarterback, has committed to play for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Johnson is expected to compete for the Tar Heels' starting quarterback position in the 2024 season.

Former Texas A&M, LSU QB Max Johnson commits to North Carolina

North Carolina Logo 

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson was named ACC defensive player of the year and freshman wide receiver KC Concepcion won the league's Rookie of the Year award.

NC State duo claims top ACC football honors

Payton Wilson during pregame warmups

No. 17 North Carolina (5-1) hosts the No. 10 Tennessee Volunteers (4-2) at 7:15 p.m. tonight after RJ Davis scored 30 points in North Carolina's 87-72 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Duplin County woman returns home one month after disappearing

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Wayne authorities searching for woman who went missing on Fourth of July

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