WRAL Investigates how a prank call turned into a near-death experience, and what needs to be done to prevent an innocent person from being killed.

On WRAL at 6: How a prank call turned into a near-death experience and what needs to be done to prevent an innocent person from being killed.

NCAA bracket

College hoops bracket challenge

A 28-year-old man died in a single-vehicle wreck on Chickenfoot Road, about 7 miles south of Hope Mills, Saturday morning.

<b>HOPE MILLS, N.C.</b> — A 28-year-old man died in a single-vehicle wreck on Chickenfoot Road, about 7 miles south of Hope Mills, Saturday morning.

State troopers said that Anthony Tirudo Cruz was speeding when he ran off the right side of the road, near Yarborough Road, around 6:30 a.m. Cruz's vehicle struck a fence and overturned, ejecting him.

Cruz, of Hope Mills, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said. He was the only person in the vehicle.

Troopers said Cruz wasn't wearing a seat belt and was going 75 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Hope Mills man dies in wreck

Two 16-year-old boys are dead and another 16-year-old boy is in the hospital from a shooting in Durham on Tuesday.

Family says teen accused of shooting 3 Durham students was a 'good kid' with no prior criminal history 

Jorge Raul Benitez-Mendoza

This would make North Carolina the 40th state in the country to adopt expansion, which would add hundreds of thousands of people, most of them likely working adults who can't afford health insurance, to the state's Medicaid insurance rolls. 

After 13 years, Medicaid expansion on its way to governor in NC

State Rep. James Roberson, D-Wake, takes a selfie with House Democrats gathered behind him to mark Medicaid expansion's passage in North Carolina, March 23, 2023.

How would you judge the best tree in Raleigh?

Where's the coolest, tallest, oldest tree in Raleigh? 

Hidden Redwood trees in Raleigh and across NC

VinFast is launching its latest model - an electric powered SUV called the VF9 - in its home country of Vietnam and says it has plans to ship models to the U.S. for sale in "coming months."

VinFast unveils big electric SUV, plans deliveries to US 'in coming months'

VinFast SUV

A 21-year-old man faces charges of possessing a weapon on educational property and carrying a concealed weapon after a weapons detection system alerted when he entered Clayton Middle School Tuesday to pick up his sisters.

Man who brought gun inside Clayton school said he forgot it was in his pocket

Man accused of bringing gun to Clayton Middle School appears in court

Leaders at a water conference at NC State this week are addressing the swath of challenges that threaten the state -- including climate change, pollution, and drinking water contamination.

North Carolina faces many environmental challenges

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

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Powerball drawings, as shown live on WRAL.

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Videos

Four North Carolina players have entered the transfer portal after a season that ended without an NCAA Tournament berth.

Armando Bacot returning to UNC; Puff Johnson entering transfer portal

Armando Bacot

The NC State men's swimming and diving team had an outstanding start to the 2023 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships Wednesday night, taking the National Championship title and setting a NCAA Record in the 200-yard medley relay. 

NC State relay team wins NCAA title, sets record at swimming & diving championships

NC State Wolf head logo

WCNC Charlotte reports almost 50% of cars stolen since the beginning of 2023 in the Pineville area have been Hyundais and Kias.



Pineville seeing rise in Hyundai and Kia car thefts due to TikTok challenge

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A Smithfield Middle School teacher has resigned after an investigation, which found the teacher taped students' mouths shut.

'He was humiliated': Johnston County mother questions why teacher taped middle school student's mouth shut

Catherine Webster said she got a text from her son on Feb. 14 from inside Smithfield Middle School. There was painter's tape across the sixth grader's face. Photo courtesy of Catherine Webster.