5 On Your Side digs into potential fire hazards all over your home. Found inside phones, toys, cars, and lawn tools, lithium-ion batteries can cause serious damage. At 6 p.m., WRAL shares simple steps to protect your home from lithium batteries.

On WRAL at 6:🔥Fire hazards inside toys and lawn tools. 5 On Your Side shares simple steps to protect your home from lithium-ion batteries.

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 2,000 members who shared their experiences with pet insurance.

Is pet insurance worth the bark? Survey reveals middling results

Pet insurance

The board will lose millions of federal dollars next year, but staffing challenges are pushing board members to find a way to give staff raises.

Wake school board must figure out how to pay staff as federal funds dry up

Wake school bus generic

Public health officials in Johnston Couty issued a rabies notice for part of Smithfield Friday after tests on a cat were positive for the virus.

<b>SMITHFIELD, N.C.</b> — Public health officials in Johnston Couty issued a rabies notice for part of Smithfield Friday after tests on a cat were positive for the virus.

The area affected is the vicinity of the 2100 block of Galilee Road.

Officials urge residents to stay away from unfamiliar animals and to be aware of any acting in an unusual manner.

Anyone bitten or scratched by an unknown animal should seek medical help immediately, officials said.

Residents can report suspicious animals to Johnston County Animal Services at 919-934-8474.

Kelly Gardner

Johnston County issues rabies notice

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

Armadillo Grill has closed its Glenwood Avenue location in Raleigh, owners announced Wednesday. 

After more than 20 years in business, Glenwood South restaurant announces closure

Armadillo Grill

It was a brazen theft: thousands of gold bars and millions of dollars in bank notes stolen a year ago from Toronto's international airport.

Nine people, including an airline worker, arrested in $14.5 million gold heist

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NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection in Donald Trump ’s hush money case encountered new setbacks Thursday as a previously seated juror was excused after backtracking on whether she felt she could be impartial and fair. The status of a second sworn-in juror was also called into question after he failed to report to court to address the accuracy of some of his previous answers to questions.

The Latest | Seated juror in hush money trial excused as prosecutors ask judge to sanction Trump

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A grand jury on Tuesday indicted Tevin Leach, 30, of Holly Springs, on a charge of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend last month.

Ex-boyfriend indicted on murder of woman in Apex parking lot

Tevin Leach, 30

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

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

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

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A crash has shut down all but one lane of Interstate 540 westbound near Buffaloe Road in Raleigh. Sky 5 is over the scene

Crash shuts down I-540 West near Buffaloe Road in Raleigh; Sky 5 is over the scene

Videos

NCAA athletes will be immediately eligible to play no matter how many times they transfer -- as long as they meet academic requirements -- after the association fast-tracked legislation Wednesday to fall in line with a recent court order.

NCAA allows transfers to be immediately eligible, no matter how many times they've switched schools

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The NHL has set the start times for game 1's across the Eastern Conference. The Canes are the opening act with puck drop Saturday at 5 pm from PNC Arena.

Get ready for 'Saturday Night in Raleighwood' as the NHL sets game 1 start time

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The Carolina Hurricanes are no stranger to playoff hockey. They're in the postseason for the sixth-straight season and are regarded as a Stanley Cup contender.

Chaos-causing Canes start chase for the cup as favorites

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

North Carolina FC advanced to the Round of 32 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win over Carolina Core FC in third-round play Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. 