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Tonight at 6: It's blamed for more crashes among NC teens than speed and alcohol combined. WRAL Investigates distracted teen driving.

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All assets associated with the tag: Ken Smith

Ken Smith Coverage

The singer/songwriter from the legendary R&B group "X-scape" will be center stage at Fayetteville State University for a free event on Wednesday. Ahead of the event she spoke to WRAL's Ken Smith about her career and her new movie, which debuts on BET+.

Yeah, the night. Can't no drama come away the night. And multi talented Tamika Scott is in the triangle for an evening of music and mentorship. The singer songwriter from the legendary R and B group escape will be set a stage at Fayetteville State University tonight for a free event. And we're so happy that she's here in the WRL studios to talk about her amazing career and her opportunity to empower and inspire young men and women. Thank you so much for being here. Yes. Thank you for having me. So you were invited specific by FSU Vice Chancellor, Doctor Rodger Heath and the owner of celebrity movie screenings and more Demetris long because you have a, an infinity for young people. Why was it so important for you to accept this invitation from FSU? It was very important for me. Like I, I love our kids, you know, the Children, they're definitely the future and I love to be able to sit and talk to them to encourage them on whatever path in life they wanna take. I just wanna let them know that they have someone to have their back and they have that belief in them. And that is so good. So tonight's event will include a Q and A session and the performances tell us what you can expect. I'm so excited. Like I, I told you earlier when we spoke, I had a chance to meet some of the students when I tell you talented, like one, I was talking in the back and I heard a young lady singing. I wish I knew her name. I stopped talking and I was like, excuse me, and I walked out to where she was and, and I was just in awe at someone that age with, with a beautiful voice. And then from there, another young lady got up and sung and another young lady. So I was just sitting there and I was like, wow, I remember being this age and not really having someone to sit down with me and say, look, you can do this, you know, no matter what your background is, no matter what you, you, you look like or you have the potential, you have the gift to go forward and I wanna let them kids know that they have everything they need to go forward and from your, you can do that. You can absolutely do. So from the stage to the small screen you're starring in a holiday movie with Kelly Price. Be debuting tomorrow on Bet. Plus, so tell us about the character you're playing. Oh my goodness. She, she's a piece of work. She is a piece of work. It was hard to get into character, but it was fun playing the opposite role of who I am in real life. So when you take her on, did you even see any of yourself in there? No, not at all. But I know a couple of people in the industry that I channeled through and I was like, I know this person would do it like this because they crazy. So they helped me do the role really, really good. So when you were thinking about your own journey and you see the faces and you hear the talent, how meaningful is it for you to be able to just encourage them? It's very meaningful because encouragement is everything. Sometimes all it takes is that one person to believe in you, that one person to say you can do it, that one, that smile, that, that belief, that face, just that one person and then you'll be like, you know what she said, I can do it and I believe her and I'm gonna go and I'm gonna do it. What are you hoping tonight with this free event that that young men and women hearing your voice, hearing your experiences? What are you hoping they will take away from that? Um I want them to take away that, you know, nothing is given to you free. You have to work hard and whatever it is that you wanna do in life. But if you just be consistent, you will be successful in whatever area it is that you wanna be successful in. You say 30 years in this business. When you hear yourself say that. What goes with you? Oh my gosh. 00 you with 21. 0, thank you. You're so kind longevity. You know, just think about all the hard work, um the sacrifices that we had to take, you know, the birthdays that we missed the graduations and parties. But it was all worth it because we're leaving a legacy for our family. So a lot of people who listen to this interview could be wondering, you know, I'm a fan of escapes. So, what's on the horizon? Oh my. It is a lot. Well, we have a show coming the first of December. No, the third of December. I'll be getting my dates mixed up the third of December in Miami and Miami, Florida and then the ninth in Columbus, Ohio. What's it like for you on stage when you look out of that audience? Because I'm always intrigued when I talk to entertainers because when working in television, we're looking at the screen, but you're actually in a live setting. What I like to be on stage and getting up, let me tell you, I'm not gonna lie. I get nervous, you know. Yes. When we walking up the stage, the side of the stage and we're in arenas. So we're talking about thousands and thousands of of screaming fans and the only thing that's going in my head is like, I gotta, I gotta hit this note, I gotta remember this dance routine and I gotta connect with the audience and I don't wanna mess up so my heart be beating so you can hear your heart beat through the noise. But as soon as the music come on and as soon as I walk out on that stage and I see the faces of those that sing our songs, it gives me the confidence to be like, ok, girl, you got this. What still gives you hope today when you continue working in this business, just a smile, you know, the smile of people faces and a and a lot of people come and say, you know what you encouraged me, I was going through something and I remember this song understanding that encouraged me or, or living in vain, encouraged me. And I thank you for that encouragement and that does so much to me to be able to help somebody that is why I am here on this earth. Yeah. Thank you so much for what you're doing for young men and women, for inspiring them for what you're gonna be doing tonight. Mary Calendar tonight. Uh Tamika will be at Fayetteville State University. She'll be appearing in the Seabrook Auditorium and remember this event starts at five and it's free and open to the public. It's such a pleasure and an honor. To meet you. You too. Thank you all the best. Thank you.

Tamika Scott will be live at FSU tonight for an evening of music and mentorship

WRAL anchor and reporter Ken Smith shares what it is like having three children under the age of two!

Ken Smith: With 3 kids under 2 means lots of doting, devotion and diapers

Ken Smith's adorable daughter

Ken Smith and his wife Amanda welcomed twin girls on Nov. 30, 2022! Leah Marie and Louisa Marion, named after their grandmothers, entered the world one minute apart. Amanda is doing great, and 1-year-old Frankie is going to make a great big brother. 

RALEIGH. ANOTHER UPDATE ABOUT 10 MINUTES JUST. O'BRIEN. WE'RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE THIS EXCITING BREAKING NEWS TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS MORNING. KEN SMITH AND HIS WIFE AMANDA WELCOME. THEIR TWIN GIRLS. THEY ENTERED THE WORLD YESTERDAY. A MINUTE APART. FIRST CAME, LEAH MARIE AT 7 POUNDS, ONE OUNCE. >> AND LOUISA MARION WEIGHING 7 POUNDS. 6 OUNCES FOLLOWED AFTER CAN SAYS LEAH AND LOUISE ARE NAMED AFTER THEIR GRANDMOTHERS. KEN'S GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT, GREAT GRANDMOTHER. >> AMANDA IS DOING GREAT. AND FRANKIE IS GOING TO MAKE A GREAT BIG BROTHER. KEN IS OVER THE MOON AND SO ARE WE SO PRECIOUS AND WE'RE SO HAPPY FOR THE SMITH FAMILY. I LOVE THE HISTORY ATTESTS TO THE NAMES AND 3 UNDER 3 HOUSEHOLD. I MEAN, IT WAS ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THAT FRANKIE WAS BORN, HE WAS 11 POUNDS. IF YOU REMEMBER AND THESE 2 BABIES, MORE THAN 7 POUNDS, 8. AMANDA, YOU'RE A ROCK THEY ARE PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL. AND WE LOVE JUST. >> TALKING ABOUT AND SEEING THEM HERE. NOW. IT'S FANTASTIC

Ken Smith and wife Amanda welcome twin baby girls 💗

Come this November, the Smith family will have three young children in their family! 

HOLLYWOOD. I'M RICK DAMIGELLA. &gt;&gt; THOSE LOOK LIKE MOVING TO WHAT I MEAN. WE'VE GOT A ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL THE SMITH FAMILY IS COMING UP LET'S SAY LATE AND AND I WILL BE WELCOMING TWINS. IT WAS HER LITTLE FRANKIE WILL HAVE TO NOT SHARE THE RIGHT NOW. BUT &gt;&gt; COMING UP, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT WITH. &gt;&gt; 2 SIBLINGS. YEAH, OKAY. SO LET'S BREAK IT DOWN. FIRST OF ALL, KEN AND ARE HAVING A BABY. HAHA IN THE YOU KNOW, IT MAY ALTER SOUND. YOU FIND OUT THAT THEIR TWINS, WHAT IS THE REACTION THAT SHE COMES OUT WITH THIS WHITE SMALLER? OF COURSE SHE'S EXCITED. THE DOES. HE'S CARRYING TWINS AND I KEPT LOOKING AT HER GOING, WHICH HE TOLD ME HE SAID. &gt;&gt; I HAVE NO WORDS AND ALL DAY LONG. I KEPT LOOKING AT EVERY 5 MINUTES GOING. I HAVE NO WORDS. I HAVE NO WORDS. BUT WE'RE BOTH PETRIFIED AND EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME. SO THIS AND I GUESS A COUPLE MONTHS YOU WILL HAVE 3 KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF A 3 CAR SEATS, 2 IN THE SECOND FRANK WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE 3RD ROW. HAHA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING PRAYERS. POLICE REPORT. &gt;&gt; WE WILL NEED ALL

WRAL's Ken Smith is expecting -- twins! 

WRAL anchor Ken Smith talks with WRAL Lifestyle Editor Kathy Hanrahan about life with newborn baby Franklin.

it's ken smith. It looks like we're both like, like hiding and like caves were like, ken storm here, ken smith. Why do we never call each other just by our first names. I don't know because every time I say, I said Kathy, hammer hand, I never said Kathy and I never say ken, it's always ken smith's ken smith. So ken smith, super dad, are you sleeping? Can we just have to ask you, are you sleeping at all? What is that sleep you speak of? There's no such thing with a newborn as you well know. Um it's the thing is when, when Amanda was pregnant, um you know, new moms and other moms would tell us and dad will tell us, look, you're not gonna get any sleep. And we thought, oh yeah, okay. But until you're in the trenches, not getting any sleep, you don't really understand what that means. And you always think, am I going to be able to do this? But your body just adjust When you see that beautiful little baby, your body just adjust And he's beautiful. I mean, he is so cute. He was a very, a bigger baby than he expected. I mean, he was a large, large baby. He was 11 lb 23" when he was born. My wife is my hero. Yeah, I know, I was going to say like shout out to her because that is not a pleasant. It's a lot to carry around. I mean, she was carrying around, you know him for so long and I mean, he's so, he's adorable. I love the video. you're posting um he's a bigger kid though. So like he's falling on the sizing, we're clothing and stuff, so it's not like he's in like the little tiny clothes. Exactly. We had no use for newborns or 0 to 3 months clothes. And even now he's in uh he's wearing six months easily easily and he's only a little over six weeks old. So the good thing about him being a big baby is that he started sleeping longer sooner. So that made a huge difference, especially for Amanda because she's the one mainly who has to get up in the middle of the night because she's breastfeeding. So that's very important to her. So she's the one who has to get up in the middle of the night, especially when I have an early morning call. So it's him being a bigger baby actually really helped a lot. I think it does sometimes. I mean I have to say my first child did not sleep ever. Like he only slept on you. Like you would have to have him on your shoulder. He had reflux. He had to be an angle. He never slept the rock and play was the only thing he slept in. And then of course with everything with that thing. So I ended up not having a rock and play second time around. So Hayden, I was like, I had her in a bassinet, she was fine, but she managed to roll herself over like the first day, first day of her life. She kept rolling herself over. And I was like what are you doing? I'm up all night looking to make sure she's not on her face. So the minute we got her in her crib she sleeps like an angel all night, you can put her in at eight p.m. She didn't get up to eight a.m. She's a gem. She's she's two years two years old. But we're in like three t like some of the clothes are three teen and the diapers are three t, you know because she's a little bit taller and you know bigger. She's like £30 and I'm like oh it's heavy to carry around at this age. It's like I feel like you, I mean you've done this before, but it's a really long time ago. How old is your other son? My oldest son is 34, 83. Yeah, so it's been a long time. So you know when people say I've done this before, yes, but it's been so long, it's all very new to me and in that regard as a mature dad, I have such a deeper appreciation for this opportunity to be franklin's dad and to see him five from the, from the minute he came out into this world until uh now and to watch him grow up. I am so excited about that opportunity, I can't even tell you what are you noticing? What are some of the things like picking up on that he's doing that. You're like, oh because this is a great six weeks. I mean he's traveling and babbling and when he shoots you a smile, it absolutely melts your heart. And he's doing that more often. And interestingly enough when we had our Or a two week appointment or one month appointment, um the doctors told us, well, you know, he's gonna, you're gonna be seeing some changes moving forward from now on. He's gonna be smiling is gonna be a lot more engaging. And I had no idea how much I look forward to those changes because the first time I saw him smile, I was just like, oh my God, he's smiling at me and the little giggles. Oh, cute little baby. The little tiny baby things. The little young baby. Exactly. And the other day I posted a video of him quote unquote having baby talk with me and it was just hard warming. It was so cute. Now tell me about some of the odd things that are happening. Is has there been any poop explosions? Have you had a post explosion yet? Are you kidding me? Sometimes by poop and pee sit up. Have you had the trifecta where it's been split up two and one day where it's been all three of those things. No, it's fortunately all, all of it is separately. So we we've had, we've had the blowout to the point where we, we had, we had to take apart his car seat because it got on the, so we had to take it all out, wash it, put it back together. Uh, when you realize how important washable car seat stuff is, that's when you're like, that's when, you know, and, and then the other day when you're changing it particularly with boys, uh, you know, you gotta, you gotta be quick, you gotta be quick on the draw, get that dr off, get the other one hun immediately because you never know, you're going to get my son peed on the dog. Like once, like he was on the table, just got the dog right on her head and it was just like you, it happens, it happens. And then they spit up. I'm sure your wife has probably had the days where it's been everything and she's just been like, that's it. I have no more like shirts to switch to because it's like, what are you gonna do? And I, I told me that that you can always tell a new mom or new dad, just look at the top of their shirt, just look at it, you can see the spots. Yeah, yeah, that's a new mom. That's a new dad. Absolutely

Ken Smith talks diaper blowouts, baby smiles

Franklin 

In July, WRAL anchor Ken Smith and his wife, Amanda, welcomed an 11-pound little baby boy named Franklin!

Ken Smith is enjoying fatherhood the second time around

 WRAL anchor Ken Smith and Frankie

We're all on baby watch: We're going to miss seeing Ken Smith around the newsroom and on air for a bit but we can't wait to meet Baby Smith! 

SOCCER TOURNAMENTS AND WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR USE. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU COULD SHARE SOMETHING THAT KEN SMITH IS ON HIS LAST NEWSCAST BEFORE PATERNITY LEAVE. &gt;&gt; AMANDA IS DOING WELL AND BABY SMITH IS TAKING HIS TIME BUT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING THE LITTLE GUY. &gt;&gt; WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU, LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF THE TWO OF YOU. THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH EXCITEMENT, WE ARE A WEEK PAST THE DUE DATE. &gt;&gt; YOU A WEEK PASS. PEOPLE ARE ASKING, WHAT IS NEXT? WE'VE GOT ABOUT FIVE NAMES AND BY THE TIME WE MEET HIM WE WILL HAVE FIGURED IT OUT. &gt;&gt; WE ARE SO HAPPY, WE WILL MISS YOU BUT THE FAMILY IS GROWING SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND AMANDA. &gt;&gt;&gt; THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, HE WILL BE BACK SOON.

Baby watch: Ken Smith's last newscast before paternity leave

Ken Smith and wife Amanda on 'baby watch'

WRAL anchor Ken Smith recalls the "emotionally crushing" experience of being called a racial slur by a child. 

I remember the first time I was called the N. Word to my face. Just moved to Tampa florida from the Virgin Islands, this wide eyed kid looking for new opportunities. We were the only black family in this little enclave uh just outside Brandon florida. And I just bought my new car and I was outside washing the car at the time And across the way there was a woman um surrounded by maybe three or 4 Children. And then a little boy started walking toward me. Can't be no more than six years old. Just walking towards me with the sweetest smile on his face. And I thought I was living in a really friendly neighborhood. And as soon as he got up close I looked and I smiled at him and he looked at me with that sweet smile and called me the N. Word. And I remember how emotionally crushing that was for me. I remember feeling the weight of of that moment a six year old calling me the N. Word And at the time I was 18 years old and I still remember the weight of being called the N. Word. And as I look back on it now, it's not so much that the weight of it because we can carry that weight. It's because I realized that This was a six year old kid, A six year old kid being told to walk across the street and call that little black boy the inward and I thought, have we lost another generation to racism?

Ken Smith: I remember the first time I was called the 'N' word to my face

Ken Smith

Watch as WRAL's Ken Smith learns the gender of his baby while his wife, Amanda, joins in on a video call from home. 

OF MY FAMILY. >>> CHECK IT OUT, AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE A SPECIAL REVEAL TODAY. >> WE WILL SEE OF KEN AND AMANDA WILL HAVE A BOY OR GIRL AND BEFORE HE DOES THE HONORS WITH THE BASKET WE ARE NOW JOINED BY HIS WIFE, AMANDA. HELLO AMANDA.>> HI GUYS. >> HOW ARE YOU FEELING?>> THANK YOU. I FEEL GREAT BUT THEN AS SOON AS I SAID I HAVE ONE OR TWO ROUGH DAYS BUT OVERALL I FELT REALLY GOOD.>> WELL SWEETIE, YOU PACKED THE BASKET SO HERE IS THE REVEAL. OF COURSE SHE WOULD PUT A PINK RIBBON AND A BLUE RIBBON. AND HERE WE GO. >> TURN IT AROUND. >> OH MY GOSH, WE ARE HAVING A BABY BOY! >> I'M SORRY GUYS. >> I AM SO EXCITED BY THIS. A BABY BOY. >> HOW ARE YOU FEELING? >> MY AMAZING SON IS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING BIG BROTHER. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED MORE CHILDREN AND THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME. I PROMISED I WOULDN'T CRY WHAT

Congrats Ken and Amanda! Watch their surprise gender reveal

Congrats Ken and Amanda! Watch their live gender reveal

This on the Out and About Podcast, Ken Smith talks about his love of the N.C. State fair, musical theatre and a lot more!

WRAL's Ken Smith reflects on years of NYE coverage, morning role

Happy Birthday Ken Smith!

 The new lineup showcases familiar, trusted journalists producing 11 hours of local news each weekday in the Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville TV market.

&gt;&gt; I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. I AM SO HAPPY FOR THAT! [ LAUGHING ] &gt;&gt;&gt; MORE EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE . LENA TILLETT WILL SLIDE INTO KATHRYN'S ROLE IN SEPTEMBER. SHE WILL SLIDE IN FOR THE 4:00,

WRAL News announces anchor team changes

WRAL announces anchor team changes

Watch as the WRAL Morning Team wishes anchor Ken Smith a happy birthday.
