ROLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — Powerful tornadoes tore through the Deep South on Friday night, killing at least 23 people in Mississippi, obliterating dozens of buildings and leaving an especially devastating mark in a rural town whose mayor declared, “My city is gone.”

'My city is gone:' Tornado kills 23, injures dozens and levels buildings across rural South

'Take cover now:' Tornado flattens parts of Mississippi, killing 13

An Asheville photographer captured an incredibly rare event Thursday night: The Northern Lights, typically not visible this far south, dazzling in the starry, purple North Carolina skies.

Incredibly rare: Northern Lights visible in North Carolina 

Northern Lights seen as far south as Asheville, NC, an incredibly rare event. Photo credit: Asheville Pictures

The list, circulating among students and parents at York Elementary, includes names and descriptions that range from cute and sweet to lazy and the use of vulgarities, even comments about one student's pimples. 

Wake Co. teacher suspended; burn list circulates with insults about 5th graders

Exceprt from York Elementary burn list

A man is dead after an altercation with Lenoir County Sheriff deputies during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Suspect shot, killed in Kinston after aiming rifle at deputies 

Suspect dies after being shot by two deputies in Lenoir County

Raleigh's flower trail: Your guide to the best blooms, trails and springtime activities in the City of Oaks.

Raleigh's flower trail: Your guide to the best blooms and springtime trails

Raleigh flower trail: Best springtime hikes, trails, parks and activities in Raleigh.

NCAA bracket

College hoops bracket challenge

Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, a Marine based out of Camp Lejeune, died in Afghanistan last week, the Department of Defense said Tuesday.

announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Carpenter, of Columbia, Tenn., died Feb. 19 of wounds received Feb. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Lejeune Marine dies in Afghanistan

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Pet of the Day: March 25, 2023

The National Weather Service issued an alert as the storm was hitting that didn't mince words: "To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW!"

Multiple families are recovering Saturday morning, after an apartment caught fire in Durham overnight Friday.

Durham apartment fire displaces 8 people and 8 dogs 

Durham apartment fire displaces families, kills two dogs 

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

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Videos

NC State guard Jack Clark played one season with the Wolfpack after transferring from LaSalle.

Second NC State men's basketball player to transfer

NC State beats Va. Tech, 97-77

Guard RJ Davis is returning to North Carolina for his fourth season with the Tar Heels. He joins Armando Bacot as starters back for UNC.

UNC's Davis says he'll return for another season with Tar Heels

UNC falls, 68-59, to UVa. at ACC Tournament

With Miami's win over Houston and San Diego State's takedown of Alabama on Friday night, the men's NCAA Tournament will not have a No. 1 seed in the Elite Eight for the first time since seeding began in 1979.

All four No. 1 seeds fall short of Elite Eight in NCAA Tournament for first time as Houston loses 89-75 to Miami

Houston loses 89-75 to Miami. 

Sophomore shortstop Alex Mooney hit the game-winning three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, as Duke downed No. 15 North Carolina, 8-5, to level the series and earn head coach Chris Pollard's 700th career victory.

Duke baseball evens series with UNC, Pollard earns 700th career win

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Isreal Terry helped take the Vance County football program to new heights.  Now he hopes his path can be one others from his hometown can follow.   