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

Compared to pre-pandemic prices, ground beef is up 35%, chips are up 45%, bread is up 57% and a 12-ounce can of soda is up 66%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks trends on common grocery store items.

WRAL Investigates: 'Greedflation' and other drivers behind inflation at the grocery store

A look at inflation at the grocery store

All assets associated with the tag: Les Merritt

Les Merritt Coverage

The Department of Health and Human Services is a large, hard-to-manage agency in the best of times, but has been particularly problematic for Gov. Pat McCrory. This is a running list of the stories emanating from the largest department directly controlled by the first term Republican. 

DHHS faces string of problems, PR missteps

Department of Health and Human Services, DHHS generic

Les Merritt, a former state auditor, says he will step down from the North Carolina State Ethics Commission on Friday after WRAL News raised questions about whether his service as a DHHS contractor creates a conflict with his duties as a government watchdog.

Les Merritt Coverage

DHHS faces string of problems, PR missteps

Merritt roles on ethics commission, work for DHHS conflict