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

John Stark guides his boat for a fishing trip at sunrise in Everglades City, Fla., Sept. 11, 2018. Stark has spent more than 15 years as a fishing guide, the first half of them difficult beyond comprehension: learning the water and the seasons and the business against the backdrop of a recession that hit hard. “Curiosity is the secret,” he said. “The desire to figure it out.” (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times)

24 Hours in America: Part 1