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.

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

Stores that sell electronics, like Best Buy and Staples, offer convenient and accessible solutions for North Carolina residents looking to responsibly dispose of their electronics.

How to recycle your old electronics: A guide for North Carolina households

Old electronics 

Halifax County sheriff's deputies arrested a convicted sex offender Thursday for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

<b>ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.</b> — Halifax County sheriff's deputies arrested a convicted sex offender Thursday for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Datrick Simmons, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, faces one charge of statutory rape.

He was being held in the Halifax County Jail under a $75,000 bond Friday. His first court date was set for July 15.

According to state Department of Correction records, Simmons has a 10-year-old conviction for taking indecent liberties with a minor in 1997.

Man arrested in statutory rape case

Datrick Simmons - mug shot 6/18/09 - Roanoke Rapids, accused of statutory rape with 14-year-old girl

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

The Durham Association of Educators have planned a rally Thursday night ahead of the school board's meeting about the budget.

Durham educators to rally ahead of school board hearing to review new proposed budget

Durham Public Schools

Make sure you get outside on Thursday! It's going to feel like summer with highs in the upper 80s and lots of sunshine.

Hot, sunny Thursday on tap ahead of Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

Feeling like summer, Thursday, April 18

NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection in Donald Trump ’s hush money trial enters a pivotal phase as the former president returns to court. Attorneys will need to pick 12 more jurors to serve on the panel that will decide the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. commander-in-chief after a previously seated juror was dismissed Thursday morning.

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

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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.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Powerball drawings, as shown live on WRAL.

Powerball Drawing

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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Over the course of her career, Ashley Twichell has pushed through situations that might have otherwise been the end of it, including a recurring shoulder injury and the COVID pandemic.

Triangle-based Olympic swimmer finds new balance while embarking on motherhood journey

Ashley Twichell

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

USA Basketball studied every men's basketball game it has played for about two decades and a clear trend eventually appeared. When the defense isn't good enough, the Americans tend to get themselves into trouble.