Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

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: Martin County

Martin County Coverage

A Martin County deputy and a state trooper performed CPR on a baby they helped deliver on Sunday morning.

Deputy, state trooper deliver baby alongside of NC highway

Police car, blue lights, at night

The only hospital in Martin County closed suddenly this week - a move thats causing concern across eastern North Carolina.

BECAUSE OF THE GLITCH YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THEIR LOCAL BRANCH OR CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE ONLY HOSPITAL IN MARTIN COUNTY CLOSED SUDDENLY THIS WEEK, A MOVE THAT'S CAUSING CONCERN ACROSS EAST OR NORTH CAROLINA. >> IT'S THE LATEST AND LARGEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO SHUT DOWN IN THE AREA THIS YEAR. WRAL'S KEENAN, WILLARD SHOWS US HOW LOCAL LEADERS ARE FIGHTING TO BRING BACK ACCESS TO LIFESAVING CARE. >> THE SIGN IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING IS TOPPED OVER A NEW MESSAGE BLOCKS OFF THE PARKING LOT. MARTIN GENERAL HOSPITAL AND THE ER IS CLOSED. IT IS DEVASTATING FOR A SMALL RURAL COUNTIES SUCH AS MARTIN COUNTY AND THE CITIZENS. COUNTY LEADERS SAY THE HOSPITAL'S OWNER GAVE NOTICE YESTERDAY FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY AND SHUTTING DOWN THE COUNTY'S ONLY HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY CAME AFTER YEARS OF QUORUM, HEALTH CUTTING SERVICES LIKE THE ICU AND WOMEN'S HEALTH DUE TO COST CONCERNS. THIS WAS THRUST UPON US. WE HAD A CONTRACT WITH 30 YEARS. IT'S THE SECOND HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO CLOSE IN THE COUNTY AND 8 MONTHS IN JANUARY, ECU HEALTH SHUT DOWN 5 CLINICS ACROSS EAST OR NORTH CAROLINA. ALSO CITING A NEED TO CUT COSTS. YES, WELL, IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, THE ONLY THING WE HAVE THE ARCTIC AIR OUT MY WALL. MORE RONNIE MODELING IS A MEMBER OF A VETERANS GROUP IN WILLIAMSTON. MEMBERS HAVE SPENT YEARS HAVING TO TRAVEL TO GREENVILLE OR EVEN DURHAM FOR CARE AT THE NEAREST VA HOSPITALS. HE SAYS WITHOUT MORE GENERAL OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY NOW FACE THE SAME CHALLENGES. SAID DHABI'S. CANCER ISSUES, HEART ISSUES. ECU HEALTH MAINTAINS HOSPITALS IN NEIGHBORING PIT IN BEAUFORT COUNTIES. BUT MORTON LEADERS SAY THE COUNTY NEEDS ITS OWN EMERGENCY ROOM TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE. IT TAKES ONLY A A 2 OR 3 MINUTES BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. AND THAT'S GOING TO GET THAT STUFF CAN IN WILLARD WRAL NEWS, MARTIN COUNTY. >> COUNTY LEADERS SAY THEY'RE HOPING TO REACH A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO REOPEN THE ER AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK. THIS IS THE 12, THE RURAL HOSPITAL TO CLOSE IN NORTH CAROLINA SINCE 2005 RESEARCHERS AT UNC CHAPEL HILL SAY HOSPITAL CLOSURES HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE NATIONALLY SINCE

Local leaders consider next steps after hospital closed 

People in Martin County, North Carolina found a good hill to go sledding down after an overnight snowfall.

<p>better watch out. This is a spot to be were ah, family out here. We all have a good time. And with Kobe going on, this is, you know, social distancing. But you can also have a good time. Better watch out.</p>

Snow creates prime opportunity for sledding in Martin County 

Martin County residents spend snow day sledding 

He's a highly talented African-American artist from a tiny town in Martin County who says art helped save his life. Mike Bennett often paints portraits; his subjects are usually people he meets by accident.

SEPTEMBER 30 TO SUBMIT THEIR INFORMATION TO THE ERRORS USING THE NON-FILER TOOL. YOU CAN FIND IT AT IRS.GOV. PEOPLE ELIGIBLE INCLUDE THOSE WHO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND VETERANS. >>>  THERE IS THIS ARTIST OF IMMENSE TALENT AND TONIGHT WE FIND THE TAR HEEL TRAVELER IN MARTIN COUNTY PROFILING MIKE BENNETT. 12 AND A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU PAINT YOU JUST MEET AT RANDOM ? >> PRETTY MUCH. >> Reporter: THE GIRL FROM THE DOLLAR STORE OR THE ANTIQUE STORE. HE WENT TO THE STORE TO BUY THE FRAME AND ALSO FOUND HIS SUBJECT. >> I LOVE PEOPLE. >> Reporter: AND LOVE THE LANDSCAPE. I CAME TO THE INTERSECTION AND THAT IS WHAT I SAW . I SAID THAT IS BEAUTIFUL. >> Reporter: BEEN BEAUTIFUL FROM THE ACCIDENTAL BUT ART WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT FOR MIKE BENNETT. >> I SAID I WANT TO BE AN ARTIST. >> Reporter: HIS STUDIO IS NOT FAR FROM POLK CITY WHERE HE IS PAINTED . >> I WAS HONORED TO DO IT BECAUSE I WENT TO SCHOOL IN OAK CITY. >> I LOVE REDHEADS BECAUSE I LOVE THAT HAIRCOLOR. I JUST PUT MY HEART INTO WHAT I AM DOING. THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CANNOT DO IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT. >> Reporter: HAVE YOU HIT BOTTOM? >> YES. LOST HOMES, MARRIAGES, BATTLING WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL FOR YEARS BUT THE LORD HAS DELIVERED ME FROM THAT. IT TOOK A LOT . WHEN HE GAVE ME THE ABILITY TO PAINT, THAT IS WHAT KEPT ME SOBER. I PAINTED THIS PICTURE. I WANT TO SEE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. THAT IS WHY I DID THAT. 211 THE WOMEN IN THE CAR. >> SHE SAT IN THE CAR AND I KNEW IT WAS A GOOD PORTRAIT. >> TO ME I SEE INNOCENCE AND REFLECTIVENESS. >> YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD PERSON TO YOURSELF TO BE GOOD TO OTHERS. I AM 62 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS MY LAST GO AROUND. I'M EXCITED WHATEVER I'M GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE I HAVE GOT TO DO IT NOW. GOD HAS BEEN GOOD IN MY LIFE. JUST TO BE FREE AND WORK NOW.

Martin County Coverage

Deputy, state trooper deliver baby alongside of NC highway

Local leaders consider next steps after hospital closed

Snow creates prime opportunity for sledding in Martin County

Talented Martin County artist lives in many ways through his work