76 NC counties are under alert, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties.

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The state Department of Insurance has charged a Moore County insurance agent with stealing from clients, authorities said Wednesday.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — The state Department of Insurance has charged a Moore County insurance agent with stealing from clients, authorities said Wednesday.

Jennifer Hughes Puckett, 30, of 163 Woodside Drive in Rockingham, was charged with 10 counts of embezzlement. She was being held Wednesday in the Moore County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Puckett was the owner of Abbott Insurance Group in West End until she closed the agency in February, officials said.

DOI investigators said she pocketed about $9,000 in premiums for fake insurance policies between Oct. 1, 2007, and Feb. 1 of this year. Investigators have identified 14 victims so far.

Moore County insurance agent charged with embezzlement

Monday is the first official day of spring, but the winter chill will hang on for at least one more night.


Another freeze warning coming tonight; 80s on tap later this week 

Freeze warning Tuesday morning

A Durham County restaurant owner has pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of one of his underage employees.

Rougemont restaurant owner a 'monster' says mother of teen employee he raped

Tamer El-Tanany

Nash County leaders are responding to a critical state report into the Nash County Department of Social Services. 

'At least they are being given an option.' Nash County commissioner calls for resignation of Nash DSS leadership after scathing report

State to investigate how Nash County Social Services handled abuse case of 8-year-old girl

Cary police are investigating two crime scenes on a single property that raised plenty of questions Monday - for neighbors and for law enforcement officers.

No IDs at disturbing double crime scene in Cary; body in fire pit, man who shot himself

Cary fire fighters find person shot while responding to trash fire

With over 37,000 children in Wake County struggling with food insecurity, Wake County Commissioners voted unanimously to add millions to various strategies to help 

Wake County Commissioners approve updated Food Security Plan

Wake County Justice Center

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.

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"This is a stain on Nash County," said commissioner Glen Wilkins, who confirmed that a fired Nash DSS employee was involved in handling Christal Lane's case.

Nash County leaders meet after explosive state report comes out

Tamer El-Tanany, owner of Roma Pizza in Rougemont, will spend at least 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to numerous charges that changed the course of one girl's life in March 2022.

Durham County restaurant owner pleads guilty to 2022 rape of teen employee

Videos

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Miami Beach officials imposed a curfew beginning Sunday night during spring break after two fatal shootings and rowdy, chaotic crowds that police have had difficulty controlling.

Miami Beach sets spring break curfew after 2 fatal shootings

Miami_Beach_Spring_Break_Curfew_42421

Through a brutal mix of traditional and cyber-crime, a Raleigh woman lost every penny in her bank account. When she went to her bank for help, she says she was met with resistance until she contacted WRAL 5 On Your Side.

Stymied by bank customer service, woman turns to 5 On Your Side to get money back after ID theft

On WRAL at 6: Raleigh woman has bank accounts drained after car break-in

The fact that it took 30 years to arrest someone for the rape of a 73-year-old woman is another example, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman says, that test delays for rape kits are "unacceptable."

Wake DA: Wait times to test rape kits 'unacceptable;' suspect in 1990 rape arrested Saturday

Deandre Marcel Smith

The cyclists rode from West Morgan Street to city hall in Durham to advocate change in programs meant to keep cyclists safe on the road.

Bikers ride to city hall in Durham to demand safer roadways for cyclists

Durham cyclists bike to city hall to demand change

BERLIN (AP) — Humanity still has a chance, close to the last, to prevent the worst of climate change's future harms, a top United Nations panel of scientists said Monday.