50 NC counties and 1 VA county are under alert, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties.

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

Women and girls from across the state competed to become Miss North Carolina 2008 and Miss N.C.'s 2008 Outstanding Teen at a competition in Raleigh in late June.

<p>Women and girls from across the state competed to become Miss North Carolina 2008 and Miss N.C.'s 2008 Outstanding Teen at a competition in Raleigh in late June.</p>

2008 Miss North Carolina and Outstanding Teen pageant

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Jessica Jacobs, Miss North Carolina 2007

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Miss N.C. Teen 4

Miss N.C. Teen 6

Miss N.C. Teen 7

Miss N.C. Teen 3

Miss N.C. Teen 5

Miss N.C. Teen 2

Miss N.C. Teen 8

Miss N.C. Teen 9

Miss N.C. Teen 10