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

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 2,000 members who shared their experiences with pet insurance.

Is pet insurance worth the bark? Survey reveals middling results

Pet insurance

<b>LILLINGTON, N.C.</b> — A Lillington man accused of 27 counts of animal cruelty will spend 10 days in jail.

Marcus McNeill pleaded no contest to 26 of the charges. In addition to the jail time, he is never allowed to breed or own any animal again.

Animal control officers say they found 12 Pitbulls and a Belgian Malinois at McNeill's home in April. All were underweight, malnourished, scarred and had to be euthanized.

Lillington Man Faces Jail Time On Animal Cruelty Charges

An NC State student is out $41,000 after university police say he fell victim to a global dating agency scam.

Dating agency scam costs NC State student $41,000

Talking Tech: Tinder app offers coronavirus safety reminders

There are more active drug shortages in the United States than ever, according to data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service. Parents in North Carolina are feeling the strain of the shortage especially for ADHD medication

NC parents struggling to find ADHD medication as drug shortages reach record high in US

Generic photo of medicine 

We have a summer-like day on tap Thursday, but it will be short lived as we have a Level 1 risk for storms on Friday.

Summer-like day on Thursday, Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

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

Transfer_Rule_Lawsuit_40318

Economists for the General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper's state budget office now predict collections will exceed revenue budgeted for the year ending June 30 by $413 million, or a 1.2% increase. And state coffers will bring in $1 billion more in the fiscal year starting July 1 than what was anticipated, or a 3% increase.

North Carolina sees slight surplus this year, $1B more next year

North Carolina Legislative building off Salisbury Street. Photo taken May 22, 2021. 

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

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

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

Bruins_Hurricanes_Hockey_24349

The NBA has banned Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter from the league after an investigation found that the 24-year-old had violated betting rules, the league said.

NBA bans Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter for violating league's gambling rules

Jontay Porter

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.

USA Basketball announces its men's team for the Paris Olympics

Pelicans_Warriors_Basketball_28998

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.