A local serial rapist evaded police for more than a decade. What WRAL uncovered after digging through court files and why leaders say it took so long to finally track him down.

On WRAL at 6: Serial rapist evades police for more than a decade. What WRAL uncovered and why it took police so long to track him down

Medicaid expansion means North Carolina's working poor can go to the doctor for free. It also means billions in new federal funding for hospitals.

After 14 years, billions to flow as 600,000 qualify for Medicaid insurance in NC

More than half a million North Carolinians now qualify for Medicaid 

Medicaid expansion takes effect Dec. 1 in North Carolina, and 5 On Your Side is helping answer your questions about the change. 

Call Dec. 5 to get answers about Medicaid in NC

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina will begin Dec. 1, 2023

<b>PERSON COUNTY, N.C.</b> — An animal control officer who claimed a man set her up and intentionally let a pit bull attack her told investigators she made up the story.

Investigators said they do not know why Person County Animal Control Officer Patsy Bryant lied to them about being attacked by a dog. Authorities said they heard the truth after questioning Bryant.

"It just didn't add up. When they did a third or fourth interview with her, she said the dog did not attack her," Person County Sheriff Dennis Oakley said.

Bryant originally told investigators that she received a call about an injured dog on  Hassel Horton Road in Person County. She claimed when she arrived, two masked men forced a dog to attack her. Authorities found she was not being truthful.

Right now, the Person County District Attorney has not filed charges against Bryant.

Authorities had arrested Michael Dowdell in connection with the incident, but he was recently released from jail. But they investigators said Bryant could have crucial information about Dowdell's alleged dogfighting.

If Bryant is charged, it would only be a misdemeanor. She has resigned from Person County Animal Control.

Paul LaGrone

David McCorkle

Kamal Wallace

Animal Control Officer Admits Making Up Story Of Alleged Dog Attack

A U.S. Navy destroyer shot down three drones during a sustained attack in the Red Sea Sunday, the Pentagon said, in what could signal another escalation in the tit-for-tat attacks between the U.S. military and Iranian-backed militants.

U.S. navy destroyer shoots down 3 drones in Red Sea, Pentagon says

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The intersection of North Carver Street and Pender Street is currently closed while the crash is being investigated.

RPD cruiser flips over after crash near New Bern Ave.

RPD cruiser flips after crashing near New Bern Ave.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel hasn't said if he'll run for reelection in the new 13th Congressional District. His district was a tossup in 2022, but state GOP lawmakers redrew it far from his home to heavily favor a Republican candidate in 2024 and beyond.

GOP hopefuls eye redrawn Triangle-area U.S. House seat as 2024 filing opens

Federal Court Moves to Drastically Weaken Voting Rights Act

Monday will be sunny and mild with temperatures climbing into the 60s by the afternoon.

Roller coaster temps this week, rain chances continue throughout week

Rain chances Monday

HAILEY, Idaho (AP) — Paul Rytting listened as a woman, voice quavering, told him her story.

Recordings show how the Mormon church protects itself from child sex abuse claims

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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

All eight state finalists are at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for a press conference ahead of the N.C. High School Athletic Association football state championships this weekend.

NCHSAA football state championship press conference

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

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

Powerball Drawing

Videos

With the College Football Playoff set and ready to roll with absolutely zero controversy of any kind, bowl matchups are slowly announced over the course of Sunday afternoon. Check back here for the updates on which games the Triangle teams will be playing in and who they will matchup against in the final games of their season.

Here's where NC State, North Carolina and Duke will play this bowl season

Dave Doeren and Payton Wilson

The Soccer Tournament, or TST, will once again take place at WakeMed Soccer Park from June 5-10.



The Soccer Tournament returning to Cary, adding $1M women's tournament

The Soccer Tournament in Cary at the WakeMed Soccer Park  

The commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference got it all wrong when he sent out a defiant statement Sunday claiming “college football deserved better.”

Column: College football delivers the perfect fiasco to cap the four-team playoff era

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UConn dropped to 17th in The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll Monday, its worst ranking in 30 years.

NC State climbs to No. 3 in women's AP Top 25

Prime Time with the Pack tonight 

Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama were selected to the College Football Playoff and Florida State became the first unbeaten Power Five conference champion to be excluded from the four-team field in its 10-year history. Michigan will face Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington will play Texas in the Sugar Bowl in the Jan. 1 semifinals.