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

At 12:45 p.m., the State Highway Patrol reported that a tornado touched down near the Lowes in Garner. Tune into WRAL News Plus for continuous coverage and live updates.

WRAL Weather Alert Day: Tornado touches down in Garner, SHP says

Zuri Dorsey, 2, is believed to be in a red 2016 Honda Accord with NC license tag number RAZ-9972. She may be with 27-year-old Deandre Alante Dorsey. 

Amber Alert: 2-year-old girl in red 2016 Honda Accord headed to NC from Virginia Beach

Our experts on parenting, frugal living and the best that the Triangle has to offer have scoured their sources and shopped the stores (and the internet) for the best suggestions for your holiday giving. No matter the age or interest, you'll find gift ideas here.

WRAL 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

From "Bull Durham" to Academy Award-winning dramas, the state has played host to multiple films based on fact and fiction.

20 famous movies filmed in North Carolina

20 popular movies made in NC

Cary investigators said they believe a cigarette sparked a fire that damaged an apartment building in Cary late Thursday.

CARY — Cary investigators said they believe a cigarette sparked a fire that damaged some condominiums in Cary late Thursday.

No one was injured, but two units in the Wellington Ridge neighborhood off Cary Parkway were heavily damaged.

Firefighters said the blaze started in or near the back patio of a top-floor unit. They said they believe the fire was accidental.

The fire displaced residents in three other units when electricity was cut off.

All residents were staying with family members or friends, authorities said.

Officials: Cigarette Sparked Cary Apartment Fire

A possible tornado touched down in Garner, according to the State Highway Patrol, and there is a tornado watch in effect for most of our viewing area until 8 p.m.

WRAL Weather Alert Day: Several homes severely damaged after possible tornado touchdown in Garner, tornado watch in effect

Tornado risk Sunday

They are believed to be traveling from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to North Carolina in a red 2016 Honda Accord with NC license tag number RAZ-9972.

Amber Alert : 2 year-old Zuri Dorsey missing, last seen in pink and white pajamas

Missing 2-year-old, Zuri Dorsey

Viewers sent us photos of the damage caused by Sunday's storms. Send us your photos at wral.com/report-it.

Photos: Storm damage from Sunday's WRAL Weather Alert Day

Tornado damage

At 6:47 p.m., Goldsboro police were dispatched to the Longhorn Steakhouse at 609 N. Berkeley Blvd. in reference to a shot being fired inside the restaurant.

Man flees after accidentally shooting woman at Longhorn Steakhouse in Goldsboro

Longhorn Steakhouse

General Assembly Republicans forced a pair of contracts on the North Carolina Department Public Instruction. One didn't yield a planned pilot project, then lawmakers added $5 million to the budget. The other worries education experts.

No-bid contracts in state budget reveal divide between lawmakers and education officials

School buses

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

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

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

Representatives from the football teams at Hoggard and Weddington hold a postgame press conference following the NCHSAA 4A football state championship game in Raleigh.

Press Conference: 4A football state championship

Videos

Jared McCain and No. 22 Duke are determined to make the most of a tough start to the season.

McCain scored 14 of his season-high 21 points in the first half, and the Blue Devils got rolling again following two losses and a week layoff, beating Charlotte 80-56 on Saturday.

McCain leads Duke past Charlotte with Diaz in attendance 

Manny Diaz at Duke Charlotte

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Frank Wycheck, who threw the lateral that started the “Music City Miracle” launching the Tennessee Titans' run to the franchise's lone Super Bowl appearance, has died. He was 52.

Frank Wycheck, who threw the lateral in 'Music City Miracle,' dies at age of 52

Obit_Wycheck_01552

The restaurant is located just across the street from the PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium complex.

Hurricanes buying Backyard Bistro, will host team's sportsbook

Backyard Bistro exterior

From teenage coming-of-age dramas to a reality show about a Wendell towing company, the state is home to some long-running television series.

Longest-running TV shows featuring NC

Exchange Remembering Dawson

NC State LB Payton Wilson wins the Chuck Bednarik award as the nation's top defensive player.  The award was presented live on ESPN.  

NC State's Payton Wilson wins the Chuck Bednarik award as nation's best defensive player

Payton Wilson (11)  and Aydan White (3) celebrate after a big play on defense. No. 14 NC State held on to beat Florida State by a score of 19-17 in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 8, 2022. (Jerome Carpenter/WRAL Contributor)