5 On Your Side exposes the areas most vulnerable to porch pirates and reveals valuable tips to keep your packages safe.

On WRAL at 6: Protection from porch pirates! 5 on Your Side shows the areas thieves are hitting hardest.

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

<b>HOPE MILLS, N.C.</b> — Hope Mills residents are actually looking forward to some roadwork.

Crews plan to start rebuilding Lakeview Road as early as next week.

The road washed out when heavy rains overpowered the Hope Mills Lake dam Memorial Day weekend two years ago.

The town hopes to rebuild the lake one day.

Federal and state lawmakers promise to pick up most of the tab.

Hope Mills Road Destroyed By Dam Burst Set To Be Rebuilt

The man suspected of fatally shooting three people previously worked at East Carolina University.

UNLV shooting suspect previously worked at ECU

Gunman dead in UNLV shooting

The 1,500-acre community known as Asteria will include 4,000 single-family and multi-family homes. The project is in the initial stages of development with home sales set to begin by 2027.

Disney announces Asteria, new residential community in Chatham County

Asteria, a Storyliving by Disney community

Thursday morning lows will be around 29 degrees, so grab your heaviest coat! 

Coldest morning this week before weekend temperature swing

Thursday Thaw, Dec. 7

An Iowa family says a fake Vrbo profile caused them to trespass in a man's home.

Fake Vrbo rental: Family trespasses into man's home 

Iowa man's home listed as rental on Vrbo

According to the Raleigh Police Department, officers responded to a report of a person needing medical attention around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 4800 block of Hollenden Drive. Officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound when they arrived.

Man injured in overnight northeast Raleigh shooting

Man injured in northeast Raleigh shooting

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

Police said a suspect was found dead Wednesday as officers responded to an active shooter and reports of multiple victims at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Las Vegas police speak about about shooting at UNLV

Police said a suspect was found dead Wednesday as officers responded to what officials of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, called a "confirmed active shooter" on campus.

Suspect found dead amid reports of multiple victims in UNLV shooting

Videos

Payton Wilson was surprised Wednesday night at the NC State men's basketball game versus Maryland Eastern-Shore, learning he was the 2023 Dick Butkus Award Winner. 

Payton Wilson surprised with 2023 Dick Butkus Award at NC State basketball game

Payton Wilson wins Butkus award

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Zach Hyman scored three goals for his second hat trick of the season, Connor McDavid had three assists, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-1 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.

Hyman has 3 goals, McDavid gets 3 assists as Oilers beat Hurricanes 6-2 for 5th straight win

Hurricanes_Oilers_Hockey_77939

Jayden Taylor scored 21 points shooting 8 of 11 and DJ Burns Jr. scored 15 points shooting 7 of 9 and North Carolina State rolled to a 93-61 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday night.

North Carolina State pulls away from Maryland-Eastern Shore 93-61 behind Taylor's 21 points

UNC snags 84-74 win at NC State

Six Tar Heels scored in double figures as the No. 24 North Carolina women's basketball team used a balanced effort to beat hot-shooting UNC Greensboro 81-66 at Carmichael Arena Wednesday evening and improve to 6-3 on the year.

No. 24 UNC women down UNC Greensboro 81-66

South Carolina North Carolina Basketball

A local figure finds himself in the middle of a huge college football controversy. Plus, quarterback change-over in the ACC, a star is born in Philadelphia and more!