This year marks the 65th annual lighting of the WRAL-TV tower in Raleigh, an annual tradition that has grown to include celebrations with towers at American Tobacco Campus in Durham and Rocky Mount Mills.

WRAL lights towers in Raleigh, Durham and Rocky Mount

Students are reported for possession of non-firearm weapons about 20 times as often as they are for firearms. But schools are still relatively safe places, and many crime statistics in schools have been improving for years, experts say. 

Easy to conceal, harder to detect: Knives more prevalent than guns in schools 

School lockers 

<b>FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.</b> — The search for a missing New York man is over.

Earl Wilcox, 70, was reported missing by a group of friends he was visiting in Fayetteville earlier in the week. They became concerned after Wilcox failed to show up for a golf tournament on Monday.

Deputies in Cumberland County soon began a search for the missing man. Wilcox returned to Fayetteville unharmed late Tuesday night. He told investigators he had gone to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Missing New York Man Returns To Fayetteville

Get ready for a warm up this weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday will be mild, with highs in the upper 60s.

December kicks off with much-needed rain: Wet, mild weekend on tap ☔

Heading to school

You may have problems with your radio or GPS on Friday because of a geomagnetic storm coming from space.

Geomagnetic storm on Friday could disrupt cell phones, GPS, satellites

Northern Lights, geomagnetic storm, nature, weather, north america

Stepping into Angus Barn at Christmas time is one of Raleigh's most memorable holiday experiences. The glitzy, twinkling wonderland has grown each year since the tradition began around 20 years ago - culminating in over 20,000 decorations and weeks of work from Santa's elves.

Wonderland at Angus Barn: Grieving sisters started one of Raleigh's most beloved holiday traditions 

Angus Barn at Christmas

A landlord with properties spanning across the state, including multiple units in Raleigh, faces potential disciplinary action and legal scrutiny.

Landlord who charged NC State students $18,000 for beer pong table at center of multiple investigations

5 On Your Side investigates landlord with history of excessive charges

Students returned to Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School Thursday for the first time since Monday's deadly stabbing - to an atmosphere they are describing as calm, quiet, somber and anxious.

Southeast Raleigh teacher says she tried to stop deadly stabbing but got trapped behind crowd of students filming 

Anxiety and resiliency: Students, teachers describe atmosphere on first day of school after fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh

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

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday plans to name a replacement for State Auditor Beth Wood, who previously said she would step down in the wake of charges related to her use of state-issued vehicles.

Replacement named for State Auditor Beth Wood

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

N.C. High School Athletic Association Commissioner Que Tucker and President Chris Blanton hold a press conference following the winter board of directors meeting in Chapel Hill.

NCHSAA press conference following winter board meeting

Videos

Here's a look at which bowl bids NC State, North Carolina and Duke could accept.

Which bowl game will NC State, North Carolina and Duke play in?

Dave Doeren with Mack Brown

NC State quarterback MJ Morris will enter the transfer portal. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

NC State QB Morris to enter transfer portal

MJ Morris (16) in the pocket. 

UNC women play No. 1 South Carolina close.

No. 1 South Carolina rallies from 11 down to beat No. 24 UNC 65-58 in ACC/SEC Challenge

South Carolina North Carolina Basketball

Not much went right during Frank Reich's short tenure as the Carolina Panthers head coach. We explore the most impactful moments that led to his early dismissal. 