Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools’ ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday. Pay increases will help, he said, but a full reversal of the trends could take years and a much bigger effort than incremental raises.

 Wake superintendent: Teacher shortage trend could take years to reverse

More than 21% of North Carolina's four-year-olds enrolled in the state's pre-kindergarten programs during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the prior year but still below the state's pre-pandemic highs, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

North Carolina ranks 29th in public pre-K enrollment, new report shows

Durham County budget increases funding for pre-K students

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>JOHNSTON COUNTY</b> — A trash fire than burned out of control Monday has claimed the life of an elderly Johnston County man.

Sheriff's deputies say the 74-year-old man was burning trash in the Archer's Lodge community near Wendell when it got way from him.

He had been taken to the UNC Burn Center for treatment of his injuries.

Kamal Wallace

Johnston County Man Dies From Burns

The Storm Prediction Center has the Triangle under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday. Over the weekend, the Triangle will feel a cooldown due to an incoming cold front.

Level 1 risk brings possibility of severe storms Friday night ⛈️ cooldown expected this weekend

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

The wait could be longer for answers about PCB testing at Poe Hall, multiple sources tell 5 On Your Side.

More Poe Hall delays: Results likely not released until end of semester

Poe Hall at NC State will shut its doors for fall semester

A person was pulled from Harris Lake on Friday, and a water rescue and search is underway for a second boater.

Man missing at Harris Lake after boat crashes into cement pole; 1 boater rescued 

Person pulled from water at Harris Lake, search continues for other boaters

NEW YORK (AP) — A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money case, drawing the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president a step closer to opening statements.

Full jury of 12 people and 6 alternates is seated in Trump's hush money trial in New York

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The U.S. Marine Corps said a Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was killed during a training exercise in Carteret County.

Marine dies during training exercise in eastern NC

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Gov. Roy Cooper joins United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to make a clean energy announcement.

Gov. Cooper makes clean energy announcement

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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.

Chaotic Canes hope late-season surge continues into playoffs

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Game 1 is Saturday night in Raleigh. Game 2 is Monday at PNC Arena.

Make your plans: Complete Hurricanes-Islanders first-round schedule

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The No. 15 Tar Heels have now beat No. 25 Duke in 15 consecutive games. Both teams now prepare for the ACC championship next week.

Women's Lacrosse: North Carolina pulls away in the third quarter, beats Duke

Duke vs. UNC women's lacrosse

After the death of a Harnett County teenager, the softball community in Eastern North Carolina remembers her through stickers and fighting the stigma around mental health.

A North Carolina softball family is honoring one of their own, focusing on suicide prevention

Helmet stickers honoring Aubrey Horne

General manager Don Waddell likes how his Carolina Hurricanes finished the season, winning 16 of their final 21 games. He knows it means nothing now.