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

Wake County adding 74 jobs to Medicaid office but can't hire yet

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 

Four fifth-graders at J. Glenn Edwards Elementary School have been charged with possession of marijuana.

<b>SANFORD, N.C.</b> — Police have charged four fifth-graders with having marijuana.

A school resource officer at J. Glenn Edwards Elementary School said a small amount of marijuana was found on the children last week. Police are investigating how the children got the marijuana.

One student was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana.

4 Sanford Fifth-Graders Charged With Possession

The morning will start off with some sunshine, but clouds will quickly move in by noon. 

Don't forget your umbrella!☔Rain expected for the next 3 days

Wetter and warmer weekend

According to an arrest warrant obtained by WRAL News, 26-year-old Daquan Seandre Thomas is charged with felony murder and felony concealment of 22-year-old Tyrone Taylor. According to Sheriff Wayne Coats, Thomas was already in jail for a domestic violence incident with the victim's sister.

'Infectious smile': Community grieves youth pastor found dead after missing for 10 weeks

Body of missing Dunn man found; suspect in custody, charged with murder

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

A 17-year-old Lumberton High School student will be suspended for a full year after staff found a handgun and marijuana in his car on Thursday.

Lumberton High student found with gun, pot in car

marijuana 

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

Anxious, but resilient: Students, teachers describe atmosphere on first day of school after fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh

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

Umbrellas for the weekend 

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

Duke sophomore Ashlon Jackson scored 18 points and the Blue Devils outscored Georgia 17-10 in overtime to upend the Bulldogs, 72-65, in the inaugural ACC/SEC Women's Basketball Challenge.

Duke women prevail in overtime, 72-65, at Georgia

Duke Logo

The #7 Shaw University volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 hole to notch a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the #2 Wheeling Cardinals 

Lady Bears come back from 2-0 hole, take down Wheeling in 5 sets

Shaw Logo

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