Officials are encouraging residents to take steps to prepare for extreme weather ahead of hurricane season. New data shows flood and wind risk is changing in the state.

Inland homes at risk for high winds, flooding during hurricane season. Here's what you can do now.

Holly Springs shed damage

More than a dozen former employees say understaffing at Brynn Marr Hospital contributes to what they describe as a dangerous place for patients and employees. Hospital officials say allegations of violence, sexual assaults, overmedication and lack of mental health therapy are unfounded.

Former employees say short-staffed NC psych hospital rife with violence, abuse

Brynn Marr Hospital

<b>HOPE MILLS, N.C.</b> — A Hope Mills man charged with statutory rape is due in court Thursday morning.

Allen Long, 19, has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a 14-year old girl. Investigators say the relationship began in September. Deputies arrested Long after the girl's mother found them together in her home.

Hope Mills Man Charged With Statuatory Rape

Thursday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, with a Level 2 risk for severe storms in the morning.



WRAL Weather Alert Day: Damaging winds & hail possible early Thursday morning

Severe risk Thursday

Most traffic stops are routine. But the interstate intercept team also confiscates cash, drugs and even sometimes finds criminals wanted for arrest.

On I-95, speed, drugs and a special effort to stop them

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone

Gaston County EMS said in total they responded to over 1200 service related calls related to weather on Wednesday, as strong storms moved through southern North Carolina.

One person killed during severe weather Wednesday in Gaston County

Tree on car

Brier Creek residents are upset with a recent string of break-ins. It comes as police say break-ins to start the year are their highest since 2022.

Raleigh police investigating seven break-ins since April in Brier Creek

Broken car window

Donald Trump is heading into the most perilous phase of his hush money trial aside from the moment when the jury retires to consider its verdict

Critical days of Trump trial will test whether he can exercise discipline and restraint

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WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

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

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

Videos

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Riley Ammenhauser has become a record-breaking, triple-jumping track athlete at Michigan and something of an entrepreneur.

In the NIL landscape, schools are turning to companies to train and manage in-house general managers

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Brandon Lowe connected for a tie-breaking grand slam to lead the Durham Bulls past the Nashville Sounds 5-3 on Wednesday night at the DBAP.

Lowe's grand slam lifts Bulls past Sounds 5-3 

Seth Jarvis is like the little brother to the Hurricanes veterans, a role he's played his whole life.  Seth's big brother Kayden shares what it was like growing up Jarvis and how it helped make Seth the player he is today.  

Growing up Jarvis: Brothers Seth and Kayden Jarvis celebrate Hurricanes success together 

Seth and Kayden Jarvis 

A settlement being discussed in an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and major college conferences could cost billions and pave the way for a compensation model for college athletes.

Paying college athletes appears closer than ever. How could it work and what stands in the way?

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S., a senior administration official said Tuesday.