16 NC counties are under alert, including Cumberland, Sampson, and Hoke counties.

We’re also following an Amtrak train caught on camera crashing into two cars in Raleigh. Plus, we take you inside the emotional court hearing in the murder case of a woman found dead in Wake County. Also, learn about the new effort by the city of Raleigh to find housing for homeless residents. Watch WRAL-TV at 7 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 7: Storms active on Dual Doppler 5000 radar ⛈️ How long threats last and what to expect on Thursday

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

It's that time of year when your child will be taking end-of-grade tests or EOGs. What are EOGs and how can you help them be better prepared?

End-of-grade tests: Everything you need to know about these annual exams

Student testing 

<b>RALEIGH</b> — Plans are moving along quickly to build a pfiesteria study lab at NorthCarolina State University.  Researchers have been pressuringadministrators to build the high-tech lab for months.  The University hascome up with big ways to study the toxic organism.

The University has agreed to build a 5,000 square foot lab for researcherJoAnn Burkholder.  Right now, Burkholder's labs are scattered acrosscampus.  According to the University, the new lab will likely be locatedat Centennial Campus.

WRAL is told high estimates for the lab are about $200 a square foot. Thatwould put the price tag at one million dollars.  Friday morning, NC State's Vice Chancellor for research said "we will find space for it."

Pfiesteria has been linked to fish kills in the Neuse River and other fishkills in North Carolina and neighboring states.  With a new research lab, scientists may be able to find out how to put the brakes on thefish-killer.

University leaders and scientists will meet in the next few weeks to finalizeplans for the lab, including who's going to pay for it and where tobuild it.

Pfiesteria Lab a Go at NC State

Centennial Campus would most likely be the location of the new building.

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



WRAL Weather Alert Day: Isolated tornadoes, damaging winds & hail possible Wednesday evening

WRAL Weather Alert Days Wednesday & Thursday

An Amtrak passenger train on Wednesday hit two unoccupied cars on the tracks near the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Beryl Road in Raleigh.


Amtrak passenger train hits cars blocking tracks in Raleigh, no one injured

Train tracks blocked at Hillsborough Street in Raleigh after crash

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

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has announced a clear bag policy and other restrictions for its upcoming commencement ceremonies.


UNC enforces clear bag policy for graduation, will require graduates to show ID card

Old Well at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Raleigh Animal Control officers found an iguana for the second time in 2024.

Raleigh-bound reptile: Animal control finds 5-foot-long iguana roaming around

Raleigh animal control finds 5-foot iguana

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

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

Sky 5 flies over train accident in Raleigh at Hillsborough Street and Beryl Road.

Sky 5 flies over train accident in Raleigh

Sky 5 flies over O2 fitness on Chapel Hill Road, where a police presence was reported. 

Police officers respond to O2 Fitness in Morrisville 

Sky 5 flies over gas leak in Fayetteville that prompted evacuations

Videos

Through two one-goal losses and a power-play conundrum, the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves trailing by two games in the second-round series against the New York Rangers.

Canes look to energize power play in return to Raleigh for Game 3

Hurricanes_Rangers_Hockey_22564

A look around golf's mecca will show some of the economic benefits the U.S. Open will bring to Moore County. Tons of fans will flock to the Sandhills and generate a boost for the area.

Excitement surrounds historic Pinehurst No. 2 course ahead of 2024 U.S. Open

Pinehurst No. 2 ready for US Open coming to town

NEW YORK (AP) — Vincent Trocheck couldn't describe the feeling when he finally scored in the second overtime to give the New York Rangers another big win.

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Hurricanes_Rangers_Hockey_96060

Raleigh is putting $5 million into a new effort to find housing for people living outside in camps. The city said there are 48 homeless camps on city park land and another 21 on land like the beltline at Capitol Boulevard.



Raleigh launches $5 million program to house homeless

Raleigh program aims to help homeless find housing

Both of the Triangle's professional soccer teams will compete in the all-star The Soccer Tournament (TST) coming in June to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.