Intense smoke blanketed the northeastern United States for a second day Wednesday, turning the air a yellowish gray and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed. The smoke was flowing from dozens of wildfires in several Canadian provinces.

Air pollution cloaks eastern US for a second day. Here's why there is so much smoke

Canada_Wildfires_New_York_30524

In the wake of tragic and traumatic events, feelings like stress, anxiety, grief and depression are natural. Here is a list of crisis counseling and county-by-county resources in North Carolina, as well as nationally. These resources are available for you -- just call. 

Get Help: County-by-county guide to mental health and crisis resources in NC

 Mental health graphic

For the first time in five years, thousands of runners hit the streets of Raleigh Sunday morning to participate in full and half marathons.

RALEIGH, N.C. — For the first time in five years, thousands of runners hit the streets of Raleigh Sunday morning to participate in full and half marathons.

Organizers of the inaugural Sony Ericsson City of Oaks Marathon said they are surprised the city went five years without hosting a race, especially because of the local interest in the sport.

“It’s an easy sport to do,” said race director Jim Micheels. “[Get] a good pair of shoes, put them on and go out your front door. You don’t need a ton of equipment.”

About 3,700 people registered for the marathon.

“Runners are going to other marathons around the country. It was time to bring it back,” said course captain Ralph Smith.

The start and finish locations for Sunday’s race were between the fairgrounds and Carter Finley Stadium. The course wound through downtown and Umstead State Park. Some roads were closed as early as midnight.

“I’ll be happy if I make it through,” said Christina Bull, who was running her first marathon.

Adam Bull, her husband, said he’ll be happy if he can keep up with his wife.

“[The] worst case scenario is she leaves me in the dust, and I have to sit there and watch her run away,” he said.

Medical staff monitored the runners. Dr. Brian Quigley, the race’s medical director, said some runners take on more than they can handle. Rescue personnel were on standby along the marathon route in case anyone needed help.

Beau Minnick

Tom Normanly

Kelly Hinchcliffe

Ready, Set, Go: Thousands Run in Raleigh Marathon

Ready, Set, Run: Thousands Expected for Raleigh Marathon

As the 2024 election heats up, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will be visiting North Carolina on Friday and announcing a new executive order that Dr. Jill Biden says is a 'matter of national security' due to its impact on military families.

Biden to visit Fort Liberty today to announce executive order to assist military families

Bidens visit NC on Friday, expected to announce new executive order

Some areas in NC will still be under a Code Orange alert - including Wake County, which was shifted into a Code Orange as of Friday morning.



Code Orange: Smoky haze brings poor air quality to Triangle area

On cam: Smoky haze hangs over downtown Raleigh skyline

On Thursday, the City of Dunn shared on social media that their interim city manager Mathew Boone had passed away.

City of Dunn grieves loss of interim city manager after untimely death

Mathew Boone, Dunn's Interim City Manager

Darryl Williams' cause of death is listed as a "sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of cocaine intoxication, physical exertion, conducted energy weapon use and physical restraint," the autopsy states. 

Attorney Ben Crump to hold conference after autopsy finds manner of death homicide for Darryl Williams, who died in police custody

On Tuesday, the man's mother, Sonya Williams, said her son Darryl Williams was the man who died. He was 32 and lived in Raleigh.

The North Carolina GOP's annual convention in Greensboro aims to offer conservative voters and political observers the chance to see speeches by Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Mike Pence as they vie to take on Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024.

DeSantis kicks off NCGOP convention Friday, followed by Trump and Pence Saturday

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Durham police responded to a stabbing on N. Roxboro Street around 8:29 a.m. on Friday. 

Durham police respond to stabbing on N. Roxboro Street

Man seriously injured in stabbing on Roxboro Street in Durham

With a pocket of smoke and code red air quality hanging over Raleigh much of the morning, here's a look at the haze obscuring the skyline.

Ben Crump to respond to autopsy for Darryl Williams, who died in Raleigh police custody

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Videos

East Columbus senior Karli Godwin has been named the Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year in softball.

East Columbus state record holder Karli Godwin named Gatorade NC Softball Player of the Year

Softball: South Columbus vs. East Columbus (Apr. 27, 2023)

The N.C. Baseball Coaches Association has released its all-state teams for the 2023 season.

N.C. Baseball Coaches Association releases all-state teams

Baseball: South Brunswick vs Hoggard (Mar. 21, 2023)

Green Hope started the year No. 1 and it ended the year No. 1 in the HighSchoolOT boys tennis rankings. The Falcons were a perfect 21-0 on the year, winning the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A championship.

HighSchoolOT's final statewide and area code rankings for boys tennis

4A Boys Dual-Team Tennis: Green Hope vs. Providence (May 20, 2023)

A Michael Jordan sighting is likely again at The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City this year.

