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

More than half a million North Carolinians now qualify for Medicaid 

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 

Authorities said Alexis Cartwright was found safe.

<b>BATH, N.C.</b> — A North Carolina Amber Alert was issued and canceled on Wednesday for a missing 11-year-old girl.

Authorities said Alexis Cartwright was found with her father, Lemuel Cartwright, in the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy in Manning, S.C. around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Lemuel Cartwright, 55, was taken into custody. He faces charges of abduction and child neglect. Officials said he will be held on a federal warrant and will appear in federal court on Thursday.

Alexis and her family are from Bath, N.C.

Alexis was in good condition, police said. The North Carolina Department of Social Services is currently in the process of making arrangements for her return home.

Amber Alert canceled for missing 11-year-old

Alexis Cartwright missing 

After almost a year since the Moore County substation attack, the FBI and sheriff's office are asking for the public's help following a new lead.

FBI: Minivan new clue in Moore County substation attack; $100,000 reward 

Moore County van

The family of Delvin Ferrell, the 15-year-old stabbed to death at Southeast Raleigh High School this week, spoke out Friday against violence that has taken the lives of many young people in their community.

'No support': Delvin Ferrell's family calls out need for 'culturally competent support' to prevent youth violence

'Keep Delvin's name alive:' Family speaks out after 15-year-old killed in stabbing at Southeast Raleigh High School

Kendrick Scott, the Wake County Public School System senior director of safety and security, spoke about school safety days after police a fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh High School.

Wake school safety leader lists ongoing safety efforts, but mum on fatal stabbing

School lockers

You may have problems with your radio or GPS on Friday because of a geomagnetic storm coming from space.

Geomagnetic storm on Friday could disrupt cell phones, GPS, satellites

Northern Lights, geomagnetic storm, nature, weather, north america

Stepping into Angus Barn at Christmas time is one of Raleigh's most memorable holiday experiences. The glitzy, twinkling wonderland has grown each year since the tradition began around 20 years ago - culminating in over 20,000 decorations and weeks of work from Santa's elves.

Wonderland at Angus Barn: Grieving sisters started one of Raleigh's most beloved holiday traditions 

Angus Barn at Christmas

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

The family of 15-year-old Delvin Ferrell, who was stabbed to death at Southeast Raleigh High School on Monday, is speaking live at a press conference. 

Witnesses sent video to WRAL of smoke billowing out of the building. Sky 5 is live at the scene.

Sky 5 flies over heavy smoke near south Raleigh recycling center

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

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

NC State football coach Dave Doeren will collect at least $175,000 in performance bonuses after the Wolfpack's 9-3 season. The pool of money for assistant coaches will go up, too.

NC State's strong finish means more money for Doeren. And Wolfpack assistants, too.

Dave Doeren and Payton Wilson

Interim head coach Chris Tabor expects Carolina to play "classy" when they take on Tampa Bay this Sunday. He also foresees big things for rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

Tabor takes over as Panthers get set to visit Bucs

Panthers_Reich_Fired_Football_71826

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