The blooming of the WRAL Azalea Garden has been a constant symbol of the return of spring.  

WRAL Azalea Gardens: Everything you need to know for your visit

WRAL Azalea Gardens

Consumer Reports tests dozens of sunscreens every year to determine which ones provide the best protection against sunburn and skin cancer. 

Revealing the best sunscreens for sun protection and affordability

What the different terms on sunscreen bottles mean 

A Cary man arrested on multiple charges of driving while impaired will spend 30 days of active jail time on at least one of the charges.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — A Cary man arrested on multiple charges of driving while impaired will spend 30 days of active jail time on at least one of the charges.

A Wake County District Court judge on Wednesday also ordered Michael Owen Eason, 39, to undergo substance abuse treatment and ordered him to pay hundreds of dollars in fines in connection with the July 2009 charge.

He is also not allowed to drink alcohol for 180 days and is subject to random testing during that time.

Eason's license had already been revoked following an August 2008 arrest and subsequent conviction.

He has also been charged with two other DWIs – one last April and the other in December. Eason is expected to be back in court Friday and again next Tuesday on those charges.

North Carolina law does not allow pending DWI charges to be considered when making judgments in such cases. <a href="https://www.wral.com/story/news/local/wral_investigates/story/6890474/">(Read story.)</a>

Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby has said the law should be changed so that someone considered a danger could automatically be detained on pending cases.

Cullen Browder

Cary man sentenced in one of three DWI cases

Michael Eason

Gov. Roy Cooper's decision to treat bars differently from restaurants for Covid-19 lockdowns lacked scientific evidence, the NC Court of Appeals ruled, and improperly deprived the bar owners of their constitutionally guaranteed opportunity to make a living.

Did Cooper's Covid lockdowns violate the NC Constitution? Court of Appeals says yes, and no

Cooper, Cohen

Dorian Thomas is charged with the March 17 murder of Emily Christine Steinhoff, 44, who had accompanied her sister to Thomas' home for a custody exchange. 

Warrants: Murder suspect recorded video as he shot his child's aunt

Dorian Thomas, 50

A video going viral on social media appears to show former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn sitting along a highway after a crash involving a Florida State Trooper.

Ex-U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn accused of rear-ending Florida trooper with Mercedes: reports

A 38-year-old man, Jonathan Lecompte, died while trying to stop a carjacking incident in Lumberton.

Good Samaritan killed while trying to stop carjacking in Lumberton

Jonathan Lecompte

Get ready for another 'summer-like' day Tuesday, with temps in the 80s and rumbles of thunder during the evening commute.

Showers and storms could rumble through Tuesday evening

Rain chances, Tuesday, April 16

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

Fans of the NC State Wolfpack's men's and women's basketball teams are celebrating the teams' run to the Final Four on Monday night on Hillsborough Street at the Memorial Belltower. NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson, Athletics Director Boo Corrigan and Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin are expected to speak Monday night at the event.

NC State men's and women's basketball teams honored for Final Four appearances at Memorial Belltower

Videos

Former Duke head football coach Steve Sloan has passed away at the age of 79.

Former Duke head coach Steve Sloan dies at age 79

Duke Logo

The Carolina Hurricanes will open the NHL playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-2 in the first round last season.

Hurricanes set for first-round playoff rematch with Islanders

Hurricanes_Blackhawks_Hockey_50050

From the ancient stadium in Olympia, a relay of torchbearers will carry the flame along a 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) route through Greece, including several islands, until the handover to Paris Games organizers in Athens on April 26.

Despite weather glitch, the Paris Olympics flame is lit at the Greek cradle of ancient games

Greece_Olympics_Paris_Flame_Lighting_78709

Whitey Herzog has died at the age of 92. He guided the St. Louis Cardinals to three pennants and a World Series title in 1982.

Whitey Herzog, Hall of Fame manager who led St. Louis Cardinals to 3 pennants, dies at 92

St. Louis Cardinals Logo

Drake Powell is one of the top high school basketball players in the country.  Next year the Pittsboro native will play for his dream school UNC, but this season he had unfinished business at Northwood High School.  WRAL's Pat Welter followed Drake and the Northwood Chargers on their quest for a state title this season.  The Prince of Pittsboro is a documentary that takes you behind the scenes of their most emotional moments and shows a side of Drake and his head coach Matt Brown that you've never seen.  