5 On Your Side digs into potential fire hazards all over your home. Found inside phones, toys, cars, and lawn tools, lithium-ion batteries can cause serious damage. At 6 p.m., WRAL shares simple steps to protect your home from lithium batteries.

On WRAL at 6:🔥Fire hazards inside toys and lawn tools. 5 On Your Side shares simple steps to protect your home from lithium-ion batteries.

More than 21% of North Carolina's four-year-olds enrolled in the state's pre-kindergarten programs during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the prior year but still below the state's pre-pandemic highs, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

North Carolina ranks 29th in public pre-K enrollment, new report shows

Durham County budget increases funding for pre-K students

Compared to pre-pandemic prices, ground beef is up 35%, chips are up 45%, bread is up 57% and a 12-ounce can of soda is up 66%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks trends on common grocery store items.

WRAL Investigates: 'Greedflation' and other drivers behind inflation at the grocery store

A look at inflation at the grocery store

Senate Leader Phil Berger sat down with us for the full half-hour show this week, talking about the budget battle, unemployment benefits, and the GOP's plans for education reform.

Senate Leader Phil Berger sat down with David Crabtree and me for the full half-hour show this weekend, talking about the budget battle, unemployment benefits, and the GOP's plans for education reform. 

WRAL's David Crabtree and Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie go "On the Record" with Senate President Pro-Tem Phil Berger about the state budget battle.

On the Record: Senate GOP spending plan

Phil Berger

It was an interesting discussion. If you missed it, you can watch the whole show at right. 

On the Record: Senate Leader Phil Berger 

A witness tells WRAL News two people were shooting at each other Thursday at Durham's American Tobacco Campus.


Gunfire exchanged at American Tobacco Campus in Durham

Shooting prompts lockdown at American Tobacco Campus in Durham

Armadillo Grill has closed its Glenwood Avenue location in Raleigh, owners announced Wednesday. 

After more than 20 years in business, Glenwood South restaurant announces closure

Armadillo Grill

NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection in Donald Trump ’s hush money case encountered new setbacks Thursday as a previously seated juror was excused after backtracking on whether she felt she could be impartial and fair. The status of a second sworn-in juror was also in limbo over concerns that some of his previous answers to questions were not accurate.

The Latest | A second seated juror is dismissed from Trump's hush money trial

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It was a brazen theft: thousands of gold bars and millions of dollars in bank notes stolen a year ago from Toronto's international airport.

Nine people, including an airline worker, arrested in $14.5 million gold heist

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Make sure you get outside on Thursday! It's going to feel like summer with highs in the upper 80s and lots of sunshine.

Hot, sunny Thursday on tap ahead of Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

Feeling like summer, Thursday, April 18

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

A crash has shut down all but one lane of Interstate 540 westbound near Buffaloe Road in Raleigh. Sky 5 is over the scene

Crash shuts down I-540 West near Buffaloe Road in Raleigh; Sky 5 is over the scene

Videos

NCAA athletes will be immediately eligible to play no matter how many times they transfer -- as long as they meet academic requirements -- after the association fast-tracked legislation Wednesday to fall in line with a recent court order.

NCAA allows transfers to be immediately eligible, no matter how many times they've switched schools

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The NHL has set the start times for game 1's across the Eastern Conference. The Canes are the opening act with puck drop Saturday at 5 pm from PNC Arena.

Get ready for 'Saturday Night in Raleighwood' as the NHL sets game 1 start time

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After the death of a Harnett County teenager, the softball community in Eastern North Carolina remembers her through stickers and fighting the stigma around mental health.

A North Carolina softball family is honoring one of their own, focusing on suicide prevention

Helmet stickers honoring Aubrey Horne

Over the course of her career, Ashley Twichell has pushed through situations that might have otherwise been the end of it, including a recurring shoulder injury and the COVID pandemic.

Triangle-based Olympic swimmer finds new balance while embarking on motherhood journey

Ashley Twichell

USA Basketball studied every men's basketball game it has played for about two decades and a clear trend eventually appeared. When the defense isn't good enough, the Americans tend to get themselves into trouble.