Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

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

A team of North Carolina National Guard members who were assigned to train and live with Afghan security forces were welcomed home Wednesday.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — A team of North Carolina National Guard members who were assigned to train and live with Afghan security forces were welcomed home Wednesday.

A ceremony was held in the afternoon at the guard headquarters in Raleigh.

The 16-member unit worked in the Afghan Regional Security Integration Command South in Helmand province. One soldier remains on duty in Afghanistan.

Military officials said that during the deployment, the soldiers came under fire while conducting counterinsurgency operations with Afghan forces. None were injured.

Welcome ceremony held for N.C. National Guard unit

NEW YORK — A man set himself on fire Friday afternoon near the lower Manhattan courthouse where jurors were being chosen for the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump.

Man Sets Himself on Fire Near Courthouse Where Trump Is on Trial

Outside Court, Trump Is the Center of Attention. Inside, He Has a Rival.

Public documents show Blake Deven, 17, was reported missing in January 2024 even though police did not publicly announce his disappearance until late March 2024. The last police know of his whereabouts was 2022. London Deven was reported missing on April 4, 2024, years after she was last known to be living in Fayetteville.

Fayetteville missing: The search for Blake Deven and London Deven

Blake Deven and London Deven

All lanes of I-85 were closed in both directions on Saturday morning due to a crash in Durham County.

All lanes of I-85 closed in both directions due to crash

This weekend offers a pleasant mix of sunshine and showers, perfect for both outdoor activities and catching up on some rest and relaxation.

 Raleigh weekend brings sunshine, showers & comfortable temperatures

Weather for the weekend 

Capitol Broadcasting Company, the parent company of WRAL News, is part of the 2024 class inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame at the University of North Carolina.

WRAL parent company inducted to NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame 

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

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Videos

Brandon Butterworth picked up his first hit of the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat No. 11 North Carolina.

NC State beats UNC with walk-off homer in first game of baseball series

NC State at UNC

Mark Mitchell announced he has committed to the University of Missouri in a post to his Instagram post.

Former Duke forward Mark Mitchell commits to Missouri

uvaduke23

The No. 15 Tar Heels have now beat No. 25 Duke in 15 consecutive games. Both teams now prepare for the ACC championship next week.

Women's Lacrosse: North Carolina pulls away in the third quarter, beats Duke

Duke vs. UNC women's lacrosse

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

The Carolina Hurricanes are no stranger to playoff hockey. They're in the postseason for the sixth-straight season and are regarded as a Stanley Cup contender.