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 

Our experts on parenting, frugal living and the best that the Triangle has to offer have scoured their sources and shopped the stores (and the internet) for the best suggestions for your holiday giving. No matter the age or interest, you'll find gift ideas here.

WRAL 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

So far, 26 school districts across North Carolina have canceled classes next Wednesday as anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 teachers plan to march to the Legislative Building then rally on Bicentennial Plaza.



RALEIGH, N.C. — So far, 26 school districts across North Carolina have canceled classes next Wednesday as anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 teachers plan to march to the Legislative Building then rally on Bicentennial Plaza.

<ul>	<li><a href="https://www.wral.com/need-child-care-for-may-16-raleigh-parks-ymcas-offer-options-when-schools-close-for-teacher-rally/17539658/">Need child care for May 16? These locations are offering day camps when schools close for rally</a></li></ul>

According to the North Carolina Association of Educators, which is organizing the event, teachers will meet at the NCAE Headquarters at 10 a.m. and the march to the Legislative Building will begin at 10:30. The Rally for Respect on Bicentennial Plaza starts at 3:30 p.m.

Frequently asked questions about the May 16 teachers rally in downtown Raleigh. 

Dave Hendrickson

Natalie Matthews

Raleigh teachers' rally: Who, where, when, why

Thousands expected in downtown Raleigh for teacher rally

While Wake County district officials have not closed schools on May 16, many teachers are expected to join the planned protest on Raleigh's Halifax Mall to lobby lawmakers for better pay.


Adam Owens

Mark Stebnicki

Teachers from across the state expected to attend rally in Raleigh

Teachers from across the state expected to attend rally on Halifax Mall

The rally's organizers said teachers plan to meet with House and Senate members to push for additional education funding, including better pay, school safety improvements and repairs to crumbling buildings.

More than 10,000 teachers from across North Carolina are expected to protest in Raleigh next Wednesday to ask for higher pay and more education funding. One person who won't be there - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson.

Kelly Hinchcliffe

NC superintendent won't attend teacher protest, hopes more schools don't close

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson

The N.C. Association of Educators estimates more than 10,000 teachers may attend the May 16 teacher march and rally in Raleigh. Five school districts have already announced they are closing for the day. 

Jodi Leese Glusco

List of schools closing for teacher rally grows as 10K are expected at capitol

Student, class, school, writing

The NCAE website had five specific goals listed:

"Significant investment in per-pupil spending so our students have the resources to be successful.

"A multi-year professional pay plan for educators, education support professionals, administrators and all other school personnel. This plan must include restoration of compensation for advanced degrees and longevity. The plan must also stop the flat-lining of experienced educator’s pay.

"Investing in the health and well-being of our students and making schools safer through increased school nurses, counselors, social workers and other support personnel and expansion of Medicaid to improve the health of our communities.

"Fix our crumbling schools and large class sizes with a Statewide School Construction Bond.

"Prioritize classrooms and not corporate board rooms."

NCAE President Mark Jewell says more than a dozen buses will be coming to the state capital from across the state.

"The response rate has been incredible," he said. "This will be something Raleigh has never seen. It's going to be gridlock."

Organizer: Teacher rally will be 'something Raleigh has never seen'

Johnston County,class size,education,teacher,teacher pay,teacher rally

The temperature starts to dip again before dawn on Monday, and most of the week will see more typical early December highs in the 50s.

Roller coaster temps this week, rain chances continue throughout week

Rain chances Monday

Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel hasn't said if he'll run for reelection in the new 13th Congressional District. His district was a tossup in 2022, but state GOP lawmakers redrew it far from his home to heavily favor a Republican candidate in 2024 and beyond.

GOP hopefuls eye redrawn Triangle-area U.S. House seat as 2024 filing opens

Federal Court Moves to Drastically Weaken Voting Rights Act

The intersection of North Carver Street and Pender Street is currently closed while the crash is being investigated.

RPD cruiser flips over after crash near New Bern Ave.

RPD cruiser flips after crashing near New Bern Ave.

An 8-year-old is in serious condition after an argument escalated into a shooting Saturday night in Rocky Mount.

8-year-old in serious condition, 3 hurt after fight leads to shooting in Rocky Mount

Arkeem Shields and Tiffany Vick

Garner's own Scotty McCreery has been invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Garner's Scotty McCreery invited to join Grand Ole Opry

Full interview: Scotty McCreery talks new album

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

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

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Powerball Drawing

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Mega Millions Drawing

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With the College Football Playoff set and ready to roll with absolutely zero controversy of any kind, bowl matchups are slowly announced over the course of Sunday afternoon. Check back here for the updates on which games the Triangle teams will be playing in and who they will matchup against in the final games of their season.

Here's where NC State, North Carolina and Duke will play this bowl season

Dave Doeren and Payton Wilson

The commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference got it all wrong when he sent out a defiant statement Sunday claiming “college football deserved better.”

Column: College football delivers the perfect fiasco to cap the four-team playoff era

ACC_Championship_Football_48449

Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama were selected to the College Football Playoff and Florida State became the first unbeaten Power Five conference champion to be excluded from the four-team field in its 10-year history. Michigan will face Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington will play Texas in the Sugar Bowl in the Jan. 1 semifinals.

Michigan vs. Alabama, Washington vs. Texas in College Football Playoff; unbeaten Florida St left out 

SEC_Championship_Football_25578

The NC State women's basketball team defeated Illinois State 79-61 on Sunday at Reynolds Coliseum.

NC State women stay perfect with win against Illinois State

NC State Wolf head logo

Kamilla Cardoso had 15 points and 14 rebounds to help No. 1 South Carolina beat Duke 77-61 on Sunday.

Organizer: Teacher rally will be 'something Raleigh has never seen'

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