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

Pakistani comedian and actor Umer Sharif passed away Saturday at the age of 66 in Germany.

<b>CNN</b> — Pakistani comedian and actor Umer Sharif passed away Saturday at the age of 66 in Germany.

He was seeking medical treatment in Germany but set to fly to the US for further treatment, according to the Embassy of Pakistan in Germany.

Many fans, politicians, and fellow comedians from all around the world shared their condolences on social media on Saturday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted his condolences and wrote: "He was one of our great entertainers and will be missed. My prayers & condolences go to his family."

Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, tweeted his condolences and wrote that the Pakistani Embassy in Germany is in "constant contact with the accompanying family of late Mr. Shariff."

Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif passes away at age 66 in Germany

The Storm Prediction Center has the Triangle under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday. Over the weekend, the Triangle will feel a cooldown due to an incoming cold front.

Level 1 risk brings possibility of severe storms ⛈️; cooldown coming this weekend

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

One man was rescued and another died Friday at Harris Lake after a boat crashed into a cement pole, officials say.



Boater killed, another rescued from Harris Lake after boat crashes into cement pole

Person pulled from water at Harris Lake, search continues for other boaters

NEW YORK (AP) — A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money case, setting the stage for opening statements next week in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president.

Opening statements set for Monday in Trump's hush money case after judge rejects latest bid to delay

Trump_Hush_Money_52535

The owner of Clyde Cooper's Barbecue is selling the space in downtown Raleigh, according to a real estate agent representing the restaurant.

Clyde Cooper's Barbecue selling downtown Raleigh space for $2.9 million

Clyde Cooper's Barbeque

A recent candidate for the Robeson County Board of Commissioners alleges that a sitting commissioner bought votes for an opponent. Lacy Cummings, who lost the election, made the allegations in Wake County court this week. 

Robeson County candidate alleges vote-buying scheme by commissioner

Voting in Raleigh

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

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

Gov. Roy Cooper joins United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to make a clean energy announcement.

Gov. Cooper makes clean energy announcement

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Videos

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.

Chaotic Canes hope late-season surge continues into playoffs

Hurricanes_Blackhawks_Hockey_50050

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

The U.S. Marine Corps said a Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was killed during a training exercise in Carteret County.

Marine dies during training exercise in eastern NC

cnn-L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2ltYWdlL2luc3RhbmNlcy9jbHMxdDg4dm8wMDB0MmU2NzY1eTFiaWpy-L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2FydGljbGUvaW5zdGFuY2VzL2NsczFzcGtucDAwMGsyOG5tZnN0Yjhkc24=-300

DENVER (AP) — Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev went home after a recent shaky outing and immediately watched film — the car-racing thriller “The Fast and the Furious.”