50 NC counties and 1 VA county are under alert, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties.

A tornado warning has been issued for Franklin County until 4:30 p.m.

Tornado warning issued for Franklin County until 4:30 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Warren County and Halifax County until 4:30 p.m.

Tornado warning issued for parts of Warren and Halifax counties

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

Health care experts from the NC Navigator Consortium answered questions about who is eligible under Medicaid expansion, what it covers, how to apply and much more Tuesday afternoon.  

Medicaid and more: Navigators answer questions to get you the best health coverage

Medicaid call-in Dec. 5, 2023

Most kids in the Triangle will head back to school in less than two weeks. Are you ready? Or do you wish summer could last a bit longer?

My older daughter has been counting down the days until school since she found out who her teacher would be a week ago. Really, she's been excited for the first day since the last day of school in June.

We've had a great summer full of trips, family, camps, time at the pool, riding bikes and running around outside (when it wasn't too hot), but I'm ready to see what this year has in store for her too.

Are you ready for school to start? Vote in our poll.

The first day of school for most kids in the Triangle is coming up. Are you ready for school to start or do you wish summer could last forever?

<p>The first day of school for most kids in the Triangle is coming up. Are you ready for school to start or do you wish summer could last forever?</p>

Back to School: Are you ready?

Poll: Are you ready for school to start?

middle school, school bus

A possible tornado touched down in Garner, according to the State Highway Patrol. Numerous other central North Carolina counties saw tornado warnings issued on Sunday afternoon.

WRAL Weather Alert Day: Tornado warning issued for Franklin, Warren, Halifax counties

WRAL Weather Alert Day on Sunday

They are believed to be traveling from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to North Carolina in a red 2016 Honda Accord with NC license tag number RAZ-9972.

Amber Alert : 2 year-old Zuri Dorsey missing, last seen in pink and white pajamas

Missing 2-year-old, Zuri Dorsey

Viewers sent us photos of the damage caused by Sunday's storms. Send us your photos at wral.com/report-it.

Photos: Storm damage from Sunday's WRAL Weather Alert Day

tornado damage 

At 6:47 p.m., Goldsboro police were dispatched to the Longhorn Steakhouse at 609 N. Berkeley Blvd. in reference to a shot being fired inside the restaurant.

Man flees after accidentally shooting woman at Longhorn Steakhouse in Goldsboro

Longhorn Steakhouse

General Assembly Republicans forced a pair of contracts on the North Carolina Department Public Instruction. One didn't yield a planned pilot project, then lawmakers added $5 million to the budget. The other worries education experts.

No-bid contracts in state budget reveal divide between lawmakers and education officials

School buses

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

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

Representatives from the football teams at Hoggard and Weddington hold a postgame press conference following the NCHSAA 4A football state championship game in Raleigh.

Press Conference: 4A football state championship

Videos

Jared McCain and No. 22 Duke are determined to make the most of a tough start to the season.

McCain scored 14 of his season-high 21 points in the first half, and the Blue Devils got rolling again following two losses and a week layoff, beating Charlotte 80-56 on Saturday.

McCain leads Duke past Charlotte with Diaz in attendance 

Manny Diaz at Duke Charlotte

The restaurant is located just across the street from the PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium complex.

Hurricanes buying Backyard Bistro, will host team's sportsbook

Backyard Bistro exterior

NC State LB Payton Wilson wins the Chuck Bednarik award as the nation's top defensive player.  The award was presented live on ESPN.  

NC State's Payton Wilson wins the Chuck Bednarik award as nation's best defensive player

Payton Wilson (11)  and Aydan White (3) celebrate after a big play on defense. No. 14 NC State held on to beat Florida State by a score of 19-17 in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 8, 2022. (Jerome Carpenter/WRAL Contributor)

Manny Diaz, formerly the head coach at Miami from 2019 to 2021, has been named the program's next coach.  

Duke is counting on Manny Diaz to add to the Blue Devils' 2-year rise

Duke football introduces Manny Diaz as its new head coach

From teenage coming-of-age dramas to a reality show about a Wendell towing company, the state is home to some long-running television series.