Temperatures are turning up. How long we enjoy a stretch of dry and warm weather

On WRAL at 11 : Temperatures are climbing and the clouds are moving out ⛅️🌞 How long we enjoy a stretch of dry and warm weather

The 2023 fall fun database lists more than 50 pumpkin patches, haunted houses, hayrides, corn mazes and fall fun in Raleigh and around the NC Triangle area.

From pumpkin-picking to hayrides: Your 2023 guide to fall fun in Raleigh NC

Fall fun guide: Your 2023 guide to fall fun in Raleigh NC

The FDA approved two new COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech for distribution in Fall 2023. The CDC has recommended the vaccine for all people six months and older.

FAQ: What you need to know about the 2023 COVID vaccine, flu & RSV vaccines

Shot, COVID vaccine, flu shot, doctor

All assets associated with the tag: price gouging

Price gouging Coverage

Some unscrupulous business owners see weather emergencies as a chance to make a quick buck from desperate customers. State Attorney General Josh Stein says don't fall for it - and if you do, report it.

NC AG Stein: Don't fall victim to storm price-gouging  

Stein: Beware of winter weather price gouging

NC Attorney General Josh Stein says his office will go after business who take advantage of customers during the winter weather.

AT 6:00, ADAM OWENS >>> WE WANT TO GO TO MARK BOYLE WITH WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS DOING TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. >> Reporter: THE OFFICE IS ABSOLUTELY CRACKING DOWN ON ANYONE THAT GOES AFTER PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE DAMAGE TO THEIR HOMES OR ANY PRICE GOUGING COMPLAINTS. ALL IT TAKES IS AN ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM OR PHONE CALL TO HIS OFFICE AND THERE WILL BE ACTION ACCORDING TO HIM. I SPOKE WITH HIM THIS AFTERNOON. HERE IS WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TO SAY. >> THE BEST THING PEOPLE CAN DO WHEN THEY NEED SERVICE AFTER AN EMERGENCY IS SHOP AROUND AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT BEING CHARGED AN OUTRAGEOUS PRICE. SOMETIMES YOU ARE KIND OF HAVE A BARREL OVER YOU AND DON'T REALLY HAVE THAT CHOICE AND THAT'S WHY PRICE GOUGING IS ILLEGAL. BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T HAVING A FAIR NEGOTIATION. >> 877-5-NO SCAM IS THE NUMBER TO CALL IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM. SOME OF THE SCENARIOS, IF A TREE FALLS YOU MAY NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOP AROUND. YOU NEED THE FIX QUICK. THAT'S SOMETHING HIS OFFICE WOULD GO AFTER. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW EXAMPLES OVER THE PAST MONTHS. HIS OFFICE HAS REALLY GOTTEN RESULTS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BACK TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THESE PEOPLE. >> A DESPERATE CUSTOMER IS

The company had paid only $2.65 per gallon for its most recent fuel shipment April 26, according to the lawsuit.

Durham gas station gouged prices during spring gas shortage, AG Stein lawsuit claims

Gas station refuels

A Durham woman reported seeing prices at a local gas station jump up by about $1 from one day to the next. But the station manager had a reasonable explanation for the increase, and it wasn't price gouging.

THE RANSOM TO TRACE CURRENCY WITHIN JUST HOURS OF THE ATTACK LAST FRIDAY. THE GOVERNOR EMERGENCY ORDER ACTIVATED NORTH CAROLINA'S PRICE GOUGING LAW. WE HEARD FROM A LOT OF VIEW THE PRICE OF GAS AT STATIONS IN THE AREA SEEMS TO BE GOING UP AND UP. >>, IN IS THIS PRICE GOUGING? AMANDA LAMB WENT TO DURHAM TO INVESTIGATE SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS. >> WHEN YOU ARE DESPERATE FOR GAS, YOU WILL PAY JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IF YOU CAN FIND IT. >> THE LONGLINE AT THIS GAS STATION ON AUSTIN AVENUE IN DURHAM QUICKLY DISAPPEARED AFTER THE MANAGER TOLD PEOPLE TAKES FOR DRY. HE EVEN CALLED POLICE TO KEEP ANGRY CUSTOMERS AT BAY. A LACK OF GAS IS NOT THE ONLY THING MAKING DRIVERS ANGRY. >> THIS MORNING I LOOKED, 369 OR 59, RIDICULOUS. IT WENT UP A DOLLAR IN A DAY. >> DO YOU THINK SOMEBODY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION? >> YES. >> THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT WAS THE ONLY GAS STATION ON THE WAY TO WORK THAT HAD GAS. >> Reporter: SHE SENT US A PHOTO OF THE GAS STATION WHEN SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK. SHE IS WORRIED HER COMMUTE IS ABOUT TO GET VERY EXPENSIVE. >> I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE I LIVE IN NORTHERN DURHAM COUNTY AND I WORK AT APEX EXPECT THE PRESIDENT WARNED BUSINESSES NOT TO CHECK THE PRICES TO A REASONABLE LEVEL. >> DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CONSUMERS DURING THIS TIME. I WILL WORK WITH GOVERNORS AND THE AFFECTED STATES TO PUT A STOP TO PRICE GOUGING. >> IS THIS REALLY PRICE GOUGING? THE MANAGER HERE TELLS US THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH A DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTOR TO GET EXTRA GAS THIS WEEK. THAT DISTRIBUTOR CHARGED A PREMIUM. A COST PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS. IT IS LEGAL, BUT, STILL DISTURBING FOR DRIVERS WHO NEED TO FILL A. >> IT MIX BE ANGRY. IT MIXED ME ANGRY. TRUCK AS SOON AS THE GAS STARTS FLOWING AGAIN, YOU CAN EXPECT THESE PRICES TO GO BACK DOWN.

Not all higher prices at pump are price gouging

President Joe Biden discusses the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline and efforts to restore service and end the temporary shortage of gas in the Southeast.

<p>As of yesterday evening, Colonial has begun restarting the flow of refined products in the pipeline this morning, Colonial reported that fuel is beginning to flow to the majority of the markets that they service and they should be reaching full operational capacity as we speak as I speak to you right now. That is good news. But I want to be clear, will not feel the effects at the pump immediately. This is not like flicking on a light switch. This pipeline is 5500 miles long. It had never been fully shut down its entire history and so so fully and we have to now they have to safely and fully return to normal operations. Uh, it's gonna take some time and there may be some hiccups like I just had along the way here. Yeah. Still we expect to see a region by region return to normalcy beginning this weekend and continuing in the next week. In the meantime, I want to update you on what our administration is doing to accelerate this process to mitigate shortages and to protect you from price gouging, protect the american people from price couch and all those along the line. First, we relaxed rules for pipeline operators to provide flexibility for emergency personnel, help manually get portions of the pipeline up and running earlier this week. Secondly, over the weekend, we reviewed and work with the company to get a portion of the pipeline system from north Carolina and Maryland to operate under manual control and delivers delivers its existing inventory. In addition, we put in place emergency orders that lifts hours, the hours restrictions and allowed states to lift weight restrictions for tank truck drivers to be on the road. This allows those drivers to work more and carry more fuel to the affected regions. Third, The Environmental Protection Agency issued uh targeted 20 day waiver of standards in several states to give fuel suppliers more flexibility to use available fuels where they're needed, which will boost the fuel supply. And those last two actions have made tens of millions of gallons of additional fuel available each day to be able to be distributed. Put another way the extraordinary measures the administration has taken, we estimate Sent enough gas to stations to fill the tanks over five million vehicles in the last few days. Fourthly, as part of an effort to use every possible means to accelerate fuel deliveries last night, I granted a waiver of the jones Act to fuel suppliers. This allows non U. S. Flagged vessels to transport refined fuel products from the gulf of Mexico to affected areas and we'll grant additional waivers if necessary. These steps are temporary, but there remain in place until full service is fully restored. This is a, it's a whole of government response to get more fuel more quickly to where it's needed and to limit the pain being felt by american customers. Now, here's what drives the driver in the states That are affected. Here's what you can do. The drivers don't panic. No one, I know seeing lines at the pumps or gas stations with no gas can be extremely stressful, but this is a temporary situation. Do not get more gas than you need in the next few days. As I said, we expect the situation to begin to improve by the weekend and into early next week. And gasoline supply is coming back online and panic buying will only slow the process. And I also want to say something to the gas stations. Do not, I repeat, do not try to take advantage of consumers. During this time, I'm gonna work with governors, the affected states to put a stop to price gouging wherever it arises. And I'm asking our federal agencies to stand ready to provide assistance to state level efforts to monitor and address any price gouging at the pump. Nobody should be using this situation for financial gain. That's what the hackers are trying to do. That's what they're about, not us, that's not who we are. And as for the people who carried out this attack, the FBI has released details on the attack so others can take steps to prevent from being victimized like colonial husband. We do not believe emphasis. We do not believe the Russian government was involved in this attack, but we do have strong reason to believe that the criminals who did the attack are living in Russia. That's where it came from. Where? From Russia? We have been in direct communications with Moscow about the imperative for responsible countries to take decisive action against these ransomware networks. We're also going to pursue a measure to disrupt their ability to operate. And our Justice Department has launched a new task force dedicated to prosecuting ransomware hackers to the full extent of the law. And finally, let me say that this event is providing an urgent reminder of why we need to harden our infrastructure and make it more resilient against all threats. Natural and man made. My administration is continuing to safeguard our critical infrastructure, the majority of which is privately owned and managed like colonial pipeline. Private entities are in charge of their own cybersecurity and we need and we have to we know we know what they need, they need greater private sector investment in cybersecurity and that's why we launched a new public private initiative in april that is focusing on strengthening cybersecurity in the electric sector for natural gas, for pipelines as well as water systems and other lifeline sectors. And last night I signed an executive order to improve the nation's cybersecurity. It calls for federal agencies to work more closely with the private sector to share information, strengthen cybersecurity practices and deploy technologies that increase reliance against cyberattacks. It outlines innovative ways the government will drive to deliver security and software, using federal buying power to jump start the market and improve the products at all americans use to assist in this urgent work of protecting our nation's our nation against cyber attacks. I'm calling on the United States Senate to move quickly to confirm chris Inglis as our national cyber director and jen easterly to be the director of cybersecurity and infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security in America. We've seen critical infrastructure taken offline by floods, fires, storms, and criminal hackers in texas last month, we saw what happens when storms hit power systems that aren't fully modernized or ready to for the threats of extreme weather with tragic results. Now we're seeing the effective criminal hackers with gas lines throughout the southwest of assuming the Southeast And we're in a competition with China and the rest of the world to win the 21st century economically And we're not gonna win it, competing with an infrastructure that is out of the 20th century. We need a modern infrastructure. My american jobs plan includes transformative investments and modernizing and securing our critical infrastructure. Later this afternoon, I'll be meeting with Republican senators to discuss ways we can move forward on modernizing infrastructure we have today and building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow. I'm willing to negotiate if I've indicated yesterday to the House members and to the leadership, but it's clearer than ever that doing nothing is not an option. Again, we expect things to return to normal over the next several days. I will be monitoring colonials progress and the federal government support every step of the way. So stay strong. Help us on the way. We're gonna get through this as we always do as americans, we're gonna do it together. It's going to be quick. God bless you all and may God protect our troops believed to be living in Russia. At what point does the US start to try to inflict pain on governments who allow this sort of thing to happen in their territory? We are working to try to get to the place where we have sort of an international standard that governments knowing that criminal activity is happening from their territory, that we all we all move on those those criminal enterprises. And I expect that's one of the topics I'll be talking about with with President Putin. Are you president women, are you confident that he was not involved? I am confident that I've read the report of the FBI accurately and they say they were not, he was not the government was not. Mr. President Wednesday's executive order mentions the colonial pipeline directly, but the press release said it only encourages private sector companies to follow the federal government's lead, which encouragement is good. But in the face of profit is kind of sketchy. So what concrete steps is the administration taking to ensure that companies are prepared and held accountable for their cyber issues? Cybersecurity issues? You've asked three different questions and that one thing I think as I understand it, the bottom line is that I cannot dictate that the private companies do certain things relative to cybersecurity. A lot of you are very seasoned reporters, you've been covering this debate up on the capitol hill for before I became president and unrelated to president, trump just a debate internally among senators as to whether or not the government should be insisting and it gets in the privacy issues and a whole range of things, so that's going to be an ongoing negotiation. But I think it's becoming clear to everyone that we have to do more than being done now and the federal government can be significant value added and having that happen. Yes. Are you calm? Will you consider doing any kind of retaliatory cyber attacks to shut down these, are you ruling that out? No Prime Minister Netanyahu doing enough to stop this violence there from escalating. I had a brief conversation with him yesterday and I have my my intelligence community, the Defense Department as well as a the State Department have been in contact with all of their counterparts and not only in Israel but in the region. And one of the things that I have seen thus far is that um there has not been a significant overreaction. The question is how how we get to a point where they get to a point where there is a significant reduction in the attacks, particularly the rocket attacks that are indiscriminately fired in the population centers. But I expect I'll be having some more discussions and it wasn't we haven't just spoken with the Israelis, the Egyptians, the Saudi and others. So where it's a work in progress right now? So thank you all so very much. We were on the ransom. Were you briefed on the fact that the company did pay the ransom? I have no comment on that. Thank you. Mm. Oh was anyone else still</p>

Biden discusses pipeline hack, gas shortage

Attorney General Josh Stein said some 300 complaints of price gouging had been filed in a litte more than a day as people desperately search for gasoline.

HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS RIGHT >>>  TOP OF MIND FOR MANY PEOPLE TODAY, HOW CAN I GET GAS FOR MY CAR SO I DON'T RUN NOW? WE HAVE SEEN THE LONG LINES AT THE GAS PUMPS ACROSS THE CAROLINA. IN RALEIGH, MANY GAS STATIONS ARE RUNNING DRY AS PEOPLE ANXIOUSLY TRY TO FILL UP THEIR TANKS AFTER RANSOMWARE ATTACKS SHUT DOWN A CRUCIAL PIPELINE. WE ARE JOINED BY NORTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH STEIN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AS DEMAND FOR GAS INCREASES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. FIRST, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY. NORTH CAROLINA'S PRICE GOUGING LAW IS IN EFFECT. EXPLAIN HOW THAT WILL HELP PROTECT PEOPLE FROM HIGH GAS PRICES. >> THAT'S RIGHT. WHENEVER WE ARE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY, OUR PRICE GOUGING LAW COMES INTO EFFECT, WHICH PROHIBITS SELLERS FROM CHARGING AN UNREASONABLY EXCESSIVE PRICE. WHAT WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE IS FOR GAS STATIONS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLES DESPERATION AND RAISE THEIR PRICES UNJUSTIFIABLY BASED ON INVENTORY THEY HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR. IF THEIR COSTS INCREASE TO GET NEW SUPPLY, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PASS THAT ON TO THE CONSUMER. CONSUMERS MAY NOT KNOW IF A PRICE INCREASE IS VALID OR NOT. FILE A COMPLAINT WITH MY OFFICE AND WE WILL LOOK INTO IT. >> WE ARE CURIOUS HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOUR OFFICE HAS RECEIVED. VIEWERS HAVE BEEN EMAILING US ABOUT WHAT THEY SEE IS VERY HIGH GAS PRICES. IS THIS A PROBLEM? >> WE HAVE GOTTEN ABOUT 300 COMPLAINTS SO FAR IN THE LAST DAY AND A HALF. THAT IS A SIZABLE NUMBER. WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE SELLERS THAT HAVE RAISED THEIR PRICES HAVE DONE SO BECAUSE THEIR COSTS HAVE INCREASED, NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK. >> MR. STEIN, SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING, CAN NORTH CAROLINA IMPOSE A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH GAS PEOPLE CAN BUY IN ONE TRIP ? IF SO, IS THAT SOMETHING THE STATE IS CONSIDERING? >> IT IS PREMATURE TO EVEN TALK ABOUT THAT. THE SUPPLY HAS BEGUN TO FLOW AGAIN, EVEN IF IT IS NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL IT USUALLY IS. HERE IS THE THING. WE CONTROL THIS OURSELVES. DON'T HOARD. IF YOU DON'T NEED TO FILL UP YOUR TANK RIGHT NOW, IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, JUST DON'T GO TO THE GAS STATION. JUST WAIT. THAT WAY, WE WON'T CREATE A CRISIS OURSELVES THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE EXIST. JUST REMEMBER WHERE WE WERE WAS TOILET PAPER A YEAR AGO. PEOPLE BOUGHT THREE YEARS AT

Hundreds of gas price gouging complaints filed in NC

gas pump generic, out of gas

Consumer reporter John Matarese shows us profiteers making big bucks off masks.

MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. >>> LOOKING FOR FACEMASKS, RIGHT NOW? GOOD LUCK. MOST STORES IN THE U.S. HAVE SOLD OUT AND AREN'T SURE WHEN THEY WILL GET ANOTHER SHIPMENT. >> WHAT IS EVEN WORSE, PROFITEERS MAKING BIG BUCKS OFF OF MASKS, SO YOU DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. >> Reporter: ONE OF THE WORST THINGS ABOUT A CRISIS IS PEOPLE WHO TRY TO PROFIT FROM THAT CRISIS. IN THE CASE OF CORONAVIRUS, IT IS ONLINE SELLERS PRICE GOUGING. HUNTING FOR THESE RIGHT NOW? >> THIS IS A SURGICAL MASK. >> Reporter: THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN MOST WALGREENS, HOME DEPOT'S, AND LOWE'S STORES, EMPTY SHELVES. ONLINE, MEDICAL MASKS, USED TO COME AT A DOLLAR EACH. EVEN THE BETTER IN-95 MASKS, WERE A COUPLE OF BUCKS EACH. A CHECK ON AMAZON FOUND THOSE SOLD OUT. WE FOUND A PACK OF LETTER IN-95 MASKS FOR $876, 10 TIMES THE ORIGINAL PRICE. THIS COMES AS THE CDC SAYS HEALTHY PEOPLE DO NOT NEED TO WEAR MASKS, SUGGESTING INSTEAD YOU WASH UP WITH SO, AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE, AND MOUTH COME AND WIPE DOWN SURFACES. AMAZON IS PULLING GOUGES LISTINGS, BUT HIGH-PRICED MASKS, KEEP POPPING UP. IT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU SAY DOESN'T THAT STINK. eBAY IS FILLED WITH LISTINGS THAT DON'T INSPIRE MUCH CONFIDENCE, LIKE THIS CORONAVIRUS MASK, MADE IN CHINA. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CORONAVIRUS MASK. SURE, IF YOU'RE WORRIED IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO PAY WHATEVER SOMEONE IS ASKING FOR

Avoid face mask price gouging

Residents in Florida have complained to the state's attorney general after examples of price gouging have popped up in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

Examples of price gouging as Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida

Different residential care communities use different pay model to incentivize their marketing and sales staff. Be aware of dynamic pricing, revenue-based incentive packages, and other business practices that can cost you tens of thousands over two years.

What is that price again? Be wary of dynamic pricing practices in some Assisted Living and Memory Care

Look over the prices carefully

Hurricane Florence impacted people in 34 of the state's 100 counties. On Monday, the North Carolina Attorney General said those affected could become victims again - of post-hurricane scams.



AG: Don't fall victim to post-hurricane scams

Scam

Hurricane Florence impacted people in 34 of the state's 100 counties. On Monday, the North Carolina Attorney General said those affected could become victims again - of post-hurricane scams.


AG: Office has received 850 price gouging complaints post Florence

Josh Stein

Attorney General Josh Stein has filed a price gouging lawsuit against a tree-trimming operator who allegedly charged a customer more than double the quoted price for services.

AG files price gouging lawsuit against tree-trimmer operator 

Tree

NC attorney general files lawsuit against tree company over alleged price gouging in Wilmington

Josh Stein, Attorney General

A big complaint before and after any severe weather event comes when consumers feel like prices are artificially inflated in their time of need. You can report price gouging to the state by calling 877-5-NO-SCAM

Report price gouging; Don't pay too much for water, gas

North Carolina's price-gouging law is in effect until after Hurricane Florence passes, and Attorney General Josh Stein said people should beware of retailers charging excessive prices for needed goods and services.