76 NC counties are under alert, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties.

A Raleigh home is destroyed in a fire -- and the family says their water heater exploding was to blame. We ask a specialist how often this happens, and what you can do to prevent it

On FOX 50 at 10: A family says their water heater exploded, setting their home on fire. An expert explains how to prevent it

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College hoops bracket challenge

Sampson County sheriff's deputies were searching Sunday for a man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Magnolia Saturday afternoon. 

<b>MAGNOLIA, N.C.</b> — Sampson County sheriff's deputies were searching Sunday for a man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Magnolia Saturday afternoon. 

Deputies responding to 33 Garcie Family Lane about 4:30 p.m. found Margarito Perez-Lopes. <span style="font-size: 12px;">CPR was performed by bystanders, but Perez-Lopez died on the scene.</span>

Deputies said Perez-Lopez was involved in a verbal argument with another man when gunfire erupted. The suspect fled the scene in a small brown passenger van, heading toward Duplin County. 

Witnesses identified the suspect as Noe Garcia Luna, 45. He is described as a white male of Hispanic decent, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds, deputies said. 

A warrant for Luna's arrest was issued Sunday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sampson County Sheriff's Office at 910-592-4141.

Natalie Matthews

Sampson deputies searching for homicide suspect

Noe Garcia Luna

A Durham County restaurant owner has pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of one of his underage employees.

Rougemont restaurant owner a 'monster' says mother of teen employee he raped

Tamer El-Tanany

Cary police are investigating two crime scenes on a single property that raised plenty of questions Monday - for neighbors and for law enforcement officers.

No IDs at disturbing double crime scene in Cary; body in fire pit, man who shot himself

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Nash County leaders are responding to a critical state report into the Nash County Department of Social Services. 

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State to investigate how Nash County Social Services handled abuse case of 8-year-old girl

With over 37,000 children in Wake County struggling with food insecurity, Wake County Commissioners voted unanimously to add millions to various strategies to help 

Wake County Commissioners approve updated Food Security Plan

Wake County Justice Center

The latest United Nations report finds the world is on the brink of catastrophic warming, but there's still a chance to change course if the planet's biggest polluters can take swift action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Landmark UN climate change report: How domestic and local efforts measure up

Cape Fear River

"This is a stain on Nash County," said commissioner Glen Wilkins, who confirmed that a fired Nash DSS employee was involved in handling Christal Lane's case.

Nash County leaders meet after explosive state report comes out

Tamer El-Tanany, owner of Roma Pizza in Rougemont, will spend at least 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to numerous charges that changed the course of one girl's life in March 2022.

Durham County restaurant owner pleads guilty to 2022 rape of teen employee

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

Fayetteville police announce details about a break in a years-long cold case from a 2010 murder in the community.

Break in 2010 Fayetteville cold case

Arrest made in 2010 Fayetteville cold case

Videos

Jacy Sheldon made a tiebreaking jumper in the lane with 1.8 seconds left to lift No. 3 Ohio State to a 71-69 win over No. 6 seed North Carolina and help the Buckeyes advance to the Sweet 16 for the second straight season. 

 No. 6 UNC falls in final seconds to No. 3 Ohio St, 71-69, ending season

NCAA North Carolina Ohio St Basketball

Police say assaults in downtown Chapel Hill have decreased, while reports of larceny - specifically bicycle thefts - have increased.