The drug tianeptine - which is also known as Neptune's Fix, Tianaa or Zaza - is highly addictive and widely available at convenience stores and vape shops.

'Stuff that will kill you': NC lawmakers push to ban 'gas station heroin'

NC Lawmakers take steps toward banning 'gas station heroin', send letter to FDA

The blooming of the WRAL Azalea Garden has been a constant symbol of the return of spring.  

WRAL Azalea Gardens: Everything you need to know for your visit

WRAL Azalea Gardens

Cumberland County deputies arrested Timothy DesJardins, 44, of of 2508 Brinkley Drive, on Friday. He is accused of having sexually explicit photos and videos of children.

SPRING LAKE, N.C. — A Spring Lake man has been charged with sex crimes involving children.

Cumberland County deputies arrested Timothy DesJardins, 44, of of 2508 Brinkley Drive, on Friday. He is accused of having sexually explicit photos and videos of children.

Detectives began investigating DesJardins after a witness found a computer flash drive near his car at his residence. The drive contained photos and videos of children being forced to perform sexual acts.

He is charged with five counts of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

DesJardins was being held Friday night on a $100,000 bond at Cumberland County jail.

Spring Lake man charged with child sex crimes

Timothy DesJardins 

Mary-Ann Baldwin announced she would not seek reelection in a video posted to her social media pages. She cited personal reasons, including a diagnosis of breast cancer and the stress of caring for her husband after he had open-heart surgery.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin will not seek reelection, citing breast cancer diagnosis

Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin

The girl's father said she was not allowed to talk on the phone, but was allowed to text.

12-year-old's text led to arrest of man charged with her rape, family says

Authorities said calling 911 is preferred over texting the number. However, texting 911 is available to people unable to make a phone call.

A Hope Mills police officer is being called a hero after saving a man's life while he was being attacked by an assailant holding a machete. The officer wasn't even on duty.

Hero: Hope Mills police officer saves a man being attacked with a machete

A Hope Mills police officer is being called a hero after saving a man's life while he was being attacked by an assailant holding a machete. The officer wasn't even on duty. Photo courtesy of the Hope Mills Police Department.

Get ready for another 'summer-like' day Tuesday, with temps in the 80s and rumbles of thunder during the evening commute.

Showers and storms could rumble through Tuesday evening

Hour-by-hour rain overnight, Tuesday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 17

The board will lose millions of federal dollars next year, but staffing challenges are pushing board members to find a way to give staff raises.

Wake school board must figure out how to pay staff as federal funds dry up

Wake school bus generic

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

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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

Videos

The Hurricanes have topped 50 wins for a third straight season, putting them in rarified air in the NHL. Plus, Scottie Scheffler wins The Masters, Caitlin Clark could change the WNBA and more!

Canes join a historic club, Duke departures and free chicken in the sports moments of the week

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Former Duke head football coach Steve Sloan has passed away at the age of 79.

Former Duke head coach Steve Sloan dies at age 79

Duke Logo

The Carolina Hurricanes will open the NHL playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-2 in the first round last season.

Hurricanes set for first-round playoff rematch with Islanders

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From the ancient stadium in Olympia, a relay of torchbearers will carry the flame along a 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) route through Greece, including several islands, until the handover to Paris Games organizers in Athens on April 26.