We’re also looking into a gas leak in Durham, a downtown Raleigh institution being one of several businesses closing, and two shootings in one week near the American Tobacco Campus. Watch WRAL-TV at 7 and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 7: Strong winds, heavy rain, and hail possible ⛈️ We’re timing out when the biggest storm threats could fire up

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

Compared to pre-pandemic prices, ground beef is up 35%, chips are up 45%, bread is up 57% and a 12-ounce can of soda is up 66%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks trends on common grocery store items.

WRAL Investigates: 'Greedflation' and other drivers behind inflation at the grocery store

A look at inflation at the grocery store

All assets associated with the tag: ticket deal

Ticket deal Coverage

5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur breaks down the costs of flight, hotel and tickets for NC State fans considering attending the Final Four.

FEATURE. GOOGLE CLAIMS THE DATA COLLECTED WAS NOT USED FOR ANY PERSONALIZATION. >> YOU KNOW, MAYBE APRIL, BUT EVERYONE WANTS TO GET IN ON THAT MARCH MADNESS ACTION WITNESSING THE WOLFPACK PLAYING PERSON, THOUGH IT'S NOT CHEAP. 5 YEAR SIDES. KEELY ARTHUR HAS A COST BREAKDOWN FOR ATTENDING BOTH THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S GAMES. >> IT IS A TRULY HISTORIC TIME FOR NC STATE. AND THAT IS SO TEMPTING TO WANT TO SEE HISTORY UNFOLD IN PERSON. SO WE PRICED IT ALL OUT FOR YOU. THE COST OF FLIGHTS HOTEL. >> AND GAME DAY. TICKETS. >> WHEN IT COMES TO LAST-MINUTE DEALS, THERE'S REALLY NO SUCH THING FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. >> LIKE LAST MINUTE DEALS ON THIS SUPER BOWL, THEY DON'T REALLY EXIST. SO IF YOU WANT TO GO, YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY AT RDU A NONSTOP FLIGHT TO PHOENIX ON DELTA WILL COST YOU $1422 ROUND TRIP FROM FRIDAY TO SUNDAY TO SEE THE WOMEN'S WOLF PACK FRIDAY IN CLEVELAND. A ROUND-TRIP FLIGHT LEAVING THURSDAY AND COMING HOME SATURDAY WILL COST YOU ABOUT $490. >> BUT YOU'LL BE ON 2 SEPARATE AIRLINES A 2 NIGHT. STAY AT THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS IN PHOENIX WILL COST YOU AROUND $1033, INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES IN CLEVELAND. 2 NIGHTS AT THE FAIRFIELD INN WILL COST $826 INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES. TRAVEL EXPERT AND NIA RICHARDS SAYS WHILE AIRBNB DOES GIVE YOU MORE OPTIONS, IT MAY NOT BE THE BEST CHOICE IN THIS SCENARIO. AIRBNB IS DOING A BIG PUSH THERE IF YOU'RE YOUR APARTMENT COULD BE MAKING YOU MONEY. IF YOU WANT TO POST YOU CAN BE IN A GAME CITY. >> SO I'VE NOTICED LIKE LITTLE THINGS IT, BUT THAT IN THAT CASE, YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I'M NEVER HOSTED BEFORE AN AIRBNB SUDDENLY TRYING TO CASH IN AND THE HOSE. >> AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE YOUR TYPICAL AIRBNB EXPERIENCE. AND FINALLY, THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TICKETS GOING FOR ABOUT THE SAME. >> WE CHECKED THE CHEAPEST TICKETS. START AROUND 350 BUCKS. THE MOST EXPENSIVE SEATS UPWARDS OF $7,000. >> WE DID THE MATH. THE COSTS FOR FLIGHTS, HOTEL AND THE ACTUAL GAME TICKET TO WITNESS THE FINAL 4 IN PERSON FOR THE MEN'S NC STATE. FINAL 4 GAME. IT WILL COST YOU $2,805 FOR THE WOMEN'S A LITTLE LESS BUT

The road to the Final Four is expensive for fans

NC State hats

The Better Business Bureau warns people to be careful when buying Carolina Hurricanes tickets online, urging them to use trusted sellers instead of third parties.

MORE AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR. DAN ARCHER AND WE'LL SEE YOU THEN. >> BUYER BEWARE. TICKETS CAMPS THAT WRAL HEARING FROM VIEWERS WHO SAY SCAMMERS ARE SENDING FAULTY TICKETS OR NO TAKING IT ALL FOR CAROLINA. HURRICANES GAMES WRAL'S KNOW KLEIN IS HERE NOW WITH WHAT WE SHOULD BE WATCHING OUT FOR NO DOUBT. TELL YOU WHAT IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. PROBABLY IS THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF EASTERN CAROLINAS TELLS WRAL TICKET SCAMS ARE PROBABLY BEEN SEEING NOW FOR A COUPLE YEARS. ONE VIEWER REACHED OUT TO WRAL SAYS HE LOST $260 WHILE TRYING TO BUY TICKETS IN A FACEBOOK GROUP WHEN HE SHARED HIS STORY. OTHERS IN THAT GROUP APPEARED EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. ANOTHER PERSON POSTED. I LOST $180 FOR 2 TICKETS. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WARNS PEOPLE TO BE SMART WITH THOSE ONLINE TICKET PURCHASES. ONE TAKEAWAY FOR YOU TONIGHT USING A TRUSTED SELLER WITH THE TEAM'S PARTNERS INSTEAD OF A 3RD PARTY IS KEY. >> IF YOU CAN LOOK AT THEIR PROFILE AND SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMMENTED ON THEIR POSSIBLY HE'S EXPLAINING ANY SORT OF SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR TO GO WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE TICKETS. THAT COULD BE A RED FLAG IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF WAY, YOU CAN FIND ANY PICTURES OR EVIDENCE OF THEM COMMUNICATING WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE WERE FRIENDS. THAT COULD BE A RED FLAG THAT THAT IS A SCAM PROFILE. >> HE ALSO SAYS ALWAYS USE A CREDIT CARD HERE. IT'S EASIER TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK AS OPPOSED TO PAYING WITH PEER TO PEER APPS LIKE YOUR VENMO, YOUR CASH APP. HE SAYS BBB ALSO HAS A SCAM TRACKER FOR REPORTING

Protecting yourself from fake Carolina Hurricanes ticket scam

Don't get iced by scammers while trying to score Carolina Hurricanes tickets

PNC Arena expected to receive money for renovation project

If you have tickets to a concert, game or show and, because of the coronavirus, don't want to go, a refund is not automatic. 

With events in flux, know the refund policy for your tickets

DPAC turns 10

Consumer Reports identified three common airfare myths and discovered the best ways to save money on plane tickets.

You may have already overspent on your airline tickets

Fairgoers can purchase discount advance admission tickets, ride tickets and unlimited ride wristbands for the N.C. State Fair at their local Food Lion stores starting Wednesday.

Discount advance tickets to State Fair now for sale at local Food Lion stores

Say farewell to the 2018 State Fair

The offer is valid NOW for a limited time and for online ticket purchases only. It is not valid on previously purchased tickets.

