Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

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

A tractor trailer crash on Thursday closed an entire direction of Interstate-85 in the Oxford area.



<b>OXFORD, N.C.</b> — A tractor trailer crash on Thursday closed an entire direction of Interstate-85 in the Oxford area.

The southbound lanes were closed before 5:15 a.m. near Exit 204 for N.C. Highway 96. As a detour, drivers can pick up I-85 by using N.C. Highway 15.

The lanes reopened by 7:15 a.m. and no delays were present.

Nia Harden

Charles Bradley

Jessica Patrick

Tractor trailer crash closes entire direction of I-85 in Oxford area

I-85,crash,detour,tractor trailer,traffic

The Storm Prediction Center has the Triangle under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday.

Level 1 risk: Severe storms, damaging winds & hail possible Friday⛈️

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

A water rescue and search is underway Friday at Harris Lake in Wake County.



Person pulled from water at Harris Lake, search continues for other boaters

The owner of Clyde Cooper's Barbecue is selling the space in downtown Raleigh, according to a real estate agent representing the restaurant.

Clyde Cooper's owner selling downtown Raleigh space for $2.9 million

Clyde Cooper's Barbeque

Units responded to a hazmat incident at the USPS at 139 E. Vance Street. The store was evacuated.

USPS evacuated due to hazmat situation in Zebulon

USPS denies some homes free COVID-19 tests

Armadillo Grill has closed its Glenwood Avenue location in Raleigh, owners announced Wednesday. 

Armadillo Grill closes after having alcohol license suspended

Armadillo Grill

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Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

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Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

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After 22 years in business, Armadillo Grill on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has closed.



Glenwood South staple Armadillo Grill closes

Videos

Game 1 is Saturday night in Raleigh. Game 2 is Monday at PNC Arena.

Make your plans: Complete Hurricanes-Islanders first-round schedule

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Brandon Butterworth picked up his first hit of the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat No. 11 North Carolina.

NC State beats UNC with walk-off homer in first game of baseball series

NC State at UNC

Over the course of her career, Ashley Twichell has pushed through situations that might have otherwise been the end of it, including a recurring shoulder injury and the COVID pandemic.

Triangle-based Olympic swimmer finds new balance while embarking on motherhood journey

Ashley Twichell

If the Panthers want to start winning again, they're going to need a good -- maybe even great -- draft class. Here's an in-depth look on who Carolina should be targeting and when.

Gerber: The perfect Panthers NFL Draft gameplan

Panthers introduce rookie QB Bryce Young

WASHINGTON (AP) — One woman miscarried in the restroom lobby of a Texas emergency room as front desk staff refused to admit her. Another woman learned that her fetus had no heartbeat at a Florida hospital, the day after a security guard turned her away from the facility. And in North Carolina, a woman gave birth in a car after an emergency room couldn't offer an ultrasound. The baby later died.