All westbound lanes of Interstate 40 are closed in Raleigh at Exit 289 near Wade Avenue due to a crash. Tune into FOX 50 or 99.3 FM for updates.

I-40 West closed in Raleigh at Exit 289 near Wade Avenue due to crash. Turn on FOX 50 for traffic updates.

The "Dueling Dinosaurs" exhibit opening this weekend at Raleigh's North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will feature what's believed to be the most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered.

'Dueling Dinosaurs:' One-of-a-kind dig, laboratory access at Raleigh science museum

DinoLab at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Athens Drive Magnet High School and Conn Magnet Elementary School won national awards Saturday at the Magnet Schools of America's annual conference.

Top two magnet schools in the US are in Wake County

Athens Drive High School

Universal Orlando could be one step closer to building a Nintendo-themed land after acquiring additional property that could be used to build a fourth theme park.

<b>ORLANDO, FLA.</b> — Universal Orlando could be one step closer to building a Nintendo-themed land after acquiring additional property that could be used to build a fourth theme park.

Orlando NBC affiliate WESH reports that Universal Orlando on Thursday secured the deed to multiple pieces of land as well as a transfer of rights that had been preventing the ability to build a theme park on the land.

Universal Orlando currently consists of three theme parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and the Volcano Bay water park.

For those who have never visited the parks before, planning the trip can be a monumental task, but there are a few things every first-time visitor (or park newbie) should know to make the process a little bit easier.

Janine Bowen

Planning your first trip to Disney, Universal? Here's what every first-timer should know

media-S017097901-300

The land acquisition appears to give Universal the green light to build an additional theme park that many experts believe will feature the <a href="https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/universal-parks-resorts-and-nintendo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nintendo-themed land announced in 2016</a>, according to WESH.

According to the Universal website, the Nintendo-themed land will bring to life the characters and action featured in classic Nintendo games, including Super Mario Bros.

Fans of the Netflix's hit show "Stranger Things" will get the chance to visit the Upside Down and Hawkins, Indiana during Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights this fall.

Grab your Eggos: 'Stranger Things' fans can enter the Upside Down at Universal Orlando 

Report: Here’s how much money the ‘Stranger Things’ cast makes per episode

The land is described as being “expansive, immersive and interactive” and will feature “highly themed and authentic environments filled with multiple attractions, shops and restaurants.”

Nintendo-themed lands are also being created for Universal parks in Osaka, Japan and Hollywood, California.

The Japanese park is slated to open in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/universal-studios-japan-introduces-super-nintendo-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Nintendo website</a>. No opening dates have been announced for Orlando or Hollywood.

Universal Orlando may be one step closer to building a Nintendo-themed land

Super Nintendo World theme park will have Mario Kart

Universal Orlando,entertainment,theme park

A Raleigh man is charged with the murder of his younger brother.




Man charged with murder of younger brother in Raleigh 

Justin Verderber

Dozens of people are being forced to leave a homeless encampment on a strip of land along the Raleigh and Garner border, not far from the highway.

'Nowhere else to go:' Dozens forced out of homeless encampment along highway near Raleigh 

'Nowhere else to go:' Dozens living in encampment by Garner highway forced to move

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A man who became a fugitive after a federal jury convicted him of assaulting police officers during the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced on Tuesday to six years in prison.

North Carolina man sentenced to six years in prison for attacking police with pole at Capitol

Capitol_Riot_Sentencing_35595

No, TikTok will not suddenly disappear from your phone. Nor will you go to jail if you continue using it after it is banned.

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

Congress_TikTok_61917

We have one anomaly in the overall lovely spring weather this week. There is about a 50 percent chance for showers on Wednesday afternoon.

Showers in store Wednesday as cold front approaches☔

Rain chances Wednesday

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

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

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

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

School safety is a key issue for many people in North Carolina, and the subject is top-of-mind as the state heads toward the November elections. WRAL's coverage of the 2024 election includes unedited livestreams of candidate appearances, full interviews and fact-checks of statements on issues voters tell us they care about most.

Republican state schools superintendent candidate Michele Morrow hosts campaign event on school safety

Videos

The Carolina Hurricanes scored 5 unanswered goals to steal Game 2 at home on Monday. What the win could mean for their ultimate goal this postseason, NFL Draft talk and more!

Canes magic, the Drake Maye debate and Uncle MJ in the sports moments of the week

Islanders_Hurricanes_Hockey_28911

Since his final NBA season playing for the Dallas Mavericks in 2021, JJ Redick has served as an analyst and basketball commentator for ESPN. 

Duke legend JJ Redick to interview for Hornets head coaching job, report says

JJ Redick and other Duke greats were honored at halftime during the Duke vs. Maryland game pm Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. (Photo by: Will Bratton)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes were down big at home in the NHL playoffs, playing desperate hockey full of withering long shifts in the offensive zone as they tried to rally.

Aho, Martinook cap Hurricanes' late rally to beat the Islanders for a 2-0 playoff series lead

Islanders_Hurricanes_Hockey_23556

The Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback in this draft. That much is easy to see. The hard part is picking the right one -- and determining what it's worth to them to get him.

NFL teams often misfire on drafting QBs. But how often do they fail? And why?

NFL_Draft_QB_Hit_Rate_Football_44939

The Raleigh-Durham metro area set a new best-ever level for year-round particle pollution, but levels of ozone smog increased. This is according to the American Lung Association's 2024 "State of the Air" report released on Wednesday.