It's a battleground weekend in NC: DeSantis, Trump, Pence and Biden are all visiting today or tomorrow. On TV at 6:30: Coverage of Biden's visit and the NCGOP Convention.

On WRAL at 6:30: Trump indicted ahead of big battleground weekend in NC. 

There are a few problem spots with lower air quality in the Triangle area this morning. On TV at 6: When we should start seeing an improvement. 

On WRAL at 6: Still tracking problem spots for air quality in the Triangle

Intense smoke blanketed the northeastern United States for a second day Wednesday, turning the air a yellowish gray and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed. The smoke was flowing from dozens of wildfires in several Canadian provinces.

Air pollution cloaks eastern US for a second day. Here's why there is so much smoke

Canada_Wildfires_New_York_30524

Every year, 47,000 people die by suicide in the United States. After her husband became one of them, a Cary woman shared her family's experience as an example of what's still lacking in emergency care for people experiencing mental health crisis.

Cary woman says husband's suicide is example of mental health treatment weaknesses statewide

Widow calls for change in handling mental health emergency care in NC 

The northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 1 in Wake County will be closed overnight Friday between New Hill Holleman Road and N.C. Highway 55.

<b>NEW HILL, N.C.</b> — The northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 1 in Wake County will be closed overnight Friday between New Hill Holleman Road and N.C. Highway 55.

Contractors are preparing to build a bridge for the Western Wake Freeway, the toll road which will connect Holly Springs with Interstate 40 at the Durham Freeway. The entire 12.6-mile project is on track to be completed next year.

The road will be closed between midnight and 6 a.m. Drivers can follow the posted detour.  

Jodi Leese Glusco

US1 north closed overnight in western Wake

As the 2024 election heats up, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will be visiting North Carolina on Friday and announcing a new executive order that Dr. Jill Biden says is a 'matter of national security' due to its impact on military families.

Bidens to visit Fort Liberty today to announce executive order to assist military families

Bidens visit NC on Friday, expected to announce new executive order

Improving air quality is expected across North Carolina this weekend.



Declining air quality: Code Orange alert for Wake County, warm temps expected 

Air quality index scale

Darryl Williams' cause of death is listed as a "sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of cocaine intoxication, physical exertion, conducted energy weapon use and physical restraint," the autopsy states. 

Attorney Ben Crump to hold conference after autopsy finds manner of death homicide for Darryl Williams, who died in police custody

On Tuesday, the man's mother, Sonya Williams, said her son Darryl Williams was the man who died. He was 32 and lived in Raleigh.

The North Carolina GOP's annual convention in Greensboro aims to offer conservative voters and political observers the chance to see speeches by Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Mike Pence as they vie to take on Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024.

DeSantis kicks off NCGOP convention Friday, followed by Trump and Pence Saturday

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An application shows plans for a 324,000-square-foot office, calling for professional space with buildings up to 73 feet tall, roughly 6 to 8 stories. Apple filed the site work plans on May 30 in order to start moving dirt.

Apple files plans for 324,000 square feet of office space at RTP campus

Apple moves forward with 'confidential' plans for RTP Campus, records show

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

Former President Donald Trump and his aides are bracing for a potential indictment in the classified documents investigation as prosecutors handling the probe were spotted Thursday at a Miami courthouse where a grand jury has been hearing from witnesses.

NBC News Special Report: Donald Trump says he has been indicted in classified documents probe

The police officers involved in the shooting death of a young mother suffering a mental health crisis will not get attorneys paid for by taxpayers.

Fayetteville leaders vote to not cover attorney fees for officers involved in shooting of young mother

Videos

The N.C. Baseball Coaches Association has released its all-state teams for the 2023 season.

N.C. Baseball Coaches Association releases all-state teams

Baseball: South Brunswick vs Hoggard (Mar. 21, 2023)

Family members told WRAL News three sisters riding in the same car were killed Wednesday in a crash on N.C. Highway 690 in Moore County. A fourth person, the other driver, also died.

Three sisters killed in head-on crash on Moore County highway 

Three sisters killed in Moore County crash

Charges against Louis Ray Harrison, 48, of Apex, include attempted second-degree forcible rape and felony breaking and entering with intent to terrorize or injure for offenses alleged to have taken place on March 21.

Hillside High assistant principal, football coach charged with attempted rape

Louis Ray Harrison

On Thursday, Apex police said Siomara Sibrian was charged with two counts of felony larceny and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.