A 17-year-old Lumberton High School student will be suspended for a full year after staff found a handgun and marijuana in his car on Thursday.

Lumberton High School student found with gun, drugs in car

We’re also following a missing man found dead in Harnett County, what you need to know about signing up for Medicaid, and the driest hours this weekend.
Watch WRAL-TV at 5 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 5: Free fentanyl testing strips for UNC students. Why some people believe this will prevent illegal drug usage

Approximately 790,000 acres of North Carolina farmland are foreign-owned. WRAL Investigates why proposed legislation to prevent national security risks from countries like China, Russia, and North Korea could potentially hurt farmers.

On WRAL at 6: Foreign governments buying NC land: WRAL Investigates its impact on farmers and national security.

Medicaid expansion takes effect Dec. 1 in North Carolina, and 5 On Your Side is helping answer your questions about the change. 

Call Dec. 5 to get answers about Medicaid in NC

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina will begin Dec. 1, 2023

Students are reported for possession of non-firearm weapons about 20 times as often as they are for firearms. But schools are still relatively safe places, and many crime statistics in schools have been improving for years, experts say. 

Easy to conceal, harder to detect: Knives more prevalent than guns in schools 

School lockers 

The Fayetteville Public Works Commission confirmed the outage about 4:45 p.m. and said crews were working to restore power. The cause of the outage was not immediately known.

<b>FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.</b> — A power outage knocked out electricity to about 20,000 customers in eastern Fayetteville late Tuesday afternoon.

Fayetteville police cautioned motorists to be careful, especially at intersections, where traffic lights were not functioning.

Angie  Basiouny

Widespread power outage darkens Fayetteville

According to an arrest warrant obtained by WRAL News, 26-year-old Daquan Seandre Thomas is charged with felony murder and felony concealment of 22-year-old Tyrone Taylor. According to Sheriff Wayne Coats, Thomas was already in jail for a domestic violence incident with the victim's sister.

Dunn man found dead; murder suspect had 'violent, abusive' relationship with victim's sister

Tyrone Antonio Lamonte Taylor II

Lumberton High student found with gun, pot in car

marijuana 

Students returned to Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School today for the first time since Monday's deadly stabbing - to at atmosphere they are describing as calm, quiet, somber and anxious.

Anxious, but resilient: Students, teachers describe atmosphere on first day of school after fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh

Anxiety and resiliency: Students, teachers describe atmosphere on first day of school after fatal stabbing at Southeast Raleigh

More than 80 veterans will have to move out of the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Fayetteville by February.



85 residents impacted by NC Veterans Home closing in Fayetteville

NC Veterans Home in Fayetteville to close within months

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper named Democratic up-and-comer Jessica Holmes Thursday to replace State Auditor Beth Wood, who is resigning following a recent indictment.

Holmes to replace Wood as state auditor 

Jessica Holmes

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

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday plans to name a replacement for State Auditor Beth Wood, who previously said she would step down in the wake of charges related to her use of state-issued vehicles.

Replacement named for State Auditor Beth Wood

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

N.C. High School Athletic Association Commissioner Que Tucker and President Chris Blanton hold a press conference following the winter board of directors meeting in Chapel Hill.

NCHSAA press conference following winter board meeting

According to Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats, authorities identified the body as that of Tyrone Taylor II. Coats held a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday to discuss the details of the case, including a suspect they have in custody.



Harnett County Sheriff provides update on death investigation of Tyrone Taylor

Harnett County Sheriff provides update on dead man found in Harnett County

Videos

Here's a look at which bowl bids NC State, North Carolina and Duke could accept.

Which bowl game will NC State, North Carolina and Duke play in?

Dave Doeren with Mack Brown

NC State quarterback MJ Morris will enter the transfer portal. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

NC State QB Morris to enter transfer portal

MJ Morris (16) in the pocket. 

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson was named ACC defensive player of the year and freshman wide receiver KC Concepcion won the league's Rookie of the Year award.

NC State duo claims top ACC football honors

Payton Wilson during pregame warmups

No. 17 UNC builds big lead then holds off No. 10 Tennessee 100-92 in ACC/SEC Challenge

Tennessee North Carolina Basketball

Not much went right during Frank Reich's short tenure as the Carolina Panthers head coach. We explore the most impactful moments that led to his early dismissal. 