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

The shooting happened just after 6 p.m. at 1649 Strickland Crossroads Road near Four Oaks, officials said.

<b>FOUR OAKS, N.C.</b> — A woman was listed in critical condition Wednesday night after she was shot at her house in Johnston County, authorities said. <br />

Sheriff’s officials arrested the woman's boyfriend, James Todd Benson, 31, who lived in the house with her. The woman's name has not been released. <br />

The shooting happened just after 6 p.m. at 1649 Strickland Crossroads Road near Four Oaks, officials said. The woman was taken to Johnston Memorial and then airlifted to Duke Medical Center.

Benson was being held in the Johnston County Jail on $500,000 bond, officials said.

He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting a serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon and manufacturing of marijuana.

His status as a felon stems from a 2004 conviction in Johnston County for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, according to state Department of Correction records.

Woman Shot, Boyfriend Arrested

Storms moved east Friday in central North Carolina. Over the weekend, the Triangle will feel a cooldown due to an incoming cold front.

Storms move east in North Carolina ⛈️; cooldown coming this weekend

Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday 

NEW YORK -- A man set himself on fire Friday afternoon near the lower Manhattan courthouse where jurors were being chosen for the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump.

Former UNC-Chapel Hill student sets himself on fire near courthouse where Trump is on trial

Trump Trial Enters Fourth Day With Opening Arguments Next Week

The crash involved a school bus from Corinth Holders Elementary School at North Carolina Highway 96 and Earpsboro Road in Johnston County, according to authorities.

Johnston County school bus involved in crash on NC 96 

A man is in critical condition after an attempt to snorkel in the pool at a Cary gym.

Snorkeler hospitalized after incident in pool at Cary Lifetime Fitness

Cary location of near-drowining

One man was rescued and another died Friday at Harris Lake after a boat crashed into a cement pole, officials say.



Boater killed, another rescued from Harris Lake after boat crashes into cement pole

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

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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

Gov. Roy Cooper joins United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to make a clean energy announcement.

Gov. Cooper makes clean energy announcement

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Videos

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

Mark Mitchell announced he has committed to the University of Missouri in a post to his Instagram post.

Former Duke forward Mark Mitchell commits to Missouri

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The Carolina Hurricanes are no stranger to playoff hockey. They're in the postseason for the sixth-straight season and are regarded as a Stanley Cup contender.

Chaotic Canes hope late-season surge continues into playoffs

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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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The No. 15 Tar Heels have now beat No. 25 Duke in 15 consecutive games. Both teams now prepare for the ACC championship next week.