The North Carolina Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to ban anyone from wearing masks in public for health reasons, following an emotional debate about the wisdom of the proposal.


NC Senate votes to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons

Protestors gather in Graham 

North Carolina is a hotbed for hurricanes. Here are the best tips and facts for hurricane season in NC.

Hurricane season begins June 1. Here's what every North Carolina resident needs to know

Hurricane Season in NC

All assets associated with the tag: outdoor living

Outdoor living Coverage

Discover the top car camping destinations in the area. Explore Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, North Carolina State Fair Campground, Rollingview Campground and William B. Umstead State Park for a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and city convenience.

Top destinations for car camping in the Triangle

Car camping

The report gave low marks to sevreal well-known companies such as Walmart, Costco, Tapestry, G-III Apparel Group, REI Co-op, Columbia Sportswear, Wolverine Worldwide and Academy Sports and Outdoors.

Report finds major retail, apparel brands use dangerous chemicals called PFAS

Shopping

A survey of Durham residents and visitors, conducted by Downtown Durham Inc., showed more than 80% of respondents support using parking spaces for things other than parking.

Durham council OKs using parking spots for outdoor dining; approves raises for themselves

Outdoor seating 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says for the first time since 2004, they have reports of at least nine mosquito and tick-borne diseases.

Bug-borne diseases on the rise. Here's how to protect yourself from itch or worse

DEET works best to deter mosquitoes, ticks

In the Raleigh metro area, RV dealers are generating annual sales of $81 million, according to Outdoorsy.

RV sales continue to climb as more first-time campers head out

USA RV 

Raleigh City Council recently approved an extension of outdoor dining through Oct. 30. In weighing whether to make that change permanent, both Raleigh and Durham must consider the impact on parking. Any table in the street takes away a parking space.

Downtown Raleigh restaurants want pandemic outdoor dining to be a permanent option

Examining the future of outdoor dining 

Durham City Council will vote on possibly extending an outdoor dining ordiance past June 30. The ordiance was considered 'a lifeline' for some restaurants and businesses in downtown Durham.

limited space inside many of the restaurants, It's outdoor seating on the street. That has allowed them to be able to continue. Some of them, even calling it a lifeline. The city relaxed outdoor dining rules last year because of the pandemic Today. Durham City Council will vote on whether to extend that ordinance passed June 30. The order would last until October 31 or until the Emergency Declaration is rescinded. Whichever comes first owners. And those dining have expressed, they want the street agree to be permanent. You know, it was freezing and people still showed up, um you know, it was super windy and people still came and sat outside without that outdoor space. I don't know what kind of position would be in uh to reopen uh at all. And I think a lot of other people certainly had that experience because of relaxed restrictions. Durham says they need to cancel the rigsby street every saturday May 8 to tweak some things WRL will have that council vote that is going to happen on WRL dot com in the WRL News app. To harden WRL News

Durham to vote to extend outdoor dining ordinance for 'The Streetery'

Vote scheduled to extend outdoor dining in Durham

There's a new way to enjoy the water at Falls Lake and Jordan Lake. Find out how you can enjoy all the fun of owning a boat with none of the hassle!

DAY AND TAKE A BOAT OUT. >>> WELCOME TO FREEDOM BOAT CLUB. 50% OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE NEVER BOATED A DAY IN THEIR LIFE. THE OTHER 50% BOATED FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THE HASSLES YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHILE HAVING A BOAT. FREEDOM BOAT CLUB IS BOATING MADE SIMPLE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BOAT. YOU CAN COME HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY IF YOU WANTED TO AND TAKE THE BOAT OUT. YOU PULL UP HERE AT THE ROLLING VIEW MARINA. YOU'LL WALK STRAIGHT OUT ON THE DOCK. WE'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU. BY THE TIME YOU PARK YOUR CAR, IT'S A TEN MINUTE PROCESS. ALWAYS HAD A PASSION ABOUT BOATING. BEING OUT ON THE WATER. AND MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN ON BOATS PRIOR TO OUR MEMBERSHIP, BUT WE HAD NO CLUE HOW TO OPERATE A BOAT. THE GUYS AT FREEDOM BOAT CLUB HAD AN EXTENSIVE AND COMPLETE TRAINING PROGRAM, WHERE THEY TOOK US THROUGH THE INDOOR, OUTDOOR, AT THE LAKE, THE BEACH, THEY ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME. >> HERE AT FALLS LAKE AND JORDAN LAKE, WE HAVE PONTOON BOATS. WE HAVE DECK BOATS. WE HAVE RANGING FROM 17 TO 24 FEET. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE PONTOONS, WHICH ARE TRITOON BOATS, BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE TO TUBE. YOU CAN TUBE OFF OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PONTOON BOATS. WE HAVE FISHING BOATS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO DO ON THE LAKE, WHICH IS WATER SPORTS, FISHING, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESERVATIONS. A MORNING RESERVATION, WHICH IS FROM 8:00 TO 1:00. THEN ALL OF OUR BOATS COME BACK. THEY GET CLEANED, REGASSED, AND READY FOR OUR SECOND RESERVATION PER DAY, WHICH IS FROM 2:00 TO 7:00. THE MAIN THING BEHIND HAVING A MEMBERSHIP AND WHY WE BECAME MEMBERS IS TO ENJOY OURSELVES AND ENJOY OUR TIME. WORRY-FREE. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BOOK THE BOAT I WANT AND IT'S READY IN THE WATER. >> THIS IS WAY EASIER THAN OWNING A BOAT. IT IS LESS EXPENSIVE AND THE BOAT IS ALWAYS BRAND-NEW AT ANY LOCATION YOU GO TO. YOU ALSO DON'T NEED A TRAILER OR BOAT. WHEREVER YOU GO ON VACATION, WE ARE THE LARGEST BOATING CLUB IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND FRANCE. WE INVENTED THE BOATING CLUB MODEL. SARASOTA, FLORIDA, IN 1989. >> SO, THE NEAT PART HERE IS, WE HAVE JORDAN LAKE AND FALLS LAKE THAT ARE CONNECTED. YOU'LL GET UNLIMITED RESERVATIONS, OR AT FALLS LAKE. THEY ARE GOING TO SHARE THE BOATS. IT WILL BE ONE INITIAL FEE FOR BOTH LOCATIONS UNLIMITED. ALL OTHER LOCATIONS, FOUR TIMES PER MARINA PER YEAR. IF YOU GO SOMEWHERE LIKE FLORIDA, YOU CAN MARINA HOP AND HAVE SOME FUN. IT'S A BOAT WAITING SOMEWHERE. IF YOU'VE NEVER BOATED DAY IN YOUR LIFE, OR IF YOU ARE AN AVID BOATER, BOATING MADE SIMPLE.

Freedom Boat Club

Durham's city council will vote May 6 on whether to extend outdoor dining through Oct. 31.

THIS TOPIC AND WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. THIS STORY IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA. >>> OVER THE PAST YEAR, MANY OF YOU HAVE ENJOYED EATING OUTSIDE OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND THIS WEEK THE DURHAM CITY COUNCIL WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO EXTEND OUTDOOR DINING AND PARKING SPACE, SIDEWALKS AND PARKS. SARAH KRUEGER SPOKE WITH CITY LEADERS AND A RESTAURANT OWNER AND JOIN US LIVE TO EXPLAIN WHAT'S AT STAKE. >> Reporter:  THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON THIS BOAT. HERE AT THIS RESTAURANT WHEN THEY ARE OPEN THEY HAVE TABLES IN THESE PARKING SPACES AS WELL AS TABLES RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT ON THE SIDEWALK AND THE OWNER TELLS US THE ADDED SEATING IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASON THEY ARE STILL OPEN. >> OUTDOOR DINING HAS BEEN POPULAR SINCE THE CITY APPROVED IT LAST JULY. >> WE ENJOY THE WEATHER AND OUTSIDE VIEWS. IT'S LIKE OUTSIDE IN YOUR BACKYARD. >> NOW IT IS SET TO COME TO AN END TO BERTY UNLESS THE CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO EXTEND IT. >> ITS BRINGING US INCOME WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE RIGHT NOW. >> THE OWNER OF THIS RESTAURANT SAID IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT THE COUNCIL VOTES YES. >> WE NEED THE EXTRA SEATS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WE NEED THE SPACE THAT ALLOWS CERTAIN PEOPLE TO EAT WITH CONFIDENCE AND COMFORT WHEN THEY ARE NOT READY TO GO INSIDE YET. >> I ASKED THE MAYOR IF HE BELIEVES THE COUNCIL WILL APPROVE IT. >> YES. >> UNEQUIVOCALLY YES? >> YES. >> THE WORD IS IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL OCTOBER 31st OR UNTIL THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION IS RESCINDED, WHICHEVER ONE COMES FIRST. >> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW THE STAFF AND TO KNOW HOW TO INVEST IN THE SPACE FOR THAT. >> SHE HOPES THAT OUTDOOR DINING COULD BE MADE PERMANENT. AND THAT'S NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION. >> I LOVE IT AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE LOVE IT AND I KNOW IT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESSES. >> Reporter:  BOTH THE MAYOR AND THE OWNER OF THIS RESTAURANT AGREE THAT IF IT DOES BECOME A PERMANENT THINK THAT THERE ARE CHANGES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE MADE. THE OWNER SAYING MAYBE THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING THAN THE ORANGE BARRICADES. THE VOTE IS EXPECTED THIS THURSDAY.

Durham weighs extending outdoor dining 

Unscripted Hotel has redone its popular rooftop in Durham especially for social distance. Small groups can gather inside an 'igloo' to stay safe. The hotel hopes the winter wonderland experience will draw customers during the winter months.

<p>IT IS THE MORNING ORIGINAL ONLY ON WRAL. &gt;&gt;&gt; POP-UP OUTDOOR DINING EXPERIENCES ARE ON THE RISE AS RESTAURANTS CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. WITH COLD WINTER WEATHER ON THE WAY TO THE TRIANGLE, WRAL'S LORA LAVIGNE SHOWS US HOW THEY ARE GETTING CREATIVE TO KEEP CUSTOMERS COMING. &gt;&gt; Reporter: PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH UNSCRIPTED HOTEL IN DURHAM BUT NOT LIKE THIS. THIS IS DESIGNED TO AND SOCIALLY DISTANCED EXPERIENCE INSIDE AN IGLOO TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND STILL BRING CUSTOMERS IN DURING A WINTER MONTH. TUCKED AWAY ON THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL'S PATIO IS NOW A WINTER WONDERLAND. &gt;&gt; HAVING THIS PIECE AND HAVING THE IGLOOS IS HELPED KEEP US MORE AFLOAT. SO WE CAN GET THROUGH THE WINTER. &gt;&gt; Reporter: GENERAL MANAGER MATTHEW WHITEHART TELLS ME THE BUSINESS TOOK A HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT LIKE MOST LEARNED HOW TO PIVOT WITH CREATIVITY. &gt;&gt; THAT'S THE FUN THING ABOUT HOSPITALITY, IT IS CHANGING, AND YOU'RE FINING THE NEXT THING TO DO TO MAKE PEOPLE COME OUT AND THIS HAS BEEN GREAT EXPERIENCE. &gt;&gt; Reporter: THE 6R MEANT TO ISOLATE GUESTS FROM OTHER GROUPS WHILE ALSO KEEPING THEM WARM. THEY CAN FIT UP TO 10 PEOPLE SAFELY AND HAVE WINDOWS FOR AIR VENTILATION. &gt;&gt; WE ALLOW 30 MINUTES BETWEEN EACH TRANSITION AND WE HAVE ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYER AND WEAR MASKS AND THINGS WE HAVE TAKEN TO HEART TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING RIGHT. &gt;&gt; Reporter: WITH THE PANDEMIC SHOWING NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN SOME LEARNING ABOUT THIS IS EXCITED. &gt;&gt; I WOULD LOVE THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE BEEN QUARANTINED WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST AND MAYBE YOU GUYS ARE ALL FEELING COMFORTABLE, AND YOU WANT TO GO OUT AND HAVE A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE. &gt;&gt; IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO GETTING PEOPLE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND KEEPING DURHAM CONTINUING TO HAVE PEOPLE EAT, DRINK AND BE SUCCESSFUL. &gt;&gt; Reporter: AND WHITEHART SAYS THE I GO LOSS ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF NEXT WE ARE. LORA LAVIGNE, WRAL NEWS. &gt;&gt; THE IGLOOS CAN BE RESERVED ON LINE AND GUESTS HAVE TO REVIEW AND FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES WHEN VISITING THE</p>

Get out of the house and into an igloo for safe, warm outdoor dining

Unscripted Hotel's igloos on the rooftop patio

Treat for bugs and remove standing water to keep pests from winning your tailgate.

AND THEY ARE FINDING 25 TIMES MORE MICROPLASTICS THAN PREVIOUS STUDIES. >>> AS SPORTS RETURNS, TAILGATING FOR MANY HAS TURNED INTO HOME GATING BUT BY YOU ARE SERVING UP FOODS AND DRINKS, MOSQUITOES CAN BE A PROBLEM IN THE WARMER WEATHER STATES. HALE PILOT BRINGS US TIPS FROM A PEST CONTROL EXPERT TO ENJOY THE GAME, BUG FREE. >> 3rd DOWN AND 7. >> Reporter: THE GAMES ARE BACK, BUT THE FANS ARE AT HOME. AND IN THOSE SOUTHERN STATES,. >> THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS MOSQUITOES BECAUSE OF THE RAIN THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING. >> Reporter: DANIEL RODRIGUEZ WITH HUGHES'S EXTERMINATOR SAYS IF YOU HOSTING A SOCIALLY DISTANCED BACKYARD TAILGATE GET RID OF STACK WATER. >> LIKE THE LID OF A WATER BOTTLE THAT CAN HOLD WATER. THAT CAN HOLD A COUPLE OF MOSQUITO LAVVI. >> Reporter: HE SAYS KEEP GRASS AND SHRUBS FLAMED CUT IT BACK OR PUT SOME KIND OF REPELLANT ONTO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PETS. >> Reporter: COMPANIES LIKE HUGHES WILL DO A MONTHLY MOSQUITO TREATMENT IN YOUR YARD. AND IF YOU ARE FIRING UP THE GRILL OR SERVING COCKTAILS, HE SAYS, KEEP THINGS SEALED WHEN YOU ARE NOT EATING OR DRINKING. >> WE HAVE HONEY BEES HERE ALSO, AND IT PROTECTS AND KEEPS THEM AWAY FROM GOING INTO THE DRINKS. >> Reporter: BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH SWEET DRINKS. >> ANYTHING THAT HAS SUGAR, IF YOU HAVE A PITCHER DRIPPING WATER THERE'S MOSQUITOES OUT THERE THAT WILL GO TO THE WATER TO TRY TO LAY THEIR EGGS SO THEY CAN REPRODUCE. >> Reporter: AND CLEAN UP SPILLS FROM STICKY PODS OR DRINKS TO KEEP ANTS AWAY. BUT BEING PROACTIVE WILL BE YOUR BEST BET. >> GET YOUR PLACE TREATED AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE YOU KNOW YOU ARE HAVING PEOPLE OVER. >> THAT WAS HALE PILOT REPORTING AND HE SAYS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR A PEST CONTROL COMPANY HARDWARE STORES

Prevent insect guests from crashing home tailgate parties

A relaxing float down the river is a perfect solution to the dog days of summer! Get outside and explore with kayaking, canoeing, tubing and paddleboarding on the Cape Fear River in Lillington. 


<p>welcome to keep you. Really? The interest here gave you really adventures. We offer canoe kayak and paddleboard rentals will do river tubing when the conditions are right Well for whitewater, kayak and rafting. We also teach various courses such as paddleboard yoga and introduction to Paddleboarding. We also have three different kayaking classes from Wana, one very beginning scores and working its way to river kayaking. Back in the day, I was working in the cubicles and was looking for side occupation, and Adelina phoned ad on Craigslist for a little gay period. Adventures for sale, which was just a little small outfitter in Lillington, originally was going to be like a weekend and evening gig and it gonna give growing every year. And now we're pushing about 7800 people on Saturdays and Sundays. We have been asking for my reservations due to pandemic, and once he checked in, we checked. Make sure you get your waivers done, and then Sandra, to the safety brief, every person gets a safety brief where we talk about general guidelines and safety rules and also tell you about the trip layout and kind of what to expect. So we cover 25 miles of the river altogether, offering kayaking trips from one hour up to two days. We do only one achieving trip, which is two miles long and depending on the water level, he can take up to five hours. We call it Lazy River, achieving at its finest. We do ask folks to wear masks while on land. And in shuttle Vance, we do sanitize old equipment, lifejackets, battles and boats after every use we located right at where the coastal plain means the Piedmont. And so that creates some of the landscape that you encounter here on the river like rock gardens and even some rapids. Because of those two planes coming together right in this area, we also because off their being so shallow, we don't have any motor traffic here. The vast majority of times that will be all the canoes, kayaks most early in the summer time, you gotta have sunscreen, or if not sunscreen, then maybe long sleeve charts to be protected from the summer heat. Then we recommend bringing water in it. Gonna nutritious snacks is also a very good idea. Clothing is very important. Wearing some protective shoes with a back strap and protects you toes. We do have a minimum wage of three for any river activities and then occasionally goes up from there depending on the river section. And we definitely have. Who are the kids coming out? We will also have folks. They're in their eighties. Have been here before. We don't some tubing or kayaking with us for basic recreational paddling on flat water. You know, fairly easy enough for a vast majority of the folks to gonna hop in and get started visiting our website of your adventures. That gum should provide tons of information for really any information about the river come season keep you really adventurous would love to have you.</p>

Cape Fear River Adventures

Before a hurricane hits, homeowners should remove loose items from their property that high winds can turn into projectiles.

Prepare outdoors to avoid storm damage

In the hours you have before the rain and winds move in, homeowners can take steps to limit any damage Hurricane Florence might do.