Officials are encouraging residents to take steps to prepare for extreme weather ahead of hurricane season. New data shows flood and wind risk is changing in the state.

Inland homes at risk for high winds, flooding during hurricane season. Here's what you can do now.

Holly Springs shed damage

More than a dozen former employees say understaffing at Brynn Marr Hospital contributes to what they describe as a dangerous place for patients and employees. Hospital officials say allegations of violence, sexual assaults, overmedication and lack of mental health therapy are unfounded.

Former employees say short-staffed NC psych hospital rife with violence, abuse

Brynn Marr Hospital

A criminal case against former NBA player Jayson Williams stemming from a Raleigh bar fight was dismissed Wednesday, authorities said.

<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — A criminal case against former NBA player Jayson Williams stemming from a Raleigh bar fight was dismissed Wednesday, authorities said.

Williams, 41, was arrested on May 25 after a fight broke out at the Ugly Monkey club, 101 S. Harrington St. Police said no one was seriously injured in the fight.

He was charged with one count of simple assault, but prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor charge.

Williams is awaiting retrial on a manslaughter charge in New Jersey stemming from the 2002 shooting death of his limousine driver.

Williams was reportedly playing with a shotgun when it went off. A jury deadlocked on the manslaughter case but convicted him of trying to cover up the shooting.

During his NBA run, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets.

Assault charge dropped against former NBA player

Jayson Williams

The state has a budget surplus of more than $1 billion for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Top North Carolina lawmaker considering sending money back to taxpayers

NC Senate leader Phil Berger weighs in on inflation's role in budget proposal

Our southeastern counties face a chance of strong storms developing Friday afternoon due to a cold front.



Level 1 risk for storms Friday; hail and strong winds possible southeast of Triangle

Severe risk for Friday 

JT International -- which makes and sells Winston, Camel and other cigarette brands -- plans to move its U.S. offices from New Jersey, bringing more than 100 jobs to Raleigh's North Hills area. 


Cigarette-maker moving U.S. headquarters to Raleigh 

One North Hills Tower 

Durham police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred near the downtown bus terminal on Thursday afternoon.

Shots fired near Durham bus terminal, investigation underway

Car hit by gunfire after shooting near Durham bus station on W. Pettigrew St. 

The Carolina Hurricanes try to turn the tides against the New York Rangers in Game 3 at PNC Arena. The Canes are down 2-0 to the Rangers.

Live Updates: Rangers score in the second period, 1-1

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

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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

Carolina Hurricanes players and Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour talk about Game 3 on Thursday night against the New York Rangers. 

Canes players, coach talk about Game 3 against New York Rangers

Thursday marks a big step for Wilson's new Carolina Mudcats baseball stadium as the town breaks ground on the site downtown. Earlier this year, the city approved $73 million in bond money to build the stadium.

Wilson breaks ground on new Mudcats baseball stadium 

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Dozens of people showed up on Douglas Street in Wilson on Thursday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Carolina Mudcats' new Wilson stadium.

The Charlotte Hornets have named Charles Lee as their next head coach. The 39-year-old Lee joins the Hornets after serving as the Boston Celtics top assistant coach.

Charlotte Hornets hire Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee to be their next head coach

Hornets Coach Basketball

The Oak Island Fire Department responded to three homes struck by lightning on Wednesday night. Two homes had minor damage, but a home on W. Yacht Drive was a total loss.

3 homes struck by lightning in Oak Island, one a total loss

Oak Island home fire

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Two backcountry skiers were killed and one was rescued after they were swept up and buried in an avalanche Thursday in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City that occurred after several days of spring snowstorms, authorities said.

Assault charge dropped against former NBA player

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Live Updates: Rangers score in the second period, 1-1

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2 skiers killed after being caught in Utah avalanche following late spring snowstorms, sheriff says

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Canes players, coach talk about Game 3 against New York Rangers

Wilson breaks ground on new Mudcats baseball stadium