37 NC counties are under alert, including Cumberland, Johnston, Wayne, Harnett, and Moore counties.

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

The growing popularity of online shopping won't stop millions of consumers from standing in pre-dawn lines Friday as they seek out holiday bargains.

ST. LOUIS — The growing popularity of online shopping won't stop millions of consumers from standing in pre-dawn lines Friday as they seek out holiday bargains.

That's according to a new annual study from MasterCard Worldwide.

Every year, MasterCard analyzes the transaction data from the previous holiday shopping season that is processed at its data center in suburban St. Louis.

The data show that the Friday after Thanksgiving, called &quot;Black Friday&quot; in the retail industry, still remains the busiest shopping day for gift-oriented items like clothing, electronics and appliances.

But the study says Internet sales are growing. About 69 percent of shoppers expect to do at least some of their shopping online this year.

Area shopping malls open early this Friday:

Crabtree Valley Mall, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Triangle Town Center, 7a.m. - 10 p.m.

Streets of Southpoint, 5 a.m. -10 p.m.

'Black Friday' Still Busiest Shopping Day

Friday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, with an upgraded risk for severe storms in our southern counties.



WRAL Weather Alert Day: Severe thunderstorm watch in effect, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes possible

Severe risk for Friday 

Sky 5 flew over the scene on I-40 West near U.S. 70 in Garner. Traffic began to flow on I-40 West around 4:45 p.m. Friday.

At least 10 cars involved in I-40 West crash near Garner

The crash closed all lanes of traffic on I-40 West near U.S. 70 in Garner.

A man was taken to the hospital Friday after shots were fired at an apartment complex in north Raleigh.



Shots fired at north Raleigh apartment complex, man injured

One man hurt in north Raleigh shooting, police remain on scene

Two men were charged after four people were shot Wednesday night in Durham. One man died in the shooting, and a woman was seriously injured.



Two men arrested after 4 people shot, man killed at Durham apartment

Yeltsin Cinto Orozco, 29, and William Antonio Sanchez-Vasquez, 42

North Carolina's budget surplus is now expected to be approximately $1 billion, down from previous reports that have anticipated $1.4 billion.

NC's budget surplus will be $430 million less than expected, officials say

NC Sales Tax

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

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

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Interstate 40 West is closed Friday after a crash along the interstate near Garner.

Sky 5 flies over I-40 West crash near Garner

Sky 5 flies over I-40 West closure after crash near Garner

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 coach Rod Brind'Amour talks about facing a 3-0 series deficit against the New York Rangers and looks ahead to Game 4 on Saturday.

Brind'Amour: It's a new day and a new challenge

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour

Videos

Wake County and Raleigh approved a financing plan to pay for upgrades at PNC Arena. The renovation project won't begin until next summer.

What's next for PNC Arena upgrade after city, county approve financing plan

Tip off as the Pack take on the Heels

The United States Golf Association has opened its new headquarters in Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame.

USGA opens new headquarters in Pinehurst, showcasing historic golf artifacts

The United States Golf Association has opened its new headquarters in Pinehurst, which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame. Photo provided by USGA.

The Carolina Hurricanes hope to keep their season alive in Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Saturday night at PNC Arena.

With backs against the wall, Canes' resolve faces ultimate challenge

Rangers_Hurricanes_Hockey_78209

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

Wilson breaks ground on new Mudcats baseball stadium

Justin Thomas was back home in Kentucky for an occasion different from any other time in Louisville. The city honored him with its “Hometown Hero” award, and a 60-foot banner was unfurled from the building he used to pass on the way to Saint Xavier High School.