1 closing/delay reported.

Tonight at 6 on WRAL, what's behind the disturbing trend in underage drinking and, in a rare interview you'll only see on WRAL, the head of the state's alcohol law enforcement talks about what they need to save the lives of our children.

At 6 on WRAL: An emotional plea from a mother after a rise in underage drinking and driving.

In November 2022 Tessiah Smithen received a letter that's haunted her for 18 months. Since, a teacher has resigned, and the school system is making changes following a 5 On Your Side investigation.

5 On Your Side: An anonymous letter accused a Wake teacher of abuse. What happened after a mom pushed for an investigation

5 On Your Side: Teacher accused of abusive behavior toward student with autism

In all three of these sewer blowback cases, the homes were below the grade of the road or downstream from the main sewer line itself.

How sewage floods at home turned into nightmares for Raleigh families

Sewage floods inside Raleigh homes

Billy Mac Vinson, Jr., 43, of 4601 Jefferson St., was charged with statutory rape, kidnapping and taking indecent liberties with a minor.

<b>HOPE MILLS, N.C.</b> — A Hope Mills man was charged Wednesday with engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl, according to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Detectives.

The girl told investigators that Vinson gave her drugs and forced her to have sex with him. The encounter allegedly occurred between Nov. 22 and Nov. 24, 2008, at a home on Cubby Circle.

Vinson was being processed into the Cumberland County Detention Center Wednesday evening. No bond information was available.

Kathy Hanrahan

Hope Mills man charged with sex acts with a minor

Billy Mac Vinson, Jr. sex acts with a minor hope mills

Asha Crews said her 6-year-old son, Sincere, was placed in a "restraint chair" inside a broom closet at Mariam Boyd Elementary. Crews said the closet has no air conditioning and showed signs of mold.

Mom upset after son with autism put inside closet for 'timeout'

Sincere Crews

No one was injured Tuesday when shots were fired into a home in Raleigh, according to police.



Shots fired in Raleigh neighborhoods, at least one home hit by bullets

Raleigh police investigating two shots fired incidents they believe are connected

More than 50 Durham Association of Educators (DAE) members walked out of the school board meeting on Monday after expressing frustration over failed attempts to unionize. Some at the meeting accused the school district of union-busting tactics.

'It's time to do the right thing': Durham educators walk out of school board meeting, accuse district of union-busting tactics

Durham Associatoin of Educators rally

NEW YORK (AP) — The defense rested its case in Donald Trump's hush money trial on Tuesday morning without the former president taking the witness stand to testify, bringing proceedings one step closer to closing arguments.

The Latest | Defense rests its case without Trump testifying in his hush money trial

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BANGKOK (AP) -- A Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean and descended 6,000 feet in a span of about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday, leaving a British man dead and more than two dozen other passengers injured.

British man dies and several passengers are injured when turbulence hits a Singapore Airlines flight

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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

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Powerball drawings, as shown live on WRAL.

Powerball Drawing

Wake County residents will get an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Wake County residents & leaders discuss how to spend taxpayer money

Videos

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour is staying in Raleigh. The Canes legend agreed to a contract extension with the team. The details of the extension are currently unknown.

Here to stay: Canes sign Brind'Amour to multi-year extension

Rod Brind'Amour

University presidents around the country are scheduled to meet this week to vote on whether to accept a proposed settlement of an antitrust lawsuit that would cost the NCAA nearly $3 billion and create a landmark revenue-sharing system with college athletes.

Power conferences, NCAA to vote on landmark $2.7 billion settlement as smaller leagues balk at terms

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North Carolina coach Scott Forbes was named ACC Coach of the Year and outfielder Vance Honeycutt earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.

Top-seed UNC's Honeycutt, Forbes earn ACC awards; Full ACC baseball schedule

North Carolina Baseball

A unique, 3-on-3 baseball event is coming to Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Durham Bulls will host Home Run Derby X on Saturday, Sept. 7.  

'Home Run Derby with defense' coming to DBAP this fall

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Autopsy results revealed Dorothy Smith was beat so bad that she had a lacerated spleen and internal bleeding. 