2 NC counties are under alert, including Chatham County.

We’re also following how a dog and her puppies are doing after being zipped inside a suitcase and abandoned. Plus, how a woman is recovering after being cut out of her car, smashed into a school bus. Watch WRAL NEWS at 11 and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11 : Showers & storms moving out, but our break won’t last long. When our next system arrives to dump more rain on us

It's that time of year when your child will be taking end-of-grade tests or EOGs. What are EOGs and how can you help them be better prepared?

End-of-grade tests: Everything you need to know about these annual exams

Student testing 

As the number of juvenile offenders climbs, the state is looking at alternatives crowded detention centers to make sure young people already convicted of crimes can turn their lives around. 

Education, skills and rehab focus easing burden on NC juvenile justice system

Inside the juvenile justice system

An unknown odor that caused Montclair Elementary School in Fayetteville to be evacuated Tuesday morning has been identified as gasoline, according to emergency officials. 

<b>FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.</b> — An unknown odor that caused Montclair Elementary School in Fayetteville to be evacuated Tuesday morning has been identified as gasoline, according to emergency officials.

The gas was removed from the building, and students and staff were allowed to return to class by 9 a.m.

The area where the gas was found has been ventilated and deemed safe by the fire department's hazardous materials team.

Kelly Hinchcliffe

Odor at Fayetteville school identified as gasoline; students back in class

WRAL News

The North Carolina Senate plans to vote Wednesday to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons, institute harsher penalties on protesters, roll back juvenile justice reforms, raise toll road late fees, modernize sex crime laws and let billboard companies cut down more trees.



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

Protestors gather in Graham 

A dog and puppies were found abandoned in a closed suitcase on Wednesday in Johnston County.

Abandoned dog and puppies found in suitcase by Johnston County firefighters

Dog and puppies found in a closed suitcase 

Get ready to soak up some sunshine on Thursday. With highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid-60s, it's a perfect day to spend outdoors.

Trade the umbrella for sunglasses: Enjoy Thursday's warmth and partly cloudy skies

Fitness forecast for Thursday 

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a school bus crash Wednesday afternoon that involved students from Rosewood Elementary. 

Goldsboro school bus crash: Car driver airlifted, 2 children treated for minor injuries 

NCHP investigating school bus crash in Wayne County

The Wayne County town of Fremont is under investigation for letting people live inside Town Hall, among other violations, according to the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.


NC town of Fremont investigated: Report says people, pets allowed to live inside Town Hall 

Court records filed away

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The North Carolina Senate is expected to vote on bills that would ban the wearing of masks in public and the use of AI to create pornographic images of people.

State lawmakers debate bills to ban masks, AI-generated pornography 

Videos

The Carolina Panthers will start the season with a road game against divisional foe New Orleans on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1:00 p.m.

The 2024 NFL Schedule is out! Here's what it looks like for the Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees also set a $134.9 million budget for the 2024-25 school year.

UNC trustees critical of Cunningham, to review athletic department amid budget concerns

Cormac Ryan and his UNC teammates

When NC State and Virginia play each other in 2025 and 2026, the ACC opponents won't be playing ACC games.

NC State schedules non-conference games with ACC opponent for 2025, 2026

Dave Doeren and NC State take the field

With the future of the Atlantic Coast Conference in question, commissioner Jim Phillips expressed optimism that the league can still be salvaged. Speaking at the ACC meetings in Amelia Island, Phillips says you have to "work through these things." 

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips is holding out hope for a 'really good ending' despite league turmoil

 ACC commissioner Jim Phillips

NC State will follow up its Final Four run with a trip to Hawaii. The Wolfpack has been invited to the 2025 Maui Invitational to be played at the historic Lahaina Civic Center Nov. 24-26.