38 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

<b>RED SPRINGS</b> — Investigators suspect foul play in the death of a Robeson County woman who was found dead in her home after an early morning fire.

Around 4 a.m. Sunday, firefighters found 45-year-old Frances Pesad dead inside her home at 52 Beck Street, but investigators are not sure if she died before or during the fire.

Agents with the State Bureau of Investigation will take Pesad's body to the medical examiner's office in Chapel Hill on Monday for an autopsy. Police say an autopsy will determine whether she died before the fire or by the blaze itself.

Police also say that the victim's red Ford Mustang is missing. Police are asking that anyone who sees the car, with NC license plate LZC 4259, to call the Red Springs Police Department at(910) 843-3454or the SBI at(800) 334-3000.

Steve Humbert

Kelly Gardner

Police Suspect Foul Play in Red Springs Woman's Death

Firefighters found the body of 45-year-old Frances Pesad in this house Sunday morning. Investigators suspect foul play in Pesad's death and are waiting for autopsy results.(WRAL-TV5 News)

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 for areas south of Triangle, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes possible

Severe risk for Friday 

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

A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to create dazzling auroras that may be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California but also disrupt communications on Earth tonight and over the weekend.

Solar storms could create rare aurora displays, be visible in North Carolina this weekend

Aurora forecast for May 10-11

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

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

Sky 5 flies over a water main break on Common Oaks Drive at Capital Blvd in Raleigh.

Water main break in Raleigh

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

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.