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>FAYETTEVILLE</b> — Fayetteville police are looking for ablue light bandit who tried to sexually assault a woman motorist.

Investigators released a computer generated sketch of the suspect.The victim says she pulled over on Morganton Road after seeing a blue lightbehind her car early Sunday morning. She says the man talked about atraffic violation and ordered the woman into the back of his car, where hetried to molest her.

Blue Light Bandit Strikes in Fayetteville

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

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

Crews on Friday responded to a water main break on Common Oaks Drive in Wake Forest, near the intersection with Capital Boulevard.



Water main break blocks Wake Forest intersection near Capital Boulevard

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 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.

Hurricanes fall in overtime to the Rangers, trail 3-0 in the series

Hurricanes_Rangers_Hockey_22564

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 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.