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>DURHAM</b> — Traffic is flowing again along I-85 in Durham,where a multi-vehicle accident left 3 people dead and 7 injured Thursday afternoon. A Life Flight helicopter responded to the scene where six carsand 5 trucks were mangled together.

An unidentified woman and her two children were killed whenthe mini-van they were riding in crashed.

Seven people were taken to Durham Regional or Duke hospital. One of theinjured, taken to Durham Regional, is the husband of the womanwho was killed. The family was not from the Triangle area. The accidentoccurred at 12:40 p.m. in the northbound lane of I-85 at the Cole MillRoad exit.

Police say the accident was triggered when one car spun out of control.Sergeant A.J. Carter of the Durham Police Department says speed mayhave been a factor in the accident.  Carter's investigation is alsoconcentrating on the possibility a driver may have fallen asleep at thewheel.

Maurice Thomas walked away from the wreck after an 18-wheeler pinned hisGeo Tracker into a concrete barricade.  Thomas says he is grateful to havesurvived the crash.  He believes God was holding him down inside the car.

The pile-up appears similar to the accident last summer that killed eightpeople in a construction zone on I-85 north of Durham.  The anniversary ofthat accident is next Friday.

Durham Stretch of I-85 Reopened After Fatal Accident

The driver of this Geo Tracker walked away unharmed

On Sunday morning Duke University will award nearly 7,000 graduates during its annual commencement ceremony.

'Just swing the bat and pray:' Seinfeld shares 3 keys to life with nearly 7,000 graduating Duke students

'Just swing the bat and pray:' Seinfeld shares 3 keys to life with nearly 7,000 Duke grads

A great Raleigh philanthropist who devoted his life to helping others and transforming our capital city into a national center for fine arts, literature, music and theater has passed away at age 89.

'Many great deeds:' Dr. Assad Meymandi, philanthropist who built Raleigh into national center for fine art, has died

Assad Meymandi

Dave Boliek and Jack Clark face each other in a runoff to become the Republican Party's nominee for state auditor, a position that voters haven't sought to change in 16 years. Why partisanship and professional licensing are at the center of the race. 

Politician or public servant? State auditor candidates chart different paths for GOP nomination 

Dave Boliek (left) and Jack Clark (right)

Police say a woman was shot in the upper thigh while two men inside the home were arguing. EMS stabilized the woman and took her to ECU Health in Greenville. Both men suffered gunshot wounds during the altercation.

Woman, two men hospitalized after shooting in Scotland Neck, police say

Home in Scotland Neck

Brady Skjei scored a power play goal for the Carolina Hurricanes with minutes remaining in the third period. The Canes will play Game 5 in New York on Monday.

Hurricanes stay alive with a late power play goal, beat Rangers 4-3

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

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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

On Sunday morning Duke University will award nearly 7,000 graduates during its annual commencement ceremony. Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld, father of a current Duke student, will be the commencement speaker. 

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld shares his keys to life with Duke grads

Jerry Seinfield to speak to nearly 7,000 graduates at Duke commencement ceremony

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes turned their last stand into a season-extending victory. Incredibly, it was the struggling power play that got them there.

Skjei's late goal helps Hurricanes beat Rangers 4-3 to extend 2nd-round series

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