30 NC counties are under alert, including Cumberland, Harnett, Moore, Chatham, and Sampson counties.

We’re also tracking severe thunderstorm warnings and how long threats last, plus a crash involving a local elementary school bus with children on board, then Only on WRAL adorable pups, along with their mother rescued from a zipped-up suitcase on the side of a local road. Watch WRAL-TV at 6 and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 6: WRAL Investigates police chases. Why the amount of these dangerous pursuits has more than doubled in recent years

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

About 2,500 people participated Saturday in the Ninja Challenge, an obstacle-laden 5K, to raise money for the Triangle Red Cross.

<b>FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C.</b> — About 2,500 people participated Saturday in the Ninja Challenge, an obstacle-laden 5K, to raise money for the Triangle Red Cross.

The event was developed in memory of Karl Andrei Besas who drowned in Lake Gaston in August 2010. Besas' family and friends started the Ninja Challenge to honor his memory and his adventurous spirit and to benefit the charity that helped search for him after his death. 

Those up to the Ninja Challenge faced obstacles on a 5K course to raise money for the Triangle Red Cross.

Greg Hutchinson

Ninja Challenge puts spin on the 5K

Ninjas raise money for Triangle Red Cross

Ninja Challenge 

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 p.m. for areas south of the Triangle, including Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Lenoir, Moore, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland counties.

WRAL Weather Alert Day: Evening threat for most areas with heavy rain and storms ⛈️

Severe risk Wednesday, May 15, 2024

A town of Cary employee was charged with statutory sexual offense with a child and indecent liberties with a child.



Town of Cary employee charged with child sex crimes 

Jordan Chaney Childress, 36

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

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

NC Legislative Building

A'Naya Stancil was shot by her ex-boyfriend Terrance Kerr when he broke into her home in Cumberland County. Her co-worker Anthony David, who intervened, was also shot while trying to protect her.

Co-worker saves woman, faces gunfire in Cumberland County domestic violence incident

Three shot when ex-boyfriend tries to shoot woman, co-worker tries to protect her, family says 

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

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.

Watch as state lawmakers debate bills to ban masks, AI-generated pornography

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

President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivers remarks at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Biden delivers remarks at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

Biden delivers remarks at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service

Videos

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

Netflix and the NFL announced a three-year deal Wednesday to stream games on Christmas Day.

Netflix will carry NFL games on Christmas Day for 3 years, including 2 this season

NFL_Netflix_Christmas_Games_Football_74720

For the second time in its history, the Carolina Panthers will play an international regular season game: vs. the New York Giants on November 10.

NFL schedule release: Panthers to play Giants in Germany

Carolina Panthers headed to Munich, Germany for season game.

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

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.