5 NC counties and 1 VA county are under alert, including Cumberland, Johnston, Harnett, and Sampson counties.

The North Carolina Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to ban anyone from wearing masks in public for health reasons, following an emotional debate about the wisdom of the proposal.


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

Protestors gather in Graham 

North Carolina is a hotbed for hurricanes. Here are the best tips and facts for hurricane season in NC.

Hurricane season begins June 1. Here's what every North Carolina resident needs to know

Hurricane Season in NC

Would you consider having a baby at home? Vote in our poll.

During the last couple of weeks, I've featured a local <a href="https://www.wral.com/carrboro-midwifery-helps-moms-give-birth-at-home/8538711/"><strong>nurse-midwife</strong></a> who can attend home births and a <a href="https://www.wral.com/home-birth-the-only-option-for-this-raleigh-mom/8576804/"><strong>mom who planned a home birth</strong></a> (and had a successful one earlier this week).

Would you consider having one? Vote in our poll.

Go Ask Mom recently featured a midwife and local mom who plans to give birth at home. Would you?

Go Ask Mom recently featured a {{a href=&quot;blogpost-8538711&quot;}}certified nurse-midwife{{/a}} who attends home births and a {{a href=&quot;blogpost-8576804&quot;}}local mom{{/a}} who plans to give birth at home. Would you have a baby at home?

Would you give birth at home?

Exercise during pregnancy can yield benefits for baby

Poll: Would you have a home birth?

Saturday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day due to rain showers throughout the morning with numerous thunderstorms brewing in the afternoon. High temperatures will only reach the upper 70s.


WRAL Weather Alert Day issued for Saturday, increased threat for Southern Counties

Severe risk Saturday

The incident involved 10-year-old girls who were playing on the popular internet gaming platform Roblox while at home, Raleigh police said.

Raleigh girls say man made threats, exposed himself to them while they played Roblox

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​​​​​​​Highway patrol is investigating a hit-and-run accident that took place Friday night at Piney Grove Road intersection involving a white Ford Explorer and a red sedan.

Hit-and-run driver flees after crash at Piney Grove intersection 

​​​​​​​Hit-and-run driver flees after crash at Piney Grove intersection

Police on Friday delivered an update on their efforts to reduce crime in Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. 


Moore Square crime down 50% year-to-year in downtown Raleigh, police say

Raleigh police respond to a scene near the GoRaleigh Station. File photo

In a span of four hours, the top-ranked golfer in the world was arrested wearing gym shorts and a tee shirt, dressed in an orange jail shirt for his mug shot, returned to Valhalla Golf Club in golf clothes and made his 10:08 a.m. second-round tee time.

Police: Scheffler's car dragged detective; Golfer booked, returns to PGA Championship

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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

Weekend planner for May 18 - May 19

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

Mega Millions Drawing

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

Videos

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour is at the end of his deal and several key players are unrestricted free agents. It's prompting questions around the league around whether the former Canes captain will return next season.


Rod Brind'Amour contract situation looms large for Canes' future

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour

"Thereʼs a lot of women behind the scenes. You can do anything you want to do in this industry,ˮ says Jordan Leatherman, the director of diversity and Inclusion at NASCAR.

Drive for diversity: Over decades, NASCAR builds roles for women

Women are revolutionizing NASCAR

The Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated from the NHL playoffs Thursday night, moving the team into one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history.

Hurricanes face off-season of change. Which Carolina players are free agents?

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Duke softball head coach Marissa Young shares the pains and the joys of the past year after her husband suffered a heart attack last year.