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The state has a budget surplus of more than $1 billion for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Top North Carolina lawmaker considering sending money back to taxpayers

UPDATED. JOE. >> TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING ON A BUS RIDE. THANK YOU. >> WELL, SOME OF YOUR TAX MONEY COULD BE HEADED BACK TO YOU. LEGISLATE OF LEADERS SAY THEY'VE DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF TAX REBATES AS A WAY TO SPEND THE BUDGET SURPLUS. HOWEVER, STATE SENATE LEADER PHIL BERGER SIGNAL TODAY. THAT'S UNLIKELY THIS YEAR WRAL'S CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF LAURA LESLIE WAS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION AND JOINS US NOW LIVE FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING. MORE. >> DEVIN A REBATE CHECK. SOUND GOOD TO A LOT OF TAXPAYERS, RIGHT? I MEAN, WHO DOESN'T WANT A BIGGER TAX REFUND? BUT AS THE STATE KEEPS GROWING, THE COST OF A REBATE KEEPS GROWING TO MAYBE A LITTLE TOO BIG FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. >> IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE STATE LAWMAKERS ISSUED A REBATE TO TAXPAYERS. SENATE LEADER PHIL BERGER SAID IT DOES NOT APPEAR LIKELY THIS YEAR EITHER. ALTHOUGH BUDGET WRITERS HAVE DISGUSTED, HE SAID HE ASKED HIS STAFF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST $4,000 REBATE TO EACH TAXPAYER OR EACH HOUSEHOLD. THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO HAVE WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE A A MEASURABLE AMOUNT. YOU KNOW, IT'S $100 OR $150 >> IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE THAN A IT WOULD BE PRACTICAL FOR US TO DEAL WITH BACK IN 2019 REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PROPOSED A REBATE OF $125 PER PERSON. >> BUT THAT YEAR THEY HAD A BUDGET STANDOFF. A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, ROY COOPER. SO THE REBATE NEVER HAPPENED THIS YEAR. THE STATE HAS A 1.4 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS. BUT SOME OF THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED. REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO SET ASIDE ABOUT 500 MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND THE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM. IF YOU SUBTRACT THAT FROM THE SURPLUS, IT WOULD LEAVE ENOUGH FOR A REBATE OF ONLY ABOUT $111 FOR EVERY ADULT IN NORTH CAROLINA. WE'RE LOOKING AT IT, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'D BE A AN INTEREST IN DOING IT UNLESS THE AMOUNT WE COULD SEND OUT WOULD BE AN AMOUNT THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YOU KNOW, MORE THAN A HALF A TANK OF GAS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. >> WE ALSO ASKED BURGERS COUNTERPART, HOUSE SPEAKER TIM MOORE, HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT A REBATE. HIS SPOKESWOMAN SAID HE HAD NO COMMENT THAT FOR WHAT YOU HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THAT REBATE. I I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW THAT

NC lawmakers could use budget surplus to fund rebate to taxpayers

NC Senate leader Phil Berger weighs in on inflation's role in budget proposal

Level 1 risk for storms Friday; hail and strong winds possible southeast of Triangle

Hour-by-hour chances Friday 

Cigarette-maker moving U.S. headquarters to Raleigh 

One North Hills Tower 

Shots fired near Durham bus terminal, investigation underway

Car hit by gunfire after shooting near Durham bus station on W. Pettigrew St. 

Live Updates: Hurricanes aim for first win in series vs. Rangers

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Former Red Hat employee alleges 'anti-white' discrimination in lawsuit against Raleigh company

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WRAL Investigates: Mother says missed pool inspection cost her daughter's life

Swimming pool

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WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Thursday, May 9, 2024 -- As Catherine Truitt bemoaned the politicalization of public education she displayed her own culpability. Freed of the anchor of election-year incumbency, she chose still to take to the political soap box and dodge the tough stands like supporting the Comprehensive Remedial Plan to bring quality education to every North Carolina public school student.  

Editorial: Truitt decries politicization of N.C. schools even as she dodged a tough stand

Catherine Truitt, N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction

A woman was found shot at the scene and taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Woman hospitalized after shooting near McDougald Terrace, Durham Police investigate

Woman injured in McDougald Terrace shooting, Durham Police investigate

Durham police have identified the man killed and made an arrest after Wednesday night's shooting at the Duke Manor apartments. The shooting also injured three other people.


Durham police make arrest in apartment shooting, ID man killed

Man killed, 3 others shot at Duke Manor apartments in Durham

Nearly 9,000 animals came into the Wake County Animal Center in 2023. A recent budget proposal offers help for the center in the short-term, and the long-term.

Wake County Animal Center would get more employees, space under proposed budget

Wake County Animal Center

An Amtrak passenger train on Wednesday hit two unoccupied cars on the tracks near the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Beryl Road in Raleigh.


'I just saw the car flying over my head': Amtrak train hits cars blocking tracks in Raleigh

Amtrak train hits car near Hillsborough Street in Raleigh

If you use a points-and-rewards credit card offered by an airline in partnership with a big bank, how much are the points you've accrued worth in dollars? And how much do you need to spend to get the best rewards?

US regulators are looking at potential 'bait and switch' schemes with airline-affiliated credit card reward points

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The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is dealing with delays issuing driver licenses and IDs, which could pose a problem for voters.



DMV delays for license, ID may impact voters

NCDMV location changes

The Oak Island Fire Department responded to three homes struck by lightning on Wednesday night. Two homes had minor damage, but a home on W. Yacht Drive was a total loss.

3 homes struck by lightning in Oak Island, one a total loss

Oak Island home fire

Wake County leaders are proposing to spend $255 million on public safety in fiscal year 2025. The additional funds will add firefighters and emergency medical crews to keep up with the county's growth.

Wake County wants to spend $32.5 million more on public safety compared to previous year

As of Thursday, the Raleigh Fire Department has 49 vacancies out of 553 positions. There are 55 new recruits in training to join the city.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday that the state will offer a reward of up to $25,000 for information that helps solve a 2017 homicide.



Gov. Cooper offers $25,000 reward for information in 2017 homicide 

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It's Mother's Day weekend! We have some great ideas to help you celebrate with the mother figure in your life, plus lots more events coming up.

Weekend best bets: Beats N Bars Festival, pop-up markets

Strawberry picking

Explore the Triangle's premier spas, including the award-winning Umstead Spa and Blue Water Spa's medical-grade treatments. Discover tranquility at Le Nu Spa, Smoothe & Co.'s results-driven esthetics and Avail Aesthetics' sophisticated skincare.

 Top 5 spas in the Triangle: Where luxury meets wellness

The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Celebrate the moms in your life on Sunday, May 12 with these Mother's Day deals including flowers, gift card bonus offers, restaurant deals, retail sales and more!

Mother's Day Deals 2024: Flowers, restaurant, retail and gift card bonus offers

Roses at store

Panera Bread said it's discontinuing its Charged Sips drinks that were tied to at least two wrongful death lawsuits due to their high caffeine content.

Panera to stop serving 'Charged Sips' drinks after wrongful death lawsuits over caffeine content

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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

Every May, more than 190 wineries across North Carolina open their doors for a month of special events, tastings and promotions.

May is North Carolina Wine Month: Explore NC's award-winning wineries

ZincHouse Winery & Brewery is located at 6225 Wake Forest Highway in Durham, North Carolina.

Don't Miss It

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is dealing with delays issuing driver licenses and IDs, which could pose a problem for voters.

Tar Heel Traveler: Harbor Town Cruises in Washington County

Wake County reverses staffing shortages in fire and EMS

Disabled veteran defies the odds gets back on his feet 

Car hit by gunfire after shooting near Durham bus station on W. Pettigrew St.  

Pet of the Day for May 9, 2024

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In Depth with Dan: Examining Raleigh's growing homelessness problem

Local News

Raleigh man bags $1 million scratch-off prize

Lee County man charged with stabbing someone in the neck

Raleigh-bound reptile: Animal control finds 5-foot-long iguana roaming around

Wilson breaks ground on new Mudcats baseball stadium

Body camera video shows fatal shooting of Black airman by Florida deputy in apartment doorway

Nation/World

Stormy Daniels to return to the stand for more questioning in Trump's hush money trial

AstraZeneca pulls its COVID-19 vaccine from the European market

Biden says US won't supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally

Storm-battered South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life

Brunch is a hot topic lately. But where can you find the best brunch in the Triangle?

Guide to the best brunch spots in the Triangle

Shrimp and Grits from NoFo 

Savor the flavor: Raleigh's 20 best brunch spots revealed

Rosewater Kitchen & Bar

Boating, biking, bird-watching: 10 Lakes near Raleigh for a day by the water

Lake Johnson

Grammy-winning Durham bluegrass artist dies unexpectedly at 57 

Durham man picks banjos to play, trade

Mother's Day Coverage

WRAL guide to Mother's Day

Out & About

Fact check: Trump says he's 'not allowed to testify' under gag order

Politifact

Fact check: Biden says he was arrested during Civil Rights era

Fact check: Pelosi says Trump has 'the worst record of job loss of any president'

Fact-checking 3 of Michele Morrow's claims about school safety

Fact check: RFK Jr. says Biden censored his political opponent

NC lawmakers move forward with bill defining antisemitism

NC Capitol

NC treasurer claims cancer patients overcharged, hospitals call allegation 'false picture'

AAPI residents, reps push for voter rights, diversity recognition

NC billboard industry once again heads for political fight with tourism advocates, environmentalists

NC lawmakers consider bill to define antisemitism

Cumberland County Schools to install weapons detection systems at all schools

Education

Cumberland County Schools to install new weapons detection systems

UNC makes security changes to graduation ceremonies

'It builds confidence': Science comes to life in Wake students' real-world projects

UNC enforces clear bag policy for graduation, will require graduates to show ID card

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

WRAL In Depth

Former NC psych hospital staff allege they were told to falsify patient records

WRAL Investigates why the truth about mental health hospitals remains hidden

Former employees say short-staffed NC psych hospital rife with violence, abuse

One Tech Tip: How to spot AI-generated deepfake images

Growing up Jarvis: Brothers Seth and Kayden Jarvis celebrate Hurricanes success together 

WRALSportsFan

Charlotte Hornets hire Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee to be their next head coach

Cary's football team is set to feature UNC & NC State commits

In the NIL landscape, schools are turning to companies to train and manage in-house general managers

Jokic wins NBA's MVP award, his 3rd in 4 seasons. Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic round out top 3

Corinth Holders repeats as stunt champion with win over Green Level

HighSchoolOT

Start times for the 4th round of the NCHSAA lacrosse state playoffs

Interactive 2024 NCHSAA baseball & softball state playoff brackets

Start times for the 2nd round of the NCHSAA baseball state playoffs

Start times for the 2nd round of the NCHSAA softball state playoffs

Dr. Charles Gerardo, chair of the department of emergency medicine for Duke University Hospital, said current visit times in the emergency department are 30% lower than when the data was taken for the Becker's Hospital Review rankings.

Duke University Hospital says ER wait times have dropped since report that found patients waiting 6+ hours

Exterior Duke University Hospital emergency department

State house lawmakers voted almost unanimously Wednesday afternoon on a bill that would add a broad definition of antisemitism to state law. It now goes to the state Senate for further debate and a potential vote there. 



NC House votes overwhelmingly to approve bill defining antisemitism

North Carolina Legislative Building 

After pushback from the NC Chamber, two Republican-appointed members of the Environmental Management Commission are delaying the rulemaking process to limit ground and surface water pollution of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals.

PFAS pollution standards delayed after pushback from NC Chamber

Cape Fear River

A joint investigation by WRAL and North Carolina Health News uncovered a history of issues with mental health hospitals in North Carolina that cater to children.

WRAL Investigates lack of transparency at mental health facilities

Grier Martin, North Carolina's new veterans affairs secretary, plans to visit the closed Fayetteville veterans home.

NC Veterans secretary to assess whether to repair or replace Fayetteville veterans' home

COVID-19 outbreak at Fayetteville veterans nursing home

The North Carolina Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs stepped down amid criticism from Republican lawmakers over the decision to close the facility. New secretary Grier Martin made his first appearance to answer state lawmakers' questions about it Tuesday.

New North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs talks about future of department

WRAL Specialists

Federal agencies look into credit card reward programs after complaints

Consumer Reports' best buys for May

Consumer Reports petitions for changes to cancer-causing chemicals in car seats

Faster internet comes at a price: Gas, power lines cut in Pittsboro neighborhood

5 On Your Side

Drugs, money & speeding: A ride along with Nash County's sheriff

On I-95, speed, drugs and a special effort to stop them

Mom of pool electrocution victim fights for tighter rules around electrical hazards

Claims of assault and over-medicating kids in crisis at NC facility

Investigations

Raleigh connects technology and city leaders with Smart Cities Conference and Expo

Cigarette-maker moving US headquarters to Raleigh

Grace Ueng: Fireside chat with entrepreneur, investor Joe Colopy, part 2

'Missing middle' is key to making homeownership affordable again

WRAL TechWire

Technology crushing human creativity? Apple's new iPad ad has struck a nerve online

The Chair of the FDIC is facing calls to resign after a scathing report. The implications for banks could be significant

The 'world's largest' vacuum to suck climate pollution out of the air just opened. Here's how it works

Edmunds: Trade or sell your car? What's best might surprise you

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Family life coach can be part of a teen's mental health support team

Family

12-year-old 'hype man' with cerebral palsy brings joy to Sampson classmates 

Honoring what we've lost

Nintendo to announce new Switch console 

Go Ask Dad: Bravo! Give a bow

Top Amazon deals: Mother's Day Sale, Satin Pillowcases 2 pack only $5.57 (52% off), Tactical LED Flashlights 2 pk only $7.99

SmartShopper

LinkedIn bulls struggling with tough year