Raleigh breaking news and weather, Raleigh North Carolina news today, WRAL 7-day forecasts, NC lottery updates. WRAL news in Raleigh, NC.

WRAL.com

WRAL meteorologists are tracking Tropical Storm Helene in the western Caribbean and its potential to impact North Carolina. The storm's projected path shows impact to central and western North Carolina later this week. Any potential impact to our area would likely come Friday and Saturday.

Helene now a hurricane; expected to intensify into Category 4 storm

Here's a tropical update from the Wral severe weather center as of the 11 a.m. advisory from the national hurricane center Helene is a hurricane and it's forecast to become a major hurricane category three by eight o'clock, Thursday morning and then roughly around eight or nine Thursday evening making landfall as a category three storm on Florida's big bend. You'll notice that the track of the storm it's going toward the west, but we'll feel some effects from it here at home and we'll get to that here in just a little bit. But now that it's forecast to be a cat three at landfall in Florida, this would make the ninth major hurricane to make landfall in that state within the past 20 years. And you see there have been quite a few clustered within the past 6 to 7 years last year at Dalia 2022 there was Ian Michael and Irma a lot of high name storms there. Uh This one certainly gonna be, uh, one that's, uh, talked about for quite some time. You can see that in between Mexico and Cuba, there's a lot of warm water and that warmth extends into the depths of the ocean acting as hurricane fuel over the next two days. By the time it gets here, we're looking at a weaker storm but still plenty of wind, especially in the mountains here at home are wind gusts about 20 to 40 MPH. Rain totals here about 1 to 2 inches. But man, it gets pretty dangerous in the mountains. You're looking at some rain totals in excess of 10 inches in the mountains of North Carolina in the upstate of South Carolina. Keep it up with Wral for updates on the storm anytime on wral.com and on the Wral news app.

2024 Atlantic hurricane season update

Path of Helene as of Sept. 25, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Top members of Robinson's state office to resign in wake of porn-site report

What's next for Mark Robinson's campaign after top staff resign 

'A case of epic tragedy': Father of Hedingham teen accused in mass shooting pleads guilty to misdemeanor firearm storage charge

Alan Thompson, father of Austin Thompson, accused Hedingham shooter

Hurricane Helene prompts WRAL Weather Alert Days, impacts felt from Triangle west 

Central NC rain totals Sept. 26-27, 2024

Trump 'needs to suffer the consequences' for Mark Robinson, Cooper says

Anti-Trump Burnout: The Resistance Says Itâs Exhausted

Lakes and roads closed in Wake County as heavy rains cause overflows and stranded drivers

Roxboro sinkhole

Cary homeowner's jackhammering of trail entrance sparks dispute over its access

A video of a Cary man jackhammering a trail entrance has gone viral on Reddit, sparking a debate over property rights.

WRAL News+

WRAL News+ Live Thumbnail

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Michael Joseph Chadwick was arrested and charged with going armed to the terror of the public while walking around a Raleigh neighborhood pointing a rifle in various directions, according to police.

Police: Man pointed rifle while wearing body armor in Raleigh neighborhood

Michael Chadwick

Police are investigating a shooting incident at the Harris-Walz campaign office in Tempe, Arizona after workers discovered gunshot damage.


Shots fired at Harris-Walz campaign HQ in Arizona, authorities launch investigation

Shots fired at Harris-Walz office

According to North Carolina Education Lottery officials, The Powerball drawing will be moved from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. due to Hurricane Helene and will not be broadcast live on television or online.

Live drawing for $223 Powerball jackpot moved from Florida due to Hurricane Helene; will not be televised

Powerball

The safety requirements in the STURDY Act include changes safety advocates have wanted for years. At least 482 children have died in furniture tip-over accidents between 2000 and 2021.

New research shows how well new dresser tip over rules are working

Sturdy Act sets new safety standards to prevent tip-over accidents 

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 -- The constant barrage of baseless claims and lawsuits erodes faith in our democratic institutions and makes the job of election officials increasingly difficult.

COLUMN: The real threat to election integrity in North Carolina

North Carolina voter files ballot

Three people died and a child suffered life-threatening injuries from a crash in Orange County on Tuesday.



3 die when minivan hits tree in Orange County, child battling life-threatening injuries

Investigation underway following fatal Orange County accident on NC Hwy 86

Phase 1 of the Complete 540 project opened Wednesday at 6 a.m., giving drivers access to the new 18-mile stretch of roadway.

Complete 540: New 18-mile stretch of 540 opens Wednesday morning

New stretch of I-540 to open Wednesday morning

Former President Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Mint Hill on Wednesday to talk about jobs, battling inflation and restoring the economy.

Trump in NC: Trump holds rally in Mint Hill

Election_2024_Trump_70871

View WRAL's latest top news

MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM

95.7 That Station

99.9 The Fan

The blue sea dragon (Glaucus atlanticus) was recently spotted washing up on the Outer Banks.

Blue sea dragons make for interesting, yet venomous sight along Outer Banks

Blue sea dragon

This weekend, the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival will fill the streets with dozens of musicians on multiple stages for the final time. 



IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival takes final bow in Raleigh this week

2015 WOB Festival

Gen V: Teen Vaping in North Carolina airs this Thursday on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL. Tune in to discover the influence of Big Tobacco.

WRAL Documentary: Gen V: Teen Vaping in North Carolina

Gen V: Teen Vaping in North Carolina

With hurricane season approaching, it's important to memorize coastal evacuation plans and routes in case of a severe storm.

Hurricane evacuation plans and routes for the North Carolina coast

evacuation routes

This atmospheric dance could pull more rain and stronger winds into western North Carolina Friday.

Ask the Meteorologist: Why the "Fujiwhara Effect" could spell more rain, wind for parts of North Carolina

The Fujiwhara Effect explained on wral.com

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's alleged rejection of the offers sowed doubt among some staff members, people familiar with the matter tell WRAL. His response in the wake of the report likely played a role in the exodus of members of his gubernatorial campaign staff, they said.

Robinson rejected offers of tech help to investigate posts on porn site, sources say

Robinson responds to concerns over positions on social issues

Don't Miss It

Police confiscated multiple guns from a Raleigh man after he walked, armed, through a Brentwood neighborhood, pointing a rifle at homes.

Cell video captures man with body armor and multiple guns 

Police chief warns drivers to stay vigilant with more rain on the way  

Half of Lt. Gov. staff to depart in Wake of CNN porn report 

Former Wayne County deputy sentenced to more than six years for drug trafficking, US attorney explains why

Attorney discusses arrest of former Wayne County deputy who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking

Pet of the Day for Sept. 25, 2024

Drone 5: 25-foot deep sinkhole closes Roxboro road

Drone 5: Roxboro sinkhole

Video Central

WRAL 6am News | September 25

6am Newscast Static

WRAL 9am News | September 25

9am Newscast Static

WRAL Noon News | September 25

12pm Newscast Static

WRAL 4pm News | September 25

4pm Newscast Static

WRAL 6pm News | September 24

6pm Newscast Static

WRAL 10pm News | September 24

10pm Newscast Static

Man charged in 2 Raleigh bank robberies, including PNC Bank and Wells Fargo

Local News

Duke Energy preparing for Hurricane Helene, urges others to do the same

Pro-Palestine protesters block downtown Raleigh traffic, demand ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

Smash-and-grab robbery hits beloved Papa Jack's in Wilson County 

Suspect is detained after an explosion at a California courthouse injures five people

Nation/World

Thousands are pouring into Syria, fleeing worsening conflict in Lebanon

Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says

Harris is making a 'capitalist' pitch to boost the economy as Trump pushes deeper into populism

Secret Service failures before Trump rally shooting were 'preventable,' Senate panel finds

A renowned Raleigh artist is turning a pair of power poles at Dix Park into enormous sunflowers.

Sunflower tower installation begins at Dix Park

Dix pole sunflowers

UNC Asheville grad's peak fall color website a helpful guide for NC leaf peepers

Fall colors shine along Blue Ridge Parkway as foliage 

Top 10 fine dining experiences in the Triangle area

Fine dining, dinner with friends, fancy restaurant, dinner table

Foodie News: Big cookie news

Captain Cookie

Music icon Stevie Wonder brings 'Sing Your Song' tour to Greensboro: A night of healing and hope

Stevie Wonder is coming to Greensboro 

Wawa in Wilson: Wawa celebrates grand opening of 2 new Wilson locations 

Wawa

Out & About

Fact check: Is rape up 53% in NC since Josh Stein became Attorney General?

Politifact

Democrats, LGBTQ+ groups criticize Michele Morrow post

NC education candidate Michele Morrow falsely says the 'plus' in 'LGBTQ+' includes support for pedophilia

From eating dogs to Taylor Swift: Fact-checking Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's first 2024 presidential debate

Preview Trump and Harris' talking points ahead of the presidential debate

Weight-loss drugmaker CEO faces questions over high costs

NC Capitol

Ozempic, Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk questioned over high cost of weight-loss drugs

Under pressure to prove porn-site denial, Robinson hires law firm 

New way to play fuels another record year for NC Lottery sales, education distribution

Mucinex maker plans 289-job expansion in Wilson. NC approves $6.2M incentives package

Wake schools list $200M in HVAC needs, as school board weighs how to fix them

Education

NC State warns community about recent string of vehicle break-ins at residence hall, Greek Village, StateView Hotel

Meet more than 40 high schools at St. Timothy's Annual High School Fair

Wake County Schools to address backlog of maintenance issues at dozens of schools Tuesday

Reports: UNC student, Morehead-Cain scholar found dead in South Africa

Place your bets: The top 5 sports Americans wager money on

WRAL In Depth

Wife of Hamas hostage from North Carolina fights for his freedom

If Mark Robinson drops out of race for NC governor, his name will remain on ballots

Many measures make it tough to understand employment data

PCBs at NC State: Dorms, library, classroom buildings test positive

Skyler Brind'Amour plays first NHL game coached by his father, Rod Brind'Amour

WRALSportsFan

NC State, UNC and Duke release ACC men's basketball schedule

Here are the important dates for ACC women's basketball in the Triangle

Dozens of football games moved due to impacts from Tropical Storm Helene

New Lenovo Center renderings unveiled: Here's what the $1 billion redevelopment could look like

Predicted winners for all 160+ games in week 6 of the high school football season

HighSchoolOT

Undefeated Watch: Week 6 features 39 perfect teams, 4 matchups between unbeatens

The Starting 22: Best players from week 5 of high school football in NC

State senator says State Board of Education took too long to address high school NIL in North Carolina

Volleyball playoff projections for the 2024 postseason

WRAL spent months speaking to doctors, people who work for the state and a lot of young people. All said the same thing - kids are finding ways to get vape products, even those to0 young to purchase them legally.

Undercover: 10 of 12 vape stores sell to young woman without carding

Teen advocates at the Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh said they don't think it is difficult for underage people to get vapes. 

How difficult is it for underage people to get vapes? WRAL goes undercover to find out

Vaping is addictive

Mark Robinson says he'll go 'after' CNN, but turns down offer of help to disprove its bombshell story

Two different families in Franklin County say BMB Contractors has caused them huge problems.The owner is now facing felony charges.

Contractor faces felony charges related to Franklin Co. home dispute

Two different families in Franklin County say BMB Contractors has caused them huge problems. 

Contractor 5 On Your Side recently investigated has been arrested

BMB Contractors 

WRAL Specialists

Northern Wake Senior Center works to curb fall frequency 

How unit pricing can save you money while shopping

Local mom, scientist authors viral study on baby food

5 kinds of Lactaid milk recalled for trace amounts of almond

5 On Your Side

Man killed outside barbershop Saturday in Clinton

Police investigate abuse allegations at Mount Olive nursing home

NC Supreme Court hears case Thursday of ousted clerk of court

Franklin County clerk who lost job after accusations of misconduct takes appeal to NC Supreme Court

Investigations

Donald Thompson: Choose trust over surveillance for human-centric hybrid work environment

Mucinex maker eyes 289-job expansion in Wilson. NC approves $6.2M incentives package

Grace Ueng: Take the civility test; learn how to earn an A

Ban sought for Chinese, Russian software and hardware used in autonomous vehicles on US roads

WRAL TechWire

NTSB engineer says carbon fiber hull from submersible showed signs of flaws

Video game actors' union calls for strike against 'League of Legends'

Almost all small businesses are using a software tool that is enabled by AI

Tearful Caroline Ellison gets 2 years in prison over her role in FTX fraud

Business

Mega Millions

Cash 5

6 questions to ask before getting a dog: Lessons from my sock-eating pup

Family

Unlock the power of daily gratitude: A simple practice for a happier life

Dementia care: Giving credit where credit is due

Local scientist finds unhealthy ingredients in kids' food

Baby powder sold in NC, on Amazon recalled due to asbestos

New Swagbucks Swag Code valid from 4-6 pm ET on Sept. 25

SmartShopper

Top Amazon Deals: Blink security cameras, doorbells & more up to 64% off, Rustler Men's Classic Jeans only $13.98, Wireless Charging Station only $12.99, PLUS Prime Big Deal Days event Oct. 8-9

Sam's Club 12-Month Membership only $15 (70% off)

Target Deals: Halloween makeup & accessories starting at $1.80 and costumes starting at $10, Throw pillows BOGO 50% off

New Swagbucks Swago game Sept. 23-30

Tar Heel Traveler: Porch farm townhouse owner in Cary 

Tar Heel Traveler: NC Arboretum in Asheville   

Tar Heel Traveler

Providence Service Corporation Joint Venture Awarded 5-Year Employment Services Contract in Australia