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As the enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins, travelers without a REAL ID will face additional steps when boarding flights in the US. While 81% of license holders have already obtained their REAL ID, those who haven't may experience delays and enhanced screenings at airports.


Travelers without a REAL ID can still board flights after deadline with extra steps

<p>BRINGS US A CHANCE FOR RAIN &gt;&gt; WELL, RIGHT NOW HERE AT 4 O'CLOCK, YOU'RE TAKING A LIVE LOOK AT RDU WHERE TRAVELERS ARE JUST HOURS AWAY FROM THAT REAL ID DEADLINE TOMORROW. AIRPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL BEGIN TO ENFORCE THE NEW SECURITY STANDARDS AND IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT IT'S A CHANGE THAT MAY NOT BE AS DRASTIC AS WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I'M DAN HAGGERTY AND I'M LENA TILLETT. THAT'S BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS NOW BACK PEDALING ON THEIR PREVIOUS STATEMENTS. TRAVELERS WILL NOT BE DENIED ACCESS TO FLIGHTS IF THEY DON'T HAVE A REAL ID. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS AFTERNOON. &gt;&gt; WRAL SEAN GALLAGHER IS JOINING US LIVE AT RDU. SEAN TSA SAID IT'S GOING TO BE FLEXIBLE FOR TRAVELERS WHO DON'T HAVE A REAL ID YET. &gt;&gt; YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, GUYS. KIND OF THINK OF TOMORROW AS A SOFT LAUNCH US ARE GOING TO START ENFORCING THESE REAL ID RULES AND LAWS. BUT WITH YOUR SHOWING UP HERE TOMORROW AND YOU DON'T HAVE A REAL ID, REALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ID WHATSOEVER, YOU SHOULD BE FINE TO FLY THE SKIES. &gt;&gt; MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL WALK THROUGH THESE LINES AT RDU THIS YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF WHICH WILL HAVE THE GOLD STAR FOR TRAVEL TO AND YOU HAVE YOUR REAL ID DO. YES, YOU GUYS HAVE YOUR REAL. I THINK THAT YOU HAVE YOUR REAL ID BY ANY CHANCE. YES. WHEN DID YOU GET WILDLIFE? AND YES, 2 YEARS, TSA SAYS 81% OF THE FLYING PUBLIC HAVE THE PROPER ID TO FLY. THAT MEANS ABOUT ONE IN 5. DON'T THE 99%? YEAH. BUT THEY'LL STILL BE GOOD TO GO TOMORROW. YOU'LL BE IDENTIFIED AS NOT WILL BE PULLED. &gt;&gt; OFF TO THE SIDE AND POSSIBLY GO THROUGH ADDITIONAL SCREENING. ANGELES IS TSA'S READY TO HANDLE THE SMALL PORTION OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T READY FOR THE NEW RULES. EVEN THOSE WITH NO IDEA AT ALL THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO ID ON THEM WHATSOEVER. &gt;&gt; THEIR TIME AND SECURITY SCREENING WILL BE A LOT LONGER THAN SOMEONE WHO IS COMING THROUGH WITH JUST A REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE. THAT IS NOT REAL ID COMPLIANT. THOSE FOLKS WILL GET THROUGH FASTER THAN SOMEONE WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF DEAL. REALLY, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE ONE OF THE FEDERALLY APPROVED ID'S TO FLY BECAUSE AN ID THAT WORKS TODAY WON'T TOMORROW. YES, IT IS REALLY GOOD TO KNOW THAT I CAN GET THERE AND I BUT I CAN COME BACK. &gt;&gt; SO TSA SAYS EVERY AIRPORT WILL BE DIFFERENT, THOUGH. IF YOU HAVEN'T ON REAL ID, MAKE SURE YOU BUILD IN SOME EXTRA TIME TO GO THROUGH THE VERIFICATION PROCESS AND THE LESS COULDN'T GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR HOW LONG THAT TAKES. BUT A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD BE LONG ENOUGH THAT YOU MAY MISS YOUR FLIGHT IF YOU COME AT THE NORMAL TIME. NOW, IF YOU DO HAVE A REAL ID, DON'T EXPECT THESE DELAYS TO BOTHER YOU WHATSOEVER. VELEZ TELLS ME YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FLY THROUGH</p>

RDU TSA

TSA says those without REAL ID can still fly, though they should expect delays 

Still need a REAL ID? 5 On Your Side has scams to avoid

Teen girl charged with murder in east Durham shooting

North Holman Street on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Durham

NC House votes to ban teens from social media, block confidentiality between children and doctors

Social_Media-Kids-Georgia_69946

Cool down: Expect cooler nights into warmer days, storm chances through mid-week

Temperature lows in the mornings through Sunday

Wake teachers concerned about HVAC issues, staffing cuts ahead of budget vote

Jeffrey Fuss

Raw milk back? NC lawmakers reverse course on proposed ban, after bipartisan outcry

Got Weird? Milk Is Headed for Its Strangest Year Yet.

Man who fought for transparency in Poe Hall case remembered as courageous

Darren Masier

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Wake County School Board votes on 2025-26 budget for district

During a Tuesday meeting of the Raleigh City Council, members endorsed a plan to make a portion of US Highway 1 a toll road.

Raleigh City Council endorses turning part of US-1 into toll road

Travel

A December data breach exposed the records of millions of North Carolina students and teachers who had, at one point, used the PowerSchool statewide information system.

PowerSchool breach: Why children are especially vulnerable to data breaches and how to protect them

Classroom, desk

The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals each went into the playoffs with home-ice advantage and won their first-round series, against New Jersey and Montreal, respectively, each in five games. The teams have been idle for nearly a week.

No secrets between Canes and Caps on verge of 2nd-round clash

Hurricanes_Capitals_Hockey_96089

A soldier at Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division is being honored after putting himself in harm's way to save a life during a shooting in Fayetteville.

Fort Bragg Soldier awarded medal for saving teen in a 2023 shooting incident

Fort Bragg soldier honored after putting himself in harms way to save a life

Authorities are looking for a driver believed to have slammed on the brakes in front of a trio of motorcycles in a hit-and-run crash that killed a man on a motorcycle.

Zebulon man dead from hit-and-run motorcycle crash; search for driver underway

Hit-and-run motorcycle crash

Guesses about whom the next Roman Catholic pope will be often prove inaccurate. Before the selection of Pope Francis in 2013, many bookmakers had not even counted him among the front-runners.

Who will be the next pope? Here are some possible contenders.

Who Will Be the Next Pope? Here Are Some Possible Contenders.

Supporters say the legislation would protect customers by allowing them to resell their tickets. Opponents say the measure would harm small venues and keep some artists from coming to North Carolina.

NC bill: Ticket resellers for sports, concerts wouldn't face restrictions from companies

Savannah Bananas at DBAP 2024

The BE FAST acronym adopted by many hospitals, including WakeMed, is used to detect the signs of a stroke and could mean the difference between life and death.

Know the signs of a stroke: BE FAST acronym could save a life

WakeMed : Spotlight : BEFAST

North Carolina lawmakers are scheduled to debate whether to officially call for a national convention to make changes to the U.S. Constitution. Supporters want to change rules around term limits for federal officials as well as members of Congress.

A third Trump term? NC lawmakers set to return to debate over rewriting U.S. Constitution

Golden doors in the North Carolina State Legislative Building 

Most outages have been restored near downtown Durham after more than 9,900 people were in the dark Monday night, according to Duke Energy.


Black snake likely caused outage that knocked out 10,000 customers in Durham, Duke Energy says

Snake knocks out power for many in Durham

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Hurricanes are named following a rotating list established by the World Meteorological Organization.

2025 Atlantic hurricane season: How hurricane names are chosen and retired

Hurricane names

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The popular Butterfly Exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is re-opening on Memorial Day weekend.


Butterfly Room to reopen at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences on Memorial Day weekend

NC Museum of Natural Sciences reopens Butterfly Room 

2025 is designated as the 'Year of North Carolina'. In an effort to celebrate the state's character, lawmakers decided to celebrate all existing state symbols, instead of introducing new ones this year. State symbols must be distinctly North Carolina and ideally, something unique to the state.

2025: The Year of North Carolina - Symbols that shape the Tar Heel State 

First NC Flag

5 On Your Side and the Better Business Bureau are warning against a free roof inspection scam, which could originate as a text message or with someone showing up at your door offering a free roof inspection.


5 On Your Side warning: 'Free' roof inspection scam targeting homeowners

5 On Your Side: 'Free' roof inspection scam targeting homeowners

The Hurricanes advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after beating the New Jersey Devils in five games. Here's what day each game will be played in the series against Washington. 

Full schedule for Carolina Hurricanes-Washington Capitals playoff series

Devils_Hurricanes_Hockey_70843

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities threatened sensitive student data for millions of North Carolina students. Here's how it happened, how victims can protect themselves from identity theft, and why experts say a threat could still exist.

A hacker's ransom: Inside the cyberattack that compromised NC student and teacher records

Classroom generic

The show is expected to be at its best Monday night, but may also be visible beginning Sunday night.

How to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower 2025 peak early this week

Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower 2020: Watch It Peak in Night Skies

Don't Miss It

Darren Masier died last week from leukemia. He was one of more than 200 people who told their story to WRAL 5 On Your Side as part of its comprehensive coverage of Poe Hall over the last two years. 

Poe Hall advocate to be laid to rest on Wednesday

'Forever chemicals' found in beer

'Forever Chemicals' found in beer

NC lawmakers weigh call for constitutional convention

Two Florida men arrested for kidnapping Clayton teens

HOA oversight bills pass NC House, Senate committees

Protecting your data after PowerSchool breach

Video Central

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Bill to replace Math 3 with computer science passes NC committee

Local News

Kids bike rodeo planned in Raleigh on Wednesday

3.0-magnitude earthquake reported west of Richmond, Virginia

Orange County crash on I-85 damages bridge

Florida men charged with kidnapping after missing NC teenage girls found safe

Homeland Security chief says travelers with no REAL ID can fly for now, but with likely extra steps

Nation/World

What's in Trump's big bill? Money for migrant clampdown but tax breaks and program cuts hit 'bumps'

Ukraine drone attacks briefly shut down Moscow's international airports

Trump has threatened a 100% tariff on movies made outside the US. Here's what we know

80 years after World War II, Germany is still painstakingly searching for its fallen soldiers

140+ events to check out in NC this May

May events list graphic

Weekend best bets: Kites, comedy and outdoor movies

Kite festival (Adobe Stock)

Benson Boone bringing 'American Heart' tour to Lenovo Center in Raleigh

Benson Boone

Luke Combs among 2025 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductees

NC Music Hall of Fame inductees

Popular Wilson nightclub 'The Station' closing after one year in business

Karaoke microphone

Out & About

Fact check: Can you use REAL ID to register to vote under GOP bill?

Politifact

Fact check: Is gas $1.98 a gallon in a few states, as Donald Trump said? 

Fact check: Is the U.S. headed for the 'largest tax increase in American history'?

Fact check: Is male college attainment hitting record lows in the U.S.?

Fact check: Did Trump reject Helene relief for North Carolina?

Tired of telemarketers? North Carolina lawmakers aim to crack down on spam calls

NC Capitol

NC bill would ban HOAs from foreclosing people over unpaid fines

NC bill would make assaulting a teacher a felony

NC lawmakers try again to pass HOA reforms, making it harder for people to lose their homes

Wake County school leaders deciding where to spend and cut

Education

'Hard to hire staff': Wake teachers fight budget cuts ahead of Tuesday's vote

Assaults on teachers would be felonies under proposed NC bill

Federal government to begin collecting defaulted student debt loan payments

After major data breach, WRAL Investigates what NC schools are doing to protect students, staff

'It scares me': Orange County leaders say college field parties are resulting in injuries

WRAL In Depth

Durham DA employee pleads guilty to DWI in case where his behavior stunned officers

Costly gas mix-up damages over 50 cars: How 5 On Your Side got them repairs for life

As exonerated man enjoys freedom, NC Innocence Commission on the chopping block

Seth Jarvis' hometown friends from Winnipeg travel across country and borders for 4 Nations and NHL Playoffs

WRALSportsFan

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty won't run in the Preakness, dashing Triple Crown possibility

Jordon Hudson's story: From cheerleader to dating famous coach Bill Belichick

Sebastian Aho celebrates birth of his first daughter, now ready to hit the road for game 1 at Washington

Mike Krzyzewski to be inducted into Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame

Statewide Scoreboard: Baseball & Softball 1st Round

HighSchoolOT

Interactive 2025 NCHSAA baseball state playoff brackets

Interactive 2025 NCHSAA softball state playoff brackets

Baseball Playoff Preview: Bracket superlatives, top players, predictions

Softball Playoff Preview: Bracket superlatives, top players, predictions

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answers viewer questions about automation, AI and robots.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about automation, AI and robots

Orange County leaders are expressing serious concerns about large off-campus college parties, similar to those reported in Durham County.

Orange County leaders concerned about college parties in fields

As measles cases surge across the nation, North Carolina hospitals are on high alert, preparing for potential outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates.


NC hospitals in state of standby, preparing as measles threat grows

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Republican lawmakers have been trying for a decade to give their party control over North Carolina's elections administration. All of those efforts have been ruled unconstitutional until now.

Political power shift on NC Elections Board takes effect

Private school leaders should be allowed to let teachers, parents and others carry concealed weapons on campus, North Carolina lawmakers said Thursday.

NC bills progess to allow approved people to conceal carry in private schools

Durham County District Attorney's Office employee Josiah Wilkerson pleaded guilty Thursday to DWI and driving without insurance.

Employee of Durham County DA's office pleads gulity to DWI

WRAL Specialists

Restaurant Ratings: IHOP, Taste of China and Golden China

5 On Your Side gets repair coverage for drivers after fuel mixup

5 On Your Side

Man wrongfully convicted fighting to save Innocence Commission

Resolution reached in cases related to deadly crash involving UNC students, football players

Cases resolved related to deadly crash involving UNC students

State lawmakers seek more accountability for North Carolina Dental Board

Investigations

When machines talk back: The rise of agentic AI in a world of physical devices

HBCU students shine in 'smart city' challenge, innovating solutions for NC cities

Mike Walden: Tariff discussions could turn economic outlook from concern to optimism

David Gardner: Is bureaucracy bad for business?

WRAL TechWire

The first boats carrying Chinese goods with 145% tariffs are arriving in LA. Shipments are cut in half. Expect shortages soon

Mattel CEO confirms plans to raise prices as he calls for zero tariffs on toys

Tesla sales plunge across Europe

What customers can expect as Rite Aid closes or sells all its drugstores

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Your baby's PURPLE crying is difficult but normal

Family

Alzheimer's care: Don't Wait

Alzheimer's care: If I had written Taylor Swift's 'Best Day' song

Becoming a better parent: Look within first

Max follows Netflix: New $7.99 fee for sharing accounts with family outside your home

Amazon deals: Mother's Day necklaces starting at $12.99, Hanes Men's Polo Shirt only $7.99 (62% off), Lee Men's Cargo Shorts only $15 (57% off), Anker Portable Charger only $12.94 (50% off)

SmartShopper

National Nurses Week 2025 restaurant deals and freebies