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The Raleigh Fire Department accrued more than 117,000 overtime hours and nearly $4.84 million in overtime spending in the last fiscal year, more than any other city department.

Battling fires and burnout: Raleigh firefighters worked more than 117,000 hours of OT in one year

THE LOU. >> RALEIGH, FIREFIGHTERS ARE ONLY ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO EMERGENCIES. THE UNION SAYS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE OVERTIME THEY'RE WORKING. YEAH. WITHOUT THAT, THEY SAY ENTIRE TRUCKS WOULD BE UNSTAFFED. WRAL INVESTIGATES SARAH KRUEGER BREAKS DOWN THE NUMBERS AND THE IMPACT THAT. >> WE'LL HAVE A FULL REPORT ON THIS TONIGHT. NOW, THIS STORY CAME ABOUT BECAUSE I FILED A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST WITH THE CITY OF RALEIGH FOR ALL OF THE OVERTIME DATA. AND IT SHOWED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKED MORE OVERTIME HOURS THAN ANYONE ELSE IN TOTAL RACKING UP ROUGHLY 5 MILLION DOLLARS IN OVERTIME IN JUST ONE YEAR. WHILE THE EXTRA MONEY IS NICE. THE PRESIDENT OF THE RALLY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION SAYS IT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. OUR FIREFIGHTERS GETTING BURNED OUT FROM ALL THESE EXTRA HOURS. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A IT'S LIKE A MORTGAGE. YOU'LL NEVER PAY OFF. BASICALLY, THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT TONIGHT. I'M ASKING HIM WHAT THE SOLUTIONS ARE. WHY HE SAYS THIS IS ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN JUST

Raleigh Fire Department racks up nearly $5 million in overtime

Raleigh Fire Department racks up nearly $4.84 million in overtime

A file photo of Raleigh firefighters responding to a house fire.

2 rushed to hospital from food truck explosion at Chatham County music festival

Food truck at Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival

Two homes collapse into the Atlantic, bringing total to 8 lost this week in Outer Banks

Family Tides

One more cool night before weekend warmup coming

Friday, Oct. 3 temperatures

School bus crashes in Apex, police respond

A car appeared to rear end a school bus on Thursday in Apex.

Officials warn parents of dangerous TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge' after teen tries it

Benadryl

Fort Bragg to begin testing soil near homes built before 1978 for lead

Fort Bragg renaming picture becomes clearer on Tuesday

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Authorities arrested the owner and an employee of Little Life Changers in Raleigh for failing to report violence and child abuse against at least three different juveniles.

Warrants: Raleigh child care owner, employee charged for failing to report abuse captured on video

Authorities arrested the owner of Little Life Changers, Belinda McKissick, and employee Takayla Blackmon on Monday.

Competition for better class rank positions often hurts students, rather than helps them, members and advisors said this week.


Allow school districts to ditch class rank, State Board of Education asks lawmakers

2025 Graduation

Johnston County's new District Attorney Jason Waller is spearheading a task force to target and prosecute dangerous offenders, streamlining communication among law enforcement agencies.

Johnston County DA develops dangerous offenders task force

Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller

The North Carolina State Board of Education decided not to vote on language Thursday intended to make a new rule clearer: That North Carolina high school students can no longer receive an "FF" failing grade solely based on not attending enough classes.

NC Board of Education declines to vote on failing grades, attendance policy

Temporary classroom

Lejeune is the only Department of Defense high school in North Carolina, and some of their best sports are in the fall. The Devilpups are back-to-back NCHSAA boys cross country champions.

As playoffs loom, sports 'paused' at Lejeune High School due to government shutdown

Lejeune vs. Spring Creek football (Aug. 30, 2019)

The North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is threatening to take legal action against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if the university does not reinstate Dwayne Dixon.

NC ACLU chapter threatens legal action against UNC if professor is not reinstated by end of week

"Reinstate Dixon" sign written by a protestor ahead of rally in support of Dwayne Dixon

The City of Rocky Mount is hosting its second of two public meetings this week for community members to discuss the budget issues.


City of Rocky Mount hosting public meetings on major budget issues

Rocky Mount city limits sign

Duke men's basketball coach Jon Scheyer has signed a six-year contract extension. He remains under contract with Duke through the 2030â31 season.

Duke extends Jon Scheyer through 2031 after Final Four run

Duke coach Jon Scheyer looks ahead to 2025-2026 season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs each year from June 1 to Nov. 30. The most active time is late August into October, but it's possible to see a hurricane make landfall any time of the year.

Hurricane season 2025: Imelda leaves Bermuda, two new areas to watch in the Atlantic

Hurricane Imelda's path as of 11 a.m. on October 2, 2025

UNC Chapel Hill is preparing students and staff for emergencies Thursday with a variety of resources and hands-on demonstrations in the Pit.


UNC Chapel Hill preps students for emergencies amid heightened campus security measures

UNC Chapel Hill Old Well

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Each week, we'll post a new weekly table of prices for 11 staple grocery items to help you compare across multiple Triangle area stores.

Where can I find the best prices on grocery staples this week?

Grocery tracker

A catty legend is missing in North Carolina from her usual home at a Richmond hardware store. Francine the Lowe's cat is such a beloved figure in the Richmond community that her owners and fans are offering a $2,000 reward for her return.


Viral search carries on at NC Lowe's for missing beloved Richmond cat, owners offering $2k reward

Photos of Francine the Lowe's cat

Beech Mountain Ski Resort season announced it will open on Nov. 22, weather permitting. Appalachian Ski Mountain plans to open Nov. 21 with the opening dates for other North Carolina ski resorts yet to be announced. 

NC ski resorts: Here's when Beech Mountain, Appalachian Ski Mountain will open for 2025-26 season

Skiers line up on Dec. 22, 2024, at the base of Beech Mountain.

The law requires agencies to furlough their "non-excepted" employees. Excepted employees, who include those who work to protect life and property, stay on the job but don't get paid until after the shutdown ends.

What happens now that a government shutdown is underway

Congress_Shutdown_29564

A golf tournament and dinner in Raleigh on Monday will raise awareness and funds for mental health in memory of Grayson Murray, a local professional golfer who died in 2024.


Raleigh charity golf event honors Grayson Murray, raises mental health awareness

Grayson Murray's Legacy Inspires Mental Health Awareness at Raleigh Golf Championship

Another home fell in Buxton on Wednesday, Oct. 1, bringing the total to 19 homes that have collapsed during the last five years in the Rodanthe and Buxton area. This comes as several homes crashed into the ocean on Sept. 30, 2025. Photos: Donny Bowers

Photos: More Outer Banks homes collapse into the ocean 

7th home to collapse along the NC Coast making 19 total to fall in five years.

Don't Miss It

The Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival is Friday and Saturday, featuring a big lineup of bluegrass groups, gospel, folk, and more. For the last several years, a husband and wife from Siler City have hosted a widely syndicated bluegrass television show that's attracted a national audience and brought great bluegrass music to countless fans.   

Tar Heel Traveler: Bluegrass TV

3D printing could be future of reconstructive surgery

Halloween season shoppers haunted by tariffs, inflation

Pet of the Day for Oct. 2, 2025

Man caught on video stealing plastic dinosaur from gas station

Stolen dinosaur

Tire warranties don't always guarantee free repairs, replacements

Up-close photo of car tires, taken by Jaye Haych on Unsplash

Video Central

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Gotta go? NC State Fair has new family restrooms this year

Local News

'The Life of a Showgirl': Celebrate Taylor Swift's new album release with events in the Triangle

State Highway Patrol investigates crash on I-87; overturned car spotted by Sky 5

Car ends up in Sampson County pond, driver expected to be OK

Frequent crashes: Neighbors alarmed when car hits woman's Wake County home, driver charged

Man kills 2 in car ramming and stabbing attack at English synagogue on Jewish holy day

Nation/World

Israeli navy intercepts boats attempting to break Gaza blockade and arrests activists

Jane Goodall, Who Chronicled the Social Lives of Chimps, Dies at 91

How Trump's Online Drugstore May Affect Your Drug Costs

Residents of a NYC public housing tower escape unharmed after a massive chimney collapses

The first weekend in October is filled with fall fun, including the Triangle Oktoberfest and Falling for Local fest at Dix Park.

Weekend best bets: Triangle Oktoberfest, Falling for Local fest

Triangle Oktoberfest

Selma Railroad Days Festival to feature carnival rides, parade

Selma Railroad Days (Courtesy photo)

Quiz: Which new NC State Fair food are you?

New NC State Fair foods for 2025 include hot Cheetos pickle pizza, BBQ doughnuts

New NC State Fair foods for 2025

Discover 7 fascinating historical sites in North Carolina

NC Flag

Out & About

Federal government shutdown: Live fact-checks as Democrats, GOP spar over health care, layoffs

Politifact

Fact-checking claims that Erika Kirk's charity is tied to trafficking

Fact-checking claims about Tylenol's 2017 social media post and pregnancy guidance

Fact check: Noem says 1.6 million immigrants have 'voluntarily' left the U.S.

Fact-checking Trump's claims about the economy, foreign wars in United Nations speech

Millions in NC on Obamacare, Medicaid affected by budget fights

NC Capitol

Why a federal judge ruled NC Senate map is fair game

THC-infused treats spook state leaders, with Halloween just around the corner

Stein signs bills loosening DMV rules, funding disaster relief and Lenovo Center

Republicans prevail in racial gerrymandering lawsuit targeting NC Senate maps

Questions remain after fight at Durham high school

Education

Students, faculty rally for suspended UNC professor

Government shutdown and how schools, school programs will be impacted

Federal shutdown will affect some NC schools, officials monitoring possible impact on meals

Fight between more than a dozen people on Durham high school's campus didn't involve students

NC State says Monsanto is to blame for Poe Hall contamination, files multimillion-dollar lawsuit

WRAL In Depth

CJF America sends partial payment to worker amid lawsuit and executives evading police

NC lawmakers wanted to make COVID shots easier to get. Why the law they passed did the opposite

NC officials begin process to help thousands of state workers switch doctors, as Duke negotiations sour

Former NCGOP director to lead 'election integrity' efforts, serve as election board liaison, says NC Auditor

NC State can spend Lenovo Center naming rights money with fewer restrictions

WRALSportsFan

Injuries taking toll on NC State defense ahead of Campbell game

Dabo Swinney relishes the chance to face Bill Belichick despite a matchup that has lost its luster

Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines as Dodgers sweep Reds to reach NL Division Series

Jazz Chisholm Jr. a gamer for Yankees in season-saving playoff win over Red Sox

Predicted winners for 195+ games in football week 7

HighSchoolOT

Undefeated Watch: 34 perfect teams remain in Week 7; Only one matchup between unbeatens

Alpaca Game of the Week to feature a top 20 matchup between Leesville Road and Millbrook

HighSchoolOT's Male and Female Athletes of the Week for September 22-27

Meet the best volleyball team in NC that you have never heard of

On Wednesday, lawmakers failed once again to get the necessary votes to fund the government.

5 On Your Side examines the impacts of the federal government shutdown

A former employee of Durham-based CJF America, which faces lawsuits and criminal charges over accusations of not paying employees, says he finally received a partial payment.

CJF America sends partial payment to worker amid lawsuit

As sea levels rise at an increasing rate, oceanfront homes in the Outer Banks, particularly Buxton, face an increased risk of collapse.

High surf could topple more Outer Banks homes

Cleaning needed! WRAL's 5 On Your Side shows where health inspectors found restaurants in need of a deep kitchen cleaning. 

Restaurant Ratings: Benny Capitale's, Bojangles, Jamaica Jamaica

A fight between health care giants, Duke and Aetna, is worrying state leaders more and more. Duke Health and Aetna have a deadline of Oct. 20 to come to an agreement. Otherwise, those with Aetna would no longer be covered at Duke Health facilities.

Thousands of state workers might need to find new doctors, NC officials fear

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall referenced Duke quarterback Darian Mensah in comments about why the state shouldn't be paying for a new, standalone state children's hospital.

Why Duke QB Darian Mensah was part of the conversation about new NC children's hospital

WRAL Specialists

How to save big on laundry costs

5 On Your Side: High lead levels found in three major food recalls in September

5 On Your Side: Three recalls for major foods containing lead

5 On Your Side: Alerting customers about unexpected charges from Lasta Fitness app

5 On Your Side

CJF America president misses court for second time in as many weeks, attorney says she's hospitalized

CJF America president misses court again, attorney says she's hospitalized

Two execs from Durham-based company charged in fraud investigation

Durham police charge two in CJF America fraud investigation

Investigations

Grace Ueng: What will you remember at 90?

Video gamer Electronic Arts to be bought in largest-ever private equity buyout valued at $55 billion

Tom Snyder: When the algorithm is the censor, free speech is at risk

The Fed's dual mandate: Keep unemployment, inflation low

WRAL TechWire

Wall Street ticks to more records, led by technology stocks

Gatorade and Cheetos are among the Pepsi products getting a natural dye makeover

Cockpit recorders studied in 'low-speed collision' of Delta jets on LaGuardia taxiway

Don't Waste Your Money: Having a tire warranty doesn't necessarily mean free tire repairs

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Local kindergartener hears clearly for the first time thanks to innovative ear surgery

Family

100+ events in NC to enjoy this October

FDA authorizes first eyeglass lenses to slow nearsightedness in children in the US

NC State Fair teases new rides, attractions

Marbles Kids Museum shows off new 'Futuropolis' play exhibit, coming in 2026

SmartShopper

Top Amazon Deals: Electric Cordless Shower Spin Scrubber only $18.99, Chefman XL 10L Air Fryer and Dehydrator only $79.99, Fire TV Sticks up to 50% off starting at $17.99, Prime Day event Oct. 7-8

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