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(CNN) -- Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," died in a small-engine plane crash on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was 57.

Brett James, Grammy-winning 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' songwriter, dies in North Carolina plane crash

LIVE IN WAKE FOREST ALI. CANDY, BAR WRAL NEWS. >> NEW THIS MORNING, COUNTRY MUSIC, SONGWRITER BRETT JAMES DIED IN A PLANE CRASH IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. THAT WAS ONE OF 3 PEOPLE ABOARD WHEN IT CRASHED NEAR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MACON COUNTY. THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS. THE PLANE WAS ON ITS WAY TO MAKE AN AIRPORT MAKING COUNTY AIRPORT FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS WILL BE ON SCENE TODAY LOOKING FOR A CAUSE. HE HAD A HAND IN WRITING NEARLY 500 SONGS OVER HIS CAREER. AND THAT INCLUDES FOR CARRIE UNDERWOOD. KELLY

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Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James dies in North Carolina plane crash

We feel the heat for final weekend of summer

Weekend outlook Sept. 19-21, 2025

Apology, payment to Turning Point: Kimmel's future hangs in balance after ABC suspends late-night show

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Community gathers for public memorial honoring former Wake County principal

Ericka Lucas

'Sanctity violated': UNCW cancels classes after false reports of gunman on campus

UNC Wilmington campus police

High school football games will have double the deputies in Edgecombe County after shooting

Extra security, enhanced safety after Edgecombe County school shooting

Committee changes recommendation for childhood vaccines; considers COVID vaccines Friday

FDA Reviews Reports of COVID Vaccine Deaths

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WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

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: Gabrielle churns far out in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Gabrielle

Friday's date is Sept. 19 or 919 - the area code for Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill.


Celebrate 919 Day with free concert in Raleigh

919 Day

Days after Meagan Brazil-Sheehan's 6-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, they were walking down the halls of UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center when they ran into Robin the Robot.

A robot programmed to act like a 7-year-old girl works to combat fear and loneliness in hospitals

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A man was arrested in Raleigh Thursday after he and three others were charged in connection to a shooting that killed a 4-year-old boy in Steele Creek.


Charlotte man arrested in Raleigh for murder charges after shooting that killed 4-year-old

Anthony Abel was arrested in Raleigh for first-degree murder charges in Charlotte

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) â Authorities say they have found remains they believe are Travis Decker, an ex-soldier wanted in the deaths of his three daughters, in the mountains of Washington state.

Officials find remains they believe are Travis Decker, wanted in killings of his 3 young daughters

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A crash closed one of two lanes of U.S. Highway 64 westbound near Lizard Lick Road. As of 6:45 a.m., the crash scene moved to the shoulder of the road, reopening both lanes for traffic to move again. 

Lanes reopened, traffic slowly flowing after crash closes lanes on US-64 West in Zebulon 

Truck that seems to be involved in the crash on US-64 being towed away.

More than 3,000 Duke Energy customers now have power Friday morning in Johnston County east of Clayton.


Power restored for 3,000 customers, including schools and businesses, in Johnston County

Streetlights are out in Johnston County following a power outage.

According to court documents, 54-year-old Brian Keith Mayhew broke into a home Monday morning on Lionel Lane and installed a camera inside to secretly watch a couple who lived at the home.


Warrants: 30-year NCDOT employee charged with secretly peeping on couple

Brian Mayhew

Tyler Toodle appeared in court Thursday morning in Sampson County after authorities said he kidnapped a child and then led deputies on a chase across multiple counties. Toodle claims the child is his.


Documents: Man accused of kidnapping 1-year-old girl barred twice from seeing girl's mother

Tyler Toodle appeared in court on Thursday. He faces several charges for allegedly kidnapping a 1-year-old girl, leading to an Amber Alert.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is joining Republican state lawmakers in calling for changes to criminal justice and mental health rules after the Charlotte stabbing of Iryna Zarutska.

After Charlotte stabbing, Stein backs changes to magistrates, mental health involuntary commitments

Gov. Josh Stein gives update on western NC recovery as fall toursim season begins

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The FDA is advising consumers to throw these 12 brands of ground cinnamon away and not to buy these products going forward until further notice.


FDA recalls 12 brands of cinnamon for elevated lead levels

Some cinnamon brands recalled by FDA

Modern fans demand an active tailgate scene, and UNC and North Carolina State are accommodating with upgrades that fans will notice.

NC's football stadiums: New tailgate celebration in Chapel Hill, updates coming for Wolfpack fans

Aerial footage of Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill.

Tsogtbaatar Chinzorig, a paleontologist at North Carolina State University, didnât have to travel far on the day he made what may be the most important fossil discovery of his career. As he stepped out of his tent in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia to start his day of fossil hunting, he noticed something small and spherical protruding from a nearby hillside.

NC state researcher finds most important fossil discovery of his career

RESTRICTED -- âShockingly Beautifulâ Fossil Reveals Oldest Dome-Headed Dinosaur

On Wednesday, officials posted on Facebook the Capuchin monkey escaped the Zootastic Park in Iredell County. Anyone who sees the monkey is asked to not approach it, and call the Iredell County Animal Services immediately.


Capuchin monkey escapes zoo in Iredell County, residents advised to stay alert

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Florida was visible in North Carolina skies early Thursday morning. After 5:30 a.m., viewers from Clayton, Raleigh, Knightdale, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Smithfield and Willow Spring sent photos of what is believed to be a SpaceX launch. 

Photos: SpaceX launch visible in Clayton, Knightdale, Raleigh

Crazy skies

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

Don't Miss It

New figures from the Federal Highway Administration show - the average American is driving 5 percent less compared to 20-years ago. And young drivers are the main reason why. Many just don't want a license. 

Teenagers are driving less compared to 20 years ago, FHA says

TEENS DRIVING LESS

Body of teen girl found in Tesla registered to popular online singer

REFEED BODY FOUND TESLA KREUTZ

Two teen girls found inside refrigerated truck after crash in Utah

UT: 2 GIRLS FOUND IN REFRIGERATED TRUCK AFTER CRASH

Assistant principal killed in shooting that happened outside Illinois school

IL: ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SHOT KILLED OUTSIDE SCHOOL

In Depth with Dan: Why Jimmy Kimmel's show was pulled off the air

Disney's ABC is taking Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show off the air indefinitely after his recent comments about Charlie Kirk's suspected killer.

Lockdown at UNCW lifted after reports of a person with a gun on campus

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Two men charged in shooting off Poole Road in Raleigh, homes and cars hit by gunfire

Local News

14 former NC State athletes have filed a lawsuit alleging abuse by ex-head trainer

Goldsboro man dies days after getting hit by car

3 killed in Macon County plane crash

Daytime breaks, routines and good sleep: How football coaches try to handle stress of the job

As controversy swirls around late-night TV, here's what a new poll shows about who still watches

Nation/World

A brutal beating by deputies was caught on tape. They were cleared by state police anyway

What a new poll shows about where Americans think the country is heading

The Taliban release British couple held for months in Afghanistan on undisclosed charges

Estonia says 3 Russian fighter jets entered its airspace in 'brazen' incursion

It is a busy weekend in September with a bounce house festival, BugFest, CenterFest and a celebration of 919 Day!


Weekend best bets: 919 Day, CenterFest, Bounce America

Big Bounce America file photo

Roach races and buggy dishes: BugFest is coming up this weekend

Krill are the featured bug this year at BugFest 2025

CenterFest to bring family fun to downtown Durham

CenterFest 2025

Seaboard Station social district gets preliminary approval from city leaders

Raleigh leaders are considering expanding the Sip n' Stroll program to the Village District.

Pumpkin patches, fall and Halloween events in NC

Dog in a pumpkin patch 

Ludacris to perform before UNC-Clemson game in Chapel Hill

ludcaris

Out & About

Fact check: Trump says gas and grocery prices are down

Politifact

Fact check: Does new North Carolina law allow doctors to practice without completing U.S. exams?

Fact check: Whatley says 'Cooper bears direct responsibility' for Charlotte stabbing

PolitiFact: Charlie Kirk's assassination highlights the rise in US political violence

Fact check: Trump said the US is the 'only country' that uses mail-in voting

Aetna-Duke Health talks could take doctors out of state health plan

NC Capitol

GOP NC lawmakers spar over Medicaid, children's hospital funding

State workers could face another health premium hike, depending on Duke-Aetna contract fight

Republican NC lawmakers spar over Medicaid, children's hospital funding as budget impasse drags on

Democratic NC lawmakers reiterate plea to GOP for more law enforcement, mental health funding

UNC System schools consider tuition increases

Education

Pembroke Elementary first-grade student found with handgun

William Peace University receives biggest donation in school's history

UNC System could increase tuition for in-state students

UNC System considers raising tuition costs for undergraduate students

Wake teachers using AI in the classroom set tone for safe, smart learning

WRAL In Depth

Public employees' comments on Charlie Kirk killing largely protected by law, analysts say

After Charlotte stabbing, a political push for death penalty in NC

Couple battling illness says contractor took money, didn't finish job

Trump signs executive order on flag burning: What it means for free speech

Ehlers, Miller join a Hurricanes core hungry to win the Stanley Cup as training camp begins

WRALSportsFan

NHL training camps open with Oilers' Connor McDavid unsigned and Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk out

Hockey is back: Carolina Hurricanes training camp begins, new fan experience this year

Young, Panthers look to match offensive output of previous meeting with Falcons in home opener

Alpaca Game of the Week to feature a top-ten matchup between Mallard Creek and Cardinal Gibbons

HighSchoolOT

Week 5 JV scores from across North Carolina

No. 18 Cedar Ridge volleyball starting to pull away from Big Seven competition

Timely takeaways help Hillside football past Wake Forest

HighSchoolOT and Football Friday's game coverage for week 5

Viewers are telling 5 On Your Side about hazards involving in-ground utility boxes near their homes. Our team started getting these emails after a recent story. Now, Keely Arthur previews the problem neighbors say they can't get fixed.

5 On Your Side: Viewers say utilities ignore requests to fix broken box covers

An employee is scammed out of $300, when her boss asks her to run some errands for him. Turns out it is not her boss, but it sure looks like it. WRAL News explains boss text scams so you don't waste your money.

Don't Waste Your Money: Boss text scams targets new employees

All great athletes know age will eventually catch them. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler meets a basketball team doing their best not to get caught.

Tar Heel Traveler: Silver Spirits Basketball

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answered viewer questions about President Donald Trump's executive order banning burning of the American flag.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about Trump's executive order banning flag burning

The president of the Durham-based company accused of not paying its employees missed her court date on Tuesday, and now a judge could issue an order for her arrest.

President of NC nonprofit accused of not paying workers skips court

President of company accused of not paying employees misses court date

Kristen Picot, president of the Durham-based nonprofit CJF America, is facing four misdemeanor charges for "simple worthless checks."

WRAL Specialists

5 On Your Side helps viewers get broken utility boxes repaired

5 On Your Side exposes problems getting potentially hazardous utility boxes fixed

What federal interest rate cuts mean for area housing market

What the Fed's interest rate cut means for NC housing market

5 On Your Side

UNC researchers finds endangered shark at local stores

UNC researchers say some shark and other seafood sold in stores may not be what you think it is

Following the big money driving UNC's big bet on Bill Belichick

Man accused of identity theft taught at multiple schools in the area

Investigations

Nvidia to Buy $5 Billion Stake in Intel, Giving Rival a Lifeline

Donald Thompson: Insights on leadership from an expert on building trust

Nvidia to invest $5 billion in struggling rival Intel

What Exactly Are AI Companies Trying to Build? Here's a Guide.

WRAL TechWire

What are Nexstar and Sinclair, the ABC affiliate owners who issued statements against Jimmy Kimmel

Hyundai says it will spend $2.7 billion expanding part of the Georgia complex raided by ICE

Intelâs best day since the 1980s helps drive Wall Street to more records

American Express Platinum Card gets pricier and adds new perks, including a $400 dining credit

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