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It's no secret many would do anything to protect their pets. For one man, that meant fighting off an alligator.



'THANK THE LORD:' Southport man saves beloved dog from jaws of alligator

THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY ACTUALLY PHANTOMS NOT A BAD NAME FOR THAT DOG ANYWAY. WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT THEIR PETS WHEN YOU HAVE A LITTLE POP LIKE THAT, ANDRES AND IT'S PART OF THE FAMILY. SO THIS NEXT STORY WILL WILL MAKE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE ONE NORTH CAROLINA MAN >> HAD TO FIGHT OFF AN ALLIGATOR FOR HIS AVA, BRENDA GORDON TALKED TO A MAN FROM SOUTHPORT ABOUT THIS HEART-STOPPING EXPERIENCE A FEW MILES FROM DOWNTOWN SOUTHPORT VAN ARE HEARING SPENDS HIS FREE TIME HERE ON 100 ACRE PROPERTY WHERE HE GARDENS AND THOSE FISHING 5 MINUTES CAN TURN INTO AN HOUR. REALLY QUICK ALL WITH 4 YEAR-OLD STRIKE WHO'S ATTACHED AT THE HIP. AND THIS IS HE'S PART OF THAT IS AS AS MUCH AS MINE AND HE LIKES TO GO AND GET THE EDGE OF THE WATER TO COOL OFF THE 2 WEEKS AGO WHERE YOU SEE THAT LIGHT STAKE AND THE OTHER. AND THAT'S WHERE I WAS. I HAD MY GUARD DOWN AND THINK ABOUT IT. I HEARD HIM. >> LET OUT A YELL LIKE I'VE NEVER HEARD MY LIFE AND I HEARD WATER AT THE SAME TIME. I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. THE INSTANT I HEARD IT WAS AN ALLIGATOR THAT DECIDED TO STRIKE WOULD BE ITS NEXT MEAL WAS LIKE, NO, SIR. THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN. I'M ON MY OWN. BLACK HERRING GRAB TO RAKE AND JUMPED INTO THE WATER, SOMEHOW A VOICE. >> AND SADLY SAID, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GET IN THERE AND PALIN, THEY'RE CLOSE ENOUGH. MAYBE YOU CAN KEEP THAT GATOR AWAY. AND THAT'S WHAT I DID. >> A BREAK IN HAND HEARING CAPS WINNING AS THE GATOR DRAG STRIKE AWAY, HOPING THE COMMOTION AND SCARE THE GATOR AWAY. HE GRABBED STRIKE AND STARTED SWIMMING BACK TO SHORE. BUT HALFWAY BACK, THE GATORS SURFACED JUST ARM JUST OUT OF OUR LAKES AWAY FROM US. THE ONLY THING I CAN PRAY WAS AS HE WOULD IN TURN AND COME BACK AT US AND HE DID THANK THE LOWERED FROM ALL OF THIS. THE DOG ONLY HAD A BROKEN LEG. >> AND AFTER A SWIFT RECOVERY STRIKES STRIKES OF THE LAW AND HAS THE SCARS FADE AND THE SCARS FROM HERE TO THERE ANY HAD PUNCTURE WOUNDS. BASICALLY ALL OVER THIS LEG PAIRING ON STRICT ORDERS TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER. FOR NOW, HE'S NOTICED RIGHT HERE. >> HE'S NOT AFRAID OF THE WATER AND IT'S NOT LOST ON HIM THAT THIS WAS A CLOSE CALL IS UNFORTUNATE. >> VISUALIZE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TRYING TO RUN THAT ROCKER AS IT WITHOUT STRIKING THE BACK OF A TRUCK. AND I FELT WHAT IT WOULD FEEL LIKE TO TELL MY FAMILY. I LEFT HIM HERE. >> BRINGING A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO MAN'S BEST FRIEND. TEARS AT THE END. IT IT. LOOK, IF YOU TALK TO THE EXPERTS, RIGHT, THE PROFESSIONALS, THEY THEY WANT US TO READ A LITTLE BIT OF A WARNING THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, IF YOUR PET >> GETS ATTACKED OR BITTNER PULLED IN BY AN ALLIGATOR THAT YOU SHOULD NOT GO IN AND TRY AND SAVE THEM BECAUSE YOU ARE RISKING YOUR LIFE AND YOU'RE JUMPING IN THE WATER. YOU SHOES ON OR CLOSE ON YOUR WRESTLING. AN ALLIGATOR. BUT WE DID THAT AT A LOVE LIKE THAT WHEN SEEING A LOT OF YEAH, YOU CAN'T SIT THERE AND JUST WATCH YOUR DAUGHTER DIE. AND AND DOGS ARE JUST INCREDIBLE. I MEAN, IF LIKE, YOU KNOW, HOW LONG THAT THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT AND BOTHERED BY THAT.

NC man saves dog from alligator attack

Strike

Massive fire displaces two families from Durham townhome

Fire at Castle Loch Ln. in Durham

Hurricane season 2025: Tropical Depression 3 forms off SC coast, expected to bring rip currents and storms to NC coast

Tropical Depression 3 path as of 11 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2025.

Raleigh Police investigate three unrelated shootings overnight, two within a block of each other

Raleigh police car

24 dead in Texas floods and more than 20 children missing from a girls summer camp

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Trump's 'big beautiful bill' could boost NC economy - or hurt GOP prospects in 2026

President Donald Trump

Hot but less humid holiday weekend, storm & rip current chances increase along NC coast

Weekend Outlook July 4th 2025

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A man died Friday morning from an accidental electrocution at Chicora Cemetery in Dunn, according to the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.

Man dies in accidental electrocution at Chicora Cemetery in Dunn

A Grays Creek man critically injured in a Wednesday house fire remains in the hospital in a medically induced coma.


Grays Creek man badly burned in house fire remains in hospital, family says

WASHINGTON (AP) â President Donald Trump signed his package of tax breaks and spending cuts into law Friday in front of Fourth of July picnickers after his cajoling produced almost unanimous Republican support in Congress for the domestic priority that could cement his second-term legacy.

Trump signs his tax and spending cut bill at the White House July 4 picnic

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A Raleigh woman, Jeronica Rogers, faces multiple felony charges connected to a hit-and-run incident in a Walmart parking lot that left a mother and her 10-month-old son with severe injuries.


Warrant: Raleigh woman was on phone when she hit mother, child in Walmart parking lot

Jeronica Rogers, hit and run

Major construction is set to accelerate on phase two of the Complete 540 project, extending the Triangle Expressway by 10 miles to Interstate 87 in Knightdale.

Complete 540 project gears up for phase two of construction

Major construction is soon set to ramp up on phase two of the Complete 540 project.

The Fourth of July is often one of the loudest nights of the year, and your pets may not be big fans of fireworks with the sights, sounds and smells. Vets suggest thundershirts, ear protection and medication in some cases to calm dogs.

How to keep your pets safe, calm and comfortable during Fourth of July fireworks

A file photo of a dog upside down on the couch.

A 5-year-old girl named Ema, who was shot in the knee during a Monday road rage incident, has returned home from the hospital.

5-year-old girl shot in Cary road rage incident returns home from hospital

A 5-year-old girl named Ema, who was shot in the knee during a Monday road rage incident in Cary, has returned home from the hospital. Photo submitted by Ema's family.

Fireworks may dazzle, but they also pollute the air, disrupt wildlife and pose health risks. Some North Carolina cities are exploring cleaner alternatives like drone shows.

What's in that smoke? Experts warn of hidden fireworks pollution

A file photo of fireworks.

According to Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, Durham's school resource officer program is number one in the state for referring young people to community resources rather than criminal justice.

Durham school resource officers share positive data about interventions in schools

A file photo of school resource officers at Charles E. Jordan Senior High School.

According to witnesses at the scene and the Apex Police Department, three adults and a child were hit by a car around 8:47 p.m. on Old Raleigh Road.


Four pedestrians hit by car in Apex during Fourth of July drone show, child has serious injuries

Pedestrian accident near Apex Fourth of July drone show

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Each year, lifeguards along the Carolina coast rescue hundreds of people. The majority of those swimmers are those caught in rip currents.

Beware of rip currents during busy beach weekends: What to do if you feel the pull

Wrightsville Beach

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has the latest on new restaurants opening in the Triangle including Veloce Italian Market in the former Happy & Hale spot in City Plaza and the first Del Taco in North Carolina.


Foodie News: New pizza spot in Raleigh's City Plaza and NC's first Del Taco

Pizza photo 

Nurses in the NICUs at UNC Health Rex Hospital in Raleigh and UNC Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill dressed babies in festive costumes to commemorate the Fourth of July! All photos courtesy of UNC Health and shared with parents' permission.

Shine bright! Adorable babies in the NICU dress up for Fourth of July

Fourth of July babies

NEW YORK (AP) â Nissan is recalling more than 480,000 of its vehicles across the U.S. and Canada due to potential manufacturing defects that could cause engine failure.

Nissan recalls over 480,000 vehicles in the US and Canada due to engine failure risk

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Andrew Taylor-Troutman shares a family beach day from his dog's perspective.


Go Ask Dad: A beach diary by dog

Throwing a kids party at your house? Consumer Reports has tips to help you throw a fun, budget-friendly and safe party for everyone.


5 On Your Side: Tips for a fun, safe kids party

Dinosaur birthday party

Don't Miss It

It was a festive Fourth of July in the Triangle, and the Lenovo Center closed things out with a bang.

Raleigh caps Independence Day with fireworks show outside Lenovo Center

Fireworks outside Lenovo Center in Raleigh

Trump tax, spending cuts could help or hurt state budget

Behind the sparkle: Heavy metals and air pollution

Tar Heel Traveler: Dunrovin

Red flags when you're buying or selling a used car

Thousands of NC teachers quit before getting a full license, new data shows

Video Central

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Raleigh's July 4th fireworks celebration returns to the Lenovo Center

Local News

What is a rip current? What to do if you feel the pull

NC State grad was Diddy's Chief of Staff, accused of being co-conspirator in civil lawsuits

Desperate search for missing girls from summer camp after Texas floods kill at least 24

Nation/World

Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began

Hamas says it has given a 'positive' response to the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza

Joey Chestnut Returns and Regains Title at Hot Dog Contest

Trump wants to celebrate 250 years of independence with a UFC fight at the White House

Celebrate Independence Day on July 4 with this list of festivals, fireworks, parades and more.



The top July 4 fireworks, festivals, and food trucks in the Triangle + maps

List: July 4 fireworks, festivals, food trucks in the Triangle 

60+ events happening in NC this July

July events list

Weekend best bets: EnoFest, movies and more

Festival For The Eno 6-7-12-32

New arcade and taproom opening in downtown Fayetteville

Arcade stock photo

Free, discounted summer family movies in the Triangle

Free or discounted summer movies in Triangle

DPAC ranked as #2 theatre in America by Billboard

Outside of DPAC file photo

Out & About

Fact-checking Trump at Florida's Alligator Alcatraz about immigration, One Big Beautiful Bill

Politifact

Fact-checking Elizabeth Warren on Meta's tax break in 'Big Beautiful Bill'

Fact check: White House says 'big beautiful bill' would boost take-home pay by $10,000

Fact check: Will GOP bill give a tax cut to Social Security recipients?

Fact check: Newsom compares murder rates in California to GOP-controlled Southern states

NC Capitol

Special license plate could help fund Turtle Rescue Team at NC State

NC State turtle rescue team asks lawmakers for special license plate 

Stein vetoes bills on gender issues and DEI, calling them 'mean-spirited'

Stein urges opposition to Trump budget, warning of major job losses, sky-high energy bills

Traffic impacts as new year-round schools open on Monday

Education

Data shows positive impact of Durham school resource officers

Trump administration withholds $169M from NC public schools amid review

New NC law restricts cellphones in classrooms, requires social media literacy lessons

Stein signs bill restricting cellphones, requiring social media literacy lessons in NC schools

North Carolina foster care: Broken but changing

WRAL In Depth

Who will Trump back to replace Tillis? 3 Republicans to watch

NC man's homeowners insurance soars 41% in one year due to 'consent to rate' clause

Diagnosis Young: Doctors see link between lifestyle, cancer diagnoses

Thom Tillis is leaving the Senate over Medicaid cuts. Here's what they'll mean for NC

Canes make splash in free agency, sign Winnipeg vet Nikolaj Ehlers

WRALSportsFan

Southeast Raleigh RB Christian Freeman is NC State's first commit for the class of 2027

Wimbledon: Ben Shelton needs 4 points and about a minute to wrap up a win

Wimbledon: Another seed leaves when Keys is surprised by Siegemund. No. 1 Sabalenka beats Raducanu

Family of Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother gather for wake after fatal crash

New State Board of Education athletics policies for 2025-26 provided by NCDPI

HighSchoolOT

Seventy-First 3-star RB Jayson Franklin chooses USF

These class of 2026 N.C. football players are committed to out-of-state Division I schools

Meet the 19 girls and 25 boys lacrosse players who made All-American lists

Building the Fence: Class of 2026 in-state football commits

A new state law allows auto insurance companies to charge more to inexperienced drivers, people with minimum coverage and people with driving infractions.

NC increases insurance costs for new drivers

Martin General is one of a dozen hospitals that have closed in North Carolina over the last two decades. This is a problem that hospital systems and health experts warn may only worsen if the legislation passes with its $1 trillion cuts to the Medicaid program and new restrictions on enrollment in the coverage.

How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator's vote against Trump's tax bill

Congress_Tax_Cuts_Rural_Hospital_34511

Higher auto insurance bills on the way for many in NC, especially new drivers

I-40 traffic in Raleigh

Starting Tuesday, July 1, most disposable vapes will no longer be legal in North Carolina as a result of House Bill 900, a bill signed into law last year by former Gov. Roy Cooper. 

New NC restrictions on flavored vape products effect

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answered viewer questions about flooding and missing furniture from the Hawkins-Hartness House.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about flooding, missing furniture from NC lieutenant governor's house

WRAL anchor/reporter Ashley Rowe examines who could possibly replace U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced he won't seek reelection in 2026.

Who could take Sen. Thom Tillis' seat?

WRAL Specialists

Beware this bacon: Oscar Mayer recalls turkey bacon, could be contaminated with listeria

5 On Your Side: Top Independence Day deals to save on more for the 4th

Make the most of everyday purchases with a cashback card

5 On Your Side

One year later: WRAL revisits case of Fayetteville mother accused of murdering adoptive children

Iranian hackers targeting specific industries for cyber attacks as conflict escalates

Duke expert warns: Iranian cyber threats target specific jobs, not public at large

Thousands in revenue for field parties raise concerns about underage drinking, agritourism, and safety

Investigations

CivicReach: Transforming government customer experience with AI

Mike Walden: Drip of uncertainty constrains NCâs economic growth

Durham chipmaker Wolfspeed files for bankruptcy protection, seeking to reduce debt, remerge

WRAL TechWire

Three out of four businesses passing tariff costs onto consumers, survey reveals

China's first Legoland opens to visitors in Shanghai

EPA employees in RTP invited to adopt soon-to-be homeless lab rats

Anne Wojcicki's nonprofit gets court approval to buy 23andMe for $305 million

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Family

Next steps after your toddler is diagnosed with autism

Owner of popular farm worried about proposed traffic plan that would pave over land

Go Ask Dad: Nearer to kneeling

Parents, break away this summer to rethink the path ahead

Top Amazon Deals: Early Prime Day sales, Fire Tablets up to 54% off, Ring & Blink home security up to 62% off, $0.99 Prime Video Channels

SmartShopper

Over 25 Prime Video Channels for only $0.99/mo for 2 months: Paramount+, Starz, MGM+, Cinemax & more!

Fourth of July 2025 restaurant & retail deals

BJ's Wholesale Club 1-yr membership only $15 (80% off)!

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

Tar Heel Traveler: Abrams

Tar Heel Traveler: 70th Anniversary

Tar Heel Traveler: Sunni Sky's 

Tar Heel Traveler

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