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The death penalty hasn't been repealed in North Carolina. But it also hasn't been used in almost 20 years. Some state lawmakers want to change that.

Why North Carolina's death penalty went away, and what lawmakers might do to bring it back

South Carolina Judge Rules Against Use of Firing Squad and Electric Chair

Person killed, multiple injured in head-on crash on I-885 in Durham

Police siren generic

Cloudy, mild Sunday comes ahead of cooler, wet weather pattern

Next weather-maker to bring a rise in rain chances in the week ahead

Georgia man arrested, charged after triggering Blue Alert in NC

Timothy Craig Ramsey

'It's just sad': Two teenagers injured in shooting at Edgecombe County high school football game

SouthWest Edgecombe High School

Analysis: Tar Heels follow Belichick script in home win over Richmond. Much bigger challenges ahead

Richmond_North_Carolina_Football_57938

After Kirk's killing, suspect joked that his 'doppelganger' did it

How Law Enforcement Got the Man Suspected of Killing Charlie Kirk

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WRAL's Opinion section was launched in 2016 by Capitol Broadcasting Company to raise awareness of important statewide issues, fostering meaningful discussions and encouraging civic engagement to drive positive change for North Carolinians. As part of this initiative, Dennis Draughon has served as the company's editorial cartoonist since 2017, bringing sharp visual commentary to the platform. 

With a 38-year career that began at the former Raleigh Times, Draughon has also contributed to The Scranton Times-Tribune, The Durham News, The Fayetteville Observer and The (N.C.) Insider. His work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the 1993 Fischetti Award for Distinguished Achievement in editorial cartoons and the 1999 Golden Spike Award from the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists. More recently, he received Editor & Publisher Magazine's EPPY Award for best editorial/political cartoons, recognizing his impact in the digital news landscape. 

Through his work, Draughon continues to provide insightful and thought-provoking illustrations that enrich WRAL's Opinion section and engage readers across North Carolina.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: More stickers for North Carolina's Band-Aid budget

DRAUGHON DRAWS: More stickers for North Carolina's band-aid budget 

Fall festival season is here, and western North Carolina is more than ready to welcome visitors one year after Hurricane Helene devastated dozens of communities.


Western NC fall festivals make a vibrant comeback one year post-Hurricane Helene devastation

Haywood Music Trails Smoky Mountain Bluegrass

Harper Harrell, a 12-year-old leukemia survivor, and her mother, Heather Hindin, opened a non-profit organization that provides housing to families traveling to Duke Children's Hospital for cancer care.


12-year-old cancer survivor opens Durham home helping families traveling for pediatric cancer care

Harper Harrell

It is unclear if anyone else was injured, and police did not identify the person who died.


Person dead in Fayetteville crash. Police say a driver was going the wrong way

Car crash on Cliffdale Road in Cumberland County

WASHINGTON (AP) â Hours after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel declared online that âthe subjectâ in the killing was in custody. The shooter was not. The two men who had been detained were quickly released, and Utah officials acknowledged that the gunman remained at large.

Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk assassination probe and turmoil at FBI

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College football scoreboard: Duke comeback falls short against Tulane

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah

According to the Davie County Sheriff's Office, deputies received a request for assistance from the University of Louisville Police Department, who said the school received threats of mass violence.


Davie County teen arrested, charged with threatening university in Kentucky

Michael Tedder

Catherine Rahm arrived at the Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest this week to find toys and other objects gone from her daughter Camille's grave site and scattered in a nearby brush pile.


Wake Forest mother heartbroken over cemetery cleanup removing toys from daughter's grave

Gravesite for Catherine Rahm's daughter in Wake Forest

The Cardinals are 1-0 for the first time since 2021, and they host Carolina on Sunday

Panthers, Cardinals both looking for improvement heading into Week 2 tilt

Panthers_Jaguars_Football_26952

The westbound lanes of U.S Highway 64 near Lizard Lick Road in Zebulon reopened after almost four hours following a serious crash early Saturday morning. 


'Saw the sparks': Lanes reopened on US-64 westbound in Zebulon after head-on crash

Crash involving tractor-trailer at US-64 near Lizard Lick Road

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UNC Professor of Dermatology Aida Lugo-Somolinos said the focus should be on the margin of exposure to TPO.


Europe bans TPO chemical in gel nail polish: What it means for local salon-goers

Nail polish (Adobe Stock)

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative political activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking to thousands of people at a college in Utah, setting off widespread shock and condemnation.

What we know about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk

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No one was in custody Wednesday evening as authorities seek a new person of interest in the assassination, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. Kirk's death, NC leaders say, is part of a disturbing trend.



In wake of Charlie Kirk's death, NC leaders & students grow concerned over rise in political violence

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Those parking at Raleigh-Durham International Airport are in for a slight change as one entrance plaza is closed.


Heading to RDU International? The parking change you need to know about

RDU Airport expects busiest Memorial Day weekend travel of all time 

WASHINGTON (AP) â Humans may be right-handed or left-handed. It turns out octopuses don't have a dominant arm, but they do tend to perform some tasks more often with their front arms, new research shows.

How to use 8 arms? Octopuses tend to explore with their front limbs

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"Mental Health First Aid" is a program from the National Council for Mental Wellness that teaches people to recognize symptoms of mental health disorders and substance use challenges and then effectively communicate with anyone they're concerned about to get them help.


More 'mental health first aid' training coming for K-12 educators, under new UNC System program

Student in classroom

Don't Miss It

The Tar Heels hit the ground running and kept on running for daylight.

Tar Heels roll Richmond for Belichick's first home win

Objects removed from grave sites at Wake Forest cemetary

West Point on the Eno reopens 2 months after Chantal

Museum at West Point on the Eno

Former Colorado football player now famed opera singer

FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYER TURNED OPERA SINGER

'They need to do better': Texas cops shoot the wrong man 

TX: COPS SHOOT MAN AT WRONG HOME AFTER 911 CALL

Experts discuss internet's role in radicalizing people as Colorado high school shooter's online past revealed

CO: EXAMINING ROLE OF INTERNET IN RADICALIZATION

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American Tobacco Campus to face road closures for waterline replacement project, starting Sept. 15

Local News

Wake Forest community unites in blue for first game since former Rolesville principal's death

West Point on the Eno Park reopens 2 months after Chantal, other Eno accesses still closed

NCDOT secretary Hopkins to retire. Deputy promoted to top spot

Man and 5-week-old girl killed in Erwin crash involving concrete mixer

FACT FOCUS: Assassination of Charlie Kirk prompts flood of false and misleading claims online

Nation/World

Trump calls on all NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil, threatens 50% to 100% tariffs on China

Families in crisis after massive immigration raid at Hyundai plant in Georgia

Millions face skyrocketing health insurance costs unless Congress extends subsidies

Waves of fake threats to colleges are putting students on edge and testing dispatchers

It is a busy September in the Triangle with lots of chances to enjoy live music.


Weekend best bets: Hops for Hope, Circus Fest and more

Beer tap

Adam Sandler hits the basketball court before the stage

Adam Sandler at Peace University

Foodie News: Oakwood Pizza Box owners expand with new wine shop

Oakwood Pizza Box

Cook Out's sister restaurant, Taco Roos, could open in Raleigh

The Taco Roos website

75+ events to check out in NC this September

'World's biggest bounce house' is coming to Raleigh

Big Bounce America file photo

Out & About

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

Politifact

Fact check: RFK Jr. said 'everybody' can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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

Fact check: Did the White House 'suspend' Trump's Labor Day weekend schedule?

Fact check: Vance says Trump signed the 'biggest tax cut' in US history

GOP leaders push to restart death penalty in North Carolina

NC Capitol

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

Attorney pulls out bag of cannabis in NC Supreme Court hearing

NC lawmakers outline plans for action after Charlotte stabbing

Trump administration approves $32M for Chantal recovery

UNC School of Civic Life & Leadership review could bring 'turbulence'

Education

5 adults hurt breaking up series of fights at East Chapel Hill High School

UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership under independent review

Examining the cost of UNC student housing

A $300K dorm room? UNC's new housing price shocks even trustees

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

WRAL In Depth

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

North Carolina's bet on Belichick paying off, so far, in generating more money, attention

Durham nonprofit accused of not paying employees previously left its mark on another NC town

'A problem if they were never paid': Parents discuss NC summer camp facing lawsuit, investigation

Duke comeback falls short in Darian Mensah's return to Tulane, 34-27

WRALSportsFan

Early season production has put Duke's Vincent Anthony Jr. on the map, but he won't forget where he's from

NWSL commissioner: Courage, rivals must invest in infrastructure to keep up with league's growth

Aaron Judge hits his 362nd career homer, passing Joe DiMaggio for 4th in New York Yankees history

Bailey's 3 TDs, Shirley's pick-6 helps NC State rally past Wake Forest for 3-0 start 

Week 4 Football Scores in NC

HighSchoolOT

No. 7 Mallard Creek battles back in 8A showdown with No. 6 Myers Park

Northeastern fends off Wilson Prep amid a flurry of fourth-quarter touchdowns

Apex picks up first win under Rob Fronk in thriller at Chapel Hill

James Kenan survives late comeback to hand East Duplin first loss

A North Raleigh park once plagued with mosquitoes lurking along a shaded tree line saw a bite-free summer after testing new technology.

A summer without mosquitoes: Park's pesticide-free solution works to reduce bites

Mosquito 

He set his sights on a goal and put his feet in the pedals. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler introduces a fellow traveler who has journeyed the state. 

Tar Heel Traveler: Courthouse bike rider

Travis Rose's family faced a frustrating ordeal when their COVID-19 vaccination appointment was abruptly canceled, jeopardizing their plans to protect their high-risk son, Aiden, before a Disney World trip. 

Fayetteville family faces Covid-19 vaccine hurdles

Patients are getting hit with fees for paperwork, getting a copy of a prescription, even fees for asking a question. WRAL News shares some things you can do to avoid the extra costs.

Doctors adding fees for paperwork, prescriptions and questions

Hemp is now legal in North Carolina, leading to tension between police who want to make marijuana busts and civil liberties advocates who say innocent people are being wrongfully searched and arrested over skunky smells.

With baggie in hand, lawyer sells case of hemp v. marijuana to NC Supreme Court

Standing in front of the seven justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court, attorney Benjamin Kull interrupted his oral arguments with an unexpected prop. He pulled out a plastic baggie of something that looked a lot like marijuana.

Putting aside partisan differences: After U.S. Sen. Ted Budd put pressure on FEMA over western North Carolina aid for Hurricane Helene, Gov. Josh Stein is heaping on the praise.

Gov. Josh Stein on FEMA funding after Helene: 'You shouldn't have to fight your own government'

WRAL Specialists

Restaurant Ratings: Oakwood Deli, China King and Tacos Number Juan

Secret to savings: Why shopping on certain days saves you money

Timing is key: How to save on gas, groceries, and travel despite rising prices

5 On Your Side: Toddler tower safety concerns

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

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

NC nonprofit accused of not paying employees faces accusations in Siler City

Investigations

Grace Ueng: Straighten up! A catwalk strut has physical, mental benefits

Thrive health portfolio expands with acquisition of Bionic Health

With acquisition, Bionic brings proactive health assist to more people

Mike Walden: Is the housing market improving for buyers?

WRAL TechWire

US electric grids under pressure from energy-hungry data centers are changing strategy

Boeing workers reject their latest contract offer, extending strike at three Midwest plants

The EPA wants to end a requirement that large polluters report their greenhouse gas emissions

Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk plans cut 9,000 jobs. NC expansion expected to proceed, company says

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