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Drivers headed west from Raleigh to Durham or RDU on Interstate 540 are forced to exit at Leesville Road (Exit 7).


Interstate 540 closed at Leesville Road

I-540 closed at Leesville Road

I-540W closed at Leesville Road

Interstate 540

Trump-backed GOP leader Michael Whatley launches U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina

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WRAL Weather Alert Day: Showers arrive Thursday afternoon with cooldown to come

Hour by hour rain chances for Thursday, July 31, 2025

Warrant: Man peeped into Raleigh woman's bedroom while she was inside

Paul Brooks

UNC leaders building relationships in Washington in effort to minimize impact of cuts

UNC-Chapel Hill water tower

Man who burned a Virginia city councilman intended to kill him, police say

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One person shot at Outer Banks pier, SBI agents on the way

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Corpse plants, known scientifically as titan arums, are given the nickname because of the strong odor they make when they bloom. Scientists compared the smell to rotting flesh or a decaying corpse. It also attracts natural pollinators, such as beetles and flies.


What's that smell? Corpse plant begins rare blooming at botanic garden in Raleigh

Corpse plant before blooming 

North Carolina's new spending plan includes provisions for four new DMV offices.

Larger Fuquay-Varina DMV office to tackle long waits, boost service for growing community

Fuquay-Varina and three other areas in North Carolina are set to receive new DMV offices.

The Wendell Police Department is integrating drones into their public safety efforts, investing $20,000 in two drones to provide a vital second perspective, crucial for rapid responses in challenging conditions.


Wendell police enhance safety with drone program to aid missing persons search

One man was hospitalized and about 20 people were forced to leave their homes when a man shot a propane tank at his Angier home on Wednesday morning.

Police: Angier man caused explosion by shooting propane tank

Townhome damage after reported fire, explosion in Angier

The university announced a $70-million cost-saving plan Wednesday. Spending in athletics is projected to reach $185 million this year.

'Football's in the driver's seat.' Amid budget cuts, UNC's Roberts defends athletics spending

UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts shook hands with Bill Belichick's hand during Belichick's introductory news conference on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.

The heat wave is nearing the end. There is just one day left in the 90s forecast before we see some relief. 

Tracking dangerous heat: 2025 is hottest July on record in the Triangle

Five-day highs between Monday, July 28, and Friday, Aug. 1

Raleigh police and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol arrested a man in connection with a bank robbery that happened Thursday morning at the Truist Bank on Oberlin Road.

Man arrested after Truist Bank robbery in Raleigh's Village District, police say

Raleigh police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred late Thursday morning at the Truist Bank on Oberlin Road.

The flight UNC-Chapel Hill alum Zena Cardman was assigned to be a commander on was delayed due to weather with storm clouds moving in. The decision was made with less than one minute to go until launch.

NASA SpaceX launch delayed due to weather, holding up UNC alum's chance at history

NASA launch delayed

An abandoned infant was discovered in a rural Tennessee yard, only hours before four of the child's relatives were found dead in a nearby county.


Abandoned infant found safe as four relatives discovered dead in Tennessee tragedy

Tennesse: Four dead, abandoned baby

Former lieutenant governor candidate Andy Nilsson and former congressional candidate Don Brown are also seeking the Republican nomination for the seat, which is being vacated by Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. 

Trump-backed GOP Chairman Michael Whatley to announce U.S. Senate campaign in Gastonia

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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

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Two weeks after Jaysen Carr spent the Fourth of July swimming and riding on a boat on one of South Carolina's most popular lakes, he was dead from an amoeba that lives in the warm water and entered his brain through his nose.

Parents want more warnings after a brain-eating amoeba killed their son on a South Carolina lake

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The 1st annual event is hosted at Southeast Raleigh High School and will feature the Bulldogs, Knightdale, Sanderson, Cary, Jordan, Garner, Wilson Prep, and Wake Forest.

Eight teams to compete in the Southeast Raleigh Bulldog Bash Powered by HighSchoolOT

2025 Bulldog Bash

Jill Fuller moved back in with her 92-year-old mother after developing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) from using THC gummies. Fuller's experience, which required hospitalization and a lengthy recovery, highlights a growing concern among medical professionals about the rise of CHS cases.

A painful trade: Swapping wine for THC landed her in the ER and sick for months

Breeze Airways has unveiled a new nonstop route from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, launching on December 11.


Breeze adds nonstop flight to Portsmouth from RDU

Despite It All, Two New U.S. Airlines Prepare to Fly

Don't Miss It

There's a new version of ChatGPT - specifically designed for college students.But will it mean an end to students using AI to do their work for them?

ChatGPT unveils 'study mode' for college students

How to grow your savings despite high interest rates 

Pet of the Day: July 31, 2025

White House launches new health tracking system

Cooper corn: Former Duke Basketball star recognized in a unique way in his hometown

Cooper Flagg corn maze

Wasp nest in South Carolina reported to be highly radioactive

Yellowjackets, wasps, insects, wildflowers

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Raleigh police search on foot for man with multiple arrest warrants

Local News

Suspects leave empty-handed, no injuries after early morning home invasion in Raleigh

Unregistered security guard arrested in Fairmont bar shooting, faces multiple weapon charges

North Hills residents remain skeptical of new development proposal two years after previous version

Four arrested in Wake County park car break-in, linked to East coast spree

Trading partners scramble to reach deals with US ahead of Trump's deadline for imposing new tariffs

Nation/World

Turbulence forces Delta flight to land and sends 25 people to hospitals

A key US inflation gauge rose last month as Trump's tariffs lifted goods prices

Trump administration is launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech's help

A teacher is charged in the stabbing deaths of a couple in an Arkansas state park

Families looking to enjoy fun on a budget can take advantage of several free programs at North Carolina parks.


From fishing to bike rentals: NC parks offer free family fun year-round

Falls Lake fishing pier

Get your skates on: Tickets for Red Hat Amphitheater's beloved ice rink on sale now

Red Hat Amphitheater

Explore the best bars in Raleigh: Top spots to unwind

The Willard 

Free, weekly concert series comes to American Tobacco Campus in September.

Nominations open for the 'Coolest Thing Made in NC'

Coolest Thing Made in NC

Weekend best bets: Beer, Bourbon and BBQ, plus Kesha and The Flaming Lips

Flaming Lips at City Plaza

Out & About

Fact check: Will Trump's tariffs 'pay off' the U.S. deficit?

Politifact

Fact check: Stein says guns are top cause of child deaths in North Carolina

Fact check: Are 5 million able-bodied Medicaid recipients watching TV all day?

Epstein files: A timeline of what the Trump administration has said about releasing a list

Fact check: Jeffries says tax breaks are permanent for billionaires, temporary for everyone else

GOP Chairman Michael Whatley announces U.S. Senate campaign

NC Capitol

Stopgap spending bill on its way to Gov. Josh Stein for his signature

Pace of Helene recovery frustrating to western NC lawmakers

New NC bill aims for more efficient driver's license renewal process

Hillsborough charter school opening delayed due to Chantal flood damage, volunteers welcome

Education

Federal education tax credit program would come to NC under bill passed by lawmakers

UNC announces cuts, plans to save about $70 million

Staff cuts, less aid for some students all part of UNC's $70M cost-cutting plan

Federal investigations into Duke University come at time of financial uncertainty

Cary testing way to remove 'forever chemicals' from Jordan Lake without waste

WRAL In Depth

Family of man killed by Wake Forest coach's punch seeking $18 million in damages

How the US-EU trade deal wards off more escalation but will raise prices and slow growth

Chapel Hill police warn of rising mail theft as check washing scheme targets residents

Two from Duke, one from NC State land on Clemson-dominated All-ACC preseason team

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Deal on 'valid business purpose' avoids threat of college NIL settlement heading back to court

New upper-concourse bar, lower-level suites at Lenovo Center expected to be ready for fall

UNC trustee pitches cricket stadium for Carolina North development

Preseason Top 25: West Charlotte, Grimsley rank as the top two football teams in NC

The Four Horsemen of Rolesville: Rams quartet some of the best in the state

HighSchoolOT

Ten 2A championship contenders in every sport

Former Panther Creek coach Danielle Sullivan to lead Grace Christian girls basketball

Ten 1A championship contenders in every sport

Volleyball Top 25: Cardinal Gibbons, D.H. Conley lead NC preseason rankings

Healing after Hurricane Helene. School looked nothing like normal for students and families in Western NC, and this year will have plenty of changes too. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler visits a group in our area trying to help bring back some normalcy. 

Tar Heel Traveler: Santa and Friends

Storm relief is getting into the hands of crooks, instead of the people who really need it. From storms to everyday government aid, WRAL Investigates the growing use of AI to commit fraud.

Scammers using artificial intelligence for disaster fraud

AI being used in "Disaster Fraud"

The use of artificial intelligence is growing in an effort to steal disaster-relief money from people who really need it.


AI-driven scams threaten NC disaster aid: How to protect yourself from fraudsters

State legislators on Tuesday moved forward with a proposal to allow North Carolinians to renew their driver's licenses more often online, and to scrap a requirement that new drivers document their driving practice hours and submit logs to the state. 

Renewing your driver's license? NC lawmakers want to make it easier, and scrap some driving logs

NC DMV office

Public schools, universities and the State Health Plan would get funding for continuing operations under a mini budget, while lawmakers remain at an impasse over a full state budget plan. The bill also contained a provision to create a government efficiency program to be run by the state auditor. 

NC lawmakers send 'mini budget' and DOGE-style plan to Stein 

State budget

From refrigerators powered by artificial intelligence to automated mops and mowers, robots are on the rise-especially in our homes. But are they truly helpful?


5 On Your Side: Testing AI and robotic technology before welcoming them into your home

generic, stock smart home, AI, smart device, thermostat

WRAL Specialists

5 On Your Side: Recent recalls to keep in mind before packing your child's lunch

Lawmakers want it done, but deed fraud bill is stalled

5 On Your Side: Skin cancer prevention tips for people with dark skin

Consumer Reports finds popular bassinet may not be safe for infant sleep

5 On Your Side

Don't Waste Your Money: Dealers, websites making instant cash offers for cars

Family seeks $18 million after Wake Forest University coach's deadly punch

Illness linked to cannabis use sending more patients to the hospital, including NC woman

Chapel Hill police investigate uptick in mail theft

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

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

WRAL TechWire

Nvidia Chips Are Front and Center in China at Crucial Moment in the AI Race

Trump announces agreement to pause higher tariffs on Mexico for 90 days

Losses for health care stocks help push Wall Street lower

US applications for jobless benefits inch up for the first time in 7 weeks, but layoffs remain low

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Uproar Festival celebrates public art in August

Family

Protecting your pets when a hurricane threatens

Nature as curriculum: A simple solution to a big problem

Tar Heel Traveler: Furnitureland South

What to do when visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Top Amazon deals: The Children's Place clothing up to 80% off, 60L Closet Storage Bags 6 pk only $9.19 w/coupon (reg. $21.99), Surge Protector Power Strip with USB only $8.48

SmartShopper

New Swagbucks Swag Code valid from 4-6 pm ET on July 31

National Lipstick Day deals starting at $1

BJ's Wholesale Club for 1-yr only $13.50 (82% off) through Aug. 4 PLUS $15 reward with purchase!

Articles published by The Columbus Organization