Raleigh breaking news and weather, Raleigh North Carolina news today, WRAL 7-day forecasts, NC lottery updates. WRAL news in Raleigh, NC.

WRAL.com

James Rencher, a teacher at East Wake High School, has been charged with 12 counts of assaulting a person with a disability. The allegations were first reported to Principal Stacey Alston by three staff members in October 2022, but it took 19 months before law enforcement was notified.

Parents call for Wake principal's resignation after alleged abuse went unreported for 19 months

<p>Lawyers for a Wake County teacher accused of abusing Children with special needs. Asked the court for more time today, James Rencher is now due in court in October. That's when a trial date could be set. Rencher faces 12 counts of assaulting students with disabilities at East Wake High School. In 2022 law enforcement only began investigating the alleged abuse after concerned parents frustrated with lack of transparency from the Wake County school district came to Wrls Keeley Arthur. Today she has new documents showing school leaders were aware of the allegations of abuse for more than a year before they were thoroughly investigated inside an East Wake High Classroom were some of our communities most vulnerable non speaking students just in hell. And Christian King at school educators were their protectors. And according to emails and letters recently leaked only to WRL within weeks of the 2022 fall semester, three educators reported teacher James had yelled, pushed and shoved students in his classroom. These reports went virtually unaddressed for 19 months. The ball was dropped somewhere. Wake County Schools superintendent, Doctor Robert Taylor, are you investigating the way in which this was handled? I want to say to every parent and every person that's listening, that our number one duty is to make sure that our students are safe uh that we have the proper procedures in procedures which include state law requiring school principals to report assaults on school grounds. Is it up to a principal to decide whether or not they report abuse to law enforcement? I mean, it's mandatory reporting is not optional reporting. Let's go back to October 17th 2022. That's when a teacher here at East Wake emailed Principal Stacy also and saying quote, I saw James Wrencher kick an exercise ball from under Justin. Justin fell to the floor. I want to bring this to your attention. I know teachers are mandated reporters. Five minutes later, Principal Austin emailed back saying quote, thanks for letting us know, but parents and law enforcement confirmed to me they were never notified. I wanted to know why. So we paid Principal Alston a visit. No answer. Same story for the four emails we sent him asking if he investigated the situation and if he did what he found that invalidated the claims this spring, a letter signed by a district administrator and copied to Principal Alston told Justin's mother the allegations were investigated and addressed. Adding that Rancher went to a different school in the district. You heard that right? James Rancher moved to a middle school in Fuqua Arena where he continued teach for more than a year. But after WRL reported on anonymous letters the parents received alleging abuse and the lack of criminal investigation, the Wake County Sheriff's office got involved and arrested James Rancher with 12 counts of assault. What's Stacy Austin's employment status? With the district? Again, a specific employee can't really talk about i with all due respect. You're really not saying much the ball was dropped. We have records showing that. What can you tell families right now? What I can tell you, uh delays and tremendous delays. Uh That's, it's really not acceptable. I personally think you should be fired. You're saying that to the principal, the principal should, in my opinion, should be let go. He needs to resign or do something else out of the school system. You are not a leader of a school by no means. And we do want to mention that Doctor Robert Taylor didn't become the superintendent of the school district until a year after those abuse allegations occurred. I talked to James Rencher before his arrest. He and his lawyer deny all allegations. We checked on principal Austin's employment status as of last check, it is active and you can watch my full interview with the superintendent right now on our website or our youtube channel.</p>

East Wake High School

WRAL Investigates allegations of abuse inside a classroom

The campus of East Wake High School is shown.

Level 1 risk of severe storms, triple-digit heat index in store Tuesday

Storm threats Tuesday

Bodycam video reveals chaotic scene of deputy fatally shooting Sonya Massey, who called 911 for help

Deputy_Shooting_911_Response_34386

Two people shot in Clayton neighborhood, authorities say

Hope Mills man charged with targeting 13-year-old on Instagram for sex acts

Timothy Scott Tew, 40, of Hope Mills

Most airlines except one are recovering from the CrowdStrike tech outage. The feds have noticed

Tech_Outage_Airlines_36381

Kamala Harris is preparing to lead Democrats in 2024. There are lessons from her 2020 bid

Election_2024_Democrats_84911

WRAL News+

WRAL News+ Live Thumbnail

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

North Carolina's Medicaid program will expand coverage to include obesity management medications starting Aug. 1, which have been out of reach for many without insurance due to their high cost.

Medicaid to cover weight-loss medications, state health plan members still without aid

Weight loss

William Lawrence Lee Jr., 61, of Spring Lake, was arrested in Suffolk, Virginia. Lee is charged with first-degree murder, assault on a female and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

NC man arrested in Virginia, charged with murdering Spring Lake woman in March stabbing

William Lawrence Lee Jr.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 -- Democrats are eager for Kamala Harris to deploy lines of attack that come more naturally than they did for President Biden, including on issues like abortion rights and the rule of law.

COLUMN: How Kamala Harris will try to put Trump on defense

How Kamala Harris Will Try to Put Trump on Defense

Yellow jackets build more nests underground due to lack of food source during drought

Recent drought leads to rise in yellowjackets buzzing beneath the surface

Yellowjackets, wasps, insects, wildflowers

In Durham, cars were submerged in water and a truck was stuck in a sinkhole as storms caused flooding.

Water rescues, cars submerged, truck stuck in sinkhole: Storms cause flooding in Triangle

Truck stuck in Durham sinkhole along Chapel Hill Boulevard

The Democratic-majority NC State Board of Elections said its decision to deny Cornel West's Justice For All Party was based on legal concerns. Republicans say it's really just about politics. Now GOP lawmakers are seeking sworn testimony on what happened.

Top NC elections officials to testify under oath about RFK Jr., Cornel West ballot access

In Leaked Phone Call, Trump Tries to Coax Kennedy Into His Camp

A man and woman were found dead at a Johnston County home on Sunday.

Couple found dead in burning Johnston County home

A man broke into a Knightdale business, escaped with a few hundred dollars in cash and caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to some of the store's most expensive merchandise.

Knightdale break-in caught on camera, woman hopes footage will bring justice

Knigthdale break-in

Two women in Durham are recovering after being struck by a pickup truck while cycling this weekend, highlighting the need for improved cyclist safety measures like dedicated bike lanes with flexible posts.

Cycling hit-and-run accident in Durham highlights urgent need for improved safety measures 

How to Turn a Bike Ride Into a Bike Workout

Hillsborough police arrested and charged two people involved ina custody dispute that turned violent Monday.

Child custody dispute turns violent in Hillsborough, two charged 

View WRAL's latest top news

MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM

95.7 That Station

99.9 The Fan

A change in the jet stream has changed our weather from dreadful heat and drought to daily deluges.

Ask the Meteorologist: How our weather went from extreme heat & drought to days of flood potential

How the weather has changed from heat to flooding recently

With Vice President Kamala Harris being eyed as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, her stances on key issues will be scrutinized by both parties and the nation's voters.

Where Kamala Harris stands on the issues: Abortion, immigration and more

Election_2024_Harris_03903

GalaxyCon Raleigh is more than a comic-con! It's a four-day festival of fandom with celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, fan groups, panelists and people like you. Enjoy this event at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Raleigh cornerstone GalaxyCon to bring 'Daredevil,' 'Star Trek' stars to town

Main exhibit floor inside the Raleigh Convention Center

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has details about new restaurants opening in the Triangle.

Foodie News: Postino wine cafÃ© in Raleigh opening in Village District 

Wine

Meteorologist Chris Michaels says it isn't just your mind playing tricks. Thunder can sound louder at night.

Ask the Meteorologist: Can thunder actually be louder at night?

Storm clouds, lightning, thunder, severe weather

Here are five ideas for spending the day or weekend in the Wilmington area without going to the actual beach.

5 things to do in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach that don't involve the beach

The Donut Inn

Don't Miss It

The weather has changed its tone within the past week or so. A change in the jet stream has changed our weather from dreadful heat and drought to daily deluges.

How our weather went from extreme heat & drought to days of flood potential

Bodycam: Woman apologizes and ducks down seconds before deputy shoots, kills her

Arrest made after violent child custody dispute, 2nd person charged  

City looks to make improvements after series of bikes crashes 

In Depth with Dan: Gov. Roy Cooper on 'short list' of possible VP picks

Dog killed by heavy package thrown over gate by UPS driver 

Video Central

WRAL 6am News | July 23

6am Newscast Static

WRAL 9am News | July 22

9am Newscast Static

WRAL Noon News | July 22

12pm Newscast Static

WRAL 4pm News | July 22

4pm Newscast Static

WRAL 6pm News | July 22

6pm Newscast Static

WRAL 10pm News | July 22

10pm Newscast Static

Local News

Golf cart shortage at Sanford Municipal Golf Course after lightning strike 

New Amazon facility opens in Fayetteville 

2024 Election Latest: Harris says she's looking forward to accepting Democratic Party's nomination

Raleigh man celebrates $150,000 Powerball win

Harris visits battleground Wisconsin in first rally as Democrats coalesce around her for president

Nation/World

Senate to consider bills that aim to protect children and teenagers online

Missouri judge overturns the murder conviction of a man imprisoned for more than 30 years

Israeli government quietly sends millions to unauthorized West Bank settler outposts

Death toll in southern Ethiopia mudslides rises to at least 157 as search operations continue

5 beach towns in North Carolina to suit any fancy

Wrightsville Beach Sunset. Photo: Big Stock

Dinosaur installations pop up in downtown Raleigh

Trish the Triceratops

Billy Strings among IBMA Bluegrass Music Award nominees

Bluegrass returns to Raleigh

Out & About

With Biden out, how will Democrats choose a 2024 presidential nominee?

Politifact

Fact-checking Trump's RNC claims about immigration, the economy and more

Fallout from spreading election falsehoods: lawsuits, settlements and bankruptcy filings

Fact check: How many immigrants are living in the U.S. illegally?

Fact check: Did Trump send Ukraine weapons that Obama and Biden withheld?

Analysis: Roy Cooper on 'short list' of possible VP picks

NC Capitol

Cooper addresses Biden's legacy, Harris VP rumors as Democratic presidential campaign shakes up

Biden drops out of presidential race as Harris works to secure Democratic nomination

Will Kamala Harris help Democrats win North Carolina if she's the party nominee?

President Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race

Saint Augustine's reinstated as accredited institution, work remains on path to compliance

Education

Now is the time to get back-to-school vaccines

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson announces retirement

What NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson's retirement means for the future of Poe Hall

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson to retire

Parents demand accountability after years of violations at teen behavioral health hospital in Raleigh

WRAL In Depth

A year later, Durham is still sifting through cases of illegal dirt bike activity. Here's why

Clean energy batteries tied to toxic chemical pollution

Cellphone usage in schools is a concern for parents, teachers: Are cellphone bans the right move?

Parent group proposes cellphone ban at Wake public schools during school board meeting

'As long as it takes': ACC commissioner commits to fight 'harmful' legal battles with Clemson, Florida State

WRALSportsFan

New ACC member SMU 'bonkers' about long-awaited return to power conference

What to know ahead of Manchester City vs. Celtic FC in Kenan Stadium

NCHSAA participation rises in almost every sport, surpasses 200,000 total student-athletes

LeBron James selected as Team USA male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Grimsley 4-star DE Bryce Davis commits to Clemson over Duke

HighSchoolOT

Here are the school officials on the NCHSAA's 2025-29 realignment committee

Adam Trusky named MVP as East beats West in boys soccer all-star game

West beats East in girls soccer all-star game for first time since 2015

NC high school MLB Draft tracker: See which 28 players were selected in 2024

State and local governments spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on studies, research projects, and consultants. However, not all of these projects pay off.

We spent how much on what? WRAL Investigates spending on projects with little, if anything, to show for it

WRAL Investigates wasted money

The scammers convinced a Raleigh woman to withdraw $15,000 from her bank account and deposit it in a Bitcoin ATM.

Bitcoin ATM scam prompted Raleigh woman to withdraw $15,000 from her bank

Pauline Miller

Raleigh woman warns others after experiencing Bitcoin ATM scam

The scammers convinced Pauline Miller to withdraw $15,000 from her bank account and deposit it in a Bitcoin ATM.

WRAL Investigates one of the most expensive city projects that went nowhere.

WRAL Investigates spending on projects with little, if anything, to show for it

On WRAL at 6: Hundreds of millions of your tax dollars wasted

Project 2025 outlines a massive overhaul of the federal government. Donald Trump and North Carolina Republicans are distancing themselves from the 922-page plan. Democrats in Raleigh are warning voters about it. 

In Depth with Dan: Who is behind Project 2025?

What is Project 2025? Conservative blueprint for presidential term becomes Dems' focus

NC Democrats lay out their objections to project 2025

WRAL Specialists

Malicious actors trying to exploit global tech outage for their own gain

Ways to prevent tech outages and what to do if one happens

5 On Your Side restaurant ratings: Bruegger's Bagels, Sonic and Sunny's Diner 

5 On Your Side: Protecting yourself from cyber attacks

5 On Your Side

People push for accountability at Holly Hill Hospital

Patients call for change after Holly Hill Hospital inspection records reveal violations

'Ticking time bomb': Mom criticizes care her son received at teen behavioral health hospital in Raleigh

WRAL Investigates: Holly Hill violated standards of care that could've prevented patient escapes, inspection says

Investigations

New Amazon facility opens in Fayetteville

Donald Thompson: Strong relationships power high-performing multigenerational teams

Guest column: Schools, business must work together to futureproof the next generation of STEM standoutsÂ 

Grace Ueng: Are you carrot, egg or coffee?

WRAL TechWire

Stock market today: Wall Street opens slightly lower as earnings reports start to come in

Coca-Cola raises full-year sales guidance after stronger-than-expected second quarter

UPS boosts volume in US for first time since 2022, but profit and revenue slide

South Korean tech giant Kakao's founder arrested in stock price manipulation case

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

8 tips to help your children dine at restaurants like a pro

Family

Risks of extreme temperatures during pregnancy

Go Ask Dad: RV camping is Mexican pizza

Happy surprises: When things didn't turn out how you wanted

Weekend best bets: Outdoor movies, foodie fun

Top Amazon Deals: Portable Bluetooth Speaker only $19.99 (67% off), Hanes Men's Cotton Boxer Briefs 6 Pk only $13.15 (40% off), Clear Window Mounted Bird Feeder only $7.99 w/coupon

SmartShopper

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

List of school supply deals July 2024 starting at 15 cents

New Swagbucks Swago game July 22-29

Northwest Bancshares (NQ: NWBI )

Price and Volume

Chart

Price Performance