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

WRAL.com

Understaffing, inexperienced employees, underreported escapes, worries about patient safety-- all concerns from two former high-ranking employees of Holly Hill Hospital in Raleigh.

Former Holly Hill employees share concerns about patient safety, citing escapes and understaffing

Tonight for the first time, we are hearing from two former executives in the children's unit at Holly Hill Hospital about recent escapes from the facility. Thank you for joining us. I'm Gerald Owens and I'm Deborah Morgan. The facility offers inpatient mental health treatment for Children. Between 11 and 17 years old. We've been reporting on the hospital for years asking questions after a series of escapes since 2021. New Tonight, Wrel investigates. Heidi Kirk speaks with former employees only on Wrel who say they were asked to help cover up some of those escapes. More than a dozen former employees of Holly Hill Hospital reached out to us wanting to share their concerning experiences working at this facility. Now, we spoke to two executives with long histories in the health care industry to help us understand what's gone on behind these walls. The medication was used as a threat documentation. Terrible. I felt like all the staff was overwhelmed. Two former Holly Hill executives describing a system meant to protect Children that may actually be harming them. You painted one picture and then when you get in, we're protecting their identities as they fear retaliation. One of our first questions, how Children have been able to escape the facility so easily. They tell us it happens more than we've been told. Were you told to under report or not report escapes? I was encouraged to put them as found in unauthorized space. They say the staff is asked to hide escapes by using loopholes in language. So as not to turn heads from the Department of Health and Human Services, they're left vague, left up to interpretation. They both describe an environment that puts profits over patients and conceals the practices that happened behind closed doors, threatening medications, you better, you know, get in line or you're gonna get some booty juice, which is what they they called it. They both say these failures come down to one main factor, inadequate staffing. I think that was a big part. It was he had a lot of inexperienced people and inexperienced people need more training and you are giving the same amount of training to somebody with 20 years experience as you were to someone with 20 days experience. We asked Holly Hill in universal health services, the parent company, quote, will you provide us a statement addressing former employees concerns about instructions on handling elopements, staff training, patient staff ratios and a profit over patient mentality. In a statement, Holly Hill defended itself saying, quote to ensure patient safety, Holly Hill hospital is staffed regulations and staffing is reviewed routinely. UHS has not responded. These employees say the company is also part of the problem. Do you feel like universal is set up with the necessary resources for Holly Hill to run smoothly, in my opinion? No, in my opinion, no. So these employees left, if you push too much trying to make changes, you know, you're viewed as a difficult person and then, you know, the work environment, you don't feel it doesn't feel very welcoming. Heidi Kirk Wrl News Raleigh. Now WRL investigates interviewed the former employees for about an hour. You can watch longer segments of our conversation on wrel.com and our social media platforms. We broke this story with a push alert to your phone. So make sure you download the WRL news app on your phone or tablet to receive updates on all of our in depth investigations.

Holly Hill Hospital in Raleigh

Former Holly Hill Hospital executives raise concerns about mental health facility

Holly Hill Children's Hospital

Search underway for missing swimmer at Jordan Lake

Police car, blue lights, at night

Grieving father seeks answers in son's murder, suspect still on the run  

Ernesto Torres-Torres

On cam: Sharpsburg mayor arrested, accused of driving drunk for fourth time

Sharpsburg Mayor Robert Williams arrested for DWI in Rocky Mount  

Heat dome returns with triple-digit temperatures this week

Big heat returns this weekend  

3 people hospitalized in head-on crash in Wake County

The crash happened at Creedmoor Road and Durham Road in Raleigh.

Struggling Salt Life, Soffe parent could cut 224 NC jobs

soffe-box

WRAL News+

WRAL News+ Live Thumbnail

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

A man died after he exchanged gunfire with Fayetteville police Tuesday while officers were trying to serve a warrant for first-degree murder. 

Murder suspect killed in shootout with Fayetteville police, barricaded himself for hours

Man hospitalized after shootout with Fayetteville police, barricaded himself for hours

Abby Lampe has entered the pantheon of great NC State athletes for a sport most people probably didn't know existed. The former engineering student has used her mix of innovation, fearlessness and athleticism to dominate one of the world's most unique competitions.   

NC State alum Abby Lampe on a roll after second cheese rolling victory 

Abby Lampe 

Hurricane Beryl on Monday became the earliest storm to develop into a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic.

Hurricane season 2024: Hurricane Beryl expected to bring life-threatening winds, storm surge to Jamaica on Wednesday

Hurricane Beryl is now a Category 5 Hurricane 

Chris Thomas said he misses his son -- Cole Thomas -- who went missing on Thanksgiving 2016. Tuesday marks what would be Cole Thomas' 30th birthday.

'I miss him': Cole Thomas' father discusses son's 2016 disappearance

Christopher Cole Thomas

The lawsuit filed by the Save SAU Coalition alleges that the university's board violated bylaws and breached its duties. The suit also seeks to remove the board.

Saint Augustine's University board seeks dismissal of alumni lawsuit

St. Augustine's University 

Just days away from Independence Day, Durham Police are preparing for one of their busiest nights.

Durham police warns against 'celebratory gunfire'  

Jack Dixon took home $348,743 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

Granville County man wins $487,750 prize in Cash 5 lottery game

From opening the season in Raleigh, to the long October road trip, traveling to Utah and hosting the Champs, here are notes from the Carolina Hurricanes 2024-25 schedule.

Carolina Hurricanes release 2024-25 regular season schedule

PNC Arena

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Detectives arrested a man on Tuesday for indecent liberties with a child.

42-year-old Fayetteville man arrested for indecent liberties and child abuse

Kyle Andrew Brown mugshot 

A Raleigh-based rescue is working to save two severely malnourished 3-month-old puppies.



Malnourished puppies rescued from backyard crate by Raleigh-based rescue 

View WRAL's latest top news

MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM

95.7 That Station

99.9 The Fan

It's illegal to fish without a fishing license in North Carolina -- except on the Fourth of July.



No license required: Fish for free every July 4 

Fishing at Lake Johnson

Sadfishing is when teens post online and fish for sympathy and attention. 

What parents need to know about the new teen trend sadfishing

Group text chat

Jockey's Ridge hides a secret castle beneath its ever-shifting sands -- remains from a 1970s mini golf course that was swallowed long ago.

Buried treasure: Old castle hidden beneath NC's largest sand dune fully visible again

Jockey's Ridge has a mini-golf course buried beneath the dunes -- and a sand castle has recently become uncovered.

Failure to update the WRAL News app to version 6.1.26 will result in users missing vital notifications for breaking news and top stories impacting central North Carolina.  

Update WRAL News app to get life-saving notifications

Download and update: WRAL News and WRAL Weather apps

Celebrate Independence Day July 4 and the weekend leading up to it 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 

Amazon has just announced that the annual Prime Day event will be taking place again this year running July 16-17! PLUS, there are excellent early deals available now on Music Unlimited (5 months FREE), Audible, Kindle Unlimited, home security and more!

Mark your calendars: Amazon Prime Day July dates announced PLUS early deals available now

Amazon boxes

Don't Miss It

On Tuesday night, a determined father is on a mission to help the police find his son's killer.

Father reaches out to WRAL asking for help finding his son's killer 

 UNC system provides guidance after DEI policy repeal  

Murder suspect killed in shootout with Fayetteville police 

Three people hurt in Wake County crash involving three cars  

Tar Heel Traveler: Plymouth Lighthouse in the Outer Banks  

Climate change fuels record-breaking storms  

Video Central

WRAL 6am News | July 2

6am Newscast Static

WRAL 9am News | July 2

9am Newscast Static

WRAL Noon News | July 2

12pm Newscast Static

WRAL 4pm News | July 2

4pm Newscast Static

WRAL 6pm News | July 2

6pm Newscast Static

WRAL 10pm News | July 1

10pm Newscast Static

Vehicle fire at Raleigh-Durham Airport prompts emergency response

Local News

Dark-colored sedan involved in hit-and-run crash, Durham police seek driver

Using fireworks safely during Independence Day weekend  

Swimmers and sweat: A delicate balance difficult to strike  

Suspect charged with murder after Tarboro shooting leaves 2 dead, 1 wounded

Major wins for Trump and stark pullback on regulations mark momentous Supreme Court term

Nation/World

FDA approves a second Alzheimer's drug that can modestly slow disease

Parents who claim Panera's Charged Lemonade caused daughter's death are calling for changes amid lawsuit

Biden proposes new rule to protect 36 million workers from extreme heat

The US will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine

When the weather doesn't cooperate for an outdoor day at the park, consider checking out one of these Raleigh indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks for your children.

Find family fun year-round at these Raleigh indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks

Raleigh indoor playgrounds trampoline parks

Live music ahead: 100+ big concerts in North Carolina

North Carolina concerts in 2024

NC Chinese Lantern Fest tickets go on sale

NC Chinese Lantern Festival

60+ things to do in July

Festival For The Eno 6-7-12-33

Out & About

Fact check: Did a federal court just rule vaccine mandates unconstitutional?

Politifact

Fact check: Is Donald Trump 'against mail in voting?'

Fact-checking Trump, Biden claims from the 2024 presidential debate

Fact check: Did Trump oversee the lowest Black unemployment and poverty rates?

Fact check: Biden says Trump plans to cut Social Security

Expansion of NC private school vouchers stalled

NC Capitol

With Kennedy off North Carolina's ballot for now, GOP congressmen demand documents from state elections officials

NC Sen. Jim Perry resigns. Kinston Republican served in leadership positions

Cooper signs new law targeting antisemitism, calls for 'a more welcoming' North Carolina

NC plan could forgive medical debt for some families 

Education

UNC System provides guidance after DEI policy repeal

Cities in Cumberland County scramble to hire school resource and traffic control officers

Cities, towns in Cumberland County scramble to hire school resource and traffic control officers

Budget, transparency, student safety: New Durham superintendent says he values community and trust

Homeowners get ultimatum from insurers: make pricey repairs, or lose coverage

WRAL In Depth

NC students: The teacher shortage hurts us

WRAL Investigates predatory towing in NC, lawmakers seek crackdown

'It's Not Sustainable': Insurance Hikes Threaten Affordable Housing

Gangs, and young gang members, are a problem in North Carolina

Armando Bacot says he made $2 million-plus while at UNC through NIL

WRALSportsFan

Olympic swimmers stop in Cary for a week of training at the Triangle Aquatic Center

NC Courage forward Kerolin Nicoli named to Brazilian 2024 Olympic Roster

Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker announces his retirement from basketball

Celtics star Jayson Tatum agrees to 5-year, $314 million supermax extension, AP source says

4A championship MVP Caitlyn Jones commits to Wake Forest

HighSchoolOT

Gatorade POTY changes commitment after coaching change, will attend UNC

Hoggard 3-star OL Michael Gibbs commits to NC State

83 head coaches preview the 2024 high school football season in North Carolina

Wake Forest QB Kavon Simmons commits to Duke

WRAL 5 On Your Side shows several ways to protect your car from a break-in.

How to protect your car from a break-in

Joel Hopkins claims his Ram 1500 TRX was stolen in April while under the care of a Royal Parking Inc. valet service in North Hills.

NC man claims truck was stolen in North Hills while under care of valet service

A man said his Ram 1500 TRX was stolen in April in North Hills while under the care of a valet service.

Customer claims truck was stolen while under care of valet service

Customer's truck stolen while under care of valet service

A luxury truck stolen from a local valet! The disturbing allegations -- and WRAL 5 On Your Side details who is responsible when your car is stolen while under the care of a valet. Monday night at 6 on WRAL News.

Stolen truck from a valet lot! 5 On Your Side tracks who's liable and the disturbing allegations

Stolen truck from a valet lot! 5 On Your Side tracks whoâs liable and the disturbing allegations

The legislature advanced a new financing program Thursday that aims to make clean energy upgrades more accessible, including rooftop solar, energy efficient HVAC systems and LED lighting.

NC lawmakers approve program to bring clean energy upgrades to local businesses

A Wake County teacher, James Rencher, has been arrested on 12 counts of assault following an investigation by WRAL News.

Wake County teacher arrested after WRAL investigation, charged with assaulting students

James Rencher

WRAL Specialists

5 On Your Side: Protect your vacation from severe weather 

5 On Your Side restaurant ratings: Vallarta Tacos and Seafood, Azul Tequilas Bar and Grill

Full interview: Homeowners say insurance companies threaten to cancel policies over drones

5 On Your Side: Walgreens changes could include significant store closures 

5 On Your Side

Copy of Warrants: Gang leader indicted on federal charges, linked to Raleigh crimes dating back to 2019

Wake County teacher charged with abusing students with disabilities

Wake County teacher arrested following WRAL investigation into letters alleging abuse

Warrants: 'Shoot To Kill' gang operating in Wake and Durham counties, leader indicted

Investigations

Mike Walden: NCSU Index shows NC's economic strengths compared to national indicators

US will pay Moderna $176 million to develop an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine

As AI gains a workplace foothold, states are trying to make sure workers donât get left behind

Missouri AG: Lawsuit against IBM is âimportant step in harpooning the whaleâ of âcorporate racismâ

WRAL TechWire

Fed Chair Jerome Powell: US inflation is cooling again, though it isn't yet time to cut rates

Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records as Tesla zooms

Biden administration provides $504 million to support 12 technology hubs nationwide

Judge sides with 16 states, putting on pause Biden's delay of consideration of gas export projects

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

4th of July safety: NC officials warn of fireworks dangers, share safety tips

Family

How to make 4th of July travel easier for you and your family as RDU prepares for record-breaking crowds

Go Ask Dad book review: Dad Camp

Bill to criminalize pregnant drinkers and drug users moves in NC House

New COVID shots recommended for Americans 6 months and older this fall

Xylem (NY: XYL )

Price and Volume

Chart

Price Performance