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The threat for some strong to severe storms returns to the forecast late Thursday, prompting a WRAL Weather Alert Day.

WRAL Weather Alert Day: Storms moving through Cumberland & Wake counties, wet commute ahead

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WAD Severe Threat Thursday Night

Who is the new pope? A look at Leo XIV

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'Remarkable moment in history': Triangle Catholics celebrate election Pope Leo XIV, first American pope

Students at Cardinal Gibbons High School watching the selection of Pope Leo XIV

Wake Co. man recovering after being hit in wrong-way crash in Raleigh days earlier

Kai Ritchie

Man dead, shot by state trooper following chase, crash in Durham County

Pickup truck crash at end of chase in Durham County

Capitals look more like themselves in beating the Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 2 to tie series

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On cam: Employee mocks RDU passenger at Frontier Airlines check-in counter

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Dozens of school employees in the state have already received threatening emails claiming to have sensitive data. Experts have advice for how they should react and what steps they should take to protect themselves.

More NC schools may face extortion attempts in PowerSchool hack, expert warns

A file photo of the PowerSchool Mobile app.

WASHINGTON (AP) â The Pentagon will immediately begin moving as many as 1,000 openly identifying transgender service members out of the military and give others 30 days to self-identify under a new directive issued Thursday.

Up to 1,000 transgender troops are being moved out of the military in new Pentagon order

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Some Wake County students are participating in a social media trend to intentionally damage their school-issued Chromebooks, the school system says.

Wake schools: Students must stop making Chromebooks 'smoke'

A file photo of a Chromebook that caught fire.

A 13-year-old student was taken into custody after a loaded gun was discovered at Lowe's Grove Middle School in Durham, leading to a temporary lockdown on Thursday. The student faces potential charges related to firearm possession on school grounds.

13-year-old in custody after bringing a loaded gun to a Durham middle school

Lowes Grove middle school

A Randolph County business owner and advocate for access to raw milk is facing weapons charges in Raleigh.

Raw milk advocate charged with carrying a concealed weapon into NC legislative building

Lorena Allan is facing charges of bringing a concealed weapon to the North Carolina legislative complex in downtown Raleigh.

VATICAN CITY (AP) â Catholic cardinals broke with tradition Thursday and elected the first U.S. pope, making Chicago-born missionary Robert Prevost the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church in a moment of global turmoil and conflict.

Robert Prevost, first pope from US in history of the Catholic Church, takes the name Leo XIV

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Lorrin Freeman's term ends in December 2026. She's served as the Wake County district attorney since 2014.

Wake County DA Lorrin Freeman won't seek reelection in 2026

A file photo of Lorrin Freeman.

Five parks remain largely closed due to lead in the soil, and any fix is still months or years, and likely millions of dollars, away.

Durham parks remain closed due to lead, with no end in sight and a huge price tag looming

Durham Parks & Rec to give update on lead in parks Monday

Sky 5 on Thursday flew over the aftermath of a fiery crash in Cumberland County. Video shows produce spilled on the roadway, blocking all northbound lanes.


Fiery crash: Produce spills from tractor-trailer, blocking I-95 in Cumberland County

Fiery crash: Produce spills, blocking I-95 in Cumberland County

The NBA Draft Lottery on Monday in Chicago will determine which team gets the coveted No. 1 pick and the chance to select Duke standout Cooper Flagg. 

'Capture the Flagg': Cooper Flagg's best team fits ahead of 2025 NBA Draft Lottery

Cooper Flagg

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Stay protected this summer with Consumer Reports' latest sunscreen ratings, revealing top choices to shield your skin from harmful rays.


5 On Your Side: The most effective sunscreen to use this summer

Spray Sunscreen Is Convenient. But Does It Work?

Every May, more than 190 wineries across North Carolina open their doors for a month of special events, tastings and promotions.

May is North Carolina Wine Month: Explore NC's award-winning wineries

ZincHouse Winery & Brewery is located at 6225 Wake Forest Highway in Durham, North Carolina.

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- A change in popes -- through death or resignation -- is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the transition in leadership for both the spiritual head of the global Catholic Church and the Vatican's head of state.

From 'conclave' to 'white smoke,' a glossary of terms used in a papal transition

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Linkin Park brought its From Zero world tour to the Lenovo Center in Raleigh on May 6, 2025.

Photos: Linkin Park brings 'From Zero' world tour to Raleigh

Linkin Park brings 'From Zero' world tour to Raleigh

A tornado was confirmed, but no damage was found to estimate its wind speed.

Jamesville, North Carolina, tornado given rare 'EF-U' rating

Tornado in Martin County, NC

Depending on storm track and your location, hurricanes bring a wide variety of threats to North Carolina. In recent years, flooding has been a big threat.

Ask the Meteorologist: What's the most concerning part of hurricanes in North Carolina?

Ask the Meteorologist: What is our biggest threat during hurricane season?

Don't Miss It

Some children won't be able to enjoy several parks in Durham because of dangerous chemicals. WRAL investigates why it is taking so long to get lead out of the parks and how much the removal is costing taxpayers.

Frustration grows as parks remain closed for second summer

Tar Heel Traveler: Belrose Biscuit Company

Interaction between RDU passenger and Frontier Airlines employee goes viral

Woman arrested for having gun at NC legislature

Cybersecurity expert warns impacts of PowerSchool data breach may not be over

Raleigh celebrates election of Pope Leo XIV

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Local News

2025 Triangle graduation guide: NC State, UNC, Duke and more announce commencement details

Harnett County parents face child abuse charges for leaving toddler alone amid drug use

"Operation Roadrunner" narcotics bust nets 42 arrests in North Carolina

When should NC students be allowed to have phones in schools? Discussions underway

Trump says he is naming Fox News host and former judge Jeanine Pirro as top federal prosecutor in DC

Nation/World

US will stop tracking the costs of extreme weather fueled by climate change

More older Americans worry Social Security won't be there for them, an AP-NORC poll finds

Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration's new transit and homelessness grant conditions

What to know on the second day of the conclave to elect the next pope

Get ready for a weekend packed with fun and festivities across the Triangle.


Weekend best bets: Kites, comedy and outdoor movies

Kite festival (Adobe Stock)

Where to find spraygrounds, splashpads in Raleigh, Durham

Splash Pads and Summer Safety

Butterfly Room to reopen at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences on Memorial Day weekend

NC Museum of Natural Sciences reopens Butterfly Room 

Kids bike rodeo planned in Raleigh on Wednesday

Children riding bikes

140+ events to check out in NC this May

May events list graphic

Out & About

Fact check: Did Republicans vote to 'allow' Trump to deport U.S. citizens?

Politifact

Fact check: Can you use REAL ID to register to vote under GOP bill?

Fact check: Is gas $1.98 a gallon in a few states, as Donald Trump said? 

Fact check: Is the U.S. headed for the 'largest tax increase in American history'?

Fact check: Is male college attainment hitting record lows in the U.S.?

Why NC lawmakers aren't moving forward with ticket sales bill

NC Capitol

NC lawmakers seek to legalize sale of raw milk for human consumption

Six months later: Allison Riggs declared winner of NC Supreme Court seat after Jefferson Griffin concedes

Cancer screenings, Alzheimer's, robocalls and more: NC lawmakers advance torrent of bills ahead of deadline

Republicans take control of NC Elections Board, fire Democratic director

Protecting your data after PowerSchool breach

Education

Wake County school leaders deciding where to spend and cut

Bill to replace Math 3 with computer science passes NC committee

'Hard to hire staff': Wake teachers fight budget cuts ahead of Tuesday's vote

NC bill would make assaulting a teacher a felony

Man who fought for transparency in Poe Hall case remembered as courageous

WRAL In Depth

5 On Your Side: What happened to cars flooded during Hurricane Helene?

'It scares me': Orange County leaders say college field parties are resulting in injuries

Durham DA employee pleads guilty to DWI in case where his behavior stunned officers

Costly gas mix-up damages over 50 cars: How 5 On Your Side got them repairs for life

Carolina Panthers release Jadeveon Clowney, put Jonathon Brooks on PUP list

WRALSportsFan

ACC cuts 20-game men's basketball slate to make room for nonconference games in bid to boost sport

UNC, NC State not guaranteed to play twice each season with new ACC men's basketball schedule

Shane's take: Canes stay true to themselves in overwhelming Caps

Gwinnett snaps Bulls win streak with 6-5 win 

(11) Ashley eliminates (6) Apex Friendship baseball in 10th inning 

HighSchoolOT

Statewide Scoreboard: Baseball & Softball 2nd Round

Interactive 2025 NCHSAA baseball state playoff brackets

Interactive 2025 NCHSAA softball state playoff brackets

The only 32 seeds to have beaten a 1 seed in the NCHSAA playoffs

Residents protested a draft PFAS rule at a state meeting Tuesday, saying it doesn't protect communities or drinking water. Commissioners delayed a vote, citing questions about the rule's cost analysis.

'A wish list for polluters': Critics slam NC's PFAS plan

State data shows PFAS in groundwater around NC landfills, with some levels 4,000 times above EPA limits, raising concerns about private well contamination.

Toxic PFAS detected in groundwater around NC landfills

A file photo of a landfill.

Jefferson Griffin, the Republican challenger for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat, conceded last November's election on Wednesday to Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs.

Jefferson Griffin concedes NC Supreme Court race to incumbent Allison Riggs

Allison Riggs - Jefferson Griffin

As the enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins, travelers without a REAL ID will face additional steps when boarding flights in the U.S.

TSA says travelers without REAL ID can fly but should expect delays

Darren Masier died last week from leukemia. He was one of more than 200 people who told their story to WRAL 5 On Your Side as part of its comprehensive coverage of Poe Hall over the last two years. 

Poe Hall advocate to be laid to rest on Wednesday

North Carolina lawmakers are scheduled to debate whether to officially call for a national convention to make changes to the U.S. Constitution. Supporters want to change rules around term limits for federal officials as well as members of Congress.

NC lawmakers weigh call for constitutional convention

WRAL Specialists

Locked out? Beware locksmith scams that can cost you hundreds

More and more pharmacies closing: Is there any way to reverse this trend?

Is consumer confidence up or down? Government numbers are conflicting

5 On Your Side

Orange County leaders concerned about college parties in fields

Employee of Durham County DA's office pleads gulity to DWI

Man wrongfully convicted fighting to save Innocence Commission

Resolution reached in cases related to deadly crash involving UNC students, football players

Investigations

Loneliness: The unseen crisis undermining the modern workplace

Grace Ueng: How this Triangle couple is changing the world, together and apart

Intelligent AI agents, Copilot among SAS Viya's latest updates

When machines talk back: The rise of agentic AI in a world of physical devices

WRAL TechWire

Reclaiming Pepsi: North Carolina should own this opportunity for tourism, heritage, pride

Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment

The first boats carrying Chinese goods with 145% tariffs are arriving in LA. Shipments are cut in half. Expect shortages soon

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Kentucky mom in a sticky situation after son orders over 70k suckers

Family

NC House passes bills targeting teen access to social media and doctors, expanding auditor's investigative powers

Your baby's PURPLE crying is difficult but normal

Alzheimer's care: Don't Wait

Alzheimer's care: If I had written Taylor Swift's 'Best Day' song

Mother's Day Deals 2025: Flowers, restaurant, retail and gift card bonus offers

SmartShopper

Amazon deals:  LEGO Daffodils Building Set only $6.39 (57% off), Mother's Day necklaces starting at $12.99, Hanes Men's Polo Shirt only $7.99 (62% off), Lee Men's Cargo Shorts only $15 (57% off)

Walmart Deals: Mother's Day gifts starting at $3.88, Heavy Duty Metal Shelving Unit only $39.99 (reg. $109.99), Apple Products Wireless 3 in 1 Charging Station only $14.99 (reg. $29.99)

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

Top grocery deals valid May 7-13

Tar Heel Traveler: Deep River Sporting Clays

Tar Heel Traveler

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