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The Johnston County Sheriff's Office released Wellington Dickens III's call to 911. Dickens, who is charged with killing three of his children and a stepson, told a 911 dispatcher he killed his four children.

'It's my fault': Zebulon dad says he killed his 4 children in newly released 911 call

DAMAGE IN JAMAICA, CUBA AND HAITI. >> BREAKING AND NEW AT NOON, THE 4 CHILDREN DISCOVERED IN THE TRUNK OF A CAR IN JOHNSTON COUNTY HAD BEEN MURDERED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHICH GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE DISTURBING CASE THIS MORNING. HELLO, EVERYONE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. I'M RENEE CHOU. I'M CHRIS LOVINGOOD. >> WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US ON THIS DAY ON MONDAY, THEIR OWN FATHER, WELLINGTON DICKENS CALLED 9-1-1, ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS AND ADMITTED TO KILLING THEM. LET'S BRING IN CARLY HAYNES. SHE IS RIGHT THERE. SHE WENT TO THE NEWS CONFERENCE HERE TODAY AND CARLY. WELL, DEPUTIES, THEY ALSO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY SAW IN THE HOME ONCE THEY ARRIVED. >> WELL, TODAY DEPUTIES SAID THAT THE HOMES CONDITIONS WERE AN IMAGINABLE. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF DECAY WHEN THEY HAD WALKED IN. AND THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY INSIDE THE HOME AS OPPOSED TO BUY THE CAR WHERE THOSE CHILDREN WERE DISCOVERED. I WANT TO SHOW YOU THE HOME WHERE WELLINGTON DICKENS, THE 3RD AND THOSE CHILDREN LIVED. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID THE CHILDREN WERE SECLUDED. THEY SAY THE 6 YEAR-OLD CHILD WAS KILLED. FIRST IN MAY, THE 9 YEAR-OLD WAS KILLED IN AUGUST. THE 10 YEAR-OLD AROUND AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER AND DICKENS, 18 YEAR-OLD STEPSON WAS KILLED LAST MONTH. DEPUTIES DID NOT TELL US HOW THEY DIED. THEY SAID THE MEDICAL EXAMINER WELL DETERMINE THAT. >> THERE'S NO MOTIVE AT THIS 0, 5, MOVED TO BECOME MURDERED. THESE CHILDREN. BUT AT THE SHERIFF'S AS A FATHER AND AS A GRANDFATHER. I CAN STAND HERE AND SAY THERE'S NO REASON FOR FATHER TO MURDER HIS CHILDREN. >> NOW, DEPUTIES SAID FAMILY MEMBERS HAD CALLED TO CHECK ON THE CHILDREN IN THE PAST. BUT THOSE CALLS WENT UNRETURNED. IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILL LOOK INTO FURTHER AS A POSSIBLE LEAD HERE. AND THOSE SURVIVING 3 YEAR-OLD CHILD HAD A MEDICAL EVALUATION AND IS AN INJURED. SO DSS WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE. AFTERWARDS, WE ASKED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY WHETHER HE INTENDS TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY. HE SAID NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AT THIS POINT. HE WANTS TO GET THROUGH THAT FIRST COURT APPEARANCE FIRST, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR 2 O'CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE CANES. WRAL NEWS LIVE IN JOHNSON COUNTY. >> JUST HEARTBREAKING. MORE

Zebulon man killed 4 children over course of months, Johnston County sheriff says

Wellington Dickens III appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon.

Hurricane Melissa leaves dozens dead in trail of destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica

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New lawsuit filed against Durham company accused of not paying employees

A lawsuit filed by seven former employees against CJF America remains unserved, while the company's president recently missed a court appearance. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the Durham-based company.

Foster families shaken by murders of couple, suicide of foster son

Hoke County murder scene

Five oceanfront homes collapse in Buxton during windy day at Outer Banks

Buxton oceanfront homes on verge of collapse

Johnston County leaderes approve plans for Clayton High School renovation

Paris prosecutor says 2 suspects in the Louvre jewel heist âpartiallyâ admit their participation

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House committee questions state officials on DMV operations

The average wait time is currently about 90 minutes, down from more than two hours in July, according to a presentation compiled by the DMV ahead of Wednesday testimony before House lawmakers. 

NC DMV wait times have plummeted, officials say ahead of lawmaker grilling

People line up at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles office.

The next weather-maker is a frontal system that will arrive overnight Wednesday, bringing a steady amount of rain.


Unseasonably cool, drizzly weather comes ahead of next weather-maker Wednesday night

Next weather-maker to pass through North Carolina Wednesday night

Time to fall back! Daylight Saving Time ends 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.


Turn your clocks back this weekend: Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 2

Miniature alarm clock

U.S. lawmakers have tried four times since September last year to close what they called a glaring loophole: China is getting around export bans on the sale of powerful American AI chips by renting them through U.S. cloud services instead.

US government allowed and even helped US firms sell tech used for surveillance in China, AP finds

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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: Peace looks for a nesting ground

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) â Israelâs military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials.

Israel's military says ceasefire is back on as death toll from overnight strikes in Gaza reaches 104

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You might be familiar with traditional estate planning, but there's also what's called digital estate planning. Consumer Reports has five things to do right now to make things easier in a crisis.


5 On Your Side: How to plan your digital estate for peace of mind

Stock, generic man sitting in front of laptop, technology. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Leaders in Durham are sounding the alarm about political rhetoric they believe could incite violence. Social media posts have alluded to the guillotine and placed candidates' faces on Wanted posters.


'Dangerous' social media posts spark concern in Durham ahead of Election Day

Wanted poster 

Wayne and Bridgette Todd were on their delayed honeymoon for their one-year anniversary in Jamaica when they learned Melissa would not only disrupt their fun, but also put them in the middle of a life-threatening situation.


Halifax couple celebrating anniversary in Jamaica asks for prayers after Hurricane Melissa

NC couple in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi joined the program together in December. Lombardi is the highest-paid general manager in the sport.

Belichick: UNC football GM Lombardi's work to improve program is 'monumental'

UNC coach Bill Belichick

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Police said a father called 911 to confess he'd killed his children. As a new dad, I'm shaken.


Lovingood: Being a parent also means feeling pain for someone else's kids during tragic stories

Parent and child holding hands with hearts

The wind speed along the Sanford Simpson scale dictates the category of a storm, and we can predict what kind of damage will be done based on how strong the winds will be. 

How much damage wind can do depending on hurricane's category

Wind damage

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall on Tuesday as the deadliest Category 5 storm to slam Jamaica.

Photos: Hurricane Melissa blows through Jamaica with catastrophic winds, flooding, storm surge

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The record for longest consecutive hours at Category 5 was set by a hurricane in the 1930s.

Ask the Meteorologist: How did Melissa stay Category 5 for so long?

Melissa was tied as the strongest landfalling hurricane on record in the Atlantic

The USDA told states last week that it wouldn't be using roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds to keep the SNAP program running for November.

AG Jackson announces lawsuit over potential cuts to SNAP benefits

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Don't Miss It

An infant and her mother are recovering after an amazing rescue captured on police body cam in Fort Worth, Texas.


Officers flip car to rescue Fort Worth baby

Teacher of the Week: Emily Swanson

Some buildings in Jamaica are intact so far. There's a reason why

Live picture from Montego Bay showing structures post-Hurricane Melissa landfall

Amazon cuts 14,000 positions as it embraces changes brought about by AI

REFEED AMAZON TO LAY OFF 14000 WORKERS ROMANS

North Texas principal apologizes after singling out Black students for school's performance

PRINCIPAL BLAMES BLACK STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Caught on cam: U-Haul chase ends in crash, arrest

FL: VIDEO: U-HAUL CHASE ENDS IN CRASH, ARREST

Video Central

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Samaritan's Purse has relief, aid on standby for Jamaica

Local News

Two arrested in connection with Rocky Mount dealership break-in and multi-county car thefts

Rock Quarry Road closure rescheduled until November for Complete 540 project

Wake school board updating cellphone, devices policy in light of confusion, state law

Report: More people moving to downtown Raleigh

How climate change is changing the way athletes train ahead of the Winter Olympics

Nation/World

Trump says 'it's too bad' he can't run for a third term

Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia

Deadly floods batter central Vietnam, killing at least 10

Trump scores golden gifts as United States and Seoul advance trade talks

It is a busy weekend in the Triangle with lots of Halloween and fall events including the NC Whirligig Festival.

Weekend best bets: Halloween fun, Whirligig Festival

Creator of Wilson's whirligigs releases new book 

When is trick-or-treat this year? Friday, Oct. 31

Celebrating Halloween safely

Chilly temps and mostly clear skies provide a perfect trick-or-treat night

Halloween forecast as of Sunday, 10/26/2025

Three tips for shopping at Halloween pop-up shops

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100+ events in NC to enjoy this November

November events list graphic (Canva)

Blue Ridge Parkway: How to visit and what you can do

Blue Ridge Parkway - Places to Visit in North Carolina. Photo:Big Stock

Out & About

Fact check: Democrats claim Leavitt said White House ballroom is Trump's 'main priority'

Politifact

Fact check: Trump says 50% of US presidents have invoked the Insurrection Act

Fact check: How many US residency spots are held by immigrants with H-1B visas?

Fact check: Trump says small children get 80 different vaccines

NC attorney general sues USDA over food stamp funding

NC Capitol

NC attorney general sues USDA after pausing SNAP benefits

Another lawsuit challenges NC redistricting, this time using new legal theory of 'retaliation'

Raleigh social services group to furlough 250 in NC due to federal shutdown

Fire-damaged school turns a Sears into classrooms

Education

Caught on camera: Smoke engulfs Wayne County school bus, cause likely mechanical

Witness: Bus driver's 'awesome job' saved 21 kids when bus caught fire

Teacher of the Week: Chip Shea

More oversight, more resources: Wake schools sets plan for compliance with federal special education laws

Johnston Regional Airport hopes to pioneer FAA's next-gen digital air traffic control

WRAL In Depth

Bipartisan effort underway in NC to give you rights over what data companies collect and share about you

More layoffs proposed at the U.S. Department of Education. How could they affect NC schools?

Moms who overcame addiction helping others through growing statewide network

Privatize NC's liquor sales? Leader of DOGE-style group wants to explore the cost

Hurricanes get Gostisbehere back against Vegas, then lose him early again to extend injury woes

WRALSportsFan

Take it from the top: Toronto's Trey Yesavage uses unusually high arm angle to his advantage

Sports Leagues Feared a Betting Scandal Like This. Will Anything Change?

Back from Tommy John surgery, Shane Bieber elbows Shohei Ohtani right out of the spotlight

Eichel's 2 late goals help Vegas Golden Knights beat Carolina Hurricanes 6-3

Alpaca Game of the Week to feature a conference title fight between rivals Heritage and Wake Forest

HighSchoolOT

(1) D.H. Conley avenges (2) Cardinal Gibbons loss, wins 7A East title in a five-set thriller

(1) Watauga knocks off (2) Kings Mountain in five to advance to 6A state championship

Scores from Tuesday's NCHSAA Volleyball Regional Finals

2025 NCHSAA Volleyball State Championship Matchups: Here are the start times, locations

Monday is National American Beer Day, and one local couple is celebrating the day through their own business. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler captures the unique way they got started and their passion for brewing.

Tar Heel Traveler: Deep River Brewing 

While the Federal Aviation Administration is facing an air traffic controller shortage, it's testing a modern alternative to the traditional air traffic control system called a remote tower. The head of Johnston Regional Airport wants to be "first in flight" once this digital remote tower takes off.

Remote control: Solution for safer skies?

As Halloween approaches, the Better Business Bureau and other experts warn that scammers are ramping up efforts.

How to protect yourself from Halloween scams

As Halloween approaches, the Better Business Bureau and other experts warn that scammers are ramping up efforts.


The real Halloween scare: Halloween and digital scams to know about this holiday season

A file photo of someone counting money.

Video shared with WRAL News shows the moment a lithium-ion battery caught fire inside a home, feet away from a dog. WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answered viewer questions about the batteries and their potential dangers.

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer questions about lithium-ion batteries after Chapel Hill house fire

Dog bites lithium-ion battery, sparks fire inside Chapel Hill home

WRAL Investigates on similar parties in Orange and Person counties, which resulted in charges related to underage drinking for partygoers and a property owner. The venues are different, but the concerns are the same.

WRAL Investigates the push for solutions to farm parties

WRAL Specialists

Free breakfast for first responders: Wear uniform or bring ID to McDonald's Tuesday

Travel experts: Book your holiday flights this week for the best deals

Restaurant Ratings: Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, Drum & Quill and Jordana's Pizzeria

Inflation reports offers good news, bad news. Here's where you can save.

5 On Your Side

NC lawmakers push to make companies tell you what they're doing with your data

Man's complaints about Durham road haven't led to action at city level

'It's a racetrack': Dangerous Durham road bothered man for years before deadly hit-and-run

Deadly hit-and-run suspect was in country illegally, ICE says

Investigations

Guest column: Dysfunctional government stalls innovation

Grace Ueng: The leadership metronome

Qualcomm Unveils New Line of Chips to Join the AI Boom

Software merger makes it easier to make beer in NC

WRAL TechWire

Judge extends order barring the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the shutdown

Trump administration moves to overrule state laws protecting credit reports from medical debt

PayPal and UPS help lead US stocks to more records

UPS cuts 48,000 jobs in the year to date as its turnaround continues

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Go Ask Dad: Snail tricks, costume treats

Family

Keeping kids visible and pets from escaping on Halloween

Halloween 2025 restaurant freebies & deals 

Explore the Triangle's spooktacular displays: From singing skeletons to haunted houses

Top Amazon Deals: Hanes Men's Sweatpants only $9.00 (57% off), LEGO 3 in 1 Space Shuttle Set only $6.39, Crayola LED Kids Drawing Light Board only $14.92 (57% off), Blink Video Doorbell only $29.99 (57% off)

SmartShopper

Walmart Black Friday Events announced: First one starts Nov. 14

Sam's Club 12-Month Membership only $15 (70% off)

Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (NY:GDLC)

Headline News about Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF