Shortages of teachers, infrastructure and technology workers will hamper schools' ability to provide the best education, facilities and tools to children, Superintendent Robert Taylor said Thursday.

Higher employee pay will be key to running Wake schools smoothly, superintendent says

Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor speaks to the League fo Women Voters of Wake County, April 18, 2024

More than 21% of North Carolina's four-year-olds enrolled in the state's pre-kindergarten programs during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the prior year but still below the state's pre-pandemic highs, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

North Carolina ranks 29th in public pre-K enrollment, new report shows

Durham County budget increases funding for pre-K students

Thousands of fans will pack PNC Arena this weekend for the League Championship Series (LCS) esports tournament. 



<b>RALEIGH, N.C.</b> — Thousands of fans will pack PNC Arena this weekend for the League Championship Series (LCS) esports tournament.

League of Legends teams will battle in Raleigh April 8 and 9 for the LCS trophy and a chance to compete internationally in London.

The host, Riot Games, selected Raleigh for the tournament, calling the city an emerging domestic esports hub. LCS is one of the biggest esports events in the country, and Raleigh is positioning itself to continue to attract these major championships.

League of Legends is known as the world's most popular esport and had over 5 million views for its World Finals at the Chase Center in San Francisco. A spokesperson told WRAL News between 7,000 and 8,000 people are expected to attend the Raleigh event.

Two-day passes start at $55, but single day passes are available. Pre-paid parking is $22, and doors open at 2 p.m. each day.

Only bags 4.5 inches by x 6.5 inches or smaller are permitted, a policy for all events at PNC Arena.

While the rain put a damper on the size of the Raleigh Retro Gamers' Spring Kickoff Market, the group adapted for a fun-filled event for gamers and collectors alike.

Joseph Ochoa

Retro gaming group bringing community together bit-by-bit

Spring Kickoff Market by the Raleigh Retro Gamers

Jessica Patrick

Fans will pack PNC Arena for League of Legends esports championship

League of Legends parent to pay millions to settle gender discrimination case

League of Legends,PNC Arena,entertainment,esports,family,out and about

The Storm Prediction Center has our southern counties under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday.

Level 1 severe risk Friday afternoon: Damaging winds and hail possible

Chilly mornings on the way 

Durham police are investigating a drive-by shooting Thursday night. 

Man injured in drive-by shooting on Chautauqua Ave., Durham Police investigate

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

Iran fires air defense batteries at Isfahan air base and nuclear site after drones spotted

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Residents in Anderson Creek Crossing in Spring Lake, are on high alert after discovering a disturbing pattern of tampered mail.

Torn envelopes, missing money: Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

Harnett County residents report disturbing mail tampering

More than 4,300 North Carolinians died from overdoses in 2022. That trend continues going up, devastating entire communities.

2022 data: 12 people a day died from drug overdoses in North Carolina 

Woman shows faces of those who died from overdoses in NC

WRAL-TV News Broadcasts: Watch each newscast live or watch the most recent newscast on demand.

WRAL Late News 

WRAL Noon News

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

After 22 years in business, Armadillo Grill on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has closed.



Glenwood South staple Armadillo Grill closes

Videos

The No. 15 Tar Heels have now beat No. 25 Duke in 15 consecutive games. Both teams now prepare for the ACC championship next week.

Women's Lacrosse: North Carolina pulls away in the third quarter, beats Duke

Duke vs. UNC women's lacrosse

Brandon Butterworth picked up his first hit of the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat No. 11 North Carolina.

NC State beats UNC with walk-off homer in game one of weekend series

NC State at UNC

The Carolina Hurricanes are no stranger to playoff hockey. They're in the postseason for the sixth-straight season and are regarded as a Stanley Cup contender.

Chaos-causing Canes start chase for the cup as favorites

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The Coyotes are moving to Salt Lake City in a deal that was signed less than 24 hours after Wednesday night's 5-2 win over Edmonton.

Party's over: Coyotes end tenure in the desert with team's sale, move to Salt Lake City

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NCAA athletes will be immediately eligible to play no matter how many times they transfer -- as long as they meet academic requirements -- after the association fast-tracked legislation Wednesday to fall in line with a recent court order.