We're also breaking down what to expect ahead of the public hearing for the Wake County budget proposal and tracking a calm start to the week. Plus, why authorities are cracking down on people not wearing seatbelts before Memorial Day. Watch WRAL-TV at 6 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 6: One man dead, another person shot in two shootings near NC State. Why residents say it's part of a larger problem

The North Carolina Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to ban anyone from wearing masks in public for health reasons, following an emotional debate about the wisdom of the proposal.


NC Senate votes to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons

Protestors gather in Graham 

A year later, the full impact of the North Carolina abortion law is becoming clearer for both supporters and opponents.

A year later, impact from NC's 12-week abortion ban coming into focus

Ultrasound

<b>BLACK MOUNTAIN</b> — A western North Carolina furniture factory reopens today for the first time following last week's deadly shooting.

Two workers died and three others were wounded in the attack at Drexel Heritage in Black Mountain.

Shane Anderson, 20, a co-worker of the victims, is behind bars for the shooting.

Counselors will be on hand to help workers cope.

Kay Miller

NC Factory Reopens After Shooting

Within the span of an hour, two different men were shot within a few blocks of each other in Raleigh.

22-year-old shot to death near Western Blvd., second person shot only a few blocks away

Two men shot within a few blocks of each other overnight in Raleigh

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.

Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region

Iran_Azerbaijan_46800

A dozen abandoned and derelict boats are finally being cleaned up from coastal waters in our state.

Hundreds of abandoned, storm-ravaged boats float along the NC coast

A dozen abandoned boats pulled from the NC coastal waters

The efforts to repeal diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at North Carolina's public universities come amid a broader backlash in conservative circles against affirmative action and other more recent racial justice reforms that passed after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

Divisive or beneficial? Questions linger as UNC system looks to cut diversity programs

UNC-Chapel Hill campus

A dashcam video showing a Morrisville police officer springing into action to rescue a driver from a speeding train is going viral on social media.

On cam: Police officer helps driver off deadly tracks seconds before a train speeds past

VIDEO: NC police officer helps driver off tracks seconds before train speeds past

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

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

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

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Powerball drawings, as shown live on WRAL.

Powerball Drawing

Videos

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour is staying in Raleigh. The Canes legend agreed to a contract extension with the team. The details of the extension are currently unknown.

Here to stay: Canes sign Brind'Amour to multi-year extension

Rod Brind'Amour vs. New York Rangers Game 4

The Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated from the NHL playoffs Thursday night, moving the team into one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history.

Hurricanes face off-season of change. Which Carolina players are free agents?

Rangers_Hurricanes_Hockey_08460

Seize the Grey has won the Preakness Stakes for 88-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. His victory ended Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan's Triple Crown bid. 

Seize the Grey wins the Preakness for D. Wayne Lukas and ends Mystik Dan's Triple Crown bid

APTOPIX Preakness Horse Racing

In a span of four hours, the top-ranked golfer in the world was arrested wearing gym shorts and a tee shirt, dressed in an orange jail shirt for his mug shot, returned to Valhalla Golf Club in golf clothes and made his 10:08 a.m. second-round tee time.

Police: Scheffler's car dragged detective; Golfer booked, returns to PGA Championship

PGA_Championship_Golf_84455

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour is at the end of his deal and several key players are unrestricted free agents. It's prompting questions around the league around whether the former Canes captain will return next season.
