2 NC counties are under alert, including Johnston County.

A new study led by a University of Maryland researcher has found that the Atlantic Ocean currents are slowing down.

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WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur obtained an email from an associate dean that showed the administration had concerns about what employees were being exposed to more than a decade ago.

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All assets associated with the tag: Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington Coverage

(CNN) -- Kerry Washington is sharing a piece of her family history.

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Quote of the day: Kerry Washington

Actors Kerry Washington and her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha, were in Durham on Saturday with a mission in mind to encourage people to vote early.

Actor Kerry Washington, husband part of early-voting event in Durham

Kerry Washington visits Durham to promote early voting

WRAL's Aaron Thomas was in Durham where actress Kerry Washington and her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha attended events to promote early voting.

<p>JUST TWO DAYS INTO EARLY VOTING. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. ON YOUR BALLOT, SOME INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT RACES. YOU WILL CHOOSE A SENATOR. AND LOCAL LEADERS AND THE PRESIDENT. THERE IS NO WONDER THAT PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP THEIR THEIR EFFORT TO HELP YOU VOTE. AARON THOMAS IS LIVE WHERE CELEBRITYS ARE HOPING TO MOTIVATE VOTERS. &gt;&gt; Reporter: ACTRESS KERRY WASHINGTON AND HER HUSBAND WERE IN NORTH CAROLINA TO GET PEOPLE TO VOTE EARLY. THEY STOPPED IN SEVERAL PLACES INCLUDEING THE POLLS PLACE BEHIND ME. E HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO CHERRY WASHINGTON ONE ON ONE. SHE IS HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR A REASON. BECAUSE SHE WANTS VOTER TO REALIZE HOW CRUCIAL THE TAR HEEL STATE IS IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION. &gt;&gt; THANK YOU FOR COMING. &gt;&gt; Reporter: ACTRESS KERRY WASHINGTON AND HER HUSBAND SPENT THE DAY CAMPAIGNING FOR JOE BIDEN. &gt;&gt; I'M THRILLED TO BE IN NORTH CAROLINA BECAUSE NORTH CAROLINA WILL MATTER. &gt;&gt; Reporter: THEY ENCOURAGED VOTER TO GET TO THE POLLS EARLY. BOTH ACTORS LATER MET WITH VOLUNTEERS TO PICK UP CAMPAIGN ITEMS TO DISTRIBUTE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND GATHER ALONGSIDE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS TO DISCUSS BRINGING ABOUT CHANGE. &gt;&gt; HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, YOU ARE VOTING ON SENATOR, GOVERNOR, AND PRESIDENT. AND YOU ARE VOTING ON LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVES. THERE ARE SO MANY RACES AND ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE DECISIONS THAT GOVERN YOUR LIFE. &gt;&gt; Reporter: AARON PARENE SAYS CELEBRITIES LIKE WASHINGTON ARE TOO OUT OF TOUCH TO APPEAL TO EVERYDAY PEOPLE. &gt;&gt; HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T REPRESENT AMERICA OR NORTH CAROLINA. &gt;&gt; Reporter: WITH VOTERS BREAKING TURNOUT RECORDS, SHE AGREES WINNING IN NORTH CAROLINA IS CRUCIAL. &gt;&gt; NORTH CAROLINA WAS A HUGE PART OF THE VICTORY IN 2016 AND IT WILL BE AGAIN IN 2020. IT'S PART OF OUR STRATEGY WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE 2016 AND OTHER STATES WHERE WE SEE THE OPPORTUNITY. &gt;&gt; Reporter: WE KNOW NORTH CAROLINA IS CLEARLY A BATTLEGROUND STATE FOR BOTH PARTIES. PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL BE IN GASTONIA ON WEDNESDAY. AND JOE BIDEN WILL BE HERE IN DURHAM TOMORROW. OF COURSE, WE'LL HAVE FULL COVERAGE FOR YOU ON BOTH.</p>

WRAL's Aaron Thomas spoke with actress Kerry Washington on Saturday in Durham to find out why she's encouraging residents to vote early.

<p>I'm thrilled to be in North Carolina because North Carolina is gonna really matter. You know, I live in a state in California. I love living in California. I'm very proud to live in California, but it is not a swing state. It's not one of the important states that's going to decide this election. And so, in many ways, you know, sometimes on social media, people will say to me, Olivia, Pope, you've got to save the day. Olivia Pope, you gotta fix this on. I wanted to remind the people of North Carolina that it's not up to Olivia Pope. Olivia Pope is not really She's not gonna make a difference. The vote of an individual in North Carolina That is what matters. Olivia Pope cannot vote. You can vote. And here in North Carolina, you can really make the difference in who the next president and vice president of these United States is going to be now. Earlier, at the First Valley, I did hear you speak talk about local elections. You were saying, This isn't just a presidential election. It's many other people who people talk about the importance of local elections and what people do need to get out to the polls. Oh, it's so important. You know, the top of the ticket, the president and vice presidential ticket. That's super important. But remembering that there are offices all the way down the ballot that are vitally important thio the functioning of your community from, um, state legislators, governors here in North Carolina you're voting on Senator, governor and President. You're also voting on on local state representatives. They're voting on D A s. There's there's so many races and all of those people have an impact on the decisions that that govern your life. Also I know was with several of your stuffs. The main push has been early voting early voting. I mean, we've in North Carolina. There's already been more than a million votes cast it and thats we're on day three, and I'm pretty sure there's Mawr. Any particular push on why and early voting matters well, it's so exciting that there's been so many votes early on in North Carolina. It really speaks to the enthusiasm of the electorate. I would say look at those long lines and be inspired, but also know that that is voter suppression, right? People should not have to wait in line for that long on. So that is part of why it's really important that you vote that you show up that you have your voice heard. Don't believe the polls. You got to get those votes in early. The election ends on November 3rd. It doesn't start on November 3rd. It ends on November 3rd. You have until October 31st to get your early votes and do it. Please. We need you to do that. Now. Uh, I wasn't able inside for social distance reasons, but I know that you are here to encourage people to vote Thio Address change. What is some of that change look like? Yeah. I mean, you know, on a national level, I think the former administration, the current administration that I'm already thinking about is the former administrations. They have really wrecked havoc on this country. Whether you're speaking of covert 19 the fact that they've known about this virus and the dangers of this virus 9 10 months ago and didn't do enough to protect the rest of us while letting their wealthy friends know to move their money around. So they got the information that we didn't get that could save lives. This administration is in a unable to admit that systematic racism exists. Theater Tax on Children and families. Theater tax on the LGBT community theater tax on the African American community. It's just it's inexcusable. Eso the changes that we're looking for are the positive changes that Air talked about by Biden by the Biden Harris tickets. It is building back, better building wealth into communities, transforming this economy with more green jobs, building out millions and millions of jobs, um, changing our education system so that teachers get paid what they deserve to get paid, that our Children get educated in the ways that they need to be educated, transforming health care so that we protect our most vulnerable citizens, particularly in the midst of a pandemic. There are so so many issues that are on the ticket and that are important. Democracy itself are Voting Rights Act needs to be restored so that people don't have to spend eight hours in line to vote so that people can exercise their right to vote in a fair way. Let's kind of piggyback off with that. Why Biden and Harris? I mean all of the reasons I just said, I think this ticket is so inspiring because they really do care about the American people. They don't just care about big business. They see this moment that we're living in, where the billionaires have made billions and billions more money in the middle of a pandemic and millions of people are losing their jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives like these things are not okay to this administration. They're not laughing it off and saying it's not a big deal. They are prepared to take care of the American people and put the American people first, regardless of how much money you make or the color of your skin or your gender or your nationality. Last question for you I know that you are very big on getting people to vote. Do you plan on making any other stops and other swing states? What's the next stop for you until Election Day? We are. We're not exactly sure. We're gonna see kind of how the next week plays out. There's always a lot of moving pieces, but we're going to stay on the road. Nom de and I are having a lot of fun here, and we're gonna We're gonna stop a couple other places as well. Be sure to take advantage of the food scene here. Thank you. Any last thoughts before we wrap up? Just vote North Carolina vote, vote early. We're here because your vote really matters. And because we care about the people of North Carolina showing up the knowing that you matter. So vote vote early. Don't wait. Make sure that your voice is heard and encourage your friends and family to vote. Please. It's Washington. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. There's anything. Hey, I think we're good. Oh, my God. I'm so excited. I'm fan girling right now. Oh, my gosh. I got some pictures and video. Oh, my gosh. I'm changing our</p>

Kerry Washington explains why she's in Durham to encourage early voting

Kerry Washington explains why she's speaking in Durham today

"I realized that I don't have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect and beautiful journey of my life." -- Kerry Washington