Kinston Coverage

Kinston residents accuse city of discrimination in Supreme Court case with statewide implications

A North Carolina Supreme Court case about whether racism has influenced Kinston leaders' foreclosure efforts could have implications for the power of local governments across the state.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Tar Heel Traveler: George Whitfield

This hall-of-fame coach grew up in Kinston and lives in Goldsboro and won nine state baseball championships. A timely story with major-league-baseball-opening-day tomorrow.

Kinston caregiver accused of sexual misconduct with handicapped man

A caregiver for a handicapped man is accused of sex crimes against his patient.

WITN Web Team

'Gone forever:' Highway project could destroy Civil War battleground in NC

A proposed bypass of US Highway 70 would take up 55 acres of land, including the land of the Wyse Fork Battleground. Supporters of the bypass say it would ease traffic in and around Kinston, but historians fear the bypass would destroy the site of one of the last major battles of the Civil War.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Lions Water Adventure offers family fun on a budget

This Kinston waterpark has three slides, a lazy river and a splashpad for the children. Tickets are $10 for weekdays and $15 on the weekends.

Take the kids: Affordable water park opens in Kinston

The new Lions Adventure Water Park in Kinston is offering families an affordable way to cool off in this summer heat.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Tornado tears through furniture store in Kinston

An EF1 Tornado ripped through a Kinston shopping center Thursday after, damaging the Furniture Fair store.

Possible tornado damages Kinston shopping center

A possible tornado blasted through a Kinston shopping center just after noon on Thursday, damaging a Furniture Fair. The town reported windows blown out and damage to the ceiling cause just before 12:30 p.m.

Paramedic shot while attending to call in Lenoir County

Authorities said the paramedic is currently in stable condition at ECU Health Center.

20th anniversary of Kinston pharmaceutical plant explosion

The explosion and subsequent fire killed six people and led to industry wide changes.

Kinston florist still blooming after 70 years

Jewell Rider opened her florist in Kinston more than 70 years ago. Today, she is 96 and still works every day, making beautiful bouquets.

Kinston man pardoned for 1992 life sentence

For Howard Dudley, the next best thing after he walked out of prison as a free man in 2016 was having his name officially cleared.

By Cindy Choi, WITN

Cabinet company to bring hundreds of jobs to Kinston

MasterBrand Cabinets is going to invest some $13.75 million to expand its current operations in the Lenoir County city. Some 464 jobs are planned.

At 21, Kinston city councilman youngest elected official in NC history

Chris Suggs, who is 21, has made history as the youngest person to ever win a city election in North Carolina history.

Global manufacturer of household appliance components will invest $28M, create 110 jobs in Kinston

A global manufacturer of household appliance components will establish its first North American plant in Kinston, and plans to create 110 jobs.

Gov. Cooper wants eastern NC to get vaccinated, more access to broadband

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visited Kinston on Tuesday looking to address two of the biggest challenges facing eastern North Carolina during the pandemic.

Keenan Willard, WRAL Eastern North Carolina Reporter

Kinston clinic attracting national attention for helping community overcome addiction

A doctor in Kinston has been named to a national organization looking to keep people suffering from addiction and mental illness in rural communities out of jail.

Kinston treatment center changing how justice system treats behavior health nationwide

A doctor in Kinston has been named to a national organization looking to keep people suffering from addiction and mental illness in rural communities out of jail.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Burn survivor returns home after nearly one year in hospital

A woman who was lit on fire by a stranger in Kinston finally returned home after spending 10 months at the Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill.

19-year-old Kinston man charged in connection to shooting

A 19-year-old Kinston teenager was charged with attempted first degree murder on Tuesday night, officials said.

Sydney Franklin, WRAL multiplatform producer

Pence speaks with supporters in Kinston

Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a campaign rally in Kinston on Sunday night.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

VP Mike Pence campaigns in North Carolina

Vice President Mike Pence spoke at a Make America Great Again rally in Kinston on Sunday night.

Kinston Police Department mourns death of longest-serving officer

The Kinston Police Department shared Monday that Levi Simmons, known as the longest-serving certified active duty officer in North Carolina, has died.

Vivian Howard closes her Kinston oyster bar permanently

Award-winning TV host and chef Vivian Howard has closed her Kinston oyster bar, Boiler Room, permanently, representatives confirmed Friday.

Kathy Hanrahan, Out and About editor

Fatal stabbing leaves one dead, one injured in Kinston

Police discovered a 29-year-old man with a fatal stab wound in his chest Tuesday night in Kinston.