2 NC counties are under alert, including Chatham County.

We’re also following how a dog and her puppies are doing after being zipped inside a suitcase and abandoned. Plus, how a woman is recovering after being cut out of her car, smashed into a school bus. Watch WRAL NEWS at 11 and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11 : Showers & storms moving out, but our break won’t last long. When our next system arrives to dump more rain on us

The first store will open Thursday in Kill Devil Hills, with additional outlets planned for Rocky Mount, Elizabeth City, Greenville, Wilson and Goldsboro by the end of 2024.

Wawa in NC: 10 stores by end of 2024; 🥨 90 stores in 10 years

Wawa

Your guide to best brunch spots in Raleigh. 

Savor the flavor: Raleigh's 20 best brunch spots revealed

Rosewater Kitchen & Bar

<b>CNN ESPAñOL</b> — Esta cobertura en vivo ha finalizado.

Se enviaron dieciséis unidades de bomberos para combatir el incendio. Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

Los bomberos inspeccionan las secuelas de un gran incendio que ayer arrasó un bloque residencial de varias plantas matando al menos a cuatro personas, en Valencia el 23 de febrero de 2024. (Foto de JOSE JORDAN/AFP vía Getty Images)

Resumen de noticias sobre el mortal incendio de un edificio en Valencia, España

The North Carolina Senate plans to vote Wednesday to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons, institute harsher penalties on protesters, roll back juvenile justice reforms, raise toll road late fees, modernize sex crime laws and let billboard companies cut down more trees.



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

Protestors gather in Graham 

A dog and puppies were found abandoned in a closed suitcase on Wednesday in Johnston County.

Abandoned dog and puppies found in suitcase by Johnston County firefighters

Dog and puppies found in a closed suitcase 

Get ready to soak up some sunshine on Thursday. With highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid-60s, it's a perfect day to spend outdoors.

Trade the umbrella for sunglasses: Enjoy Thursday's warmth and partly cloudy skies

Fitness forecast for Thursday 

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a school bus crash Wednesday afternoon that involved students from Rosewood Elementary. 

Goldsboro school bus crash: Car driver airlifted, 2 children treated for minor injuries 

NCHP investigating school bus crash in Wayne County

The Wayne County town of Fremont is under investigation for letting people live inside Town Hall, among other violations, according to the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.


NC town of Fremont investigated: Report says people, pets allowed to live inside Town Hall 

Court records filed away

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

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

Powerball Drawing

The North Carolina Senate is expected to vote on bills that would ban the wearing of masks in public and the use of AI to create pornographic images of people.

State lawmakers debate bills to ban masks, AI-generated pornography 

Videos

The Carolina Panthers will start the season with a road game against divisional foe New Orleans on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1:00 p.m.

The 2024 NFL Schedule is out! Here's what it looks like for the Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees also set a $134.9 million budget for the 2024-25 school year.

UNC trustees critical of Cunningham, to review athletic department amid budget concerns

Cormac Ryan and his UNC teammates

When NC State and Virginia play each other in 2025 and 2026, the ACC opponents won't be playing ACC games.

NC State schedules non-conference games with ACC opponent for 2025, 2026

Dave Doeren and NC State take the field

With the future of the Atlantic Coast Conference in question, commissioner Jim Phillips expressed optimism that the league can still be salvaged. Speaking at the ACC meetings in Amelia Island, Phillips says you have to "work through these things." 

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips is holding out hope for a 'really good ending' despite league turmoil

 ACC commissioner Jim Phillips

NC State will follow up its Final Four run with a trip to Hawaii. The Wolfpack has been invited to the 2025 Maui Invitational to be played at the historic Lahaina Civic Center Nov. 24-26.