Raleigh NC

Sobs punctured the quiet of a Wake County courtroom Tuesday as Trevor Huffman told the driver who killed his fiancée that he forgave him. Jack “J.T.” Etheridge, 20, pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless and careless driving in the November 2025 death of Natalia Duque-Wilckens. Duque-Wilckens, 41, was 70 days away from marrying her fiancé when Etheridge hit her with his truck at the intersection of Pogue Street and Clark Avenue, The News & Observer previously reported . Duque-Wilckens, a native of C

A TikTok video showing the wooden blocks underneath a ride at the North Carolina State Fair left some viewers swearing they’d never ride a fair ride again. But those blocks aren’t new. And they’re pretty common when you know where to look. Some amusement rides have built-in leveling jacks, while others need wood blocks to create a “level, stable foundation,” according to John Waugh, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Labor. “During inspections, NCDOL inspectors evaluate each rid

ANGIER, N.C. – Rev. Justin Shane Heath spent his final evening preaching about Lazarus, heaven and the promise of eternal life in an Angier revival service Saturday. The 67-year-old Mount Olive pastor and former Wayne County deputy was killed in a collision on his way home from that service hours later.

The Duke Endowment is granting $100 million to the developing North Carolina Children’s Hospital, The News & Observer exclusively learned, which will allow North Carolina families to access specialized pediatric care closer to home. North Carolina Children’s is a collaborative effort between UNC Health and Duke Health to create a stand-alone children’s hospital in North Carolina. Construction on a new campus in Apex is set to begin in 2027. The grant is the largest philanthropic commitment to da

Charlotte, Raleigh and Asheville face different winter risks as El Niño influences storm tracks.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh man who was arrested twice within five months for selling crack cocaine will spend the next 25 years in federal prison after investigators documented drug activity, recovered cocaine and seized cash during separate encounters. Joseph Tyre Cumberlander, 31, also known as “X Suave,” was...

When John Pendzich, 27, moved out of a group home for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and into his studio apartment in downtown Raleigh, his life opened up. He got a job bagging groceries at Harris Teeter. There’s a YMCA around the corner where he likes to work out....

Most members of the State Board of Education’s accountability task force said last week they favor doing away with A-F letter grades for public schools, according to an Oct. 15 meeting in Raleigh where no vote was taken. Under the approach most members preferred, schools would not get a...

Wake County raised its property-tax rate by 2 cents per $100 of assessed value this year. The new tax rate will cause a $90 increase in the county tax bill on a $450,000 home, the median assessed value across Wake County. Homeowners in Raleigh or one of the county’s towns also pay an additional municipal property tax. The News & Observer asked the six candidates running for Wake County commissioner whether they would support further property-tax increases to maintain or expand county services. F

After 23 witnesses ranging from forensic experts to Hedgepeth's former roommate, the state rested in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial.