Published: 2020-06-25 20:23:00Updated: 2020-06-28 15:31:18Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A new study suggests Black people are perceived to be more threatening when they wear a or cloth face covering instead of a surgical mask.With a to limit the spread of coronavirus taking effect Friday, researchers say they hope their findings affect state actions.“There’s a lot of prejudice and discrimination out there, and African-Americans are more likely, it seems, to face that when wearing a bandana or a cloth mask face covering," said Steve Greene, a political science...…Published: 2020-06-25 20:23:00Updated: 2020-06-28 15:31:18Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A new study suggests Black people are perceived to be more threatening when they wear a or cloth face covering instead of a surgical mask.With a to limit the spread of coronavirus taking effect Friday, researchers say they hope their findings affect state actions.“There’s a lot of prejudice and discrimination out there, and African-Americans are more likely, it seems, to face that when wearing a bandana or a cloth mask face covering," said Steve Greene, a political science...WW…

Published: 2020-06-15 15:24:00Updated: 2020-06-15 23:57:09Local NewsTags:By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Leslie Moreno and Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporters — Noting that North Carolina's coronavirus case count continues to rise, Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday that requiring people to wear masks in public to limit the spread of the virus is "absolutely in discussion."Wake County commissioners also are considering such a mandate, and the Raleigh City Council plans to vote Tuesday on requiring masks.While , elsewhere in the state, they are currently required only for...…Published: 2020-06-15 15:24:00Updated: 2020-06-15 23:57:09Local NewsTags:By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Leslie Moreno and Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporters — Noting that North Carolina's coronavirus case count continues to rise, Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday that requiring people to wear masks in public to limit the spread of the virus is "absolutely in discussion."Wake County commissioners also are considering such a mandate, and the Raleigh City Council plans to vote Tuesday on requiring masks.While , elsewhere in the state, they are currently required only for...WW…

Published: 2020-07-15 16:44:00Updated: 2020-07-15 22:22:39EducationTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist, & Matthew Burns, WRAl.com senior producer/politics editor — WRAL News has learned that Durham Public Schools administrators are strongly considering opening the school year with all classes taught online because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.District officials are expected to discuss the matter at a Thursday afternoon school board meeting.On Tuesday, on Aug. 17. School districts could either provide a mix of classroom and remote instruction or teach all students...…Published: 2020-07-15 16:44:00Updated: 2020-07-15 22:22:39EducationTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist, & Matthew Burns, WRAl.com senior producer/politics editor — WRAL News has learned that Durham Public Schools administrators are strongly considering opening the school year with all classes taught online because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.District officials are expected to discuss the matter at a Thursday afternoon school board meeting.On Tuesday, on Aug. 17. School districts could either provide a mix of classroom and remote instruction or teach all students...WW…

Published: 2020-07-07 14:28:00Updated: 2020-07-07 15:47:47BusinessTags:By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter — A state judge ruled Tuesday that dozens of bowling alleys across North Carolina can reopen immediately, despite state orders that have kept them closed for more than three months to limit the spread of coronavirus.The Bowling Proprietors Association of the Carolinas and Georgia sued Gov. Roy Cooper last month, claiming that his pandemic-related restrictions unfairly kept bowling alleys closed while allowing other...…Published: 2020-07-07 14:28:00Updated: 2020-07-07 15:47:47BusinessTags:By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter — A state judge ruled Tuesday that dozens of bowling alleys across North Carolina can reopen immediately, despite state orders that have kept them closed for more than three months to limit the spread of coronavirus.The Bowling Proprietors Association of the Carolinas and Georgia sued Gov. Roy Cooper last month, claiming that his pandemic-related restrictions unfairly kept bowling alleys closed while allowing other...WW…

Published: 2020-04-29 08:14:00Updated: 2020-04-29 20:01:46Local NewsTags:By Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter & Maggie Brown, WRAL Multiplatform producer — There's a concern about food supply across the state of North Carolina as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.Nationally, there's a high demand of meat, but there's also been many reports of virus outbreaks in meat packing facilities in North Carolina.President Donald Trump signed an executive order which went into action on Tuesday that requires meat processing plants to stay open even if multiple workers become infected with...…Published: 2020-04-29 08:14:00Updated: 2020-04-29 20:01:46Local NewsTags:By Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter & Maggie Brown, WRAL Multiplatform producer — There's a concern about food supply across the state of North Carolina as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.Nationally, there's a high demand of meat, but there's also been many reports of virus outbreaks in meat packing facilities in North Carolina.President Donald Trump signed an executive order which went into action on Tuesday that requires meat processing plants to stay open even if multiple workers become infected with...WW…

Published: 2020-05-15 18:09:00Updated: 2020-05-16 11:18:56BusinessTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — COVID-19 is spreading rapidly though meat processing plants in North Carolina as state health and agriculture officials work to keep production lines running.The Department of Health and Human Services says 1,675 workers have tested positive for coronavirus at 26 plants in 17 counties.The number of infections has more than tripled from 479 cases at 13 plants on April 28, the day President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring meat processing facilities to be critical...…Published: 2020-05-15 18:09:00Updated: 2020-05-16 11:18:56BusinessTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — COVID-19 is spreading rapidly though meat processing plants in North Carolina as state health and agriculture officials work to keep production lines running.The Department of Health and Human Services says 1,675 workers have tested positive for coronavirus at 26 plants in 17 counties.The number of infections has more than tripled from 479 cases at 13 plants on April 28, the day President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring meat processing facilities to be critical...WW…

Published: 2020-04-30 19:18:00Updated: 2020-05-01 18:30:09Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A small group of demonstrators, some carrying guns, marched in downtown Raleigh Friday afternoon to protest coronavirus restrictions and the statewide stay-at-home order.Dozens of law enforcement officers were also downtown, anticipating a large protest . Legal gun owners were allowed to carry their weapons while they walked as long as they stayed off the State Capitol grounds.Some of the protestors were from American Revolution 2.0, part of a national movement to reopen...…Published: 2020-04-30 19:18:00Updated: 2020-05-01 18:30:09Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A small group of demonstrators, some carrying guns, marched in downtown Raleigh Friday afternoon to protest coronavirus restrictions and the statewide stay-at-home order.Dozens of law enforcement officers were also downtown, anticipating a large protest . Legal gun owners were allowed to carry their weapons while they walked as long as they stayed off the State Capitol grounds.Some of the protestors were from American Revolution 2.0, part of a national movement to reopen...WW…

Published: 2020-05-28 15:29:00Updated: 2020-05-28 20:37:11PetsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A pug named Winston, believed to be the first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in the United States, was likely never infected with the virus, according to new findings from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.The United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the NVSL, said a series of tests were conducted over several weeks after Duke researchers positively identified SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19 -- in Winston's oral swab."While there was a weak...…Published: 2020-05-28 15:29:00Updated: 2020-05-28 20:37:11PetsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A pug named Winston, believed to be the first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in the United States, was likely never infected with the virus, according to new findings from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.The United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the NVSL, said a series of tests were conducted over several weeks after Duke researchers positively identified SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19 -- in Winston's oral swab."While there was a weak...WW…

Published: 2021-04-16 20:00:00Updated: 2021-04-18 00:42:39Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A Lee County park that’s become a destination for mountain bikers has been shut down after several serious injuries until officials can make safety improvements.“It’s like a roller-coaster through the woods," said Donn Otte, who began building Gravity Bike Park more than a decade ago.Over the years, Otte and other volunteers have created six mountain biking courses, ranging from beginner to pro, in Sanford's San-Lee Park that have attracted experienced riders from up and down...…Published: 2021-04-16 20:00:00Updated: 2021-04-18 00:42:39Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist — A Lee County park that’s become a destination for mountain bikers has been shut down after several serious injuries until officials can make safety improvements.“It’s like a roller-coaster through the woods," said Donn Otte, who began building Gravity Bike Park more than a decade ago.Over the years, Otte and other volunteers have created six mountain biking courses, ranging from beginner to pro, in Sanford's San-Lee Park that have attracted experienced riders from up and down...WW…

Published: 2021-03-31 10:04:00Updated: 2021-04-01 19:58:33Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter — The Robeson County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man in connection with a road rage shooting that killed a mother of six last week on Interstate 95.Dejywan R. Floyd, 29, of Lumberton, was arrested at the Parkview Terrace Apartments around midnight Thursday, officials said. He is charged with first-degree murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied property.Photos released by the sheriff's office on Thursday show Floyd being arrested at the apartment and his car being seized.Floyd...…Published: 2021-03-31 10:04:00Updated: 2021-04-01 19:58:33Local NewsTags:By Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter — The Robeson County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man in connection with a road rage shooting that killed a mother of six last week on Interstate 95.Dejywan R. Floyd, 29, of Lumberton, was arrested at the Parkview Terrace Apartments around midnight Thursday, officials said. He is charged with first-degree murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied property.Photos released by the sheriff's office on Thursday show Floyd being arrested at the apartment and his car being seized.Floyd...WW…