Published: 2020-05-28 06:11:00Updated: 2020-05-28 16:12:12BusinessTags:By Keely Arthur and Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporters — Lawmakers call an effort to allow bars to reopen with outdoor seating during the coronavirus pandemic a "lifeline," but some bar owners said they don't want it.Bar owners have grumbled over the last week after Gov. Roy Cooper allowed restaurants to reopen at half capacity but ordered bars to remain closed for several more weeks in an effort to control the spread of the virus.But they said Thursday that that would allow them to set up an outdoor seating area for up to...…Published: 2020-05-28 06:11:00Updated: 2020-05-28 16:12:12BusinessTags:By Keely Arthur and Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporters — Lawmakers call an effort to allow bars to reopen with outdoor seating during the coronavirus pandemic a "lifeline," but some bar owners said they don't want it.Bar owners have grumbled over the last week after Gov. Roy Cooper allowed restaurants to reopen at half capacity but ordered bars to remain closed for several more weeks in an effort to control the spread of the virus.But they said Thursday that that would allow them to set up an outdoor seating area for up to...WW…

Published: 2020-06-24 15:00:00Updated: 2020-06-25 00:15:42NC CapitolTags:By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — North Carolina is in no shape right now to open more businesses and resume more social activities during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday.Citing metrics that continue to rise instead of leveling off or decreasing, Cooper for at least three more weeks. He also issued a statewide mandate that people age 11 and older cover their faces in public, as of 5 p.m. Friday."We're taking this pause right now to...…Published: 2020-06-24 15:00:00Updated: 2020-06-25 00:15:42NC CapitolTags:By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — North Carolina is in no shape right now to open more businesses and resume more social activities during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday.Citing metrics that continue to rise instead of leveling off or decreasing, Cooper for at least three more weeks. He also issued a statewide mandate that people age 11 and older cover their faces in public, as of 5 p.m. Friday."We're taking this pause right now to...WW…

Published: 2020-05-31 10:52:00Updated: 2020-06-22 13:09:47National NewsTags:— Protests of the death of George Floyd continued into the early hours of Monday morning.At 4:30 a.m., the National Guard remained in downtown Raleigh, where dozens were still gathered at E. Hargett Street and S. Wilmington Street during the second night of Triangle demonstrations.Malls outside of downtown Raleigh were also impacted by the riots on Monday. Raleigh police said three people were arrested at North Hills, where several shops and restaurants were vandalized, and four people were arrested at Triangle Town...…Published: 2020-05-31 10:52:00Updated: 2020-06-22 13:09:47National NewsTags:— Protests of the death of George Floyd continued into the early hours of Monday morning.At 4:30 a.m., the National Guard remained in downtown Raleigh, where dozens were still gathered at E. Hargett Street and S. Wilmington Street during the second night of Triangle demonstrations.Malls outside of downtown Raleigh were also impacted by the riots on Monday. Raleigh police said three people were arrested at North Hills, where several shops and restaurants were vandalized, and four people were arrested at Triangle Town...WW…

Published: 2020-06-22 16:49:00Updated: 2020-06-22 18:16:32Local NewsTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — A barbecue restaurant in Raleigh refuses to adhere to restrictions put in place by state officials to limit the spread of coronavirus.“There is no Goober Cooper government mandated social distancing at Big Al’s, feel Free to eat wherever you like,” reads a sign posted on the front door of Big Al's BBQ, near the intersection of Louisburg and Forestville roads in northeast Raleigh.According to , when as part of Phase 2 of the state's response plan during the pandemic, North Carolina...…Published: 2020-06-22 16:49:00Updated: 2020-06-22 18:16:32Local NewsTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — A barbecue restaurant in Raleigh refuses to adhere to restrictions put in place by state officials to limit the spread of coronavirus.“There is no Goober Cooper government mandated social distancing at Big Al’s, feel Free to eat wherever you like,” reads a sign posted on the front door of Big Al's BBQ, near the intersection of Louisburg and Forestville roads in northeast Raleigh.According to , when as part of Phase 2 of the state's response plan during the pandemic, North Carolina...WW…

Published: 2020-06-12 14:26:00Updated: 2020-06-12 17:46:56Local NewsTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — With Confederate statues coming down across the country and more protests planned through the weekend at North Carolina's state Capitol, police put out barriers Friday afternoon, circling the grounds.Clyde Roper, spokesman for the NC Capitol police, declined to give a specific reason for the barriers. He said, "We are constantly evaluating events relating to public safety and doing what we can to ensure people can exercise their constitutional rights to peaceably assemble while keeping...…Published: 2020-06-12 14:26:00Updated: 2020-06-12 17:46:56Local NewsTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — With Confederate statues coming down across the country and more protests planned through the weekend at North Carolina's state Capitol, police put out barriers Friday afternoon, circling the grounds.Clyde Roper, spokesman for the NC Capitol police, declined to give a specific reason for the barriers. He said, "We are constantly evaluating events relating to public safety and doing what we can to ensure people can exercise their constitutional rights to peaceably assemble while keeping...WW…

Published: 2020-05-26 10:16:00Updated: 2020-05-26 18:18:28BusinessTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter, & Jessica Patrick, WRAL multiplatform producer — The owners of several gyms and fitness studios across North Carolina say they will file a lawsuit Wednesday against Gov. Roy Cooper over restrictions he has put in place that have kept them closed during the coronavirus pandemic.When Cooper laid out a three-phase plan last month to resume business and social activities statewide amid the pandemic, fitness centers were part of the second part of the plan. But when the governor actually...…Published: 2020-05-26 10:16:00Updated: 2020-05-26 18:18:28BusinessTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter, & Jessica Patrick, WRAL multiplatform producer — The owners of several gyms and fitness studios across North Carolina say they will file a lawsuit Wednesday against Gov. Roy Cooper over restrictions he has put in place that have kept them closed during the coronavirus pandemic.When Cooper laid out a three-phase plan last month to resume business and social activities statewide amid the pandemic, fitness centers were part of the second part of the plan. But when the governor actually...WW…

Published: 2020-05-30 06:46:00Updated: 2020-05-31 16:45:24Local NewsTags:— Protests, fires and outrage over the death of George Floyd have broken out in more than a dozen cities across the country, with some protesters smashing windows, setting cars ablaze and clashing with police officers.Tonight, protesters in Fayetteville and Raleigh have grown unsettled--and, in some cases, violent. A historic building was set on fire and vandalized, police cars are being smashed, flag were burned. Protesters have thrown bottles and other items at officers. By the end of the night, it was unclear if the...…Published: 2020-05-30 06:46:00Updated: 2020-05-31 16:45:24Local NewsTags:— Protests, fires and outrage over the death of George Floyd have broken out in more than a dozen cities across the country, with some protesters smashing windows, setting cars ablaze and clashing with police officers.Tonight, protesters in Fayetteville and Raleigh have grown unsettled--and, in some cases, violent. A historic building was set on fire and vandalized, police cars are being smashed, flag were burned. Protesters have thrown bottles and other items at officers. By the end of the night, it was unclear if the...WW…

Published: 2020-05-07 14:19:00Updated: 2020-05-07 23:21:47What's on TapTags:— Saddled with debt, payroll and mounting utility bills North Carolina restaurants are struggling to remain open even as the state starts to ease stay-at-home restrictions. Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to reopen restaurants with limitations beginning May 22, but owners are having to make tough choices right now.“Every day it gets harder and harder,” said Lou Reda, the owner of An American Table in Rocky Mount.Only thirty-five percent of restaurant owners in the state have indicated that they can stay afloat beyond two...…Published: 2020-05-07 14:19:00Updated: 2020-05-07 23:21:47What's on TapTags:— Saddled with debt, payroll and mounting utility bills North Carolina restaurants are struggling to remain open even as the state starts to ease stay-at-home restrictions. Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to reopen restaurants with limitations beginning May 22, but owners are having to make tough choices right now.“Every day it gets harder and harder,” said Lou Reda, the owner of An American Table in Rocky Mount.Only thirty-five percent of restaurant owners in the state have indicated that they can stay afloat beyond two...WW…

Published: 2020-08-18 21:38:00Updated: 2020-08-18 21:52:14Local PoliticsTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter, & Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor — The Raleigh Police Department is changing the way it handles emergency calls involving people struggling with mental health issues, homelessness and substance abuse.Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown told the Raleigh City Council on Tuesday that she is establishing a team in her department that will have social workers respond with officers to some 911 calls to help provide longer-term solutions to problems.The Addressing...…Published: 2020-08-18 21:38:00Updated: 2020-08-18 21:52:14Local PoliticsTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter, & Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor — The Raleigh Police Department is changing the way it handles emergency calls involving people struggling with mental health issues, homelessness and substance abuse.Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown told the Raleigh City Council on Tuesday that she is establishing a team in her department that will have social workers respond with officers to some 911 calls to help provide longer-term solutions to problems.The Addressing...WW…

Published: 2020-06-18 17:08:00Updated: 2020-06-18 18:58:00Health TeamTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — A shows nearly 10 percent of people tested in North Carolina have antibodies to the coronavirus.The presence of antibodies means the people were likely previously infected, said Dr. John Walton Sanders, the chief of infectious disease for the Winston-Salem hospital, who is leading the study."We are getting very good evidence that most people who get infected are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic," Sanders said. "Some of these people are feeling it a little bit – a scratchy throat,...…Published: 2020-06-18 17:08:00Updated: 2020-06-18 18:58:00Health TeamTags:By Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter — A shows nearly 10 percent of people tested in North Carolina have antibodies to the coronavirus.The presence of antibodies means the people were likely previously infected, said Dr. John Walton Sanders, the chief of infectious disease for the Winston-Salem hospital, who is leading the study."We are getting very good evidence that most people who get infected are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic," Sanders said. "Some of these people are feeling it a little bit – a scratchy throat,...WW…