Mold Remediation in Raleigh, NC

As Election Day 2024 approaches, voters in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas should prepare for in-person voting by familiarizing themselves with specific guidelines and locations.

Early voting ran from October 17 to November 2, at numerous polling sites across various counties. On Election Day, November 5, voters are required to cast their ballots at their designated polling places. Important tips include bringing a valid photo ID, being ready for potential waiting times, and knowing that poll workers writing on ballots does not affect their validity.

Additionally, curbside voting is available for those with age or disability-related challenges, and voters should be aware of rules regarding political attire and use of electronic devices. For further information, voters can visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, here’s what you need to know about polling sites and ballots. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, here’s what you need to know about polling sites and ballots. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, here’s what you need to know about polling sites and ballots. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, here’s what you need to know about polling sites and ballots. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, here’s what you need to know about polling sites and ballots. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.

As former President Donald Trump kicked off his four-rally tour across three states on Monday in Raleigh, North Carolina, many seats sat empty in the 5,000-seat J.S. Dorton Arena, marking the start of his final campaign push.

Trump addressed his supporters in a 90-minute speech, covering familiar topics like his proposed tough immigration policies. He mentioned potential tariffs on Mexico if it doesn't assist with border control and aired grievances against his Democratic opponents.

Empty seats were evident at the rally, with social media users and Vice President Kamala Harris' Rapid Response team highlighting them despite Trump's frequent boasts about crowd sizes.

In North Carolina, Trump kicked off his marathon final day of campaigning, calling the state "ours to lose." His schedule includes stops in Pennsylvania—one of the most critical states on the electoral map—with rallies planned in Reading and Pittsburgh before Election Day.

However, while the former president has frequently boasted about filling arenas with enthusiastic crowds, as he nears the end of his third presidential campaign, his crowds have been smaller than he claims.

On Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina, Trump closed off the upper section of an arena that Harris had filled. The lower section wasn't fully occupied, either. At his final stop in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, large sections on both sides of the stage remained empty.

Crowd sizes became a sensitive topic for Trump after Harris, aiming to provoke him during their September debate, referenced reports of supporters allegedly leaving his rallies early.

"People start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom," she said, a comment that triggered a fiery response from Trump that night and has since become a recurring theme in his rallies.

On Thursday at a benefit with former Fox host Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona, Trump spoke to his supporters, he revisited Harris' debate remark about people supposedly leaving his events "out of exhaustion and boredom."

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"When that sleazebag said during the debate, 'Oh, your rallies aren't well-attended and people leave'—they don't leave, and they're packed. We can't find venues big enough," Trump said. "I told her, 'No, no, the rallies are the biggest in history, just like this one. We've never had an empty seat, and nobody leaves early.'

"If I ever saw people leaving, you know what I'd do? I'd say, 'Ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna make America great again, goodbye!' and everyone would be happy. But we don't need to do that—nobody leaves. It's a lovefest. It's never happened before."

A North Carolina mom scored a $4 million lottery prize — but her kids weren’t so convinced.

“I called my children and my mom but none of them believed me,” Tina Hansley told the N.C. Education Lottery.

The win was the real deal, and it came after Hansley tried her luck on a $30 scratch-off ticket for the Black Titanium game. She had been playing the game since it launched in June 2023.

“There’s always a chance,” Hansley told lottery officials in a Nov. 1 news release. “You just never know so you try and see what happens.”

Tina Hansley of #Currie said her family couldn’t believe it when she told them she won a $4 million scratch-off prize. “I called my children and my mom but none of them believed me,” she laughed. Her Black Titanium ticket was from Yaya Mini Mart on NC 210. https://t.co/JYAMe5Pakg pic.twitter.com/KoAacV7Xmt

— NC Education Lottery (@nclottery) November 1, 2024

This time around, Hansley bought her lucky ticket at the Yaya Mini Mart in Currie, a roughly 25-mile drive northwest from Wilmington.

The big win left her seeking a second opinion.

“I asked the girl in the store to look at it to make sure I was looking at it right,” Hansley said. “Then I tried to settle down. I was shocked.”

The jackpot winner, who is also from Currie, opted out of annual payments and instead chose to take her prize as a lump sum of $2.4 million. She kept about $1.7 million after taxes.

It’s not the first time a lottery winner’s family members have been in disbelief. Another North Carolina woman had to send a screenshot to her daughters after she hit the jackpot, McClatchy News reported in October.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

Over the weekend, N.C. State dominated Stanford in one of the best offensive performances in three seasons, while Duke’s loss to Miami ended its quest for an ACC Championship berth.

Now, the two teams are on a collision course for a Wolfpack Senior Day matchup in Raleigh.

Every game of a season is important, but this one feels particularly significant for both programs. The Blue Devils, who are already bowl eligible, look to end their two-game losing skid and return to .500 in the league.

N.C. State, however, still seeks bowl eligibility and needs one more win. It has already won two consecutive games. It would also like to redeem itself after last season’s 24-3 loss at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Neither team has been particularly dominant or consistent this season, which could open the door for a chaotic finish to the Pack’s home schedule.

“So proud of the team, and (I) look forward to building on this,” N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren said Saturday. “We talked about a five-game season, and we’ve got the first two wins out of those five, and just continue to try to stack those things here as we go.”

Peyton Jones provided a big spark on offense in Duke’s 53-31 loss to Miami. The sophomore contributed a career-high 71 rushing yards — matching his freshman season total — and one touchdown on the ground. He added three catches for 61 yards and his first career receiving touchdown.

Jones has been a consistent role player off the bench, primarily in the run game, adding at least 15 yards gained in every appearance this season. The sophomore has scored three rushing touchdowns for the Blue Devils.

Duke has relied heavily on the passing game this season. It averages 236.4 passing yards per game compared to 107.2 yards on the ground.

However, the Wolfpack is allowing 152.4 opponent rushing yards per game. It gave up 197 yards against Stanford, including two quarterback rushing touchdowns of more than 45 yards. Players like Jones could exploit N.C. State’s defensive weakness.

Fans could see a showdown in the backfield between two talented quarterbacks in N.C. State freshman CJ Bailey and Texas transfer Maalik Murphy.

Bailey took over the starting job earlier this season after graduate transfer Grayson McCall got a concussion against Louisiana Tech. With McCall’s medical retirement, Bailey remains the full-time starter.

The true freshman has improved weekly, looking confident in the pocket and becoming more decisive — especially on RPOs. He continues to improve his accuracy as well. Bailey has thrown 130 completions on 187 attempts (69.5%) for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Against Stanford, he went 18 of 20 through the air for 234 yards and three touchdowns without a pick. It was his second consecutive game without an interception.

Bailey is a relatively mobile quarterback, too, running 202 yards for two scores.

Meanwhile, Murphy has been described as a feast-or-famine QB. Originally recruited by Texas, Murphy has completed 189 of 321 (58.9%) pass attempts for 2,121 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Murphy finished the game at Miami with a career-high 325 passing yards and added three touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions. The junior isn’t much of a threat in the run game, so the Blue Devils could see more blitzes as N.C. State looks to pressure Murphy and create turnovers.

N.C. State opened as a 2.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sports Book. The over-under was set at 51.5 points, with moneylines set at +114 for Duke and -134 for the Pack.

Teams: NC State Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 ACC) vs Duke Blue Devils (6-3, 2-3 ACC)

Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh

Date: Saturday, Nov. 9

Time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ACC Network

Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV

Series history: Duke leads the all-time series, 42-37-5, and has won three of the last four matchups. This is just the third meeting between the two programs in the last decade.

N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts looked up to the rafters of the Lenovo Center, his hands on his son, KJ’s, shoulders. They watched — surrounded by the Wolfpack basketball team, staff and fans — as two banners unfurled, memorializing the program’s 2024 ACC Championship and Final Four run.

It’s been a long time since the university got to do that — 37 years to be exact.

Keatts did his best not to get emotional, because he knew the team still had to play its opener, but it was tough staying composed.

“Man, it was beautiful,” Keatts said. “I knew that those banners would look good, but they look great. … It’s special. It’s kind of like, ‘Why do you do the job?’ The job is done because you want to see young men have success.”

Keatts said all he could think about were all the people that got the program to this point: the longtime supporters and alumni who were “starving” to win a championship, for the players who fell just short of the goal. He specifically thanked fans who attended the game or watched at home, noting his appreciation for their dedication to the program. It was special to have their support.

“Those banners represent everything about NC State, represent everything about me,” Keatts said. “I’m just fortunate to be the guy that was behind the wheel, driving the car.”

Guard Michael O’Connell watched the event, eyes laser-focused, his face showing the pride he felt. The senior said he didn’t get emotional — he’s not typically that kind of guy — but it gave him a little bit of extra excitement before tipoff.

“It was unbelievable,” O’Connell said. “It makes it official for us to see that banner drop and watch that little video before the game; kind of gives you the chills.”

The Wolfpack responded with a commanding 97-66 season-opening win over USC Upstate. N.C. State (1-0) was led in scoring by Bowling Green transfer Marcus Hill and fourth-year guard Breon Pass with 14 points each.

Pass, who participated in a backup role for the team during its run, said it was amazing to see the visual representation of the team’s accomplishments. And, his prediction from four years ago finally came true.

“I remember when I told (former assistant coach James Johnson) that before I leave N.C. State, I’m gonna have two banners up,” Pass said. “Look at it now. Now, I’m going for three, four, maybe.”

Pass said the fanfare added motivation for the newcomers, too. They saw what happened — and said they watched the Wolfpack’s run — and believe the program is capable of doing it again. Hill confirmed that statement.

Last season, Hill was an All-MAC First Team selection and one of the best scorers in the nation. But, he didn’t have the same kind of postseason success with the Falcons. He felt inspired standing with his new teammates and seeing the result of the program’s accomplishments.

The senior used that inspiration to fuel his double-digit performance, while adding a trio of rebounds and a pair of assists in the win.

N.C. State has preached all offseason that this team isn’t the same one that won five games in five days en route to the pinnacle of college basketball. This isn’t the same roster that won nine elimination games and nearly lost to last-place Louisville in the ACC Tournament opener, which featured now-Wolfpack players Mike James and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. It isn’t the same one that surprised the entire basketball world and became one of the biggest Cinderella stories.

That’s OK. Last season’s Wolfpack was never supposed to be the team with the rings or the bragging rights. Maybe this new one can overachieve, too.

“Seeing (the banners) drop, I was like, ‘That’s crazy. I want to get to that,’” Hill said. “I asked a lot of questions, like how it feels to be in the Final Four. I asked all of them. That’s what I want to get to, so we’re working hard to try to get there.”