John Rector
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Articles by John Rector
'It was dire': NC State professor returns from Qatar after being trapped during Iran war
Rich Spontak was stuck in Qatar while traveling from Spain to Bangkok and was forced to stay in the country for about a week as U.S. and Israeli forces began attacks on Iran.
Modifying Large Molecule Release From Hydrogels Using Microcapillary Channels Patterned With Microfibrous Templates
1 Introduction In most cases, the first choice for delivering a drug is via a systemic method, meaning that it is administered to the entire body with the goal of eventually reaching and treating the target site. These methods, including oral consumption and intravenous injection, are ubiquitous and easily implemented, but are indirect and imprecise, which can lead to a number of complications.
Cars crash into sports bar patio on rainy night in Raleigh
Two cars crash, one into the deck of Raleigh sports bar Two cars Thursday afternoon drove off the road and into a restaurant in Raleigh. The WRAL Breaking News Tracker captured video of two cars that had crashed into Rudino's Sports Corner on Edwards Mill Road. Witney Jones, a waitress at the bar, said she was sitting in the break room at the bar when the crash happened. "I heard a large boom and the lights went out," she said.
Two cars crash into Raleigh sports bar after traffic accident
Two cars crash, one into the deck of Raleigh sports bar Two cars Thursday afternoon drove off the road and into a restaurant in Raleigh. The WRAL Breaking News Tracker captured video of two cars that had crashed into Rudino's Sports Corner on Edward's Mill Road. Witney Jones, a waitress at the bar, said she was sitting in the break room at the bar when the crash happened. "I heard a large boom and the lights went out," she said.
'Something hit my legs': 911 calls detail four-day span of I-40 shootings in Raleigh
On Friday, Raleigh police released the phone calls from the series of shootings on Nov. 4-7. According to the Raleigh Police Department, at least eight vehicles and four buildings were shot at beginning on Monday. The only person hit was a woman driving her SUV on Monday along Interstate 40 near Chapel Hill Road and Cary Towne Boulevard. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. "I don't know what happened," the woman said to a 911 dispatcher.
Helene healing: 310 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway restored, Asheville parks reopen
The North Carolina mountains continue to heal from Hurricane Helene. On Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced that Interstate 40 near Pigeon River Gorge will reopen with one lane in each direction by New Year's Day, allowing access to the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. An additional 11 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened Wednesday in Asheville from milepost 382.5 at U.S. 70 near the Folk Art Center to milepost 393.6 at N.C. Route 191 near the N.C. Arboretum.
Western NC voter turnout is 'heartwarming,' where some polling sites moved to tents
Election Day on Tuesday looked different for some voters in western North Carolina. Four polling sites in Yancey County, one of 25 counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, were operating out of tents -- rain or shine. Yancey County resident and first-time voter Rebekah Hensley was one of hundreds who voted at a tent site.
'Heartwarming': Western NC sees record voter turnout despite Helene changes
Early voting saw a record turnout across North Carolina. In the western portion of the state, nearly 59% of registered voters voted before Election Day or by absentee ballot -- that's hire than the statewide turnout of 57% of registered voters. "We had wonderful turnout for early voting," Corinne Duncan, Buncombe County's elections director, said Monday. "In Buncombe County alone, we had 116,000 registered voters turn out.
Residents enjoy scary good time during Halloween on Franklin Street
The man was part of the Halloween festivities in Chapel Hill. Several people of all ages on Thursday made their way to Chapel Hill for Halloween festivities. Downtown Chapel Hill is known for rounding up some of the best costumes on the holiday, especially along Franklin Street, and it’s a decades-long tradition. “We’re trying to be the change that we want to see in this world by dressing crazy, and we’re just hoping everyone else will,” said Ava Sharon, a sophomore at UNC.
Broughton High increases security after student found with gun off campus, sparking parental concerns
Enhanced security measures will be in place Tuesday for students and staff at Broughton Magnet High School following an incident involving a student who allegedly had a gun off campus. According to an email obtained by WRAL, school leaders were alerted by Raleigh Police after a tip about the weapon. Although the gun was found off campus, some parents are questioning its exact location, the student’s intentions, and whether it may have made its way onto school grounds.
After stunning view, northern lights unlikely in NC again Friday night
It was a colorful display Thursday across North Carolina skies as a geomagnetic storm triggered northern lights in the United States -- and a few people may be able to see the wonder again Friday night. WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said, for most of the U.S., the northern lights will not be visible again Friday night. The line of maximum visibility Friday night is in the far northern portion of the country, as visible in this map.
Northern lights give the NC skies a stunning glow
It was a colorful display Thursday across the North Carolina skies as a geomagnetic storm triggered northern lights Thursday night in the United States, Several North Carolina residents started sending WRAL News photos of the phenomenon around 7:25 p.m. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) had issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch. It comes in reaction to an Earth facing coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the sun Tuesday evening.
Raleigh woman leads Helene cleanup efforts in hometown of Edneyville
Carrie Woolridge, a resident of Raleigh, drove to her hometown of Edneyville to help with the cleanup efforts after Hurricane Helene ravaged the area. Raleigh resident Carrie Woolridge got in her car and drove to her hometown of Edneyville after Hurricane Helene ravaged the area. “We’re going to go check on a couple people on Slick Rock,” Woolridge said. “They asked for ice.
Hurricane Helene leaves western North Carolina hospitals overwhelmed, federal relief arrives
Helene's aftermath has put a strain on Mission Hospital in Asheville. The hospital got federal relief from tents outside the structure at 509 Biltmore Ave. The tents allow hospital staff to take care of more people. Footage courtesy of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Hospitals in western North Carolina have been overwhelmed since Hurricane Helene caused devastation across the region. Helene’s aftermath has put a strain on Mission Hospital in Asheville.
FEMA administrator says people 'afraid' to apply for aid, debunks rumors
Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday joined FEMA's administrator to provide an update on millions of dollars in federal aid pouring in to North Carolina. Cooper delivered remarks at the Asheville Regional Airport. He was joined by the North Carolina National Guard, the state Department of Public Safety, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and others.
'Why did three have to be mine?': Family mourns loss of son, grandparents to Helene floodwaters
With the deaths from Hurricane Helene rising across the state, some of the dead are now being identified. Since Friday, 89 people have died from the storm and subsequent flooding it brought to the North Carolina mountains. The ages of the victims have ranged from 4 to 89.
Buncombe County family rescued from roof after Helene floods their home in Swannanoa
Rescuers had to pull them off their roof to safety after they were stranded for hours. The only way out for the family of four was through a window in their laundry room, which led them to the roof of their home in Swannanoa, a hard-hit area east of Asheville. John and Stephanie Zara, along with their two young children, aged 2 and 7, were trapped by rising floodwaters. With no help in sight, they remained on their roof until a neighbor with a kayak finally rescued them.
Raleigh neighbors report illegal campaign sign theft
As we get closer to the election, local authorities are reminding residents about possible legal trouble for removing political campaign signs from their neighbors’ yards after a residents said their sign was stolen in a Raleigh neighborhood. Julie Gorka said she and some of her neighbors had their political campaign signs stolen from their front yards as well. “Something about it being something that I was choosing and said something about me and my beliefs,” she said.
Pro-Palestine protesters block downtown Raleigh traffic, demand ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war
Unrest continues in the Middle East as Israel targets Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. It's now approaching one year since the war in Gaza began. Traffic in downtown Raleigh came to a standstill as pro-Palestine protesters flooded the streets, sharing their message with anyone in earshot. With signs held high and voices raised, their demands were clear, they want a ceasefire.
Response pours in after Lt. Governor Mark Robinson says he plans to fight back against CNN
What's next for Mark Robinson's campaign after top staff resign Both Republicans and Democrats are reacting to Lt. Governor Mark Robinson’s recent statements, in which he vowed to "go after CNN." This comes four days after a CNN investigation found a user name and password linked to Robinson post lewd and offensive comments on a pornography site. The Lt. Governor’s mansion remains quiet tonight as Robinson continues to deny the allegations.
Response pours in after Lt. Governor Mark Robinson says he plays to fight back against CNN
What's next for Mark Robinson's campaign after top staff resign Both Republicans and Democrats are reacting to Lt. Governor Mark Robinson’s recent statements, in which he vowed to "go after CNN." This comes four days after a CNN investigation found a user name and password linked to Robinson post lewd and offensive comments on a pornography site. The Lt. Governor’s mansion remains quiet tonight as Robinson continues to deny the allegations.
Bridge demolition closes portion of Hillsborough Street in Raleigh for the weekend weekend
A bridge demolition has closed a portion of Hillsborough Street near the State Fairgrounds this weekend. At 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, Hillsborough Street closed at Interstate 440, just east of the Blue Ridge Road intersection. The road is expected to reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, weather permitting. Contractors for the North Carolina Department of Transportation will be demolishing the old eastbound I-440 bridge over Hillsborough Street.
Warrants: Woman assaulted 5-year-old son & poured hot sauce down his throat
A woman was arrested Thursday in Garner after authorities said she abused her son and poured hot sauce down his throat months ago. According to the Authorities, Meridith Stewart, 28, is facing felony and misdemeanor charges against her 5-year-old son. Authorities said in July, she assaulted her son, leaving him with dark bruises on his hips, legs and back. Authorities also said Stewart also poured a bottle of Texas Pete hot sauce down the boy’s throat.
Wake reassignment plan: Virtual info sessions begin about 4 new schools
Beginning Tuesday, parents of Wake County students can attend informational sessions about plans to move thousands of students to new schools next year. A few thousand Wake County students — primarily in the southwestern corner — could be affected by the opening of four new schools for the 2025-26 school year, according to a draft enrollment plan unveiled earlier this year by school system leaders.
NC reports first measles case of the year, medical professionals stress vaccine protection
State health officials are sounding the alarm as measles cases surge both globally and domestically. The highly contagious virus poses a significant threat, particularly to children under five, who may experience severe complications. Doctors say that vaccines are the most effective way to prevent the disease. As students return to school, with classrooms filled with eager learners, medical professionals are stressing the importance of routine vaccinations against illnesses like measles.
Student fell through floor inside St. Augustine's dorm room, lawsuit claims
A former student has sued Saint Augustine’s University after she claimed she fell through the floor of their dorm at the school during the spring semester last year. The lawsuit comes the same week students started classes at the university According to the lawsuit dated Sept. 3, the student walked to her closet in her dorm room on March 7, 2023, in the Falkcrest Dormitory Building when the floor gave way, which caused her to fall through the floor.
Downtown Raleigh plan aims to reinvigorate center city, create connections to Dix Park, NC State
A downtown Raleigh economic development strategy was announced on Wednesday at the annual State of Downtown conference. Leaders talked about a 5-year plan that will cost billions and push Raleigh into the future. There were proposals and ideas that could change the Raleigh skyline and create more public spaces around downtown. The plan highlighted a vision for creating gateways between different parts of the city and invigorating the downtown area over a five-year period.
Downtown Raleigh plan aims to connect Dix Park, NC State to heart of city
Future of downtown Raleigh at stake in 'State of Downtown' conference A downtown Raleigh economic development strategy was announced on Wednesday at the annual State of Downtown conference. Leaders talked about a 5-year plan that will cost billions and push Raleigh into the future. There were proposals and ideas that could change the Raleigh skyline and create more public spaces around downtown.
'Very unsafe': School bus in Johnston County caught on cam drifting off road to pass tractor in non-passing lane
Video shows school buss pass in no-passing zone and veer off the road Parents in Johnston County are concerned Tuesday after WRAL News received a video showing a school bus drifting off the road while trying to pass a tractor. A WRAL viewer shared dash cam video of the incident. She said it was recorded around 2:51 p.m. Tuesday. You can see a school bus attempting to pass a tractor – in a non-passing lane – on Brogden Road in Johnston County.
'This is very unsafe': School bus in Johnston County recorded drifting off road while trying to pass tractor
Parents in Johnston County are concerned Tuesday after WRAL News received a video showing a school bus drifting off the road while trying to pass a tractor. In dash cam video, which the viewer who shared it with WRAL News said was recorded around 2:51 p.m. Tuesday, a school bus attempted to pass a tractor on Brogden Road in Johnston County. The driver switched to a non-passing lane when it passed the tractor.
Pro-Palestinian protesters call on UNC & state Democratic leaders to denounce violence in Gaza
Pro-Palestinian protesters Thursday at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and State Democratic Party Headquarters, calling on both to cut ties with Israel. More than 50 people with UNC’s Students for Justice in Palestine gathered in front of the South Building on UNC’s campus to protest the “imperialism and violence that the administration defends.” “Each of the speakers is trying to highlight exactly how UNC is complicit,” said Jacob Ginn, a UNC grad student.
Police say violent crime down in downtown Raleigh, but more work is needed
The Raleigh Police Department announced Thursday that overall violent crime is down in its downtown district compared to this time last year. According to data from the police department, the police responded to 129 calls related to violent crime, roughly 22% fewer than this time in 2023. In the same time frame of 2023, Raleigh police reported 166 violent crimes.
Wilson County community begins recovery after devastating EF-3 tornado
Homes were destroyed, cars were uprooted by the tornado on Thursday in Wilson County, and now flooding from nearby bodies of water swollen by Tropical Storm Debby's rain is evident. Weather experts say the tornado, spawned by Debby, is one of the strongest to hit North Carolina. Doug Etheridge recalls the terrifying moment when his wife heard the tornado tear through during the overnight hours.
'Heart dropping to realize': Raleigh band heartbroken after trailer with intruments & gear stolen while on tour
A Raleigh band is out thousands of dollars Thursday after they said their equipment was stolen while touring out of state earlier this week. Harvey Street band members said they had parked at a hotel in Denver on Sunday. When they got up the next morning, their gear was gone. Band members said security footage from the hotel showed someone unhitching the trailer around 5 a.m. Monday then driving away with it.
Classes at Lake Myra Elementary canceled Thursday as school deals with AC issues
Students Lake Myra Elementary will not have class on Thursday after issues with the school’s air conditioning forced students to come home early on Wednesday. Parents told WRAL News they were notified their children would need to come home an hour after the school day started. Temperatures around the Triangle felt like they were in the triple digits, and several counties are under a heat advisory on Thursday. Parents said the issue was going on long before Wednesday.
Water rescues, cars submerged, truck stuck in sinkhole: Storms cause flooding in Triangle
Truck gets stuck in sinkhole on US 15-501 in Durham The Durham Police responded to a crash on Monday afternoon that resulted in a vehicle being submerged in water. At around 3:30 p.m., officers arrived at the scene of a vehicle crash in the 4000 block of Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard, where at least one vehicle was found submerged in water. The Durham Fire Department and EMS were also on the scene and were able to rescue the driver from the vehicle. No serious injuries were reported at this time.
Decision 2024: Trump wins in NC polls. Are Democrats' visits helping?
North Carolina hasn’t voted for a Democratic president since 2008, when Barack Obama won by half a percentage point. Democrats are trying to break the drought this year, investing heavily in advertising and coordinating a string of visits in support of President Joe Biden’s reelection effort.
Early closure ordinance slashes profits for Glenwood South food vendors
Food cart operators on Glenwood South are warning that their businesses are at risk. They say a city-mandated change to their operating hours has significantly cut their profits. The city implemented this change to help reduce the crime rate in the social district. The ordinance requires food carts to close much earlier than before. However, vendors argue that this means they miss out on peak business hours because they have to close before people are leaving the bars.
US Supreme Court makes it harder to charge Capitol riot defendants with obstruction
The Supreme Court on Friday limited a federal obstruction law that has been used to charge hundreds of Capitol riot defendants as well as former President Donald Trump. The justices ruled 6-3 that the charge of obstructing an official proceeding, enacted in 2002 in response to the financial scandal that brought down Enron Corp., must include proof that defendants tried to tamper with or destroy documents. Only some of the people who violently attacked the Capitol on Jan.
Garner police: 3 people in custody after stolen vehicle crashes into cars, 2-year-old injured
Three people are in custody after authorities said they crashed a stolen vehicle into multiple cars in Garner. According to the Garner Police Department, officers noticed a stolen vehicle near South Wilmington Street and Tryon Road. The officers began chasing the car. Police officers said the suspect’s vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Tryon Road and Lake Wheeler Road, hitting two other cars.
Fayetteville couple, business owners charged with string of break-ins at Cary restaurants
Two people charged with string of burglaries at Cary restaurants A Fayetteville couple who runs a vegan restaurant has been charged in connection with a string of break-ins at Cary restaurants dating back to 2023. Robert Harris, 36, and Yoniara Locklear, 45, were arrested at their Fayetteville home. Cary police said they are facing multiple counts of burglary and property damage in multiple jurisdictions, including Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Wake Forest and Morrisville.
Fayetteville couple, businessowners charged with string of break-ins at Cary restaurants
Two people charged with string of burglaries at Cary restaurants A Fayetteville couple who owns a vegan restaurant has been charged in connection with a string of break-ins at Cary restaurants dating back to 2023. Robert Harris, 36, and Yoniara Locklear, 45, were arrested at their Fayetteville home. According to the Cary Police Department, they are facing multiple counts of burglary and property damage in multiple jurisdictions, including Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Wake Forest and Morrisville.
Extreme heat prompts safety measures at summer camps
For many kids, summer means heading out into the open and going to camp. However, with record-breaking temperatures this year, too much time in the sun can be dangerous. New Life Camp director of programs Aaron Miller says it's his job to make sure the 400 kids on the grounds stay safe. "Each day of extreme heat is more dangerous than the one before. It kind of builds up.
'I'm very concerned': Goldsboro residents, leaders and activists meet after two fatal shootings in a week
Goldsboro residents gathered Tuesday at the city council meeting to address a rise in recent fatal shootings in the city. More than 100 residents attended the meeting and all seven city council members wore orange for Gun Violence Awareness Month. The meeting came less than a week after an 18-year-old was shot and killed by a Food Lion and about a week after another man was killed on South John Street. “We’ve been having increased acts of violence as of late,” Goldsboro resident David Craig said.
Fayetteville man charged after taking photo under woman's skirt at Food Lion, faces felony charge
A Fayetteville man was arrested for taking a picture underneath a woman's skirt in a grocery store, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Patrick Clark was arrested and charged with felony secret peeping. On May 29, investigators learned about a secret peeping occurrence at a Food Lion on Clinton Road in Stedman. Investigators said a woman was shopping in the store when Clark approached her from behind and used his cell phone to take a picture under her skirt.
Local pilot makes emergency landing at RDU with family and pets
Pilot speaks about harrowing incident at RDU and his decisions make an emergency landing Fuquay-Varina resident Mike Minor recounts the harrowing experience of a forced hard landing at RDU with his family and four dogs. The originally Florida-to-Virginia flight took an unexpected turn due to technical difficulties. FAA data reveals that these occurrences happen more frequently than we might think, even in our own backyard—Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Cumberland County.
Dix Park unveils trio of 100-year-old stone homes after months-long renovation project
A trio of historic stone houses at Dix Park was debuted Friday after a major renovation project. Friday's ribbon cutting marked 100 years since the buildings' original construction and 16 months since renovations began. In January of 2003, crowds gathered Thursday at Dix Park to celebrate plans to restore three historic stone houses near the front entrance of the campus. City leaders believe the large funding project will help make Dix Park a destination for more visitors from across the state.
Cumberland Co. Sheriff's Office to stop providing school resource officers, crossing guards to several schools
WRAL News on Wednesday learned the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office will no longer provide school resource officers (SROs) to several public schools in the county. According to a letter sent to Hope Mills Police Department by Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright, the sheriff’s office will no longer assign school crossing guards or deputies as SROs to schools in city limits and several other schools in the county.
JetBlue flight makes emergency landing at RDU, no one injured
At least two emergency vehicles could be seen gathered near a JetBlue airplane on the runway at RDU. RDU said Runway 5L/23R temporarily closed sometime after 11:30 p.m., but the runway reopened around 1 a.m. Authorities at RDU said no one was injured. This comes hours after a small plane made an emergency landing at the airport. WRAL News is working to learn what prompted the emergency landing.
Vigils planned after parents killed in Garner crash, 8-year-old critically injured
A husband and wife were killed and their son is in critical condition after a driver ran a red light at a Garner intersection Monday afternoon. The crash happened just before 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 70 and New Rand Road. According to the Garner Police Department, a Chevy Trailblazer, driven by 25-year-old Jordan Alexander Porter, was traveling west on U.S. 70 and ran a red light, striking a blue Mazda CX5 Select and a black Cadilac Escalade at the intersection.
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