North Carolina
Hospitals feel effects of an aging NC population
North Carolina is among the fastest growing areas in the country. The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Wake County specifically is seeing tremendous growth, especially among older populations.
Wake County reports it is growing by an average of 51 people a day.
NCDHHS Division of Aging said it is already preparing for the long-lasting effects of the recent rapid growth.
“In 2022 1 in 6 people was 65+, by 2025 – which is just next year – that number will change to 1 in 5 people,” explained Rebecca Freeman.
Freeman overseas NCDHHS’ Division of Aging. She said the state expects to see a 48% increase in population by 2042.
“It’s really the whole of government that all areas are preparing for the aging of our state. Not just health and human services, but commerce, transportation, cultural and natural resources,” Freeman said. “As our entire state ages, everybody has to be thinking about that.”
The division is expected to release its new All Ages, All States NC plan this September after Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 280 in May 2023.
The impact of an aging Triangle is something Dr. Christine Khandelwal sees both at work and within her own family.
“My consults when I used to work in the hospital side has changed dramatically from more younger, chronically ill (people) to now just more older, aged people who need a geriatrician,” she said. “I also personally have parents that moved down here to retire, so they also, as they age, are going to need providers.”
Khandelwal has been practicing with the WakeMed system for over 10 years. She currently works as a geriatric palliative care physician and is the vice chair of medicine with WakeMed Raleigh.
“Everywhere we are seeing a great need for geriatric workforce. Not just physicians, but any of us that care for patients in general in the community: nurse practitioners, PAs (physician’s assistants), our social workers, physical therapists and rehab teams,” said Khandelwal. “All of us need to be more knowledgeable in how to care for the older population.”
The geriatrician is also a member of the Campbell University School of Medicine, helping train the next generation of physicians.
“We’re fortunate that we have some great geriatric fellowship training in the state,” Khandelwal said. “I trained at UNC, and I have some dear colleagues still that I reach out to as I develop my program here at WakeMed, but certainly not enough to be able to handle the growing population need.”
Khandelwal said she hopes to see more students graduate and pursue careers in geriatric care to help meet demand.
“We have to grow and develop a workforce that’s going to be ready to take on the needs of the aging population. In North Carolina I believe we have about 282 boarded geriatricians like myself,” the doctor added.
Cary is one of the areas seeing the largest growth in Wake County with 15.5% of people aged 65 and older. The county average is 13%.
WakeMed Cary recently became the latest hospital to take a big step toward becoming more age friendly. In February, the hospital became the second in the state to receive the highest Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation.
“It acknowledges that we want to do better care. It takes great leadership and support to get to that recognition,” Khandelwal said.
In 2023, geriatric patients accounted for 30% of all emergency room visits to WakeMed Cary.
Across the WakeMed system, about 33% of the patient population is now aged 65 and older.
Other hospital systems in the Triangle also tell WRAL News that aging patient populations are growing there too.
Duke Health reports 24% of its patient population is aged 65+, while UNC Health reports it is at 38%.
At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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