North Carolina
Parents, social media experts weigh in on new bill restricting phones in NC classrooms
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Parents and social media experts are weighing in on new legislation that restricts phone use in North Carolina’s public schools and requires schools to teach social media literacy to students. That bill, HB 959, was passed last month and signed into law by Governor Josh Stein on July 1st. It takes effect at the beginning of 2026.
While HB 959 outlines those restrictions on phone use — requiring those devices to be switched off during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies and when the student has a medical exemption — it leaves policy specifics and enforcement largely to individual school boards.
“I think curbing phone usage is a good, good thing, especially with teenagers,” said Kevin Long, father of two Wake County high school students.
Long said he’s learned how challenging it can be to keep teenagers off their phones, including while at school.
“When we found out that our kids were using it during school, I mean, it got taken away because it’s like, you can’t do this. You’ve got to pay attention. You’re here for learning,” he said.
Long said he has concerns over the lack of funding laid out in the bill, but he supports the intent — and also appreciates efforts to instruct kids on best practices for navigating social media.
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“Making them aware that it’s forever, I think, would probably be one of the best things — that anything that you put out there is forever — and that you also can’t trust everything that’s out there,” Long said.
Those social media literacy courses outlined in HB 959 would explain the potential negative effects of social media and better train students on how to avoid risky behavior online in the hope of equipping them to use social media safely. Carly Morgan with The Social Institute in Durham says it’s a positive step.
“Social media is how students are social, and it’s here to stay. And so it’s really helping students navigate that world that they’re already living in and have been free in healthy, high-character ways,” Morgan said.
The Social Institute works to empower families to harness the positives of social media, giving kids and parents tools to navigate the digital world. Morgan says rather than implement policies that scare or restrict, HB 959 provides an opportunity to start important conversations around social media.
“We believe that it’s an important partnership between the families and the schools to be on the same page and teaching students that not everything is perfect or not everything is safe out there,” she said.
HB 959 requires school boards across the state to develop policies that fit the new law — which takes effect on January 1st, 2026, and will require those boards to establish penalties for possible violations.
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A man was found dead and a juvenile was injured after a shooting early Sunday morning in Fayetteville, police said.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, officers responded around 4:03 a.m. to multiple ShotSpotter alerts in the area of Newark Avenue.
While investigating the reports and searching for evidence, officers found numerous shell casings and discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound in the 700 block of State Avenue.
Emergency medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Police said a juvenile male later arrived at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with non-life-threatening gunshot injuries connected to the incident. He is listed in stable condition.
The Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation.
Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective E. Alrafai at 910-723-0327 or submit an anonymous tip through Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers.
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Saturday, July 4, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 4 drawing
17-38-46-50-69, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 4 drawing
Day: 0-2-0, Fireball: 8
Evening: 3-0-5, Fireball: 0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 4 drawing
Day: 1-1-9-3, Fireball: 9
Evening: 7-0-2-1, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from July 4 drawing
11-22-24-25-29
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from July 4 drawing
13-20-28-32-43
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 4 drawing
17-20-37-40-43, Bonus: 04
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.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — An intense heat wave will continue through the Fourth of July weekend. Highs will be around 100 degrees, with feels-like temperatures as high as 110 degrees. Daily record high temperatures may also be challenged or even broken.
The combination of intense sunshine and prolonged heat will create dangerous conditions for anyone spending extended periods outdoors. And as the temperatures soar outside, people across Central North Carolina do what they can to stay cool, especially when they have to head out. One homeowner who experienced a hours-long power outage in Durham said it was miserable without his air conditioning. Another said it feels like the heat has intensified in North Carolina.
“I grew up in North Carolina, but I don’t remember waves being quite this intense.”
To compound the misery, ABC11’s Forecast Team says there will be little overnight relief, with temperatures only falling into the mid-70s throughout the heat wave, and the air quality is deteriorating.
Basically, right now, Central NC is a hot, muggy, sweltering, poor-air-quality mess. And it’s expected to last into early next week.
With somewhat stagnant conditions, smoke from Saturday night’s July 4th fireworks could linger into Sunday, something to keep in mind, especially for those who are more sensitive to reduced air quality.
The record-breaking heat has led to organizers tweaking some July 4th plans for the safety of performers, staff, and attendees.
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