This year marks the 67th annual lighting of the WRAL-TV tower in Raleigh, an annual tradition that has grown to include celebrations with towers at American Tobacco Campus in Durham and Rocky Mount Mills.


WRAL Tower Lighting: WRAL lights the towers in Raleigh, Durham and Rocky Mount

WRAL Tower Lighting

Get ready for a warmer winter as La Niña makes a comeback, bringing below-normal snowfall to our area. 

La Niña returns: Expect warmer winter with below-normal snowfall for Triangle in 25-26

winter weather snow showers

What it really means to be an organ and bone marrow donor

Stay up to date with WRAL’s Infant news and reporting coverage

Infant News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

Infant Coverage

On Monday, health officials said they are investigating a suspected case of infant botulism that is linked to a nationwide baby formula recall impacting infants in 10 other states. 

<p>IT. HEIDI KIRK, WRAL, NEWS LIVE IN GARNER. &gt;&gt; AND HERE IN THE WRAL LIVE CENTER FOLLOWING SOME BREAKING NEWS, A NEW AT 6 O'CLOCK. WE HAVE A SUSPECTED CASE OF BOTULISM IN NORTH CAROLINA THAT HAS BEEN TIED TO BABY FORMULA. THIS IS BY HEART WHOLE NUTRITION INFANT FORMULA. THE SUBJECT OF A NATIONWIDE RECALL AFTER AT LEAST 13 CASES OF BOTULISM REPORTED ACROSS 10 STATES. THANKFULLY NO DEATHS, ACCORDING TO THE FDA AND NEW THIS EVENING, WE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A SUSPECTED CASE HERE IN THE STATE. NOW, OF COURSE, STOP USING THIS IF YOU HAVE IT. AND IF YOU HAVE FED THIS TO YOUR BABY RECENTLY, KEEP A VERY CLOSE EYE ON THEM TO TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS FOR THE SYMPTOMS TO DEVELOP AND THEY CAN BE</p>

FDA officials investigate suspected case of infant botulism in NC linked to a nationwide baby formula recall

The FDA is investigating a potential infant botulism case in North Carolina tied to ByHeart Inc. infant formula, already linked to a multi-state outbreak. Two lots have been recalled, urging parents to check their supplies.


NC parents urged to check pantries amid infant formula recall linked to botulism risk

October is designated as Safe Infant Sleep Month, raising awareness on practices to reduce SIDS risks. Experts highlight the importance of back sleeping, crib safety and room-sharing without bed-sharing.

5 On Your Side: October is safe infant sleep month, how to reduce SIDS risk

Sleeping Safely

October is designated as Safe Infant Sleep Month, raising awareness on practices to reduce SIDS risks. Experts highlight the importance of back sleeping, crib safety, and room-sharing without bed-sharing. Learn essential tips to ensure your baby's safest sleep environment.

THOUGH, TO LISTEN ON THE RADIO. ONE, A 1.5 63. >> OCTOBER IS SINCE AWARENESS MONTH. AN URGENT REMINDER FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THAT THE WRONG SLEEP SET UP CAN REALLY PUT BABIES IN DANGER. CONSUMER REPORTS HAS FOUND THAT SOME INFANT PRODUCTS MARKETED FOR SLEEP CAN ACTUALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY. SUFFOCATION, EVEN SLEEP RELATED DEATH. 5 ON YOUR SIDE'S ASHELY ROCHE SHARES THE SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP BABY SAFE AND COMFORTABLE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. INSIDE THE CRIB LESS IS ALWAYS SAFER. KNOW, BUMPERS KNOW STUFFED TOYS AND NO PILLOWS MOBILES ARE FINE. IF THEY'RE SECURELY FASTENED OUT OF REACH. >> AND FREE OF SMALL PARTS OF THE BLANKETS AND WAITED PRODUCTS IS THOSE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF SUFFOCATION FOR OLDER BABIES, AN UNWEIGHTED WEARABLE BLANKET OR SLEEP SACK KEEPS THEM WARM WITHOUT DANGER. BEN SHARING CAN BE TEMPTING. HOWEVER, THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS ADVISES AGAINST BED-SHARING EVEN FOR NAPS. KEEPING YOUR BABY'S CRIB OR BASSINET IN YOUR ROOM IS THE SAFER OPTION. IT CAN ACTUALLY REDUCE THE RISK OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME BY AS MUCH AS 50%. AND WHILE NURSING PILLOWS ARE HELPFUL FOR FEEDINGS, THEY SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR SLEEP. >> OVER 150 BABIES DIED IN INCIDENTS INVOLVING NURSING PILLOWS BETWEEN 2010 2022, ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION. IT'S IMPORTANT TO BUY THE RIGHT KIND OF NURSING PO AND TO NOT EVER USE ONE FOR INFANT SLEEP. >> THE SANDERS FOR INCLINED SLEEPERS. THEY WERE BANNED IN 2022. AFTER BEING LINKED TO INFANT DEATHS. A FLAT FIRM CRIB OR BASSINET IS THE ONLY SAFE PLACE FOR A SLEEPING BABY BY CONSUMER REPORTS FOUND THAT NOT ALL BASSINETS ARE TRULY FLAT. CONSUMER REPORTS TESTERS EVALUATE BASSINETS FOR SAFETY, CONVENIENCE AND EASE OF ASSEMBLY. YOU CAN PUT YOUR BABY IN A BOUNCER FOR SUPERVISED PLAY. BUT CONSUMER REPORTS EXPERTS SAY THAT IF YOUR BABY STARTS TO DOZE OFF, ALWAYS TRANSFER THEM TO A FLAT CRIB OR BASSINET. SAME THING GOES IF THEY FALL ASLEEP IN A CAR SEAT.

5 On Your Side: October safe infant sleep month

Baby sleeping safely in crib

Every parent wants their baby to sleep safely, but some popular products still being sold could put infants in danger. Consumer Reports found that the popular Halo BassiNest Flex portable bassinet, which uses a cantilevered structure, tends to tilt to one side instead of staying flat.


Testing finds popular bassinet may not be safe for infant sleep

Halo BassiNest Flex portable bassinet

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein faced pushback on social media for a post that says: "Guns are the leading cause of death for children in North Carolina."


Fact check: Stein says guns are top cause of child deaths in North Carolina

Gov. Josh Stein releases his two-year state spending wish list

These five books on parenting during infancy are great for both first-timers, and for those of us who may need a little refresher on our next go around.


Best books for parenting during the infant years

Baby drinking bottle

Crucial studies to improve infant outcomes could see their funding cut because of the Trump administration's aim to end diversity-based programs.

ROLE HE WAS NOMINATED IN 2021. BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN. >> PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CALLING FOR A BAN ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. TONIGHT, THOSE IN OUR STATE FIGHTING TO SOLVE THE BLACK MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY CRISIS ARE SPEAKING OUT. WRAL HAS REPORTED ON THE DISPARATE OUTCOMES BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE MOTHERS AND MANY EFFORTS TO SOLVE IT. A HEALTH ADVOCATE TELLING ME FEDERAL FUNDING HELPS THEM KEEP MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES ALIVE. >> IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 48 HOURS SINCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DIRECTIVE ORDERING A FREEZE ON BILLIONS IN FEDERAL AID, SHOCKED THE NONPROFIT WORLD DO YOU NEED FEDERAL MONEY TO MAKE THAT WERE POSSIBLE? >> ALL OF OUR RESEARCH AND I SAY OUR AND I MEAN, ANYBODY IS WORKING IN A NONPROFIT SPACE RELIES ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING, MICAELA PENIX IS A LONGTIME PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCATE AND ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY. >> HER WORK CENTERS ON PREVENTING INFANT MORTALITY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH THAT'S HAPPENING TO HELP FIGURE OUT WHAT MIGHT BE SOME OF THOSE CAUSES. AND IS THERE A SOLUTION THAT CAN BE FOUND IN SCIENCE OR INTERVENTION? THAT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS A BLOOD TEST THAT CAN HELP DETERMINE A PERSON'S RISK OF PRETERM BIRTH. NEW CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL DATA SHOWS NATIONALLY BLACK INFANTS ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE IN THEIR FIRST YEAR COMPARED TO WHITE INFANTS. >> PENIX AS ADDRESSING THIS DISPARITY FALLS UNDER EQUITY WORK OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OR DEI WORK. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN. SO WHAT DOES THIS PAUSE MEAN? IT MEANS NO MORE FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL DEI PROGRAMS MEANS NO MORE FUNDING FOR THE GREEN NEW SCAM THAT HAS TOPPED COST AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. >> TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS PENIX DOESN'T KNOW YET IF HER WORK WILL LOSE FUNDING AS SHE WAITS, SHE SAYS SHE AND OTHERS IN HER FIELD WILL BE STRATEGIZING HOW TO SURVIVE. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT. >> ANYONE HAS REALLY THOUGHT THROUGH THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF SUCH AN IMMEDIATE ACTION AND HOW IT IMPACTS EVERYONE. EVEN OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS WHO ARE THOSE LITTLE BABIES IN THE NICU. >> SO WE DID REACH OUT TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THEY TELL WRAL ABOUT 40 BILLION DOLLARS FROM THEIR BUDGET COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I ASKED HOW MUCH GETS TO THESE HEALTH EQUITY ISSUES THEY COULDN'T GIVE ME AN EXACT NUMBER. BUT THEY DID SAY, QUOTE, NCDHHS ADDRESSES DISPARITIES THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS THAT SERVE RURAL COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE WITH SEVERE BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH NEEDS MINORITY HEALTH CARE AND BO INCOME. NORTH CAROLINIANS, WRAL DOCUMENTARY UNIT EXAMINE THE MATERNAL AND INFANT CRISIS IN STEPS BEING TAKEN TO ADDRESS IT. YOU CAN

DEI cuts worry nonprofits who study infant mortality

An infant playpen sold on Amazon is being recalled because they're a suffocation hazard. 

Playpen on Amazon recalled, should be destroyed

Recalled Gimars Playpen

Briasia Somerville faces charges of first-degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with the infant's death.