Duke University is using a federal grant to launch a program to promote diversity and develop scientific talent in undergraduates and graduate students.

Motorists will be able to navigate U.S. 321 through Blowing Rock during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams is returning to Elon University to advise the Class of 2013.

Let's begin this story by picking up the iPad, smartphone or, dare I say, printed page and stepping outside. Scratch around a bit in the first patch of dirt you see. That sandy soil? It's the backbone of the state's sweet potato industry, one the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated to be worth $173 million to North Carolina in 2010. And those tubers are proving to mean more than pies and the Thanksgiving spread as a pair of farmers turn to another deeply rooted tradition.

Two people walked away from a small, private plane that came down short of the runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The senior associate justice on North Carolina's Supreme Court says he'll run for the chief justice's post in next year's statewide election.

Authorities in Winston-Salem are keeping tabs on a black bear making the rounds through the city.

Trea Turner and Bryan Adametz each drove in two runs to help North Carolina State beat Miami 7-1 on Friday in pool play at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

Local and federal authorities say they've broken up a crime ring that stole checkbooks from cars and homes in North and South Carolina and used the checks to make fraudulent deposits into the suspects' own bank accounts.

Health officials are investigating cases involving patients who suffered complications after being injected with potentially contaminated medications made by a Tennessee specialty pharmacy.