Jessica Patrick

Raleigh

Web News Editor and Reporter, Out and About at WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)

Articles

Use your dishwasher: 6 super easy ways to help the planet on Earth Day

2 days ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick

Earth Day is April 22. Here are six simple things families can do to reduce their environmental impact. Frank Leibfarth, an associate chemistry professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is studying ways to make more sustainable, long-lasting plastics. Like many of us, he wants to make a difference at home, too. "Even in my personal life I want to do the little things correctly to be more sustainable," Leibfarth said.
The cicadas are coming: When to expect cicadas in North Carolina in 2025

4 days ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick

Love them or hate them, cicadas are fascinating insects commonly talked about in North Carolina during the warmer months. Cicadas spend most of their life underground, emerging when soil temperatures warm up and dying only a few weeks later. In their short time above ground, cicadas produce a sound so loud it has been mistaken for car alarms.
Blue Origin's spaceflight blasts off Monday with all-female crew

1 week ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick

Blue Origin has a historic human spaceflight launching on Monday from Texas, and the crew in the New Shepard rocket's 31st mission is all women. The six women going up include journalist Gayle King, music artist Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos' fiancee, Lauren Sánchez, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen.
Duke men to hit the road for Final Four trip to San Antonio

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick |Ryan Bisesi |Lora Lavigne |Charles Bradley

Duke guard Kon Knueppel (7) and forward Cooper Flagg (2) react after Flagg hit a three point basket to end the first half of a Sweet 16 round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Arizona, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)The Duke Blue Devils on Wednesday will depart Raleigh for San Antonio for the Final Four.
Home maintenance checklist by month: List for spring cleaning and beyond

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick

Take care of your biggest investment by keeping your home clean and well-maintained with this monthly home maintenance checklist. It may seem aggravating to keep up with this list of to-dos, but staying on top of the items on this monthly home maintenance checklist can prevent or delay costly repairs to your home. Plus, cleaning or making updates year-round eliminates the need for more laborious, intensive deep cleaning. • Vacuum and mop hard floors.
Durham Bulls celebrate home opener with fireworks, pretzels and a week of fun

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick |Kelsey Coffey |Mark Olexik

Durham Bulls fans will fill the stands at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday night for the first home game of the 2025 season. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. for the home opener against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The Bulls have a lot planned for their first game -- and for the entire week. Tuesday's home opener will feature the tradition of post-game fireworks.
Coffee mislabeled as decaf sold in 15 states, including North Carolina

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick

A brand of ground coffee sold in 15 states, including North Carolina, is under recall. "Our Family foods" recalled more than 4,000 of its 12-ounce packages, which are improperly labeled as decaf coffee. The Food and Drug Administration deems it a class two recall, which means the likelihood of a serious health threat is minimal. However, it could cause issues for people who avoid caffeinated coffee. Among the 15 states affected by this recall include Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina and Wyoming.
Helene forced a North Carolina restaurant owner to leave his home. He just lost his 'Cabin of Hope' in recent wildfires

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Graham Hurley |Dianne Gallagher |Jessica Patrick

Hendersonville, North Carolina (CNN) — Months ago, a washed-out bridge damaged during Hurricane Helene’s flooding temporarily blocked Matthew Rogers from returning to his beloved North Carolina cabin. The lakeside property in Flat Rock that has been in his family for around 40 years – and has come to represent healing and hope, Rogers says – became a casualty of the recent wildfires in the state.
North Carolina nurses push lawmakers for changes to health care rules, with doctors opposed

4 weeks ago | wral.com | Jessica Patrick |Will Doran

Nurses from across North Carolina on Wednesday will gather in downtown Raleigh to push for changes to health care legislation. Gov. Josh Stein is scheduled to speak to a group of nurses at 10 a.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner announces death of 14-year-old son after sudden illness

1 month ago | wral.com | Jacob Lev |Jessica Patrick

Miller Gardner, the son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, has died at the age of 14. (CNN) — Miller Gardner, the son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, has died at the age of 14. According to the 41-year-old and his wife Jessica, their son Miller died after a sudden illness while on vacation.