Sen. Kay Hagan says there is progress in efforts to reduce a backlog in Veterans Affairs claims. Full story...

Pleasure Island is often hit hard by tropical storms. This time around, though, some of the usual trouble spots were basically trouble free as Tropical Storm Andrea, the first tropical storm of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season, rushed through North Carolina today. Full story...

What a day it's been. Tropical Storm Andrea brought ABC Extreme Team meteorologist Ginger Zee to Pleasure Island just in time for National Donut Day. So of course she and her producer David Meyers stopped by Britt's Donuts. Full story...

The final day of class at Wrightsboro Elementary School lasted a little longer than planned thanks to a lockdown as New Hanover County Sheriff's deputies tried to solve a home invasion. Full story...

The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry has cancelled its first run Friday morning because of high winds from Tropical Storm Andrea. Full story...

Wilmington's Derek Brunson will not be the crowd favorite on Saturday when the UFC fighter faces Brazil's Ronny Markes in Forteleza, Brazil. Brunson will be in enemy territory. It's anniversary time for Trot Nixon. The former New Hanover High slugger was drafted by the Boston Red Sox twenty years ago. UNC and NC State will continue their NCAA baseball journey on Friday, weather pending. San Antonio won game one against Miami in the NBA Finals. Plus more! Full story...

As people prepare for the wind and the rain, surfers in the Port City are making the most out of Tropical Storm Andrea. Surfers in Wrightsville Beach are welcoming Andrea with open arms. Full story...

Imagine being dropped off in a wilderness with several strangers and having to survive for 72 hours without food. That's exactly what Laney High School graduate and dance instructor Chris McCullen did in the new TNT show "72 hours." Full story...

As people on the east coast brace themselves for Tropical Storm Andrea, surfers in Holden Beach are anxious to catch the swelling waves. Full story...

Several fire departments in the eastern part of Pender County will merge. Hampstead, Sloop Point and Long Creek Grady departments will join together with Pender Volunteer EMS and rescue to form a new non-profit corporation. Full story...

It did not take long for a Columbus County jury to come to a verdict in a 2011 murder case. Jurors took about half an hour to find Elijah Jones guilty of first degree murder for the shooting death of his estranged wife. Full story...

Tropical Storm Andrea may still be hundreds of miles away, but it started having an impact here in North Carolina early this morning. Full story...

Tourist season is in full swing with people from all over the country flocking to rental houses and hotels. Despite the change in the weather today, swimmers are still flocking to the beaches determined to make the most out of their vacations. Full story...

As one TV series leaves Wilmington, another is moving in. The Wilmington Regional Film Commission and the North Carolina Film Office announced today that 20th Century Fox Television is bringing the TV series "Sleepy Hollow" to the Port City. Full story...

Bad weather has forced all graduation ceremonies for Bladen County high schools have from athletic fields to inside the schools. Full story...