RALEIGH -- North Carolina's capital is now America's 45th largest city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's annual population estimates released Tuesday.
The city has cleared the 400,000 plateau with an estimated 405,791 residents - more than Cincinnati, St. Louis and Minneapolis.
Some find that hard to believe, but the new population figure came as little surprise to city planners. For years, Raleigh officials have tried to keep the city's growth at 2 percent to 3 percent a year.
Charlotte is America's 18th most populous city with 709,441 residents.
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A Duke University professor who specializes in the brain testified that Jason Williford was reeling from alcohol and drugs that stimulated his sexual addiction. 
Sonny Lee Howard will be transported back from Virginia to Wake County, where he’ll be officially charged with killing his wife. 
Wake County doesn’t think the erotic trilogy has staying power. Johnston just ordered it. Durham has a waiting list to read it. 
The mother of murder defendant Jason Williford testified Wednesday about her son’s downward slide, snowballing from failing grades to chronic drinking, drugs, vandalism, petty crime, a pornography habit and “disturbing” sexual behavior. 
But DOT might need permission from the legislature before it can even consider the new alternative route, suggested by a Garner consultant. 
Jason Williford's murder trial took a dramatic spin when Jessica Foote, the spouse who has since filed for divorce, said he tried to rape her in their Raleigh apartment only five days before his arrest in Kathy Taft's slaying. 
Following an at times heated two-hour exchange, Wake County school board members agree to meet one-one-one with Superintendent Tony Tata to start their relationship anew. Keep up with the latest stories with our free local news e-mail newsletters, delivered straight to your inbox!
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