The WRAL Daily Download is an in-depth conversation about a single news story. WRAL covers news across North Carolina every day, but this podcast focuses on one story at a time, bringing context to each conversation. The in-depth, localized podcast takes you into the latest stories from Raleigh, Durham, and the entire Triangle region on North Carolina. This is community news aimed at keeping you informed about the more subtle stories that are happening around you. Hosted by WRAL News journalists, episodes post weekdays by 4:30am.
Erick Hernandez-Mendez is accused of murdering his wife, Christina Matos, back in April of 2021. This week, prosecutors presented new evidence they believe ties him to her death. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan has been inside the courtroom. She breaks down the testimony so far as Hernandez-Mendez is set to take the stand.
The house always wins--or at least that's the saying about gambling. WRAL Investigates Producer Randall Kerr talked to experts about how oddsmakers end up on top and your chances of beating them.
There are dozens of gangs in Raleigh, according to an investigator who spoke with WRAL's Sarah Krueger. She talks with Ali Ingersoll to share what else she learned about gangs through this conversation.
People across the country and state are heading to the polls today to cast ballots in primary elections. Several candidates recently stopped in North Carolina ahead of the primary. WRAL's NC Capitol reporter, Will Doran, joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about why they're focused on our state.
Beyond the presidential races, North Carolina Republicans and Democrats also have primaries for governor, Supreme Court, attorney general, superintendent of public education, secretary of agriculture and plenty of U.S. House races. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks it all down.
Today, future bettors are opening mobile sports betting accounts for the first time in North Carolina. Wagering in the state begins on March 11. WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy talks about two big steps toward launch day that happened this week.
There are reminders of slavery across North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast. Only in facing and truly examining this past can we embrace a diverse and inclusive community and try to prevent future atrocities. WRAL history reporter Heather Leah went to the places that remind us in a very tangible way that slavery thrived here and spoke to the experts about how it impacted our state’s culture. In this episode, she shares her reporting and her insights with us. https://www.wral.com/underg...
Tulips are popping up and trees are beginning to bud and bloom. It's a sure sign that spring is here in North Carolina. WRAL Meteorologist Kat Campbell joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the shift in season and how to prepare for a time when we see the most severe weather.
A year after the Canadian wildfires began, scientists are still talking about the devastating blazes that tore thorugh forests up north and they're concerned about where these fires could pop up in the future, including here in our state. WRAL's Climate Change reporter, Liz McLaughlin joins Ali Ingersoll to discuss the factors contributing to the heightened risk.
Republicans hoping to flip one of the nation’s longest-held Democratic congressional seats are trading a barrage of attacks about their past transgressions and electability — a primary battle that could affect the GOP’s chances in North Carolina’s lone toss-up congressional district. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains.
New details continue to come out in the case of a crash that killed a UNC student. Ten people are facing charges in the January 21 crash. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger got new court documents that show a UNC football player charged was going more than 100 miles per hour before the crash.
Early voting is underway across the state and the North Carolina primary is less than two weeks away. WRAL’s NC Capitol bureau chief, Laura Leslie sits down with Ali Ingersoll to share everything you need to know to get ready to hit the polls.
St. Augustine's University's interim president is preparing for an appeals hearing regarding the school's accreditation. WRAL's Matt Talhelm untangles how the HBCU wound up in this situation, joining Ali Ingersoll to share what we know and the many unknowns that remain.
Sickouts by school employees in Durham are the latest effort by government employees to push for better pay. The effort is now drawing the attention of state lawmakers, inviting discussion of whether to ban sickouts by government workers in the future. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains.
In this week's deep dive into local Black History, we look at how young people fought for equal treatment at movie theaters. WRAL's Lora Lavigne walks us through protests at the Carolina Theatre in Durham that would pave the way for change across the country.
The district's interim superintendent and school board chair talked about how they can regain order in DPS as conflict over a pay issue continues. WRAL's Monica Casey was inside that press conference and explains what we can expect for a special meeting planned Thursday.
A community is in mourning following the sudden death of a deputy. Chelsea Donovan joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the tribute.
Possibly thousands of cars are driving around North Carolina with outdated inspections. The number is unkown because many police agencies have changed policies so officers cannot use this regulatory violation as the sole reason they're pulling over someone. WRAL Investigates producer Randell Kerr talks with Ali Ingersoll about what they found and why it’s difficult to track this info.
North Carolina students have gained back about four months of the learning they lost during pandemic school closures, new data shows. The turnaround follows intensive tutoring efforts and hundreds of new hires, but it’s in jeopardy as billions of federal dollars for those efforts are set to dry up. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst discusses the turnaround and what’s next for programs and employees responsible for the rebound.
Just inside the beltline sits the historic Method neighborhood, founded by free Black men after the Civil War. The community's story and character are being preserved by people who grew up there. WRAL's Julian Grace explores how neighbors are making sure its past and present is remembered in the future.
As school districts grapple with school safety, many are turning away from metal detectors in favor of weapons detectors. They use more sophisticated sensors and artificial intelligence. WRAL Investigates Senior Producer Randall Kerr put those weapons to the test.
Durham leaders are preparing to meet for a special board meeting to discuss personnel and legal matters. The meeting is coming after days of protests which closed several schools around the county. Durham reporter Monica Casey's joins Ali Ingersoll to share what to expect from the meeting.
Two months after a NC state building closed down due to the presence of toxic chemicals, WRAL's Keely Arthur learned more than 40 people who worked in Poe Hall or were students attending classes there have been diagnosed with cancer. And despite people working there calling for an investigation, the university requested that the federal government doesn’t continue forward with that. Ali Ingersoll talks with Keely about the new developments.
PNC arena is getting a major facelift and the entire area around the arena will look different too. Not only does that mean more businesses, venues and people – but it’ll be generating significantly more money, too. Ali Ingersoll talks with WRAL Investigative Sports Journalist Brian Murphy about the economic impact related to the renovation and expansion.
Many North Carolinians outside of Warren County may not have heard of Soul City. Back in the early 1970's, it was one of 14 so-called new towns started under a federally funded program. As we kick off Black History Month, WRAL's Ken Smith explains how the dream of Soul City still exists.
Hundreds of Durham Public Schools teachers called out sick Wednesday, and spent the day rallying for better pay and a solution to their staffing crisis. It closed 12 schools in the district causing schedule challenges for parents. WRAL's Monica Casey and Eric Miller explains two sides of the contentious issue and why they're standing together.
The Paris Olympics are less than six months away. North Carolina athletes could be representing Team USA across several sports including track and field, triathlon and swimming. WRAL sports Louis Fernandez recently had a chance to talk with swimming stand out, Claire Curzan and joins Ali Ingersoll to chat about the games.
Temu is an online store that sells everything from clothing to electronics, kitchenware and artwork. The company is being accused of selling stolen designs – and the Better Business Bureau put out an alert about it. One local woman says she is a victim of this. Pritchard Strong joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about what 5 On Your Side found when they started looking deeper into the company.
Concerns about student safety are rising, and that’s leading to changes at North Carolina schools. Soon, every public school in the state will be required to have a threat assessment team tasked with investigating and reporting tips about concerning behavior such as threats of violence, bullying or self-harm. School officials say the teams can save lives. But they come at a time when school employees are already overworked. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains how one North Carolina...
Complaints are piling up at local governments and even the State Attorney General's Office about one towing company. A key complaint is a surcharge the company is charging if you pay with a credit card rather than cash. WRAL Investigates Sarah Kruger explains why its legal.
