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.
Learning recovery programs are shrinking or disappearing altogether as North Carolina schools adjust to life after federal stimulus funding. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhost explains what school systems are doing to help students catch up from Covid-area learning loss.
A mother discovered she had never been informed that her son's classroom has been without a permanent teacher all year. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur and WRAL's Education Insider investigated and found the issue is bigger than just one classroom or district.
Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday and early Thursday. Clean up continues in beach towns hit by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. This time many are fleeing with cities like Tampa expected to be hard hit. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains what makes this storm so intimidating.
Western North Carolina is beginning its recovery process from Hurricane Helene during what is traditionally its busiest tourism season. Travelers who want to support the area and had already booked vacation rentals now have a tough choice -- face shutdown roads, some closed businesses and destruction from the hurricane... or lose their money. In just the last week 5 On Your Side has received more than a dozen complaints from vacationers denied refunds or the chance to reschedule.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously approved voting rule changes for 13 counties hit hard by Helene in the western part of the state. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains those changes.
High profile cases over executive power, election laws and education funding have been flowing through state courts. That’s putting the spotlight on the race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the contest.
More than a thousand troops are in Western North Carolina as the response to Helene makes progress. WRAL's Heidi Kirk joined a group of National Guard members working to get supplies to people in need and shares her first-hand account of the challenging conditions they face.
President Joe Biden flew over the damage in Western North Carolina on Wednesday as 1,000 Fort Liberty soldiers mobilized to help in those counties. WRAL Meteorologist Chris Michaels reports from Avery County on the conditions there.
Food, water and supplies are slowly trickling into Asheville and other communities in Western Carolina. However, some hard hit counties are still without relief with no end in sight. WRAL's Eric Miller talked to people in Henderson and Transylvania Counties about their biggest challenges.
The death toll from Helene continues to climb in Western North Carolina. As clean up and rescue efforts continue, many are still wrapping their heads around the extent of the damage. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher was there as the flooding began and explains his experience trying to cover the storm safely.
Last week, U.S. Senators questioned a major North Carolina employer about the high costs of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. Those drugs used to be covered under the North Carolina State Health Plan until the spring. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie explains how Congress and our state's Treasurer are trying to address the high costs of these drugs.
North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson's legal team launched his promised investigation into allegations in a CNN report that he made lewd and racist comments on a pornographic website more than a decade ago. It's the latest chapter in the biggest story in North Carolina politics with a little over a month left until Election Day. WRAL's Paul Specht explains how we got here.
One in eight high school students in North Carolina use vapes. It's a growing epidemic of nicotine addiction among teenagers. WRAL Investigative Documentary Reporter Cristin Severance examined the alarming rise of teen vaping across the state.
Part of the largest project in NCDOT history finished this week. Phase 1 of Complete 540 opens to drivers after five years of construction. WRAL's Brett Kneese explains the impact of the highway and the timeline for Phase 2.
On Tuesday, many mail-in ballots are on their way to voters across North Carolina. This week, the state's top elections official addressed a suspicious package sent to the board of elections now part of a federal investigation. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains what we know about that incident and covers what you need to know before you head to the polls.
We're getting a closer look at how the old Durham Police Headquarters could transform in the future! The major makeover comes after years of sitting empty and is set to include shopping, affordable housing, and more. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains.
At least 22 buildings on NC State's campus have tested positive for PCBs in the last 7 years. That includes Poe Hall, which WRAL has covered extensively for almost a year now. The cancer causing chemicals were detected on the outside and inside of dorms, libraries, and classroom buildings. WRAL 5 On Your Side Producer Pritchard Strong shares the findings.
Wednesday marked one week since 21-year-old Javion Magee was found dead with a rope around his neck under a tree in Vance County. His family and their attorneys were in Henderson to learn more more about the circumstances of his death. WRAL's Destinee Patterson walks us through the timeline of events leading up to his death.
Candidates who want to run North Carolina’s public schools are sparring over how to make schools safer, how to reverse the state’s teacher shortage and whether to invest in diversity initiatives for schools. Democrat Mo Green and Republican Michele Morrow participated in a series of recent debates. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst offers highlights.
A recent WRAL News Poll found sharp differences between Republicans and Democrats in how much confidence they have in the accuracy of election results. One in five Republicans have “no confidence” that the election results will be accurate, while almost nine in 10 registered Democrats have some or full confidence in the accuracy of the results. WRAL's Brian Murphy breaks down the numbers.
School bus drivers are in short supply in North Carolina — and it’s causing schools to scramble to get kids to school on time. Drivers are quitting because of low pay, disjointed schedules and student behavior. And they’re being lured away by lucrative offers in the private sector. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains what school districts are doing to solve the problem.
Goodbye PNC Arena, hello Lenovo Center! On Thursday, the Centennial Authority announced it approved naming rights between tech company, Lenovo, and the Carolina Hurricanes. WRAL Investigative Sports Reporter Brian Murphy explains the 10 year agreement worth $60 million.
A Durham father is going viral on TikTok after his daughter captured an emotional moment at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Levys Morales immigrated to the United States 21 years ago and had not seen his parents since. That changed last month. WRAL's Meghan Glova shares the story that has now reached about 7 million people.
An exclusive WRAL News Poll provides a clearer picture of where voters stand in this battleground state just two months before the general election. WRAL State Government reporter Will Doran breaks down surprising findings about top-of-the-ticket races. He also gives an update on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s legal battle with state elections officials.
The UNC Institute of Marine Sciences has been tracking sharks for decades! Our team got in on the action. WRAL Investigates Senior Producer Randall Kerr shares his experience in Morehead City.
Immigration and border security are top issues for voters in the upcoming election. And some Republicans say the Biden administration’s policies have essentially turned North Carolina into a border state. WRAL PolitiFact reporter Paul Specht reviewed state records to check claims on how immigration is impacting crime, schools, and the state’s social safety net.
A tragic school shooting in Georgia this week killed four people, including two students and two teachers. It gets you thinking, how do schools in our area keep students safe? WRAL's Heidi Kirk provides perspective from Nash County, where the school board is renegotiating its agreement between local law enforcement and school resource officers.
Companies like Shein and Temu can avoid customs inspections if what's being shipped costs less than $800 and is sent directly to the consumer. It's called the De Minimus Threshold, a loophole which lawmakers say allows foreign companies to exploit American policy. WRAL's Chris Lovingood shares why this is dangerous to consumers and the bipartisan effort to protect them.
Fayetteville mother Avantae Deven is awaiting trial, accused of murdering her two adopted children. In a recording revealed Only On WRAL, a family member confesses to helping dismember one of the children's bodies. WRAL's Chris Lovingood explains how he got that recording and what it tells us about the case. WARNING: The details of this episode may be disturbing to some listeners.
Men and women seen riding in the motorcycle escorts and holding the flag lines during veteran and service member funerals belong to a volunteer group called the Patriot Guard. Many are veterans themselves dedicated to helping military families grieve with honor. WRAL's Grace Holland introduces you to two local leaders in the organization for whom service and remembrance are virtues.
