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.
Last weekend, a car club meet-up ended with an officer shooting a 16-year-old in Durham. Within the same week, the citys' most recent crime report shows a decline in violent crime. WRAL's Monica Casey shares what we now know about the shooting and breaks down those new numbers.
The city of Raleigh will now require Christmas Parade participants to sign a waiver releasing the city from blame in the event of injury or death. The announcement came days before the 2024 parade and one day after the two year anniversary of Hailey Brooks' death. She was hit by a truck while dancing in the 2022 parade. WRAL's Sean Gallegher explains what legal experts say about the change.
The WRAL Severe Weather Team put out its winter weather prediction this week--and it doesn't look good for snow lovers. Snow has been less and less frequent in North Carolina over the last few years. WRAL Meteorologist Chris Michaels explains what factors went into this forecast.
WRAL News obtained missing audits for Saint Augustine's University that show internal control failures, documentation discrepancies and protocol breaches in major transactions. Meanwhile, a decision on the university's accreditation is expected next month. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains what we learned from the documents and how we got here.
President-elect Donald Trump is nominating his cabinet, and that’s putting U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) under the microscope. WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht explains why some consider Tillis the most vulnerable Republican in the U.S. Senate.
A man was caught on camera going on a minutes-long racist rant, directed at utility workers in a Raleigh neighborhood. He even swung a shovel at them. Despite that, the man is not facing charges, and WRAL Investigates Reporter Sarah Krueger explains why.
After a 5 On Your Side's investigation led to a Wake County teacher's arrest on abuse charges, WRAL kept digging. A new investigation airing tonight reveals that the same teacher is accused of hurting students at another school in the district. WRAL's Keely Arthur explains that reporting and the steps that Wake County Public Schools says it's taking now.
It's been nearly five months since a Fayetteville woman was charged with murdering two of her adopted children who have been missing for years. Since then, WRAL Investigates has been trying to learn more about Avantae Deven is and how she became an adoptive parent. WRAL's Chris Lovingood talked to a former landlord of Deven's and the agency that licensed her.
Michael and Carolyn Powell were found dead in the front yard of their home Thursday. A neighbor and relative is charged with their murder. WRAL Eastern North Carolina reporter Heidi Kirk talked to people who knew the couple and their decades-long commitment to their church.
WRAL state government reporters Paul Specht and Will Doran break down some of the key takeaways from the Nov. 5 elections — everything from poll accuracy, campaign spending and the effect of Hurricane Helene on the balance of power in the state legislature.
12 shootings in four days made for a scary and chaotic week in Raleigh. Each happened on and around I-40, but ended with a capture in a nearby neighborhood. WRAL News+ Anchors Meghan Glova and Grace Holland break down the case and WRAL's coverage from beginning to end.
North Carolina voter turnout was higher in 2020 than this year, but Donald Trump was able to secure more votes in 2024. That includes counties that typically run Blue. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why.
A historic Election Night in North Carolina saw some races called quickly and others too close too call. WRAL's Grace Holland walks you through the hour-by-hour as results were tallied. WRAL's Laura Leslie offers insight into how we got here and where we're going.
It’s Election Day. In collaboration with WRAL’s politics podcast, The Wrap, WRAL NC Capitol reporters Will Doran and Paul Specht discuss voter turnout and key North Carolina races heading into Election Day. For the latest election results throughout the evening and later in the week, go to wral.com.
North Carolinians will elect a new governor this week. But some are paying more attention to a select few legislative districts — ones that could determine the limits of the new governor’s power. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains how Democrats are trying to weaponize GOP candidates' associations with Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson to eke out wins in tight districts.
Almost half of North Carolina’s Republican voters have little to no confidence that their votes will be counted accurately. And while Democrats have more faith in the system — only half feel confident in the state’s election results, according to a new WRAL News Poll. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran explains what state elections officials are doing to combat election skepticism.
This week we've looked at WRAL News Polls that show North Carolina voters split on who to elect presidency and more decisive on their choice for Governor. Today, we are looking at the issues those same voters say are most important to them. WRAL's Brian Murphy breaks down what we've learned.
A WRAL News Poll shows NC Attorney General Josh Stein leading Lt. Governor Mark Robinson by double digits in the Gubernatorial race. It's a stark contrast to the razor thin margin between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump among North Carolina in the race for President. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down what polling tells us about how voters are thinking about the choice for our state's next Governor.
With just one week left in this year's campaign, we have the results of our scientific statewide WRAL News Poll. It shows that Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump are tied among North Carolina voters. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the findings.
With just one week left in this year's campaign, we have the results of our scientific statewide WRAL News Poll. It shows that Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump are tied among North Carolina voters. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the findings.
Over the past four years, more than $1 billion in federal dollars has gone toward bonuses aimed at retaining North Carolina school employees. Now the pot of money is gone. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains what school systems are doing to continue incentivizing teachers, bus drivers and other employees to stay at a time of high turnover.
McDonald's says the source of its E. coli outbreak are onions served on the Quarter Pounder hamburger. There are no cases in North Carolina but more restaurants are pulling onions off their menu items. WRAL Health Reporter Grace Hayba explains this outbreak and shares an update on cases of a parasitic illness now tied to onions that did affect people in our state.
Hurricane Helene highlights the pressing climate risks facing homeowners and homebuyers in North Carolina. With other weather events highlighting similar vulnerabilities, it's important to understand how these factors could affect your home and future investments. WRAL Climate Reporter Liz McLaughlin explores the impact rising sea levels have on our coastline, the dangers posed by outdated FEMA flood maps and how new tools help you assess your property's climate risks.
On Monday, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson filed an amended complaint to his defamation case against CNN. He's now asking for $25,000 instead of $50 million. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why it goes back to state law.
Former President Donald Trump made several campaign stops in North Carolina Monday. Kamala Harris visited the state last week and more of her surrogates are expected to campaign for her in the days to come. These are the most obvious signs that North Carolina's election results are among some of the most anticipated in the country. WRAL's Laura Leslie breaks down the attention our state is getting.
The candidates for North Carolina Attorney General offer different visions for the state’s highest law enforcement post — a seat that has been a launching pad for higher office and has taken on elevated importance as states increasingly litigate federal issues. WRAL reporter Brian Murphy breaks down the race between Republican Dan Bishop and Democrat Jeff Jackson and explains why they’re leaving Congress to run for a statewide position.
Hospitals in the Triangle are getting creative to conserve vital IV fluids. Shipments were reduced after the nation’s largest manufacturing plant in Western North Carolina was damaged by Hurricane Helene. WRAL Health Reporter Grace Hayba discovered some of the tools being used...including Gatorade.
A deadly New Year's Day shooting in Raleigh. Chaos in a North Carolina Dairy Queen parking lot. These are the two events a federal indictment links to Hells Angels, the Red Devils and rival motorcycle club, the Pagans. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan walks through the evidence prosecutors are using to make that case.
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson sued CNN over a report that alleged he made racist and sexually explicit comments on a pornographic website more than a decade ago. Robinson has denied the allegations. He’s now seeking $50 million dollars in damages, saying the report harmed his reputation and caused him anxiety and distress. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the complaint.
On Monday, several FEMA locations reopened after a 44-year-old man was charged with making threats against the agency's workers in Western North Carolina. WRAL's Eric Miller explains how those threats led them to suspect a Rutherford County man.
