WRAL Daily Download

Recent storms have brought some relief to parts of North Carolina, but the state’s drought continues to worsen. Central North Carolina, the Triad and the coast still need 16 to 20 inches of rain over an extended period to see meaningful improvement. WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner and WRAL anchor Ken Smith talk through the drought conditions and why we may not see relief until the fall.

Could your zip code be a high-target area for scams? Our 5 On Your Side team compiled data around the Triangle to see which areas are getting scammed the most and what the top scams are.

FEMA committed more than $11 million to North Carolina for Tropical Storm Chantal relief efforts but less than half of those funds have been distributed so far. Orange County, which had the most damage from the storm--is still waiting for its share of federal help. WRAL Investigates Destinee Patterson explains what federal data reveals about the wait for funding.

A new Consumer Reports investigation found concerning levels of certain additives and contaiminants in some widely-sold foods and drinks. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Alex Littlehales explains what the findings show.

After a year without a budget, North Carolina lawmakers pitch and pass a 600-page, $34 billion spending plan in just three days. WRAL's NC Capitol team explains the winners, losers, the weird bipartisan way the vote broke down and what is still to come before state employees see long-awaited raises.

Folarin Balogun picked up a controversial red card for the US men's national team in the 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. WRAL's Dan Haggerty and Louis Fernandez talk through the penalty and explain why it wasn't a great call. Plus, how it will impact the US in the Round of 16 against Belgium on Monday.

North Carolina is about to experience a heat wave, causing triple-digit highs going into the Fourth of July weekend. So why should we be thinking about flooding now? WRAL Meteorologist Chris Michaels explains. 

North Carolina lawmakers have unveiled the largest budget proposal in state history. It includes tax cuts and raises for state employees. WRAL's Capitol Team breaks down everything you need to know.

Fewer people are reaching for a glass of wine or a cocktail. A recent Gallup survey shows 54% of adults consume alcohol. That’s down 10% from 10 years ago. Yet, the roads aren’t necessarily getting safer. In fact, keeping them safe is getting more complicated. Law enforcement agencies in North Carolina are trying to catch up to the changing landscape of impaired driving.  WRA...

A wide-ranging bill in the North Carolina legislature would change a host of election laws. The 37-page document proposes new rules for so-called “never-resident” voters allows for more secrecy around campaign donations and more clearly spells out what to do about voters who cast ballots early but die before election day. WRAL's Paul Specht discusses the major points of the bill. 

A question on everyone's minds after the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup win this year: is Rod Brind'Amour one of the best coaches in North Carolina sports history? WRAL sports anchor Chris Lea and Louis Fernandez go over their lists and look at what an all-around North Carolina sports Mount Rushmore looks like.

Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason tells the story of a former professional soccer from North Carolina who went from performing on the pitch in Italy to running a successful Italian restaurant in Raleigh. Mason also shares insight into an upcoming story on the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division's All-American Band and Chorus and their upcoming Independence Day tributes. 

A Fuquay-Varina man is stressed about the amount of money he lost in an elaborate scam. He reached out to WRAL Investigates after seeing his name in a federal court document related to an online investment scam. Wesley Marley learned after reporting his losses to the FBI that he was the victim of an international scam known for its odd name: pig-butchering. The name alludes to the number...

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour missed out on the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2026. He's been eligible for over a decade now. How close is he to making the list? How does his coaching resume impact the decision? WRAL sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy and Louis Fernandez talk through the process and where things go from here.

Major League Baseball wants to select two new cities for expansion before early 2029. North Carolina officials want one of them to be Raleigh. It’s becoming an issue in state budget discussions. People familiar with the talks tell our N-C Capitol team that lawmakers are weighing whether to reserve hundreds of millions of dollars for a stadium that would support a big-league bid. WR...

Avantae Deven was arrested on June 24, 2024, connected with the deaths of her two adopted children. Their names were Blake and London. Their deaths, and what it said about North Carolina’s foster system, was at the center of the WRAL Documentary, “Broken.” WRAL’s Chris Lovingood has a new look inside conversations between Deven and the biological mother of her adopted child...

The Carolina Hurricanes won a Stanley Cup for the second time as a franchise. How does this impact the team, Lenovo Center and Raleigh as a whole?  WRAL's Dan Haggerty takes a deep dive on what's already happeneing and what could come next.

An anti-abortion bill filed in the North Carolina House is getting lots of attention on social media. It seeks to allow people to protect a life...by using deadly force. Politi-Fact reporter Paul Specht looked into the bill to check claims being made by opponents.  **NOTE: At time of recording, we have not received comment from Jen Hamilton. 

Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason shares more about his stories on a noisey, nasty job that's necessary for North Carolina agriculture, as well as a Cary biochemist's science experiment with a magical African tree, with WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off Thursday, marking a significant sporting event across North America. WRAL's Louis Fernandez explains the storylines for diehard and casual soccer fans.

As newsrooms shrink, media companies consolidate, and communities lose access to trusted local information, a new WRAL documentary explores what is at stake for North Carolina. "Left Uncovered: Inside North Carolina's News Deserts" premieres Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL-TV and streams live on WRAL.com, the WRAL News+ app, and WRAL's YouTube channel. WRAL documentary investigator...

In North Carolina, reports of online exploitation of children increased by 1,115% since 2019, according to data from the State Bureau of Investigation. WRAL Investigates reached out to some of the largest law enforcement agencies in the WRAL viewing area. Agencies are trying to keep up with the caseload. However, many reported minimal staff or funding increases.

A North Carolina family's vacation was almost derailed when their child's birth certificate went missing while it was being processed by the federal government. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes about what happened when she stepped in. 

WRAL Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason speaks with WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens about honoring D-Day and the story of a war hero from Dunn. 

WRAL Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason speaks with WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens about honoring D-Day and the story of a war hero from Dunn.