WRAL Daily Download

North Carolina is experiencing another winter storm this week. On this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, we share how the state prepared and what officials say YOU need to do to stay safe. Also, a breakdown on WRAL's continuous severe weather coverage.

Even though we've seen three winter storms in the Triangle this season, experts say Raleigh's winters are warming. It will mean extreme weather patterns and fewer cold nights as winter changes over time. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains why North Carolina's winters are changing.

President Donald Trump says he wants to close the department of education, and some members of Congress are on board with the idea. North Carolina receives billions of federal dollars for public schools, plus aid and loans for college students. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains what might happen to that money and other federal education programs if the department goes away.  

If your child is old enough to be online, they're old enough to be taken advantage of by criminals. The FBI is warning of a rise in what's known as financial " sextortion ." In the last few months, at least two UNC students were victims. WRAL Investigates Reporter Sarah Krueger spoke with one of those students. She shares his story and the efforts to protect others. 

The State Board of Dental Examiners says its seen an increase in unlicensed people posing as dental professionals over the last year and a half. Many patients are drawn in by low prices in social media advertisements. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains how you can protect yourself.

Earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeseth declared the Army would rename the base in Fayetteville back to Fort Bragg. Instead of taking the name of a Confederate general, as it was for decades until 2023, this time it is named for a World War II soldier. WRAL's Shaun Galleger was the first person to tell PFC Roland L. Bragg about the change.

They're elected officials funded by your tax dollars--how often should local district attorneys be in the office? WRAL Investigates went through years of data and found there are big discrepancies between counties. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains what it means for the people tasked with keeping our communities safe.

A Wake County judge issues a key ruling in the legal battle over ballots that could determine the winner of a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Meanwhile, state lawmakers meet to discuss more funding for victims of Hurricane Helene. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran offers the latest. 

Millie Dunn Veasey's family knew about her accomplishments as a civil rights activist but they didn't know the full extent of her military service until late last year. The Raleigh native served in the only all-Black, all female unit to operate overseas during World War II.--the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. WRAL's Destinee Patterson talked to her family about her life of service.

The tragic deaths of two local foster children and the arrest of their adoptive mother have raised big questions about our state’s child welfare system -- a system meant to protect the most vulnerable children. WRAL Documentary Reporter Cristin  Severance and WRAL Anchor Chris Lovingood share what they uncovered and what needs to change.

This week both Nash and Edgecombe County Schools responded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement hoaxes that alarmed parents this week. It comes as President Trump's stronger immigration policies go into affect. WRAL's Heidi Kirk talked to parents about how they're feeling and officials about how they're monitoring these types of rumors.

A new federal lawsuit wants the courts to force North Carolina to fix what it calls a broken foster care system. Children, many of them already traumatized, spend years inside the system and many of them bounce from home to home. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains the changes that suit seeks to make.

Newly elected state and federal leaders are looking to improve government efforts to help victims of Hurricane Helene. President Donald Trump and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein are promising to speed up relief. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains how. 

Earlier this week, several new PFAS treatment facilities opened in the Triangle in part of a larger effort to remove the toxic "forever chemicals" from the water supply. Meanwhile, the Trump administration as withdrawn an EPA rule that targeted industrial dumps of PFAS. WRAL Climate Change reporter Liz McLaughlin explains what this means for clean water in our state.

Many people dread a visit to the dentist, but few think of it as dangerous. WRAL Investigates found numerous times, in recent years, when local dentists were deemed responsible for patients’ deaths. WRAL Investigates Reporter Sarah Krueger shares the stories of two of those patients and the push for more safeguards in North Carolina.

Hundreds of thousands of military service members move every year nationwide. It can be a big undertaking for military families and some worry that a change at the Department of Defense could make the process more stressful. WRAL 5 On Your Side Producer Pritchard Strong explains the change.

In North Carolina, you need more training to cut someone's hair than to put permanent ink on someone's skin. After hearing concerns from a Raleigh tattoo shop owner, WRAL's Chris Lovingood investigated what it takes (and doesn't take) to receive a tattoo permit in our state, plus what can go wrong.

North Carolina’s worsening teacher shortage is hampering schools that need special education services. Students with disabilities are increasingly being taught by people who aren’t qualified to provide them with special services. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains what schools are doing to comply with state and federal law.  

This week, the NC Supreme Court ruled the battle over which candidate should sit on its bench has to go to trial in Wake County Superior Court. Democrat incumbent Allison Riggs leads Republican Jefferson Griffin by about 700 votes and Griffin wants to throw out 60,000 ballots because of errors made by elections officials. WRAL's Will Doran explains the controversy.

On Wednesday, we learned the names of the suspect and victim of a shootout in a Raleigh neighborhood that also injured a Raleigh Police officer. As police continue to investigate, WRAL reporters have been piecing together the series of events. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher explains what we know so far.

North Carolina is joining the list of states suing the Trump administration over an executive order targeting birthright citizenship. State Attorney General Jeff Jackson sued over President Trump's executive order that would stop children of undocumented immigrants-- and even some legal immigrants--from receiving citizenship just because they are born in the U.S. WRAL State Government Reporter Wil...

North Carolina is one of a handful of states where people who sell or by illegal drugs are supposed to pay taxes on them. Some argue the bills for those taxes are double jeopardy for people already paying a price in the criminal justice system. WRAL Investigates' Randall Kerr explains how the tax works.

President-Elect Donald Trump's second term begins this week. On the campaign trail, he promised sweeping changes to immigration and economic policy that could affect us here in North Carolina. WRAL's Brian Murphy explains those plans.

Tractor-trailers are the biggest (and potentially) most dangerous vehicles on the roads. A highly specialized unit in our state is making sure THEY are safe -- so that your family is, too. WRAL Investigates Producer Randall Kerr introduces us to the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.

On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. WRAL has covered local perspectives on the conflict since it began 15 months ago. We share some reaction as the deal will allow hundreds of Palestinians and 33 hostages held by Hamas to go free.