WRAL Daily Download

North Carolina Democrats are positioned to boost their party’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, but the gains under a newly enacted voting map could be short-lived. WRAL State Government Reporter Bryan Anderson breaks down the key races to watch on Election Day—including two high-profile local battles.

In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze talks about some of the biggest hurricanes to impact North Carolina. Maze has covered hurricanes in North Carolina for more than 20 years, in this discussion Maze shares how forecasting the hurricane has changed over the years. He also shares some of the biggest misconceptions people have about tropical cyclones.

The 15-year-old suspect who is accused of killing five people in Raleigh including his brother has survived and will face the criminal justice system. The victims are being laid to rest. As the community mourns and begins the healing process, there are still so many questions about why this happened. WRAL’s Joe Fisher has been covering the tragedy and shares his insights with us.​

After three student deaths by suicide this semester, the chancellor of North Carolina State University is taking a pause to help students cope with mounting pressure. The university is holding a “Wellness Day” on Thursday to give students a break from tests and assignments. WRAL reporter Aaron Thomas speaks with us about his coverage of this issue.​

Climate change isn’t coming, it’s here, and people on North Carolina’s coast, and along its eastern rivers, face hard choices as homes flood repeatedly and infrastructure groans under the weight of encroaching waters. WRAL Climate Change reporter Liz McLaughlin joins us to discuss the already seen impacts, and the changes yet to come.

WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain discusses what’s at stake in the race for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. He discusses their records, their stances and offers highlights from candidate interviews for a recent episode of WRAL’s On the Record program.

In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst reviews the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The newest assessment shows North Carolina fourth and eighth grade students scored worse on math and reading exams this spring than before the pandemic. Walkenhorst explains some of the culprits for the poor performance and possible solutions.

It’s that time of year. Halloween brings out the ghost stories. WRAL multiplatform producer Heather Leah has a special interest in North Carolina’s history and all things paranormal. These are stories we just can't get enough of.

For four years North Carolina has had divided government: A Republican General Assembly and a Democratic governor able to veto some of their ideas – 47 of them since 2018. Republicans have a shot at a supermajority this election season, which would moot the governor’s vetoes. Should they get it? Two lawmakers debate: One Republican, one Democrat.

In this episode, of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL photojournalist Josie Zimmer shares her interview with domestic violence survivor Drea Kelly. The actress, choreographer, and mother is the ex-wife of disgraced Grammy award winning artist R. Kelly. In September, R. Kelly was convicted of child pornography and sex abuse charges. Zimmer reveals her conversation with Drea Kelly and how Kelly is suppo...

WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht discusses how candidates in North Carolina are altering images of opponents in political ads — and what some lawmakers want to do about it. He also discusses his role as the North Carolina correspondent for PolitiFact, a national nonprofit fact-checking organization. And he offers advice on what voters can do to identify misleading information distributed...

The NC State Fair has returned to Raleigh and, as he has for 30 years, WRAL Photojournalist Chad Flowers is covering it. Chad walks through his favorite foods, favorite people and favorite memories, including the dumbest thing he’s ever seen anyone do at the fair.

In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL anchor/reporter Chris Lovingood shares information he’s learned in the Hedingham mass shooting. The shooting spree left five people dead and two people injured in the Raleigh neighborhood. During today’s discussion Chris shares the communication he’s had with the alleged shooter’s parents.

We speak with 5 On Your Side Producer Pritchard Strong about his team’s ongoing coverage of Pink Energy. The company which is based in North Carolina sold customers expensive solar systems for their homes that did not work according to 5 On Your Side’s research. The company blames a faulty part from a third-party vendor. They recently closed their doors leaving customers with expensive contracts i...

For four years North Carolina has had a divided government: A Republican legislature and a Democratic governor vetoing, in his words, “their worst impulses.” Now voters have a choice: Stick with the status quo or give Republicans the reins of lawmaking. WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain discusses the GOP’s prospects on Election Day, the party’s policy goals for the years ahead, and what i...

“And that’s when I knew my worst nightmare was happening.” When tragedy strikes, our first glimpse of it often comes from a police scanner. A helicopter gets re-routed, news crews drive toward uncertainty and it’s coordinated by WRAL’s assignment desk. In this episode of the Daily Download, Assignment Editor Mary Alice Bell walks you through the controlled chaos background behind major breaking ne...

Seven North Carolina universities are paying an outside company to monitor students’ social media accounts. Is this spying? In this WRAL Daily Download Julian Grace talks with WRAL investigative reporter Cullen Browder. The two discuss the primary function of the tracking data, how universities are using it, and the growing opposition against it. The discussion also explores if this form of tracki...

Two people have been killed and several others injured in two separate shootings at an apartment complex that is less than a mile from the UNC Chapel Hill campus in recent weeks. One of the victims was 19 years old. At the same time, there have been reports of aggressive behavior and people making threats to students, shoppers and workers on Franklin Street. WRAL’s Sarah Krueger covers Orange Coun...

It plays out more than 150 times a day in this country: Someone overdoses on opioids. But what made this story different is what happened afterward, through tears and loss, in an Orange County courtroom. https://www.wral.com/i-forgive-him-mother-of-18-year-old-overdose-victim-embraces-man-who-supplied-drugs/20507247/

North Carolina is losing teachers faster than it can replace them. As a result, a state committee is tinkering with how it evaluates and compensates teachers. It’s an effort that supporters think could attract more teachers but also keep existing teachers from leaving. But it’s not without controversy. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains the proposal and why not all teachers support...

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect and celebrate the histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino people. In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL reporter Leslie Moreno shares her own family’s journey, and how she is building bridges in North Carolina for those in the Hispanic community who don’t feel heard.

WRAL Reporter Adam Owens and photojournalist Jamie Munden chased Hurricane Ian from the moment it hit Florida all the way through to its second landfall in South Carolina. Adam shares his experience as a storm chaser and a seasoned journalist about the storm and the path of destruction it left behind. https://www.wral.com/myrtle-beach-ocean-isle-beach-on-road-to-recovery-after-ian/20501018/ https:...

While big tech companies are flocking to Durham and home prices are soaring in the Bull City, gun violence continues to be a problem. It’s a topic we’ve covered extensively at WRAL on a nightly basis and through our documentary “Durham Under Fire." The documentary was produced and hosted by our investigative documentary reporter Cristin Severance. She joins to talk about the documentary and our co...

North Carolina is one of the few states that picks its judges and justices in partisan elections. WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain spoke with a variety of legal experts for tips on how to determine the best candidates in a variety of judicial contests, including two state Supreme Court races that could shift the high court’s partisan balance.

One of the most closely watched U.S. congressional races this election season is in the Triangle. Democratic state Sen. Wiley Nickel is facing Republican political newcomer Bo Hines in a battle for North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District, which includes Johnston County and parts of Wake, Wayne and Harnett counties. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie breaks down the race and explains where...