WRAL Daily Download

On Tuesday, Austin Thompson's defense team will begin presenting evidence in his sentencing hearing. Thompson pleaded guilty to killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood in October of 2022. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher reviews the prosecution's case and what we expect to hear from the defense.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed a new executive order last week aimed at improving coordination between the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems. It comes on the heels of recent killings in Charlotte, Raleigh and Southport that police say were committed by people with histories of mental illness. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran breaks it down.

Nearly a third of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. have radio stations. As we celebrate Black history this month, WRAL's Kirstyn Clark and Jaylin Jones shine a light on one that is right here in our backyard – North Carolina Central University’s  WNCU 90.7 FM. 

A massive data center proposal in southern Wake County is raising questions. Developers want to build a campus of four data center buildings, each the size of a super Walmart. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin digs deep into North Carolina's data center boom. 

Witnesses, first responders, victim's loved ones and survivors took the stand on the first day of Austin Thompson's sentencing hearing. Thompson killed five people in the Hedingham neighborhood in 2022. WRAL's Megan Cloherty walks us through the heart-wrenching testimony.

The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson is slated to begin on Tuesday. Thompson pleaded guilty in January to five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and three charges of assault. All this stems from an October 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood.  WRAL’s Megan Cloherty and Jaylin Jones talked before the hearing began: a top-down view of what you...

North Carolina elections officials are investigating whether a candidate for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat actually lives in North Carolina. A voter challenged the eligibility of Republican Margot Dupre, alleging she actually lives in Florida. State law requires candidates to live in North Carolina, and Dupre says she does. Officials plan to hold a hearing in the case this week. WRAL sta...

Thousands of cars, stolen. It's a big problem in the Triangle. WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger shares why so many of these cases are going unsolved and how victims are responding. 

We're about one week out from  We’re about a week away from the start of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games. Some of the greatest athletes from around the world will be competing to bring home gold for their counties.  Today’s conversation comes to us from WRAL’s Ashley Rowe and Liz McLaughlin. Both have covered the winter games. They take a look at some major...

A judge will allow defense attorneys for Miguel Salquero-Olivares to call Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student as witnesses at trial. Court filings reveal details about the argument the defense team may be preparing to make. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down the documents.

A judge will allow defense attorneys for Miguel Salquero-Olivares to call Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student as witnesses at trial. Court filings reveal details about the argument the defense team may be preparing to make. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down the documents.

Bitter cold forced some school districts to go remote Tuesday as our area tries to thaw out after the weekend's winter weather. More winter weather is possible this coming weekend. WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Aimee Wilmoth break down what we know so far.

WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner breaks down the ingredients of the top predictive weather models — the American model and the European model — and explains why they sometimes contradict one another and how WRAL meteorologists use the data, as well as their own insight, to refine forecasts. He also describes the future of weather forecasting as artificial intelligence plays a greater r...

WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Grant Skinner break down the potential for ice that could create dangerous conditions for our area and most of the state this weekend. You can also watch this podcast on the WRAL YouTube page.

WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Chris Michaels share what goes into forecasting major snow and ice events, like the one slated to hit our state this weekend. This podcast can also be found on the WRAL YouTube page. 

Austin Thompson, the Raleigh teen accused of shooting six people, killing five of them in October 2022, will plead guilty to all charges, his lawyers announced on Tuesday. The intent to plead guilty was filed one day before Thompson was scheduled for a a hearing ahead of a trial planned for February. That hearing is still scheduled for Wednesday. It's likely Thompson would enter his plea at that t...

A group of Buddhist monks from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas have been on a months-long journey to Washington, D.C. with one goal: peace. The group of about 20 monks began their "Walk for Peace" in late October, drawing the adoration and attention of people all over the country in person and on social media. WRAL state government reporter Caroline Yaffa spoke with one man who spent miles w...

North Carolina is month's past due on a state budget. WRAL's Dan Haggerty and state government reporter Will Doran take a look at what's causing the delay, what it means for you and when we could see a change.

A state program using ankle monitors, designed to protect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes, has proven successful in North Carolina. But confusion about how it'd be funded means it could end soon, with no back-up plan in sight. WRAL's Paul Specht shares why those in the legal field say the program has been called a 'life saver.' 

A legislative committee is reviewing the state's procedures when it comes to treating people with mental health problems after two high-profile killings in North Carolina. WRAL State Government reporter Paul Spetch shares why both cases highlight the gaps in mental health care and public safety procedures, as both the justice system and mental health care system are under strain. 

State Department of Agriculture data shows seven registered animal shelters were disciplined in 2024. The number rose to 22 in 2025. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains the issues impacting animal welfare.

Court proceedings are set to begin in the trial of 21-year-old Issiah Mehki Ross. He's been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark, two teens killed and found along a remote ATV path in 2022.  WRAL news reporter Monica Casey was in court on Monday and has the latest developments and what's next. Plus, how this case created "Lyric and Devin'...

Debates are brewing over the criminal justice system following two recent high-profile killings in Charlotte and Raleigh - crimes, police say, that were committed at random by people with mental health issues who had been in and out of local jails and prisons for years. North Carolina is making strides toward helping people get health care, jobs and other assistance after they leave prison, Gov. J...

Several police departments in North Carolina are now using civilians, not officers, to respond to less serious car crashes. Departments say the goal is to lighten the load on their already strained staff. WRAL Investigative Reporter Sarah Krueger dug into the data to see if it's making a difference.   

If 2025 weather felt like a lot to you, you’re not alone. This year we saw quite a few extreme temperature swings, and for some communities, events that will be talked about for years to come. From the cold winter days that delivered some snow this year, to the extreme heat of the summer. WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell joins WRAL's Jaylin Jones to look back on what the data can tell us abou...