WRAL Daily Download

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.  WRAL Investigates Destinee Patterson spoke with the head at the Forensic Test for Alcohol branch with the Division of Public Health, Kenny Benfield.  

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 of cuts scammers make on their victims’ lives after taking months to gain their trust. WRAL's Megan Cloherty and Lora Lavigne talk through this story and what you can learn.

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. WRAL's Brian Murphy goes in-depth with WRAL's Elizabeth Holmes. 

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 children. Those conversations took place over email, just days before Deven was arrested.   

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 Cristin Severance and Louis Fernandez talk through the impacts to our local communities and how the news industry moves forward.

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. 

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. 

A Greensboro woman says she lost $1,000 while trying to buy Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final tickets through a Facebook group that appeared legitimate. After sending money to the group's administrator for two tickets, the tickets never arrived. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur and Louis Fernandez talk through what happened and what you need to know to protect yourself from similar problems.

June 1 marked the beginning of the hurricane season this year. While the WRAL Severe Weather team's tropical outlook predicts less storms than an average season, if there's one thing we've learned, a hurricane doesn't need to be a category 5 to have a massive effect. WRAL's Aimee Wilmoth and Mark Bergin talk through the history of storms in North Carolina, and how a single storm can leave a lasting impact.

On this week's episode of On the Record, two of the biggest economic development projects in North Carolina state history are dealing with changes. WRAL's Jack Hagel and Elizabeth Holmes talk through what's happening and what's at stake with VinFast and JetZero. Plus, hear from North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley as North Carolina takes auto manufacturer VinFast to court.

After years of rough roads, lane closures, and hundreds, if not thousands, of orange barrels strewn about I-440, the expansion of Raleigh's Beltline is nearing an end. It comes after a three-year delay. WRAL Digital Producer Mark Bergin and WRAL Investigative Producer Randall Kerr talk about the project's status and what's ahead. 

Car payments are getting harder for families to afford as the cost of groceries, housing, insurance, and other bills continue to rise. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur speaks with Ashley Rowe about what families can do get back on track to void delinquency or repossession. 

June 1 marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Making preparations ahead of time is always a good idea. WRAL's Mark Bergin and meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth talked through good items to include in your hurricane prep kits.

There are several consitutional amendements North Carolinians will vote on this November. Two of the most notable amendements involve a cap on the state's income tax and a proposal impacting property taxes. WRAL State Government reporter Will Doran breaks down what they include and the politics behind them. 

WRAL's Gerald Owens and Scott Mason talk through a few upcoming Tar Heel Traveler stories including the history behind the "world's oldest longleaf pine" and a couple starting a new journey with bicycle spokes.

A Benson family says their dog was hit by an Amazon delivery driver, who drove off. Though the dog is expected to be okay, the family asked Amazon to help pay their mounting vet bills. They called 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur to get help. 

Granville and Cumberland counties lost the most schools as costs to school districts is leading to merge and close schools. It's a trend being seen for public schools across the country. WRAL's Destinee Patterson and Emily Walkenhorst discuss what it means for the next generation of students.

Warm oceans, shifting wind shear, building tropical energy. The WRAL Severe Weather Team is analyzing EVERY atmospheric signal - to forecast what hurricane season 2026 could bring. Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth talks through some of the different variables and shares the WRAL Severe Weather Team's 2026 hurricane outlook.  

After about a year without a state budget, North Carolina lawmakers are one step closer to delivering one before the July 1 deadline. They've agreed on some things, like possible raises for state employees and tax cuts. But what else needs to be worked out before it hits Governor Stein's desk? Will he even sign it once it does? WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran talks with WRAL's Elizabeth Holmes. 

North Carolina is the only state in the country without a new budget, but GOP lawmakers say they've reached a deal on taxes and state employee raises, two of the main sticking points. Is it enough for the most experienced educators in the state? WRAL news reporter Carly Haynes and education insider Emily Walkenhorst talk through the concerns and what the future of education looks like in the state.

WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens speaks with Scott Mason, known as the Tar Heel Traveler, about hidden gems and unique stories he's encountered across North Carolina. 

A cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has sparked some fears and concerns just years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Three cruise ship passengers have died, and six people with confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus are being quarantined, according to the world health organization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed one person from North Carolina was on board and evacuated with all remaining United States passengers to the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s National Quarantine Unit.  What are the facts and what are the actual concerns around the hantavirus and its potential for something bigger? WRAL News reporter Shaun Gallagher spoke with Dr. David Wohl, a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina, about what you need to know. 

Earlier this week, Wake County Public Schools shared that Canvas, a massive educational platform used for assignments, grading, exams, and other things, had been breached by hackers. What does it mean for school systems and their students' data? WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst speaks with WRAL's Elizabeth Holmes about the impact. 

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is still figuring out how many districts were impacts by a breach of the Canvas learning management system. Wake and Durham Counties confirm that their students' and teachers' data was impacted. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains what it means for schools' cybersecurity

If you're a Duke Energy customer, or have to pay an electric bill to any company, you'll want to hear these tips on how to bring down your energy costs from 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur. 

Even after recent rain, much of North Carolina remains in drought conditions. WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner explain how dry weather could affect mosquito populations.

State lawmakers, the Raleigh mayor, a group that represents state employees and the state’s elected attorney general, auditor and treasurer are among those weighing in on a takeover deal between two state hospital systems. Atrium Health is in position to take control of WakeMed. WRAL state government editor Jack Hagel looks at what the deal would mean, why some officials are sounding the alarm and what the future looks like as the deal is put on pause.

State lawmakers are homing in on housing expenses as North Carolinians sour on the economy, with rising concerns over the cost of living and broader economic conditions. North Carolina lawmakers are proposing a variety of new initiatives to address the rising cost of living, everything from freezing reappraisals to easing development to boost supply. WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht talks us through some of the ideas lawmakers are putting forward as we get closer to midterm elections in November.

A new report from the National Education Association ranks the state 43rd in average teacher pay and 38th in starting teacher pay. These rankings are about the same as last year. This is all based on data from the 2024-25 school year. Teachers haven't received raises for the current school year, because the North Carolina legislature has yet to pass a new budget. Without a raise, North Carolina teacher pay is projected to fall to 46th this year, based on estimates. WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst talks through the state of teacher pay in North Carolina.

Most of the state is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions, causing a statewide burn ban and water restrictions in different localities. The lack of rain means we've also seen a lack of severe weather in our area. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth speaks with Digital Producer Jaylin Jones about how this year's weather compares to years prior. 

St. Augustine's University filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy according to court documents filed this week. It comes after years of financial struggles for the HBCU. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains how we got here.

Can you really trust travel insurance when it matters most? A Fort Bragg family tried to use their policy after a sudden deployment forced them to cancel a trip, only to face a roadblock. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur stepped in to help recover more than $1,000. She talks through the process and tells you what you should know about travel insurance. 

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.

Opening statements began in the trial of Dorian Thomas, a Johnston County man, charged with killing his child's aunt, Emily Steinhoff. Steinhoff was shot while accompanying her sister on a custody exchange at Thomas' home in March of last year. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan walks through what played out in the courtroom.