Episodes
Oct. 16, 2025
A recipe for serious traffic jams around the North Carolina State Fair
The first night of the North Carolina State Fair coincides with Billie Eilish's first of two concerts in Raleigh on Thursday. Officials are urging people to arrive several hours in advance due to traffic concerns around the f...
Oct. 15, 2025
Three years after Hedingham mass shooting, community remembers those killed
Monday marked three years since a mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood in east Raleigh. On Monday, an end-of-watch ceremony was held for slain officer Gabriel Torres as the 3-year mark conjured memories of those killed...
Oct. 14, 2025
More than $6.5 billion in medical debt relieved through NC program
More than $6.5 billion in medical debt has been relieved for more than 2.5 million North Carolinians over the past year, through a program set up by the state and paid for with federal funds. Governor Josh Stein called it "li...
Oct. 13, 2025
Why the feds say NC is failing special education students
U.S. Department of Education officials say North Carolina is failing to meet federal special education standards. State officials blame it on teacher turnover and the need for other special education resources. WRAL Education...
Oct. 10, 2025
Community mourns three Fayetteville high school football players killed in car crash
Three E.E. Smith High School students died and another person was seriously hurt after a crash Wednesday night in Fayetteville. WRAL's Kirtsyn Clark talked to a friend of one of the players.
Oct. 9, 2025
Social media and AI algorithms may be linked to higher self harm risks among kids in NC
Warning: This episode discusses topics of suicide and addiction. A state committee tasked with preventing child deaths in North Carolina is focused on social media, saying different apps and AI platforms may be contributing t...
Oct. 8, 2025
How the U.S. trade war with China is bad for NC soybean farmers
One of North Carolina's biggest cash crops is the hardest hit by the impacts of new tariffs and trade tensions. China is one of the largest buyers of U.S. soybeans and it is now boycotting it. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains what ...
Oct. 7, 2025
What to know ahead of Tuesday's local elections in NC
Tuesday is Election Day for many parts of North Carolina, including Durham, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount. Voters will get a chance to cast their ballot in city council races, mayoral contests and other municipal elections. WR...
Oct. 6, 2025
The Raleigh police officer fired, accused of taking a sexual favor during a DWI investigation
Raleigh police officer Tremale Cogdell is set to appear in court Monday afternoon. He was arrested on felony sexual misconduct charges Friday. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher explains what investigators know so far.
Oct. 3, 2025
What is the TikTok challenge that could make your kid sick?
There's a social media challenge circulating on TikTok encouraging kids to take a large amount of over the counter medicine, like Benadryl, for fun. It's not the first time you may have heard of a challenge like this, but law...
Oct. 2, 2025
A battle over healthcare at the state and federal level
On October 1, the federal government officially shut down. A big reason behind the shutdown is disputes of healthcare subsidies. Healthcare spending is also the focus of a budget fight here in North Carolina. WRAL State Gover...
Oct. 1, 2025
What witnesses say happened during a mass shooting at a Southport bar
The community of Southport is grieving three killed in a shooting along the waterfront while the suspected shooter is awaiting his next court date. WRAL's Heidi Kirk talked to witnesses and investigators about what happened i...
Sept. 29, 2025
Lawmakers return to Raleigh: The bills that did and did not make it to the Governor's desk
Lawmakers returned to Raleigh last week, passing a flurry of bills aimed at individual projects and new policies. But, they left without a deal on a state budget or a plan to fund Medicaid expansion. WRAL State Government Rep...
Sept. 26, 2025
Hillsborough's Gold Park reopens after major repairs from Tropical Storm Chantal damage
Nearly three months after Tropical Storm Chantal caused millions of dollars in estimated damage to Hillsborough, one of the public spaces most impacted in the town, Gold Park, has reopened. Town officials said watermarks in t...
Sept. 25, 2025
Helene: What We Lost, What We Found
The newest WRAL Documentary airs Thursday, September 25 on WRAL-TV and online platforms and looks back at the damage caused in western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene one year later. Helene was the most damaging storm in s...
Sept. 24, 2025
Duke's Kara Lawson humbled to join the ranks of legendary Team USA Basketball coaches
On Monday, Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson was named the next head coach of the U.S. Women's basketball team for the next four years. Lawson will coach the Team USA in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup...
Sept. 23, 2025
Teens found after escaping Raleigh mental health facility
Holly Hill Hospital's CEO says seven teens who escaped Sunday night in Raleigh attacked a staff member to get out. The incident raised questions about past issues at the facility. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains the history of esc...
Sept. 22, 2025
New crime bill, health care spending, Helene aid: NC lawmakers return to Raleigh
State lawmakers return to Raleigh this week for another check-in after failing to pass a budget on time earlier this summer. Lawmakers are expected to introduce a bill with a number of proposed law enforcement and judicial re...
Sept. 19, 2025
Why the UNC System is considering raising tuition costs for incoming students
The UNC System Board of Governors discussed a tuition increase up to 3% at its universities. It would be the first increase in the cost of tuition in the system in the last 9 years. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down how much fa...
Sept. 18, 2025
State workers could face another health premium hike, depending on Duke-Aetna contract fight
Duke Health and health insurance company Aetna are in the middle of contract negotiations. There's just about a month left to salvage a deal. Depending on the outcome, more than 750,000 state employees could see their insuran...
Sept. 17, 2025
How hurricanes can harm your pets health
It is hurricane season in North Carolina. While you may be thinking about how to protect your family from floodwaters or your home from storm damage, veterinarians say you should be thinking about protecting your pets too. WR...
Sept. 16, 2025
Calls to fire Durham Police Chief, Wake County teacher over comments about Charlie Kirk's death
Charlie Kirk's death has led many people aroudn the country to voice their thoughts on the shooting and the state of our politics on social media. It has been met with swift public reaction in some cases. WRAL's Shaun Gallegh...
Sept. 15, 2025
New data centers in NC could strain the power grid and your wallet
A new data center in Tarboro promised to bring in 500 jobs, $6.4 billion in investment and millions in new tax revenue for the rural North Carolina community, but residents weren't convinced. Fears over water use, noise and t...
Sept. 12, 2025
Hemp vs. Marijuana: How a small difference between the two can have a big impact on law enforcement, civil rights in NC
A North Carolina attorney boldly dared to be searched and even arrested in front of the state’s Supreme Court Justices while holding a baggie in hand. In that baggie was a green plant: Was it hemp or marijuana? No one in the ...