Episodes
July 17, 2025
Why North Carolina is seeing a bug boom after heavy rain and heat
As parts of our area recover from flooding due to recent rainfall, some are dealing with another consequence--more bugs. Experts say insect populations are exploding due to summer heat and rain. WRAL climate change reporter L...
July 16, 2025
Man charged in Faith Hedgepeth murder now faces new drug charges
Miguel Salguero-Olivares is waiting for trial in the Durham County Detention Center. On Tuesday, a court hearing focused on charges that he had meth inside the jail. It comes as his defense team continues to build its case fo...
July 15, 2025
North Carolina sues over Trump education funding cuts
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced announced a lawsuit Monday over more than $165 million in frozen education funds. Other states have also filed suits over federal education grants cancelled nationwide. W...
July 14, 2025
How a new children's hospital could transform a growing Wake County town
A partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health plans to build the state's first standalone hospital in Apex. The deal is expected to transform a wide swath of the growing western Wake County town, paving the way for a multi...
July 11, 2025
5 On Your Side testing finds pricing errors at local grocery stores
Imagine picking up an item on sale, only to be charged full price at checkout. 5 On Your Side found that this is taking place at several local grocery stores. 5 On Your Side Producer Pritchard Strong shares where this is happ...
July 10, 2025
Hillsborough urges conservation as water system remains fragile
Even after lifting a boil water advisory, Hillsborough town leaders called for people who live there to conserve their water. Intense floods overwhelmed the sanitary sewer system over the weekend. WRAL's Flynn Snyder explains...
July 9, 2025
Sanford community remembers family of four killed in plane crash
Travis, Candace, Aubrey and Walker Buchanan died Monday in a plane crash in Lee County. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating what happened. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains what we know so far.
July 8, 2025
Tropical Depression Chantal leaves widespread property damage at Hyco Lake
The storm brought record rain to parts of Moore, Chatham, Orange and Durham counties. It also brought flooding to parts of Person County along Hyco Lake. WRAL's Grace Holland explains the clean up ahead.
July 7, 2025
Why NC’s career-switching teachers are quitting the classroom
North Carolina has long depended on career-switching professionals to help fill its teaching ranks, giving them temporary licenses with the expectation that they’ll earn a full license within a few years. But many of these te...
July 4, 2025
1 year later: WRAL revisits the case of a Fayetteville mother accused of murdering her adoptive children
1 year ago, a Fayetteville mother was arrested because she was accused of murdering two of her adopted children. Since that time, WRAL has kept an eye on Avantae Deven's case ahead of trial. WRAL's Chris Lovingood recaps what...
July 3, 2025
A new study finds kids' foods are more likely to contain synthetic dyes
A new study led by UNC researcher Elizabeth Dunford reveals that nearly 20% of popular U.S. food products contain synthetic dyes, with a significant concentration found in items marketed to children. WRAL Health Reporter Grac...
July 2, 2025
With Tillis out, GOP has more clarity — and hope — in North Carolina
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis surprised fellow Republicans Sunday when he said he wouldn’t seek reelection next year. The decision has underscored the dangers Republicans face when opposing Republican President Donald Trump. And i...
July 1, 2025
How climate change made Raleigh's record-breaking heat more likely
In the last week, we've seen a stretch of record breaking summer heat. Experts says climate change is making those kinds of days five times more likely. WRAL's Liz McLaughlin explains the metric used to track this kind of tem...
June 30, 2025
Budget talks stall, shrimping ban fails and Helene bill prevails as NC lawmakers adjourn
North Carolina lawmakers adjourned for summer vacation without approving a budget, leaving a number of big spending priorities in limbo. But the legislature did agree on a few things, sending dozens of bills to Gov. Josh Stei...
June 27, 2025
A new WRAL documentary explores cancer in young North Carolinians
Cancer is striking people younger than ever. We’re talking about aggressive forms of cancer happening to people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. WRAL Documentary Reporter Cristin Severance shares the stories of three North Carolin...
June 26, 2025
What you need to know about the first measles case in North Carolina
The first case of the measles was found in Guilford and Forsyth counties earlier this week. It comes as cases continue across the country. WRAL Health Reporter Grace Hayba explains how to protect yourself.
June 25, 2025
SBI joins investigation into a Wake County house fire that killed a man and two teenagers
The Wake County Sheriff's Office says 49-year-old Shannon Collins, a 13-year-old and a -15-year-old were found dead inside a home after a house fire. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of their ...
June 24, 2025
A top NC Democrat needs new desks. She also needs Republicans' approval
North Carolina lawmakers are sparring over the details of a $32 billion-dollar state spending plan. One thing they seem to agree on is a $95,000 budget request for new office furniture for Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt. But the reques...
June 23, 2025
What new emails tell us about how UNC handled fallout from Bill Belichick interview
WRAL obtained new emails and text messages that show how Bill Belichick repsonded to questions about why his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson joined him at a nationally televised interview. WRAL's Brian Murphy explains what we learn...
June 20, 2025
Zoning change approval opens up RTP for residential redevelopment
From Research to Residential. Research Triangle Park covers 7,000 acres in Wake and Durham counties. 55,000 people also work at RTP , but when they clock out, it goes empty -- until now. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher explains the re...
June 19, 2025
Why are Pride flags disappearing from a Wake County neighborhood?
People all over the Triangle say their Pride flags have disappeared from their neighborhoods. A Cary woman believes hers was stolen from her home--and she's not alone. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains.
June 18, 2025
NC lawmaker apologizes for ‘inapropriate’ social media post
Wake County Democrat Julie Von Haefen posted an image of a protest sign featuring a guillotine and a fake severed head that resembled Trump. Republicans called for her ouster. WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht offers...
June 17, 2025
The program turning wasted Wake Schools food into snacks for students
Wake County Schools is expanding it's pilot program to repurpose food waste. A select few of the district's schools are already saving hundreds of packaged items and fruit from the dumpster every day. WRAL Education Reporter ...
June 16, 2025
GOP-led legislature wants to take regulatory powers from NC's Democratic governor
North Carolina lawmakers could push to take more power away from the governor this week. A final vote is expected on the REINS Act. It would let the Republican-controlled legislature block new rules proposed by state agencies...