Episodes
May 17, 2024
An effort to crack down on protesters bans masks worn for health reasons
State lawmakers want to stop protesters from wearing masks. This week, a bill that passed the state senate would make it illegal to wear masks in public even when worn for health reasons. People who need them would need to we...
May 16, 2024
North Carolina's crackdown on A.I. generated porn
On Wednesday, the North Carolina state senate passed a bill aimed at protecting people from a dark use of A.I. The bill outlaws A.I. generated child porn as our state's courts are facing these cases more and more. WRAL's Eric...
May 15, 2024
Don't fret if you missed the Northern Lights - sun "burps" could result in another local occurrence within the year
Colors danced above north carolina skies recently as the northern lights made a rare appearance in the area. Tony Rice -- a WRAL writer and NASA ambassador -- joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about this occurrence.
May 14, 2024
Stakeouts and surveillance: WRAL Investigates high-performance car thieves targeting Triangle dealerships
A rare Camaro, an Escalade – pricey, luxury vehicles stolen from dealership lots in a matter of minutes. WRAL Investigative Producer Randall Kerr joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the increasing trend with these thefts.
May 13, 2024
State auditor candidates chart different paths for GOP nomination
Dave Boliek and Jack Clark face each other Tuesday in a runoff to become the Republican Party’s nominee for state auditor, a position that voters haven’t sought to change in 16 years. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Spech...
May 10, 2024
The search for two adoptive siblings missing from Fayetteville for years
The disappearances of Blake and London Deven have captured the attention of social media sleuths as the search for them continues to twist and turn. Both adopted siblings disappeared several years ago but were not reported mi...
May 9, 2024
The officers working to stop drug trafficking on I-95
A long stretch of I-95 runs through our state as it takes travelers from Miami to Maine through a dozen states. Law enforcement say it's not just travelers using the route, it's also drug traffickers. WRAL Investigates' Chels...
May 6, 2024
GOP runoff: Prosecutor and political operative vie for NC lieutenant governor nom
The battle for the Republican nomination for North Carolina lieutenant Governor will be decided in a May 14 runoff. GOP candidates Jim O’Neill and Hal Weatherman have different ideas for how to lead the office after Lt. Gov. ...
May 3, 2024
UNC puts up fence, closes campus YMCA after Pro-Palestinian protests
It's been a week since Pro-Palestinian protesters at UNC first put tents up on a campus quad. Since then, protests and rallies have come and gone on campus after clashes with police and administrators. Thursday, the Universit...
May 2, 2024
The researchers working on a longer lasting flu vaccine
There's a chance your future may include fewer flu shots. Researchers at Duke are trying to create a vaccine that could last for years, instead of having to get a new one each fall. WRAL Health Reporter Grace Hayba breaks dow...
May 1, 2024
Charlotte shooting: everything we know about the officers killed, those injured and the series that led to it
Four officers were killed Monday while trying to serve a warrant at an east Charlotte home. A total of eight officers were shot, according to police. As news broke, WRAL News sent a team of reporters across the state. Eric Mi...
April 30, 2024
Tiny homes for sale online! 🏠 There's a catch, though. 5 On Your Side looks into it.
You might have seen these kits on Amazon or at Home Depot – tiny homes in a box. WRAL’s 5 On Your Side producer Pritchard Strong started looking into them to see if they’re worth buying. He joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about s...
April 29, 2024
Why a powerful NC conservative is scrutinizing a GOP-backed investment group
North Carolina’s $500 million investment in NCInnovation — a GOP-backed group designed to help the state capitalize on discoveries in state universities — is drawing scrutiny from one of the state’s most powerful Republicans....
April 26, 2024
History and romance surround centuries-old tree at UNC Chapel Hill
There’s an ancient legend hidden among the historic buildings in the grassy knoll called McCorkle Place on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. It’s a witness to history—the Davie Poplar tree, as it's known, has been there longer than t...
April 25, 2024
What we know about the plane that crashed at RDU Wednesday
A UNC Health Physician and a pilot survived when a small plane when it crashed near the RDU runway Wednesday. As the investigation into what caused the crash began, so did headaches for travelers. WRAL Durham Reporter Monica ...
April 24, 2024
Carolina Hurricanes' hot start in NHL playoffs
The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off a miracle comeback in Game 2 of their first-round series against the New York Islanders. Why the win could boost the Hurricanes to another deep run in the playoffs. Carolina is the favorite ...
April 23, 2024
Tight fight for president, Stein's lead widens in governor's race, new NC poll finds
History could repeat itself this political season, polling shows. North Carolina could once again vote for a Republican president while simultaneously putting a Democrat in the governor’s mansion. Ali Ingersoll talks with WRA...
April 22, 2024
NC lawmakers return to Raleigh for 2024 legislative session
State lawmakers return to Raleigh this week to start the 2024 legislative session. They’re expected to make updates to the state budget, and they’ll have a $1 billion budget surplus to divvy up. But other hot-button issues co...
April 19, 2024
Fire hazards inside toys and lawn tools
Cell phones, e-bikes, tools – what they all have in common is that they run off of lithium ion batteries. 5 On Your Side producer Pritchard Strong talks with Ali Ingersoll about how they might pose a risk.
April 18, 2024
Less than 100 days to go: Paris making final preparations for 2024 Summer Olympics
There are less than 100 days until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Ali Ingersoll talks with both Liz McLaughlin and Louis Fernandez about the preparations.
April 17, 2024
Mary Ann Baldwin's decision to step down as mayor of Raleigh
Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin announced Tuesday she will not run for a third term due to health concerns. She has served the city for 15 years, first as a city councilor. WRAL Reporter Matt Talhelm walks us through her two t...
April 16, 2024
The social media app that connected a 22-year-old man and a 12-year-old Durham girl
A 22-year-old man faces the possibility of life without parole if convicted of kidnapping and raping a 12-year-old girl. Her family says she met the man on a gaming app. The defendant's attorney says she was posing as a colle...
April 15, 2024
GOP candidates in NC congressional district focus on liberal connections, immigration
Two Republicans are still competing for the GOP nomination to represent North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District. Leading up to a May 14 runoff, Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott are accusing each other of holding secret libe...
April 12, 2024
The blossoming business relationship between North Carolina and Japan
Japan's Prime Minister is in North Carolina Friday--a rare visit to a U.S. state by a foreign leader. It's a visit based on business. There are more than 200 Japanese companies operating here. It also comes in the same week t...