Episodes

On November 25, 2016, Cole Thomas was driving home to Florida from Minnesota and went missing in Benson. Searches for him turned up nothing. Arrests in the case did not lead to convictions. His family is still fighting for answers on what should have been his 30th birthday. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan spoke to Thomas' dad about where the case stands.

Durham Public Schools' new superintendent is set to get started next month. Anthony Lewis is inheriting a lot of challenges after a controversial end to last school year. WRAL Durham Reporter Monica Casey spoke to him one-on-one about his goals for the job.

North Carolina lawmakers passed dozens of bills in the past few days. They also had some high-profile failures. GOP leaders couldn’t muster enough votes for four of five constitutional amendments they wanted to put on the ballot this November. And they couldn’t come to a budget deal. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the past legislative session — and what happens next.

Since the start of Pride Month, new songs have been ringing over Durham over a church's bells. Katelyn MacDonald went viral for playing "Hot To Go" by Chappell Roan at Duke United Methodist Church--but it's bigger than that. It's now her way to minister to other LGBTQ people across the world. WRAL's Grace Holland talked to her about what it all means to her moving forward.

Avantae Deven was arrested and charged with murder on Wednesday in the disappearances of her two adopted children. Blake and London Deven disappeared years ago but Fayetteville police didn't learn about it until this year. Their adoptive mother's arrest is the biggest development so far in the highly publicized case that WRAL's Chris Lovingood has been following since the beginning of the investigation.

Anticipation is building for the 2024 Olympics set to open in Paris next month. WRAL's Liz McLaughlin, who will report from the games, walks us through some of the biggest storylines as trials continue.

The State Senate approved its budget proposal Monday but the chamber's standoff with the State House continues. Lawmakers disagree about how, or if, to spend North Carolina's $1 billion dollar surplus. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie explains where there's common ground, and where there's a divide.

Republican lawmakers are no longer planning to let a coastal developer bulldoze a major archeological site. But Tuscarora Nation says existing development on the land could be in violation of a United Nations resolution with protections for indigenous people. WRAL State Government Will Doran explains.

The start of summer is bringing triple digit heat to North Carolina this weekend. That kind of heat can be dangerous for people spending lots of time outdoors. WRAL Meteorologist Brian Shrader explains how you can protect yourself.

Harlan Frye, a former department head at the North Carolina Department of Revenue, was arrested for a felony charge for a crime involving a child in California. Days later, a YouTube account posted a video showing his arrest. It turns out that arrest came because of a man who poses as a minor to catch would-be child predators. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan breaks down how we got here.

The GOP-led North Carolina House of Representatives wants to spend almost $1 billion on bigger raises for teachers and other state employees. But will the proposal go anywhere? WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down that and other ideas in the House budget proposal, which was released late Monday.

School boards across the state are starting their school years ahead of the earliest allowable date in North Carolina. A group of parents and coastal businesses are challenging one board in court. The outcome of the case could affect school systems across the state. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains.

As hundreds of thousands decend on Pinehurst for the U.S. Open, many of them will look for nightlife in the town's social district. A nonprofit is hoping some of them will find their way to it's beer garden, which is raising money for the families of Special Operations. WRAL's Grace Holland explores what this event shows about the close relationship between golfers and military families in the Sandhills.

The U.S. Open begins Thursday in Pinehurst and it's bringing tens of thousands of people to the Sandhills. WRAL's Brett Kneese talks about what the atmosphere is like for fans visiting the legendary golf course.

It’s time to tee up! The top names in golf are at Pinehurst, ready to tackle No. 2 for the 2024 U.S. Open. WRAL Sports Journalist Louis Fernandez joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the tournament and more.

The well-being of children has improved since the Covid-19 pandemic. But they’re still worse off than they were 10 years ago, according to the results of a federal survey of North Carolina students. Officials say more work needs to be done to improve students’ mental health. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains how they’re tackling the problem.

Rememberance services Tyler, Susie and 8-year-old Miles Campbell continue this weekend. The family of three were killed in a Memorial Day crash on U.S. Highway 70. In this episode, we reflect on the outpouring of support for their loved ones since the crash. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan also walks us through the charges against the man accused of causing the crash.

A new report shows public drinking water systems in cities like Durham and Fayetteville are contaminated with PFAS. These "Forever Chemicals" have been linked to serious health problems. The EPA set new limits on the amount of PFAS allowed in drinking water but WRAL Climate Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains how efforts to clean it up are stalling along party lines.

Over the last two decades, gangs have reportedly grown in the south and a change in the law here has resulted in younger people getting recruited to join. Some law enforcement members link hundreds of crimes to them. It’s why our lastest WRAL’s documentary digs into the topic. Producer and reporter Cristin Severance talks with Ali Ingersoll about her latest investigation.

Summer is here and we are feeling the heat already. Local officials are looking to minimize the threat of that to our community. WRAL’s climate change reporter Liz McLaughlin joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about this.

Special education advocates are rallying around a new proposal that would fund services for students with disabilities based on the students’ needs. Right now, the state provides the same amount for every student — regardless of their disability — a system that has frustrated advocates for the disabled. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhosrt breaks down the plan and explains how state lawmakers factor in.

On Friday, Former President Donald Trump is expected to speak after a jury convicted him of felony crimes. He was found guilty Thursday of 34 counts of falsifying business records in a hush money scheme. WRAL spoke to a team of local experts about the implications of the case.

Nearly 100 people have been shot in Durham so far in 2024 and now the Bull City is considering a unique approach to stopping future shootings. City Council wants to create an Office of Survivor Care. WRAL Durham Reporter Monica Casey explains how the plan could work.

While a historic vote of no confidence was purely symbolic, records now show the university re-requested an independent health investigation just hours after that happened. Ali Ingersoll talks with 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur about what else is in documents she received and provides an update to her ongoing investigation into Poe Hall.