Episodes

North Carolina is filled with history like 150 year old trees, abandoned towns. You don’t have to travel far to find something interesting to explore. Wral digital journalist and resident historian Heather Leah joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about some of her favorite spots.

North Carolina’s teacher shortage has been worse this year, even after statewide pay raises. The problem has people wondering: Are the raises enough? Or do leaders need to make other changes to help make sure North Carolina’s classrooms are staffed? WRAL Education Reporter Emily Walkenhorst shares what she learned after speaking with teachers, administrators and education experts.

On Thursday, NOAA issued its forecast for the 2024 hurricane season saying there is an 85 percent chance for more named storms and major hurricanes than average. It's in line with what other forecasters have predicted. WRAL Meteorologist Brian Shrader explains what we need to prepare for here in North Carolina.

North Carolina lawmakers, business leaders and students made the case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies Wednesday as the UNC System's Board of Governors prepared to repeal it. WRAL's Eric Miller explains the arguments for and against the decision.

It seems like every week Raleigh is making some kind of list. Ali Ingersoll spoke with WRAL digital journalist Jessica Patrick about the variety of lists and what exactly it is that people are loving about the triangle.

A sewage situation backing up into people’s homes. 5 on your side has been investigating this problem for years. Producer Pritchard Strong joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the latest update to this issue.

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are on the chopping block at UNC System schools — part of a trend in Republican-led states. Supporters of the programs see an effort to help students whose communities have long faced discrimination. Critics say they’ve become too political, and they say eliminating the programs could save the state millions of dollars. UNC System officials are expected to vote to cut the programs this week. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks it all down.

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 weigh breaking the law against protecting themselves. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie explains what experts say about the legality of this potential ban.

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 Miller breaks down the bill and one case out of Charlotte that's catching people's attention.

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.

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.

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 Specht explains why partisanship and professional licensing are at the center of the race.

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 missing until this year. On Blake Deven's 18th birthday, WRAL Anchor Chris Lovingood explains where the case stands.

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' Chelsea Donovan rode along with a special team of officers on a 50 mile stretch through Nash County to see what they find in traffic stops every day.

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. Mark Robinson’s term ends — assuming one of them can beat Democrat Rachel Hunt in November. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains.

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 University put up a 12-foot fence along the quad and closed the campus YMCA. WRAL Matt Talhelm and Chelsea Donovan explain how we got here.

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 down the two ways research groups are trying to get there.

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 Miller joins Ali Ingersoll to share the latest details.

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 some of the hidden costs and interesting history of box homes in Raleigh.

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. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains the allegations — and why the group denied them.

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 the university. WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah shared the legends and the romance behind this magnificent antique giant.

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 Casey walks through what she saw while reporting near the tarmac.

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 to win the Stanley Cup.

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 WRAL State Capitol reporter Brian Murphy about the poll.