Episodes

NC lawmakers return to Raleigh for 2024 legislative session
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 could be on the agenda, too. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the priorities for the Republican-led legislature in the months ahead.
Fire hazards inside toys and lawn tools
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.
Less than 100 days to go: Paris making final preparations for 2024 Summer Olympics
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.
Mary Ann Baldwin's decision to step down as mayor of Raleigh
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 terms as mayor.
The social media app that connected a 22-year-old man and a 12-year-old Durham girl
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 college student. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan explains what other parents can learn from the case to protect their children.
GOP candidates in NC congressional district focus on liberal connections, immigration
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 liberal beliefs. WRAL State Government Reporter explains why they’re focused on each other’s ties to Democrats, and why immigration has been such a big talking point — even though it doesn’t rank among the top issues for all North Carolina voters.
The blossoming business relationship between North Carolina and Japan
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 that another investment by a Japanese company was announced. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains what this vist could mean for North Carolina's economic future.
How North Carolina became the poster child for stronger drinking water regulations
April 11, 2024

How North Carolina became the poster child for stronger drinking water regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency is setting the first-ever drinking water standards for PFAS, an announcement officials made this week in Fayetteville. These forever chemicals have been found in drinking water across North Carolina and are linked to health risks. WRAL Climate Reporter Liz Mclaughlin explains how these changes will impact our state.
New headlights could end nighttime blinding, but haven't hit US roads yet
April 10, 2024

New headlights could end nighttime blinding, but haven't hit US roads yet

Most of us have experienced this: driving downt he road at night when suddenly you're blinded by a car coming the opposite direction. Adaptive Driving Beam headlights were designed to prevent that from happening but, as 5 On Your Side's producer Pritchard Strong tells Ali Ingersoll, they're not active in the U.S.
In first settlement of its kind, city of Durham pays more than $2 million in police chase lawsuit
April 9, 2024

In first settlement of its kind, city of Durham pays more than $2 million in police chase lawsuit

Durham has paid more than $2 million to a family of a 24-year-old mother who died in a crash following a police chase. WRAL Investigative Journalist Sarah Krueger talks to Ali Ingersoll about the lawsuit and settlement.
How a shift in NC classrooms could help students with learning disabilities
April 8, 2024

How a shift in NC classrooms could help students with learning disabilities

Parents of children with dyslexia often spend thousands of dollars on private education — even when their children attend public schools. North Carolina is now changing how it teaches reading to children. The shift is expected to better serve students with dyslexia. But many parents say more needs to be done. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains.
J.Cole turns Raleigh into Dreamville this weekend
April 5, 2024

J.Cole turns Raleigh into Dreamville this weekend

After a last minute change in headliners, Dreamville gets started Saturday. The hip hop festival created by Fayetteville Native and rapper J. Cole brings hundreds of thousands of people, and hundreds of millions of dollars, to Raleigh. WRAL News Reporter Destinee Patterson explains changes to this year's event.
NC State's Cinderella run could bring riches to sports bettors
April 4, 2024

NC State's Cinderella run could bring riches to sports bettors

North Carolina State Men's and Women's Basketball are both Final Four bound and it's paying off for bettors. WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy breaks down what this tournament run has meant for payoffs.
Roaches, water damage, flies all among years-long JFK Towers turmoil pushing residents to breaking point
April 3, 2024

Roaches, water damage, flies all among years-long JFK Towers turmoil pushing residents to breaking point

WRAL Investigates found nearly 200 code violations in just one year filed against the complex yet the city hasn't fined the management company. Investigative journalist Sarah Krueger joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about her reporting.
Wolfpack make history, send both men's and women's teams to Final Four
April 2, 2024

Wolfpack make history, send both men's and women's teams to Final Four

During March Madness, anything can happen. Both NC State's women's and men's basketball teams are in the Final Four. Ali Ingersoll talks to Louis Fernandez and Eric Miller about the historic run.
How Biden’s tone on Gaza could affect his campaign to win NC
April 1, 2024

How Biden’s tone on Gaza could affect his campaign to win NC

As the Israel-Hamas conflict drags on, President Joe Biden is trying to strike a delicate balance between standing firmly behind Israel while also placating supporters who think the U.S. should do more to help Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire — and all without upsetting voters aligned with Israel. How Biden approaches the issue could be one deciding factor in whether he or former President Donald Trump wins North Carolina — a state seen by both parties as critical to controlling the...
Bob the Cat's Custody Controversy Continues
March 29, 2024

Bob the Cat's Custody Controversy Continues

You might remember the story about Bob the Cat. He was found in Fuquay Varina a few months ago but his micro chip linked him to a woman in Kansas. After an injunction from the court, he was set to head back to Witchita but that never happened. Ali Ingersoll talks with 5 On Your Side producer Pritchard Strong about where the cat is now and the legal battle that continues.
A North Carolina 911 dispatcher takes calls from the other side of the country
March 28, 2024

A North Carolina 911 dispatcher takes calls from the other side of the country

Conrad Shadel lives in Person County but answers 911 calls in the Pacific Northwest. He and his co-workers are allowed to do their jobs remotely, even from home. Here in our state, many agencies are struggling to fill emergency communicator positions. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger visited his dispatch center and examines whether this could be a solution.
Insights from NC ports and engineers following a bridge collapse in Baltimore
March 27, 2024

Insights from NC ports and engineers following a bridge collapse in Baltimore

Early Tuesday morning a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge near the Port of Baltimore causing the bridge to collapse. Six people are still missing and believed to have died. WRAL’s Eastern North Carolina reporter Heidi Kirk went to the Port of Wilmington to see if they’re being impacted by ships being diverted while journalist Brett Knese spoke with an expert on structural engineering. Both join Ali Ingersoll to share their insights.
NC State Chancellor gives an exclusive interview to WRAL
March 26, 2024

NC State Chancellor gives an exclusive interview to WRAL

For the first time since Poe Hall closed in November after discovering PCBs were present, we are hearing from the university's leader. 5 on your side reporter Keely Arthur sat down with him for an exclusive interview. Hear part of it.
How elections officials are policing AI-generated misinformation
March 25, 2024

How elections officials are policing AI-generated misinformation

An emerging threat to voters: fake images and video messages created with artificial intelligence. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains what North Carolina and federal officials are doing to keep AI-generated misinformation from tricking voters — and why state lawmakers don’t expect to address it with new laws.
The next generation of school security cameras could use AI to find guns
March 22, 2024

The next generation of school security cameras could use AI to find guns

A company says it can use artificial intelligence to find guns before they're brought through the schoolhouse doors using a common technology--surveillance cameras. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger breaks down what she learned from a demonstration.
Untangling the bracket of storylines behind three Triangle teams heading into March Madness
March 21, 2024

Untangling the bracket of storylines behind three Triangle teams heading into March Madness

When the first round of the NCAA tournament begins, the Triangle's three biggest names in college basketball will take the court. Duke, UNC and NC State are all a part of the dance. WRAL Sports Anchor Chris Lea breaks down how far they each could get.
From true to pants on fire, how Politifact rates statements and its role in journalism
March 20, 2024

From true to pants on fire, how Politifact rates statements and its role in journalism

The tenets of journalism are truth, accuracy and objectivity. In our role, we hold people, like elected officials, accountable. One way to do that is to fact check their statements. WRAL’s Politifact reporter Paul Specht joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the process and importance of fact-checking, especially as we enter another election season.