Episodes

What to expect when filing your taxes this year and how to get help if you need it
March 19, 2024

What to expect when filing your taxes this year and how to get help if you need it

We're in the heart of tax season. WRAL's 5 On Your Side producer, Pritchard Strong, joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about what you need to know as you prepare to file.
Saint Augustine’s woes could leave Wake students in limbo
March 18, 2024

Saint Augustine’s woes could leave Wake students in limbo

More than 100 Wake County Public School students are caught up in the accreditation and financial crises at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh. Juniors and seniors in Wake's early college leadership academies take most of their classes at St. Aug, and some say the quality of the classes has deteriorated and that facilities aren’t being kept up. The county is now looking for solutions, but students could be left in limbo. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains the challenges — and...
What we know about the five teens who escaped from Holly Hill Children's Hospital
March 15, 2024

What we know about the five teens who escaped from Holly Hill Children's Hospital

Five teens escaped Tuesday night, leaving their parents distraught and concerned and wondering how this could happen. WRAL's Heidi Kirk joins Ali Ingersoll to share what else she found through looking at records related to safety and staffing.
WRAL and 99.9 The Fan present: The long road to legal sports betting in North Carolina
March 14, 2024

WRAL and 99.9 The Fan present: The long road to legal sports betting in North Carolina

In Season 3 of A Brief History of Triangle Sports , Brian Murphy from WRAL News and Tim Donnelly from 99.9 The Fan explore the history of sports betting in North Carolina. Mobile sports betting is legal today but getting to this point wasn’t easy. Brian and Tim cover the legislative twists and turns on the road to legal sports gambling and how NC’s “ new normal” will change sports and sports fans going forward. All four episodes are available now. Find Season 3 of A Brief History of Triangle Spo...
NC law enforcement sees surge in drivers impaired by drugs
March 14, 2024

NC law enforcement sees surge in drivers impaired by drugs

Law enforcement in North Carolina is pulling over more drivers who are impaired by drugs instead of alcohol. A special group of NC Highway Patrol troopers is trained to determine which drugs an impaired driver may have used. WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger found out why these charges can be more complicated in court.
Unsafe: North Carolina kids dying from gun violence
March 13, 2024

Unsafe: North Carolina kids dying from gun violence

Since 2018, at least 521 kids under 18 died from gun violence in our state. The latest WRAL Documentary, titled Unsafe, explores what is now the leading cause of death nationwide for people ages 1 through 19. Cristin Severance, who produced the documentary, joins Ali Ingersoll to share what she learned from her reporting.
Signs of trouble for Biden in North Carolina
March 12, 2024

Signs of trouble for Biden in North Carolina

The election is eight months away and North Carolina is already shaping up to be a close one, according to a new WRAL News poll. The poll showed a number of key races in statistical ties. It also forecasted trouble for President Joe Biden. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the results.
The homeschool mom who wants to run NC’s public schools
March 11, 2024

The homeschool mom who wants to run NC’s public schools

On Tuesday, a relatively unknown homeschool mom who has called public schools “indoctrination centers” — and who has no experience as an educator or school administrator — managed to beat incumbent Catherine Truitt in the GOP primary for state superintendent. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains who she is and how she pulled off the upset.
Husband charged with NC State student's murder set to take the stand
March 8, 2024

Husband charged with NC State student's murder set to take the stand

Erick Hernandez-Mendez is accused of murdering his wife, Christina Matos, back in April of 2021. This week, prosecutors presented new evidence they believe ties him to her death. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan has been inside the courtroom. She breaks down the testimony so far as Hernandez-Mendez is set to take the stand.
The science behind sports betting
March 7, 2024

The science behind sports betting

The house always wins--or at least that's the saying about gambling. WRAL Investigates Producer Randall Kerr talked to experts about how oddsmakers end up on top and your chances of beating them.
Insight into Raleigh's gang issues
March 6, 2024

Insight into Raleigh's gang issues

There are dozens of gangs in Raleigh, according to an investigator who spoke with WRAL's Sarah Krueger. She talks with Ali Ingersoll to share what else she learned about gangs through this conversation.
Super Tuesday: the fight for North Carolina
March 5, 2024

Super Tuesday: the fight for North Carolina

People across the country and state are heading to the polls today to cast ballots in primary elections. Several candidates recently stopped in North Carolina ahead of the primary. WRAL's NC Capitol reporter, Will Doran, joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about why they're focused on our state.
Storylines NC voters need to follow on Election Day
March 4, 2024

Storylines NC voters need to follow on Election Day

Beyond the presidential races, North Carolina Republicans and Democrats also have primaries for governor, Supreme Court, attorney general, superintendent of public education, secretary of agriculture and plenty of U.S. House races. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks it all down.
Mobile sports betting sign-up opens with just weeks to go before launch
March 1, 2024

Mobile sports betting sign-up opens with just weeks to go before launch

Today, future bettors are opening mobile sports betting accounts for the first time in North Carolina. Wagering in the state begins on March 11. WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy talks about two big steps toward launch day that happened this week.
The Underground Railroad
Feb. 29, 2024

The Underground Railroad

Viewing the past through a modern-day lens
Weather warm up signals the start of spring
Feb. 28, 2024

Weather warm up signals the start of spring

Tulips are popping up and trees are beginning to bud and bloom. It's a sure sign that spring is here in North Carolina. WRAL Meteorologist Kat Campbell joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the shift in season and how to prepare for a time when we see the most severe weather.
NC seeing increased risk for wildfires
Feb. 27, 2024

NC seeing increased risk for wildfires

A year after the Canadian wildfires began, scientists are still talking about the devastating blazes that tore thorugh forests up north and they're concerned about where these fires could pop up in the future, including here in our state. WRAL's Climate Change reporter, Liz McLaughlin joins Ali Ingersoll to discuss the factors contributing to the heightened risk.
A bitter battle for NC's lone toss-up congressional district
Feb. 26, 2024

A bitter battle for NC's lone toss-up congressional district

Republicans hoping to flip one of the nation’s longest-held Democratic congressional seats are trading a barrage of attacks about their past transgressions and electability — a primary battle that could affect the GOP’s chances in North Carolina’s lone toss-up congressional district. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains.
Before the Biltmore, there was Shiloh
Feb. 23, 2024

Before the Biltmore, there was Shiloh

Most North Carolinians are familiar with the Biltmore Mansion but many don't know who lived on the land before it was built. It turns out the land the sprawling estate sits on used to be a Black neighborhood called Shiloh. WRAL News Anchor Gerald Owens explains his special connection to Shiloh and what he learned on a recent visit.
Court documents show a UNC football player was going 124 mph before a crash that killed a student
Feb. 22, 2024

Court documents show a UNC football player was going 124 mph before a crash that killed a student

New details continue to come out in the case of a crash that killed a UNC student. Ten people are facing charges in the January 21 crash. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger got new court documents that show a UNC football player charged was going more than 100 miles per hour before the crash.
Primary primer: getting you ready to hit the polls
Feb. 21, 2024

Primary primer: getting you ready to hit the polls

Early voting is underway across the state and the North Carolina primary is less than two weeks away. WRAL’s NC Capitol bureau chief, Laura Leslie sits down with Ali Ingersoll to share everything you need to know to get ready to hit the polls.
St. Augustine's accreditation in question amid financial fiasco
Feb. 20, 2024

St. Augustine's accreditation in question amid financial fiasco

St. Augustine's University's interim president is preparing for an appeals hearing regarding the school's accreditation. WRAL's Matt Talhelm untangles how the HBCU wound up in this situation, joining Ali Ingersoll to share what we know and the many unknowns that remain.
Will Durham sickouts lead to more curbs on labor protests?
Feb. 19, 2024

Will Durham sickouts lead to more curbs on labor protests?

Sickouts by school employees in Durham are the latest effort by government employees to push for better pay. The effort is now drawing the attention of state lawmakers, inviting discussion of whether to ban sickouts by government workers in the future. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains.
How Black movie goers in 1960's Durham desegregated the box office
Feb. 16, 2024

How Black movie goers in 1960's Durham desegregated the box office

In this week's deep dive into local Black History, we look at how young people fought for equal treatment at movie theaters. WRAL's Lora Lavigne walks us through protests at the Carolina Theatre in Durham that would pave the way for change across the country.