Episodes

Durham Public Schools lays out plan after pay issues, protests and lost school days
Feb. 15, 2024

Durham Public Schools lays out plan after pay issues, protests and lost school days

The district's interim superintendent and school board chair talked about how they can regain order in DPS as conflict over a pay issue continues. WRAL's Monica Casey was inside that press conference and explains what we can expect for a special meeting planned Thursday.
Remembering Deputy Sheriff Christopher Johnson
Feb. 14, 2024

Remembering Deputy Sheriff Christopher Johnson

A community is in mourning following the sudden death of a deputy. Chelsea Donovan joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about the tribute.
About one out of every five cars on NC roads is behind on inspection
Feb. 13, 2024

About one out of every five cars on NC roads is behind on inspection

Possibly thousands of cars are driving around North Carolina with outdated inspections. The number is unkown because many police agencies have changed policies so officers cannot use this regulatory violation as the sole reason they're pulling over someone. WRAL Investigates producer Randell Kerr talks with Ali Ingersoll about what they found and why it’s difficult to track this info.
How NC students rebounded from pandemic learning loss
Feb. 12, 2024

How NC students rebounded from pandemic learning loss

North Carolina students have gained back about four months of the learning they lost during pandemic school closures, new data shows. The turnaround follows intensive tutoring efforts and hundreds of new hires, but it’s in jeopardy as billions of federal dollars for those efforts are set to dry up. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst discusses the turnaround and what’s next for programs and employees responsible for the rebound.
Preserving the Method Community's legacy of service
Feb. 9, 2024

Preserving the Method Community's legacy of service

Just inside the beltline sits the historic Method neighborhood, founded by free Black men after the Civil War. The community's story and character are being preserved by people who grew up there. WRAL's Julian Grace explores how neighbors are making sure its past and present is remembered in the future.
Lots of schools are using weapons detectors--how effective are they?
Feb. 8, 2024

Lots of schools are using weapons detectors--how effective are they?

As school districts grapple with school safety, many are turning away from metal detectors in favor of weapons detectors. They use more sophisticated sensors and artificial intelligence. WRAL Investigates Senior Producer Randall Kerr put those weapons to the test.
What is the deal with Durham Public Schools? A deep dive into the weeks of protests
Feb. 7, 2024

What is the deal with Durham Public Schools? A deep dive into the weeks of protests

Durham leaders are preparing to meet for a special board meeting to discuss personnel and legal matters. The meeting is coming after days of protests which closed several schools around the county. Durham reporter Monica Casey's joins Ali Ingersoll to share what to expect from the meeting.
Despite 40 cancer cases discovered, WRAL learned NC State requested an end to federal investigation into Poe Hall
Feb. 6, 2024

Despite 40 cancer cases discovered, WRAL learned NC State requested an end to federal investigation into Poe Hall

Two months after a NC state building closed down due to the presence of toxic chemicals, WRAL's Keely Arthur learned more than 40 people who worked in Poe Hall or were students attending classes there have been diagnosed with cancer. And despite people working there calling for an investigation, the university requested that the federal government doesn’t continue forward with that. Ali Ingersoll talks with Keely about the new developments.
What to expect with the PNC expansion project
Feb. 5, 2024

What to expect with the PNC expansion project

PNC arena is getting a major facelift and the entire area around the arena will look different too. Not only does that mean more businesses, venues and people – but it’ll be generating significantly more money, too. Ali Ingersoll talks with WRAL Investigative Sports Journalist Brian Murphy about the economic impact related to the renovation and expansion.
"The spirit of Soul City comes alive again" A civil rights leader's son keeps his father's vision alive decades later
Feb. 2, 2024

"The spirit of Soul City comes alive again" A civil rights leader's son keeps his father's vision alive decades later

Many North Carolinians outside of Warren County may not have heard of Soul City . Back in the early 1970's, it was one of 14 so-called new towns started under a federally funded program. As we kick off Black History Month, WRAL's Ken Smith explains how the dream of Soul City still exists.
Hundreds of Durham Public Schools teachers called out sick and parents rallied behind them
Feb. 1, 2024

Hundreds of Durham Public Schools teachers called out sick and parents rallied behind them

Hundreds of Durham Public Schools teachers called out sick Wednesday, and spent the day rallying for better pay and a solution to their staffing crisis. It closed 12 schools in the district causing schedule challenges for parents. WRAL's Monica Casey and Eric Miller explains two sides of the contentious issue and why they're standing together.
Local Olympic hopefuls preparing for Paris games
Jan. 31, 2024

Local Olympic hopefuls preparing for Paris games

The Paris Olympics are less than six months away. North Carolina athletes could be representing Team USA across several sports including track and field, triathlon and swimming. WRAL sports Louis Fernandez recently had a chance to talk with swimming stand out, Claire Curzan and joins Ali Ingersoll to chat about the games.
Temu troubles: from copyright infringement to shady shipping practices, what you need to know about the online store
Jan. 30, 2024

Temu troubles: from copyright infringement to shady shipping practices, what you need to know about the online store

Temu is an online store that sells everything from clothing to electronics, kitchenware and artwork. The company is being accused of selling stolen designs – and the Better Business Bureau put out an alert about it . One local woman says she is a victim of this. Pritchard Strong joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about what 5 On Your Side found when they started looking deeper into the company.
Spotting threats at NC schools
Jan. 29, 2024

Spotting threats at NC schools

Concerns about student safety are rising, and that’s leading to changes at North Carolina schools. Soon, every public school in the state will be required to have a threat assessment team tasked with investigating and reporting tips about concerning behavior such as threats of violence, bullying or self-harm. School officials say the teams can save lives. But they come at a time when school employees are already overworked. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains how one North Carolina...
Calls for more regulation of towing industry due to a Chapel Hill company's business practices
Jan. 26, 2024

Calls for more regulation of towing industry due to a Chapel Hill company's business practices

Complaints are piling up at local governments and even the State Attorney General's Office about one towing company. A key complaint is a surcharge the company is charging if you pay with a credit card rather than cash. WRAL Investigates Sarah Kruger explains why its legal.
Search Warrants reveal a stockpile of weapons found with the accused Hedingham shooter
Jan. 25, 2024

Search Warrants reveal a stockpile of weapons found with the accused Hedingham shooter

Search warrants first reported by WRAL show a large number of weapons and ammunition seized from the shed where police arrested the suspect in a Raleigh mass shooting. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan broke this story and explains what it reveals about the night Austin Thompson was captured.
Dental care, heart and asthma prescriptions lead care Medicaid recipients receive in first few weeks
Jan. 24, 2024

Dental care, heart and asthma prescriptions lead care Medicaid recipients receive in first few weeks

About seven weeks ago, North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion program rolled out. Thousands of people have signed up since then. WRAL's NC Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura Leslie, joins Ali Ingersoll to talk about how its going.
New technology detecting contraband entering jails
Jan. 23, 2024

New technology detecting contraband entering jails

Local jails are using high-tech screening machines which is alerting officers to contraband. These are different than your usual metal detectors as they can identify not only weapons but also drugs. Ali Ingersoll talks with WRAL's Sarah Krueger about how the technology works and why so many other jails want to get it.
A local historian's push to save Great Depression-era ruins along New Bern Avenue
Jan. 22, 2024

A local historian's push to save Great Depression-era ruins along New Bern Avenue

A stone fireplace in the tree line catches many driver's eye along US-64 between Raleigh and Knightdale. WRAL Hidden History producer Heather Leah investigated it's origins. She and WRAL News Plus Anchor Grace Holland met a local historian who walked them through its nearly century long past.
Biden touts economic record in NC. GOP hits him on inflation
Jan. 19, 2024

Biden touts economic record in NC. GOP hits him on inflation

President Biden made his seventh visit to North Carolina since taking office on Thursday. He was here to tout his administration's investment in infrastructure and economic development. The visit comes as the 2024 presidential campaign takes shape — and as Republicans hold Biden responsible for inflation. WRAL News reporter Brian Murphy breaks down Biden’s comments and the GOP’s response — and what it means for 2024.
Human trafficking calls rebound to pre-pandemic levels
Jan. 18, 2024

Human trafficking calls rebound to pre-pandemic levels

Last year raleigh police responded to 15 calls for human trafficking – the most since before the pandemic, according to police call data. The state consistently ranks among the highest for cases prosecuted. As January marks Human Trafficking Awareness month, WRAL's Julian Grace recently emceeded a conference on the subject. He joins Ali Ingersoll to share information and stories from the event.
Former Army captain charged in murder of two women in an Apex neighborhood
Jan. 17, 2024

Former Army captain charged in murder of two women in an Apex neighborhood

Apex Police released new details Tuesday about the moments that led up to a shooting that killed two women and a dog. WRAL Reporter Aaron Thomas spoke with the suspect's former employer.
High levels of lead in applesauce - a chat about the local ties to the global story
Jan. 16, 2024

High levels of lead in applesauce - a chat about the local ties to the global story

The FDA has recalled some applesauce pouches after finding they were tainted with lead. Dozens of children tested positive for elevated lead in their blood and the culprit – the cinnamon in these snacks. WRAL's 5 On Your Side team member, Pritchard Strong joins Ali Ingersoll to discuss how the experts discovered that link and their ties to North Carolina.
For NC politics, 2024 will be a doozy
Jan. 15, 2024

For NC politics, 2024 will be a doozy

The next 11 months are going to be a political whirlwind in North Carolina. The primary elections are less than two months away, which will give us a clear view of the November elections in this swing state. In between, there will be a short legislative session, during which GOP lawmakers who control the General Assembly could look to advance their priorities. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran raises the curtain on the year ahead.