Episodes

State employees are supposed to reimburse the state if they take an official vehicle home. But several officials at the state Department of Adult Corrections don't - despite having long commutes in gas-guzzling vehicles. WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain explains why the department is OK with it.

If you’re a fan of cemeteries and the history they hold, there’s one in Tarboro you must visit. Enclosed in a gothic-style churchyard, graves covered in ivy sit beneath a lush canopy of century-old trees. It can only be described as North Carolina’s very own “Secret Garden.” And that’s not all, just down the street sits the the Colonial-era Town Common dates which back to 1760. In this episode, WRAL Hidden History reporter Heather Leah takes us back in time and unlocks the secrets of Tarboro. h...

At one time it drew people from all over the state, people hoping that the mineral spring nestled quietly on a farm in North Carolina would have healing properties that could make them well. The town that we know of today as Fuquay-Varina grew up around the mystical healing waters. The spring now sits in the middle of a public park where you can take in its beauty and its history. WRAL Hidden History reporter Heather Leah fills us in on what’s behind the legend of this ethereal body of water.

You’ve probably driven by one and not even noticed it…a ghost town. North Carolina is full of them. Why go to the beach this summer when you can visit one of these spooky places? WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah shares what’s behind these abandoned communities—and tells us which ones are accessible. https://www.wral.com/story/ghost-towns-from-above-bird-s-eye-view-of-abandoned-communities-across-nc/20530696/

It’s right in the middle of the bustling city. On any given Saturday or Sunday families with children flock to Raleigh’s Pullen Park to enjoy the small train, the paddle boats, the playground or the carousel. But did you know that the park has a rich and interesting history? WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah shares some of its secrets in this episode including where you can find remnants of Raleigh’s very first zoo. https://www.wral.com/story/when-pullen-had-alligators-and-bears-remna...

State lawmakers are considering a proposal that would pump $1.425 billion into unproven companies. Supporters say the money is needed to spur economic growth in the state. Opponents say it has too many risks, and the money would be better spent elsewhere. WRAL state government reporter Travis Fain breaks down the debate over the controversial NCInnovation program.

If you’re a fan of dinosaurs, there’s one roaming the woods in Durham that you must see this summer. You might see him peering through the branches along the heavily wooded greenway trail. He’s been there for more than fifty years and is an impressive 70 feet in length. He is part of the original “Dinosaur Trail” which opened in Durham in 1967. In this episode, WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah fills us in on the history of this magnificent creature and tells us how we can visit him. ...

For as long as anyone can remember, Goldsboro High School has struggled to have students achieve at their grade level or above. Currently, the high school is part of the state’s Restart program which gives low-performing schools more flexibility and resources to help struggling students. The alumni of GHS are taking this fight to help students thrive one step further by giving them incentives in the form of scholarships to continue their education past high school. They believe it’s their duty a...

If we break a traffic law, there’s a good chance we’ll get a ticket. If we violate a policy at work, there’s a good chance we will be reprimanded. But there’s one entity that’s above being held responsible for wrongdoing in North Carolina-the government. Towns, cities, and counties in our state consistently cite “governmental immunity” when they run afoul of the law. This means they are not liable. In today’s episode, WRAL’s 5 On Your Side reporter Keely Arthur explains what governmental immunit...

A battle is simmering over leadership of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. It involves allegations of discrimination and intimidation and political meddling in what is supposed to be an independent agency. The power struggle has raised questions about who should be in charge of the SBI. WRAL state government reporter Travis Fain breaks it down.

Originally aired on March 22, 2023, this episode of the WRAL Daily Download explains some things that are often hard to put into layman’s terms. It’s been the topic of heated debate across the country and here in North Carolina. How does the map that defines where people vote impact the outcome of elections locally and nationally? WRAL’s state government reporter Will Doran joins us in this episode to break down what redistricting is, how it works and what it means to voters. https://www.wral.c...

This show aired on February 9, 2023, but there’s no doubt that many of us are still apprehensive when we have to head to the DMV. Wait times continue to be a concern at North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles. 5 On Your Side’s Keely Arthur joins us to break down what she found at the state’s DMV and what’s causing the delays. Plus: Tips to make your experience move faster. https://www.wral.com/story/what-s-causing-long-dmv-lines-a-number-of-things-including-you/20703544/

This interview originally aired in January of 2023, long after he coached his last season. But he will forever be an icon in college basketball. Love him, or not, former Duke Men’s Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski has been a fixture in the Triangle for decades. With his retirement last year, our local basketball landscape experienced the end of an era -- but retirement has been a new beginning for Coach K. In part one of this two-part special, Coach K talks with WRAL’s Debra Morgan about fa...

Mike Krzyzewski talks about the Final Four, his last game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, and his new dog, Coach, with WRAL’s Debra Morgan in part two of her in-depth interview with the coaching legend. https://www.wralsportsfan.com/coach-k-discusses-his-purpose-in-retirement-how-he-s-lending-his-coaching-talents-now/20696376/

This episode originally aired on January 20, 2023, but it’s a trend that continues. As Raleigh’s skyline fills with cranes that are busy building new high-rises, some of the old flavor that many people grew up with is disappearing. WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah takes us on a trip down memory lane to take stock in what is vanishing to make way for progress. https://www.wral.com/losing-history-8-iconic-places-that-changed-forever-in-raleigh-last-year/20646793/

This show originally aired in December 2022, but trying to understand the rules of recycling never gets outdated. Most of us want to be better stewards of the planet we live on, but recycling rules can be confusing and can vary by municipality. WRAL reporter Travis Fain breaks it all down for us (pardon the pun), walking us through what can be recycled, what the rules are and he tells us what happens to all the stuff after it leaves our homes. https://www.wral.com/there-s-always-a-shoe-what-to-...

Lawmakers are considering provisions that would help UNC Health and Atrium Health, already some of the industry's biggest players, expand. The Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns about competition. WRAL state government reporter Travis Fain explains how the effort could affect the health care landscape in the state - and your medical bills.

Amanda Mullen was in a Wilson County courtroom asking for a domestic violence protective order. She says she had no choice but to bring her ten-month old baby with her because she is exclusively breastfed. Mullen says she was shocked when the judge verbally chastised her in front of everyone for bringing the baby to court. She says she was humiliated and felt very vulnerable in front of her abuser. The rules in North Carolina about having children in the courtroom are not very clear. As a result...

With a coastline of more than 300 miles that attracts more than 12 million visitors per year, North Carolina has its hands full when it comes to dealing with water emergencies. Only 17 of our state’s beaches have lifeguards. Our WRAL Investigates team reached out to agencies who employ emergency responders along the coast to see if they have enough people to handle the summer crowds. In this episode, senior producer Randall Kerr fills us in on what his team found.

We started the month of June speaking with a Raleigh business owner about what the Pride movement means to him, and how it has allowed him to thrive both personally and professionally. In this episode, as Pride month comes to an end, WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah shares the history of the Pride movement in Raleigh and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the original businesses that created the first safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. https://www.wral.com/story/secret-codes-an...

This week a new abortion law will go into effect in North Carolina which tightens restrictions unless a federal judge blocks them. This comes after the GOP-controlled legislature overrode the governor’s veto of the controversial bill last month. Some of the biggest changes include the measure that restricts abortion to just 12 weeks—that’s down from 20 weeks—and new hoops that women seeking abortions will need to jump through. WRAL state government reporter Travis Fain fills us in on last-minute...

The state’s eCourt system was rolled out in four counties in North Carolina as a pilot program at a cost of 100 million dollars. Now, many people say it is turning out to be a disaster. Hundreds of defects have made the electronic filing system less efficient causing major backups and even some major mistakes in these counties. A lawsuit has been filed seeking millions in damages for the alleged injustices this new system has caused. In this episode, WRAL reporter Chelsea Donovan investigates an...

Scott Lassiter, a former Apex town councilman, sued North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, alleging that an affair between Moore and Lassiter's wife led to the destruction of the Lassiters' marriage this year. Moore says the relationship was appropriate because Lassiter's wife said she was separated during their relationship. WRAL obtained documents that raise questions about the case. WRAL state govenment reporters Paul Specht and Travis Fain explain how they could central to Moore's defense.

Last month 5 On Your Side shared a story about an 80-year-old former state worker who was told the state’s retirement fund had overpaid him by $240,000. He died while working to pay the money back. Now, our team has discovered not only are 40 plus others in this situation, but the state is claiming it also overpaid disability benefits. More than 30 people received this news. In this episode, WRAL’s 5 On Your Side reporter Keely Arthur shares her team’s investigation into how this happened.