Episodes
June 18, 2025
NC lawmaker apologizes for ‘inapropriate’ social media post
Wake County Democrat Julie Von Haefen posted an image of a protest sign featuring a guillotine and a fake severed head that resembled Trump. Republicans called for her ouster. WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht offers...
June 17, 2025
The program turning wasted Wake Schools food into snacks for students
Wake County Schools is expanding it's pilot program to repurpose food waste. A select few of the district's schools are already saving hundreds of packaged items and fruit from the dumpster every day. WRAL Education Reporter ...
June 16, 2025
GOP-led legislature wants to take regulatory powers from NC's Democratic governor
North Carolina lawmakers could push to take more power away from the governor this week. A final vote is expected on the REINS Act. It would let the Republican-controlled legislature block new rules proposed by state agencies...
June 13, 2025
JetZero to hire 14,500 people at new North Carolina factory
The state approved more than $1 billion in economic incentives to lure California jetmaker JetZero to North Carolina. The company plans to build its fuel-efficient all-wing aircraft at a new $4.7 billion dollar factory in Gre...
June 12, 2025
Solved: 5 On Your Side helps man get knee surgery
A Triangle man's doctor recommended knee surgery but was denied coverage for the procedure by his insurance. 5 On Your Side stepped in to help him get the procedure approved. WRAL's Keely Arthur explains how she did it and th...
June 11, 2025
State law changes possible after WRAL Investigates farm parties
WRAL has been investigating huge farm parties for more than a month. State lawmakers say they're now looking at changing the state's agritourism law to close a loophole that allows them. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger explai...
June 10, 2025
NC GOP Chairman Jason Simmons faced stiff competition for reelection. Here’s why
North Carolina Republicans reelected Jason Simmons as party chairman Saturday. He’ll be responsible for raising funds and organizing get-out-the-vote efforts for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. WRAL State Gov...
June 9, 2025
Johnston County family goes viral with surprise after hospital stay
Brittni Evans recorded her older son's reaction to seeing his younger brother back home after nearly two months in the hospital. The video has since reached hundreds of thousands of people on social media. WRAL's Carly Haynes...
June 6, 2025
WRAL Investigates looks into cell phone policies at local high schools
North Carolina lawmakers and school boards want to restrict cell phones in schools -- and there’s robust debate over how to do it. WRAL found that not all school policies are keeping kids off of their phones. WRAL Education I...
June 5, 2025
Governor Stein announces a new council to explore legalizing THC products for adults in North Carolina
In an exclusive interview with WRAL's Lena Tillett, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called for statewide regulations to legalize THC-intoxicating products and announced the creation of a new state advisory council to explo...
June 4, 2025
How the new NC DMV commissioner plans to fix problems at offices across the state
Long wait times, lack of staff, and inefficiency -- these are ongoing problems at the North Carolina DMV. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher shares how the new NC DMV commissioner plans to fix it.
June 3, 2025
What’s next for the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Carolina Hurricanes postseason run ended in the Eastern Conference Final, leading to questions about whether the franchise has the talent and the playing style to win the Stanley Cup. WRAL’s Brian Murphy and Pat Welter br...
June 2, 2025
A toll road in North Raleigh? Why lawmakers are trying to stop it
Northern Wake County leaders want to use tolls to pay for the widening of a stretch of U.S. 1 between Raleigh and Wake Forest. But state lawmakers are trying to shut down that plan, saying they’re trying to protect commuters ...
May 30, 2025
Local research into postpartum depression and the experience for both men and women
Doctors say more research is needed on perinatal depression -- that's the updated way to refer to postpartum depression. Just like there’s a stigma around talking about women experiencing this, there’s new research into men e...
May 29, 2025
Why Durham County jail safety issues led Sheriff Birkhead to as for more money
Durham County's sheriff says his detention center is understaffed and aging as inmate assaults become more frequent. He took those concerns to county leaders who will allocate more funds to address some of the problems. WRAL'...
May 28, 2025
Rocky Mount Police warns parents after toddler shoots self with teenage uncle's gun
A two-year-old is in critical condition after shooting themselves with an unsecured gun that belonged to their 17-year-old uncle. Officers say the teen had two guns--one of which was reported stolen 50 miles away. WRAL's Aaro...
May 27, 2025
Campbell family remembered a year after their deaths in Garner Memorial Day crash
It's been a year since Tyler, Susan and Miles Campbell were killed in a crash on U.S. 70 in Garner. A man charged with drinking and speeding behind the wheel still has not stood trial. WRAL's Carly Haynes talked to Tyler Camp...
May 26, 2025
How UNC System cuts and tuition hikes could help GOP lawmakers reduce taxes
Republicans in the North Carolina legislature want to free up more than $100 million a year in state funding from higher education through tuition hikes and cost cutting. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why...
May 23, 2025
New 911 calls shed light on a dangerous and chaotic farm party in Orange County
New 911 calls are revealing the dangerous situation at a party earlier this month in Orange County. WRAL has done numerous stories on this growing issue of “farm parties," including a 2,000 person party that resulted in charg...
May 22, 2025
Wake County DA decides not to charge to NC State Troopers in handling of fatal crash
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced that two state troopers will not face charges for their handling of a fatal crash in Raleigh last year. Freeman said the evidence in the case would not support a successf...
May 21, 2025
Why do trains keep hitting people and cars in Durham?
On Monday, the latest crash between a car and a train happened in Durham. It's one of at least 19 similar crashes in the Bull City over the last 25 years. WRAL Durham Reporter Monica Casey explains why it keeps happening and ...
May 20, 2025
Mike Pence parts ways with Trump on tariff policy in Raleigh
Former Vice President spoke about tariffs and free trade at a round table discussion in Raleigh Monday. He drew a contrast with his economic vision compared to President Trump's in his second term. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher talk...
May 19, 2025
How Trump’s immigration policies could impact college athletes
The Trump administration has threatened to revoke some student visas, pushed to revoke visas from certain countries and worked to implement a travel ban. All could impact international collegiate athletes. WRAL Sports Investi...
May 16, 2025
The investigation into unlicensed massage therapists at local shopping malls
A new statewide effort to protect you when you get a massage. On this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL Investigates takes you undercover as investigators catch massage businesses in malls operating without a license.