Shows / WRAL Daily Download

WRAL Daily Download
The WRAL Daily Download is an in-depth conversation about a single news story. WRAL covers news across North Carolina every day, but this podcast focuses on one story at a time, bringing context to each conversation. The in-depth, localized podcast takes you into the latest stories from Raleigh, Durham, and the entire Triangle region on North Carolina. This is community news aimed at keeping you informed about the more subtle stories that are happening around you. Hosted by WRAL News…
Episodes
WRAL Daily DownloadCyclospora latest | Infection rates dropping in North Carolina
The number of new Cyclospora infections is going down in North Carolina. The state has seen more than 800 cases so far this year. WRAL health reporter Grace…
WRAL Daily DownloadBack to School Savings: College Edition | 5 On Your Side
5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes about how you can save up to $300 on back-to-school necessities for college…
WRAL Daily DownloadOn the Record: Michael Lombardi put on paid leave | the impact to UNC football and the university
University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi was placed on administrative leave on Monday morning. Now an investigation is underway…
WRAL Daily DownloadDid our recent rainfall make a difference in the drought?
From famine to feast: July saw record-setting rain, but did it do enough for our state-wide drought? WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner and News+ Anchor…
WRAL Daily DownloadWRAL Presents: SAS at 50
50 years ago, one Triangle company changed how the world uses data. WRAL presents a special look at SAS's impact on the Triangle and beyond. Cristin Severance…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat we know about a North Carolina woman missing in Grenada
Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell from Cary was reported missing last week while vacationing in Grenada. Police said she was not seen returning from the water after…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat does Michael Lombardi being put on paid leave mean for UNC football?
UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid leave, the University announced on Monday morning. What does this mean for the program…
WRAL Daily DownloadOn the Record | Should Congress trade stocks? Where NC's politicians stand, and how much they trade
Half of North Carolina’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives owns stocks, and some are potentially making hundreds of thousands of dollars a…
WRAL Daily DownloadWRAL Weather Alert Days: WHY 7 in a row?
WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains the weather conditions -- high wind, heat, ice, snow, severe storms -- that prompt us to warn that weather could be…
WRAL Daily DownloadThe Tar Heel Traveler visits a Durham sweet tea shop and an Edgecombe County farm stand
Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason tells the story of a Durham man honoring his grandma with every pitcher of sweet tea he sells. He also introduces us to a…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhy the grace period is ending for Rocky Mount residents behind on bills
The City of Rocky Mount has resumed shutting off utilities and charging late fees after months of exceptions due to a utility billing issue that lead to back…
WRAL Daily DownloadNC elections board votes to throw out ballots more easily
It could soon be easier for North Carolina elections officials to throw out people’s ballots during the 2026 midterm elections and beyond, under new…
WRAL Daily DownloadLaw enforcement can now install cameras on NC highways, all other state roads
North Carolina law enforcement agencies are now authorized to place cameras alongside state-maintained roads to track who is driving and where, due to a…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhy 'problem' officers are hired after resigning at larger departments
Some law enforcement officers resign whiel facing criminal charges, then go on to work for another department. WRAL's Megan Cloherty explains where the hiring…
WRAL Daily DownloadLegal challenges, differing timelines spur confusion for federal student loan borrowers
Starting July 1, loan service providers started the process of reaching out to borrowers to start their 90-day deadline to switch from the SAVE repayment plan…
WRAL Daily DownloadWake County woman shares her experience with Cyclospora stomach bug
Christina Serafino thought she had food poisoning when she woke up feeling sick on Father’s Day. Three weeks later, the Wake County woman learned she was…
WRAL Daily DownloadDrought = HOT: The science explained
If it feels like this summer has been especially brutal, you're not imagining it. While the lack of rainfall is an obvious part of North Carolina's ongoing…
WRAL Daily DownloadChanges coming to the State Health Plan will impact thousands of patients in NC
Major healthcare changes are coming for hundreds of thousands of state employees, retirees and family members. Starting next year, State Health Plan premiums…
WRAL Daily DownloadSenator Lindsey Graham dies at 71
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham died early Sunday morning. A medical examiner's office said a ruptured aorta is the cause of death. Before coming to…
WRAL Daily DownloadNC needs a big storm, but we don't want that. WRAL Weather explains.
Recent storms have brought some relief to parts of North Carolina, but the state’s drought continues to worsen. Central North Carolina, the Triad and the…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhich zip codes in the Triangle are seeing the most scams?
Could your zip code be a high-target area for scams? Our 5 On Your Side team compiled data around the Triangle to see which areas are getting scammed the most…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhere are the FEMA funds one year after Tropical Storm Chantal?
FEMA committed more than $11 million to North Carolina for Tropical Storm Chantal relief efforts but less than half of those funds have been distributed so…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat additives are putting junk in your junk food?
A new Consumer Reports investigation found concerning levels of certain additives and contaiminants in some widely-sold foods and drinks. WRAL 5 On Your Side's…
WRAL Daily DownloadOn the Record: Winners, losers and weird votes on the way to North Carolina's budget
After a year without a budget, North Carolina lawmakers pitch and pass a 600-page, $34 billion spending plan in just three days. WRAL's NC Capitol team…
WRAL Daily DownloadFIFA WORLD CUP: Should that have been a red card for the US men's national team? Probably not!
Folarin Balogun picked up a controversial red card for the US men's national team in the 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. WRAL's Dan Haggerty and Louis…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhy you should be thinking about flooding despite NC's ongoing drought and heat
North Carolina is about to experience a heat wave, causing triple-digit highs going into the Fourth of July weekend. So why should we be thinking about…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat's in the North Carolina state budget?
North Carolina lawmakers have unveiled the largest budget proposal in state history. It includes tax cuts and raises for state employees. WRAL's Capitol Team…
WRAL Daily DownloadThe changing landscape of impaired driving and how law enforcement is catching up
Fewer people are reaching for a glass of wine or a cocktail. A recent Gallup survey shows 54% of adults consume alcohol. That’s down 10% from 10 years…
WRAL Daily DownloadDead voters, "never residents" and more in new election bill | On The Record
A wide-ranging bill in the North Carolina legislature would change a host of election laws. The 37-page document proposes new rules for so-called…
WRAL Daily DownloadWho is on your North Carolina sports Mount Rushmore?
A question on everyone's minds after the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup win this year: is Rod Brind'Amour one of the best coaches in North Carolina sports…
WRAL Daily DownloadA super star soccer player turned restaurateaur and the 82nd Airborne Division Band | Tar Heel Traveler
Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason tells the story of a former professional soccer from North Carolina who went from performing on the pitch in Italy to running a…
WRAL Daily DownloadWRAL Investigates: Fuquay-Varina man scammed out of $700,000 awaits any return of his money
A Fuquay-Varina man is stressed about the amount of money he lost in an elaborate scam. He reached out to WRAL Investigates after seeing his name in a federal…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhy did Rod Brind'Amour not make the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour missed out on the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2026. He's been eligible for over a decade now. How close is he…
WRAL Daily DownloadCould Raleigh be the next home of a MLB team?
Major League Baseball wants to select two new cities for expansion before early 2029. North Carolina officials want one of them to be Raleigh. It’s…
WRAL Daily DownloadBroken: An update to the Avantae Deven case
Avantae Deven was arrested on June 24, 2024, connected with the deaths of her two adopted children. Their names were Blake and London. Their deaths, and what…
WRAL Daily DownloadThe Carolina Hurricanes won a Stanley Cup. What happens next?
The Carolina Hurricanes won a Stanley Cup for the second time as a franchise. How does this impact the team, Lenovo Center and Raleigh as a whole? WRAL's Dan…
WRAL Daily DownloadPoliti-Fact: Will an anti-abortion ban make it through the NC legislature?
An anti-abortion bill filed in the North Carolina House is getting lots of attention on social media. It seeks to allow people to protect a life...by using…
WRAL Daily DownloadTriming cow hooves and traveling to Africa for a "magical" tree | Tar Heel Traveler
Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason shares more about his stories on a noisey, nasty job that's necessary for North Carolina agriculture, as well as a Cary…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off Thursday, marking a significant sporting event across North America. WRAL's Louis Fernandez explains the storylines…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat is a "News Desert" and how it directly impacts communities in North Carolina
As newsrooms shrink, media companies consolidate, and communities lose access to trusted local information, a new WRAL documentary explores what is at stake…
WRAL Daily DownloadOnline child exploitation reports surge more than 1,000% as NC agencies struggle to keep up
In North Carolina, reports of online exploitation of children increased by 1,115% since 2019, according to data from the State Bureau of Investigation. WRAL…
WRAL Daily Download5 On Your Side: Federal govement loses NC child's birth certificate
A North Carolina family's vacation was almost derailed when their child's birth certificate went missing while it was being processed by the federal…
WRAL Daily DownloadTar Heel Traveler: D-Day and the war hero from Dunn
WRAL Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason speaks with WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens about honoring D-Day and the story of a war hero from Dunn.
WRAL Daily DownloadTar Heel Traveler: D-Day and the war hero from Dunn
WRAL Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason speaks with WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens about honoring D-Day and the story of a war hero from Dunn.
WRAL Daily DownloadTar Heel Traveler: D-Day and the war hero from Dunn
WRAL Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason speaks with WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens about honoring D-Day and the story of a war hero from Dunn.
WRAL Daily DownloadGreensboro woman loses $1,000 to Stanley Cup ticket scam
A Greensboro woman says she lost $1,000 while trying to buy Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final tickets through a Facebook group that appeared legitimate…
WRAL Daily DownloadHurricane season begins: Looking at categories and their impact on North Carolina
June 1 marked the beginning of the hurricane season this year. While the WRAL Severe Weather team's tropical outlook predicts less storms than an average…
WRAL Daily DownloadOn the Record: The latest on changes to VinFast and JetZero economic development projects
On this week's episode of On the Record, two of the biggest economic development projects in North Carolina state history are dealing with changes. WRAL's Jack…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhen will construction on Raleigh's Beltline be completed, and at what cost?
After years of rough roads, lane closures, and hundreds, if not thousands, of orange barrels strewn about I-440, the expansion of Raleigh's Beltline is nearing…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhat supplies are needed for your hurricane kit?
June 1 marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Making preparations ahead of time is always a good idea. WRAL's Mark Bergin and meteorologist Aimee…
WRAL Daily DownloadConstitutional amendements North Carolina voters need to know about
There are several consitutional amendements North Carolinians will vote on this November. Two of the most notable amendements involve a cap on the state's…
WRAL Daily DownloadTar Heel Traveler: World's oldest longleaf pine and bicycle spokes
WRAL's Gerald Owens and Scott Mason talk through a few upcoming Tar Heel Traveler stories including the history behind the "world's oldest longleaf pine" and a…
WRAL Daily Download5 On Your Side: Benson family to be reimbursed after delivery driver hits their dog and drives off
A Benson family says their dog was hit by an Amazon delivery driver, who drove off. Though the dog is expected to be okay, the family asked Amazon to help pay…
WRAL Daily DownloadThe impact of North Carolina public school closures
Granville and Cumberland counties lost the most schools as costs to school districts is leading to merge and close schools. It's a trend being seen for public…
WRAL Daily DownloadWRAL Severe Weather Team's 2026 Hurricane Outlook
Warm oceans, shifting wind shear, building tropical energy. The WRAL Severe Weather Team is analyzing EVERY atmospheric signal - to forecast what hurricane…
WRAL Daily DownloadWhere does our state budget stand?
After about a year without a state budget, North Carolina lawmakers are one step closer to delivering one before the July 1 deadline. They've agreed on some…
WRAL Daily DownloadTeacher wages on the rise in North Carolina, is it enough for the most experienced?
North Carolina is the only state in the country without a new budget, but GOP lawmakers say they've reached a deal on taxes and state employee raises, two of…
WRAL Daily DownloadA conversation with the Tar Heel Traveler
WRAL Anchor Gerald Owens speaks with Scott Mason, known as the Tar Heel Traveler, about hidden gems and unique stories he's encountered across North Carolina.
WRAL Daily DownloadHantavirus and COVID: Similar fears, major differences
A cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has sparked some fears and concerns just years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three cruise ship…
WRAL Daily DownloadCanvas gets hacked: What does it mean for NC students?
Earlier this week, Wake County Public Schools shared that Canvas, a massive educational platform used for assignments, grading, exams, and other things, had…