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 Download
Austin Thompson's sentencing for Hedingham shooting gets off to emotional start
Witnesses, first responders, victim's loved ones and survivors took the stand on the first day of Austin Thompson's sentencing hearing. Thompson killed five…
- WRAL Daily Download
Sentencing hearing set to begin for Hedingham mass shooter Austin Thompson
The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson is slated to begin on Tuesday. Thompson pleaded guilty in January to five counts of murder, two counts of attempted…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why NC elections officials are probing a U.S. Senate candidate
North Carolina elections officials are investigating whether a candidate for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat actually lives in North Carolina. A voter…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why stolen car cases are going unsolved in the Triangle
Thousands of cars, stolen. It's a big problem in the Triangle. WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger shares why so many of these cases are going unsolved and how…
- WRAL Daily Download
Five things to know ahead of Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
We're about one week out from We’re about a week away from the start of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games. Some of the greatest athletes from…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why defense attorneys want to question Faith Hedgepeth's roommate as trial for 2012 murder case approaches
A judge will allow defense attorneys for Miguel Salquero-Olivares to call Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student as witnesses at trial. Court…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why defense attorneys want to question Faith Hedgepeth's roommate as trial for 2012 murder case approaches
A judge will allow defense attorneys for Miguel Salquero-Olivares to call Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student as witnesses at trial. Court…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Meteorologists review weekend winter weather and discuss potential next system
Bitter cold forced some school districts to go remote Tuesday as our area tries to thaw out after the weekend's winter weather. More winter weather is possible…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why European and U.S. weather prediction models don’t always agree
WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner breaks down the ingredients of the top predictive weather models — the American model and the European model — and…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Meteorologists explain the icy change in this weekend's winter storm forecast
WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Grant Skinner break down the potential for ice that could create dangerous conditions for our area and most of the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Breaking down the forecast with WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner & Chris Michaels
WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Chris Michaels share what goes into forecasting major snow and ice events, like the one slated to hit our state this…
- WRAL Daily Download
Accused Hedingham shooter intends to plead guilty to all charges
Austin Thompson, the Raleigh teen accused of shooting six people, killing five of them in October 2022, will plead guilty to all charges, his lawyers announced…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a group of Buddhist monks have captured the attention of the nation with a "Walk for Peace"
A group of Buddhist monks from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas have been on a months-long journey to Washington, D.C. with one goal: peace. The group of…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why North Carolina is the last state without a budget
North Carolina is month's past due on a state budget. WRAL's Dan Haggerty and state government reporter Will Doran take a look at what's causing the delay…
- WRAL Daily Download
What happens if a 'life-saving' ankle monitor program doesn't get funding?
A state program using ankle monitors, designed to protect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes, has proven successful in North…
- WRAL Daily Download
Outpatient committments: Can it help close the gap in mental health care and criminal justice in NC?
A legislative committee is reviewing the state's procedures when it comes to treating people with mental health problems after two high-profile killings in…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why discipline of NC animal shelters tripled in 2025
State Department of Agriculture data shows seven registered animal shelters were disciplined in 2024. The number rose to 22 in 2025. WRAL's Sarah Krueger…
- WRAL Daily Download
Court proceedings begin for now 21-year-old charged in 2022 double murder in Orange County
Court proceedings are set to begin in the trial of 21-year-old Issiah Mehki Ross. He's been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of…
- WRAL Daily Download
Assessing North Carolina's prison reentry efforts as repeat offenders come under scrutiny
Debates are brewing over the criminal justice system following two recent high-profile killings in Charlotte and Raleigh - crimes, police say, that were…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why police departments are using civilians, not officers, to investigate some crashes
Several police departments in North Carolina are now using civilians, not officers, to respond to less serious car crashes. Departments say the goal is to…
- WRAL Daily Download
2025 was a year of weather extremes in North Carolina
If 2025 weather felt like a lot to you, you’re not alone. This year we saw quite a few extreme temperature swings, and for some communities, events that…
- WRAL Daily Download
The plea deal that let a man out of jail before he was charged with killing a Raleigh teacher
Ryan Camacho is being held without bond, charged with Ravenscroft teacher Zoe Welsh's murder. WRAL Investigates found public records showing he avoided a…
- WRAL Daily Download
Defense files pre-trial motions one month ahead of accused Raleigh mass shooter's trial
The legal defense for a teen accused of killing five people in the 2022 shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood has filed a series of pre-trial…
- WRAL Daily Download
JoCo’s Benson poised to bloom as Vulcan Elements grows
The Johnston County town of Benson is mostly known for an annual festival called Mule Days. But in the coming years, it’s expected to become known as a…
- WRAL Daily Download
Top Stories of 2025: North Carolina's new congressional map and its impact on this year's election
As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area. In a victory for Republicans in the state legislature and…
- WRAL Daily Download
Top Stories of 2025: Data center expansion in NC and how people are reacting to it
As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area. Tarboro Town Council held a public hearing about a…
- WRAL Daily Download
Top Stories of 2025: Tropical Storm Chantal's impact on NC
As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area. Tropical storm Chantal brought record rain to parts of…
- WRAL Daily Download
Top Stories of 2025: Raleigh's Millie Dunn Veasey honored for her life of service
As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area. Millie Dunn Veasey's family knew about her accomplishments…
- WRAL Daily Download
Breaking down PolitiFact’s top 2025 NC fact-checks
WRAL’s PolitiFact team investigated dozens of claims made by politicians and government officials in North Carolina in 2025. WRAL PolitiFact reporter…
- WRAL Daily Download
Here's what the WRAL Documentary team learned from its five stories this year
This year, the WRAL Documentary team premiered five stories. They range in topics from western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene to the first…
- WRAL Daily Download
The Morrisville gymnastics team with big world travel plans in 2026
Grace Gymnastics Academy in Morrisville placed fifth in the world at a competition in Bulgaria next month. The studio has international roots--and plans on…
- WRAL Daily Download
NORAD tracks Santa every year. So we asked - how does he do it?
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, is a United States and Canada bi-national organization which, according to its website, "defends the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Checking in on one local woman after Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome kept her down for months
In the summer, we told you the story of Jill Fuller. She developed Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome after replacing a glass of wine at night with THC gummies…
- WRAL Daily Download
What the future holds for UNC and Bill Belichick after one season
The North Carolina Tar Heels finished year one under head coach Bill Belichick with a disappointing 4-8 record. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and…
- WRAL Daily Download
Wild green water in Hilsborough shows importance of infrastructure
Several days ago, the town of Hillsborough noticed something wrong with their water. A creek that flows through the Town Cemetery was neon green. The picture…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL documentary - Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way debuts Thursday
WRAL’s newest documentary, "Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way," reveals how the University of North Carolina landed Bill Belichick, arguably the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why Cary's former town manager is due to get nearly $200K in severance after resigning
The Town of Cary appointed an interim town manager after weeks of questions about spending under the former town manager. Sean Stegall will receive a $194,832…
- WRAL Daily Download
NC officials, activists remain frustrated with slow pace of Helene recovery
Community activists from western North Carolina voiced their frustrations at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. They’re upset about the slow pace of Hurricane…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why law enforcement says a month-long manhunt was worth it
Law enforcement searched for Dominic Connelly for 47 days after they said he killed his grandmother, set fire to her home in Havelock, and then stole her car…
- WRAL Daily Download
NC lawmakers considering ways to lower property taxes
Earlier this week, the North Carolina General Assembly announced a comittee to look into ways to lower property taxes. It's unusual, since property tax revenue…
- WRAL Daily Download
NC legislators grill Chapel Hill-Carrboro school officials on "Parents' Bill of Rights" compliance
A top North Carolina legislator yelled and threw a book Wednesday during a legislative hearing where lawmakers grilled Chapel Hill-Carrboro school officials…
- WRAL Daily Download
How NC's Lumbee tribe could actually get federal recognition this time
The Lumbee Tribe in the southeastern part of our state have been calling for federal recogition for as long as people have been fighting against it. A vote in…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Investigates: Kids and access to unsecured guns
At least nine North Carolina children were shot this year - with one very preventable cause: an unsecured gun. Four of those kids died. These stories are…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why NC education leaders want to shake up math class
Proposed changes to North Carolina's math standards would shake up requirements for upperclassmen in the state’s public high schools and emphasize…
- WRAL Daily Download
A first look at the Republican primary in North Carolina's senate race
President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race isn’t deterring other Republicans from the race…
- WRAL Daily Download
Raleigh Convention Center cancels all December events after fire
The fallout from a fire that caused two million dollars in roof damage to the Raleigh Convention Center continues. While some events have been cancelled or…
- WRAL Daily Download
How the Cigna-UNC Health contract negotiations are impacting patients
UNC Health and Cigna have yet to come to an agreement on a contract renewal. While they continue negotiating, real people are finding ways to navigate…
- WRAL Daily Download
College football regular season wrap up - where NC State, UNC and Duke go from here
The college football regular season is over, so let's look back on how things went for the ACC Triangle teams. WRAL sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why NC is giving Apple more time to meet economic incentives targets
Four years ago consumer electronics giant Apple Inc. promised to create 3,000 jobs and build a hulking new campus in Research Triangle Park. But so far…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL SmartShopper: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and everything in between
The holiday season is upon us, and for many, that means buying gifts and looking for deals. WRAL SmartShopper Faye Prosser talks us through the best deals and…
- WRAL Daily Download
5 On Your Side: Thanksgiving travel tips with Keely Arthur
The Federal Aviation Administration expected this Thanksgiving travel season to be the busiest in 15 years. We speakk with 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur about…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Investigates: Nearly three years since the attack on Duke Energy substations in Moore County
A week from today marks three years since the attack on two Duke Energy substations in Moore County that left tens of thousands of people in the dark, even…
- WRAL Daily Download
Here's the WRAL Winter Weather Outlook for this season
The days are darker, the temperatures are dropping - winter is almost here. What should we expect this season? The WRAL Severe Weather Team has released its…
- WRAL Daily Download
Fact-checking claims about the immigration crackdown in North Carolina
Did the recent federal immigration crackdown in North Carolina actually help traffic? Are jails blocking acess to inmates? Our NC Capitol team put together a…
- WRAL Daily Download
5 On Your Side: Rental car chaos makes NC man feel wrongly charged
Imagine returning a rental car in perfect condition, only to be told days later that you damaged it and now owe thousands of dollars in repairs. That happened…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Investigates: NC animal shelter euthanasia rates are trending upward
The euthanasia rate for animal shelters statewide is starting to tick up slightly, after bottoming out during the pandemic, according to numbers provided by…
- WRAL Daily Download
Federal immigration enforcement agents on the ground in Raleigh and Durham
Local officials confirmed federal immigration agents were conducting operations in the Triangle Tuesday. Videos of interactions with those agents in Raleigh…
- WRAL Daily Download
What an internal shuffle means for the future of the North Carolina State Board of Elections
An internal shuffle is raising new questions about partisanship at the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Less than a week before voters went to the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why NC lawmakers are at a stalemate over Medicaid funding
Rising health care costs and increased enrollment have left the state’s Medicaid program with a gaping funding gap. But lawmakers can’t agree on a…
- WRAL Daily Download
Inside the Toyota electric vehicle battery plant charging up in North Carolina
The first Toyota electric vehicle batteries built in the U.S. rolled off the line in North Carolina this week. It was the culmination of a 14 billion dollar…