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
Protecting Ocracoke Island and the only road in and out of it
Right now, Hurricane Erin is churning offshore, pushing waves over dunes and spilling water across some roads. That’s not unusual along N.C. Highway 12…
- WRAL Daily Download
How to get a refund if a hurricane ruins your vacation plans
Hurricane Erin is not projected to make landfall on the North Carolina coast, but that doesn't mean we won't feel its impact. Hurricane season in general tends…
- WRAL Daily Download
Hurricane Erin prompts evacuation orders, rip current warnings from hundreds of miles offshore
Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall but it is still having serious effects on the North Carolina coast. The Outer Banks are expected to see the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Your favorite ACC team can make more money if you watch them on TV. Will it make them perform better?
College football season kicks off soon. And if your team is in the ACC, you can make them more money, just by watching them on TV. Those behind the move say…
- WRAL Daily Download
Wake County schools hope to expand therapy resources despite losing federal grant
Wake County school leaders hope to expand student access to therapy to all campuses by the end of the upcoming school year, desptite the district losing most…
- WRAL Daily Download
What hundreds of dollars spent at a Smoothie King can tell teach us about data breaches
A Garner teen is facing charges after allegedly using someone else's Smoothie King account to order nearly $600 of food items. Authorities say the account was…
- WRAL Daily Download
What's next for the Heritage Square development in Durham
Heritage Square is a 10-acre former shopping center in Durham, located in the middle of the historic Hayti community. Sterling Bay, a real estate development…
- WRAL Daily Download
How Wake County students want to modernize their school's HVAC systems
Wake County Public School System has a $200 million dollar maintenance backlog affecting heating and cooling its classrooms. Students have been pushing for new…
- WRAL Daily Download
How Wake's school system is trying to improve special education
The Wake County Public School System is taking a deep look at how it serves students with disabilities. District leaders are evaluating how to better utilize…
- WRAL Daily Download
Fact check: How many Congressional seats would Democrats lose if noncitizens are excluded from the Census?
North Carolina State Representative John Blust, a Guilford County Republican, said Democrats have 24 more seats in the U.S. House than they would if…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why Person County road repairs from Chantal could take months to complete
More than two dozen roads are still damaged or washed out in North Carolina two months after Chantal's floodwaters. Most of those are in Person County. WRAL's…
- WRAL Daily Download
Cases of a rare flesh-eating bacteria are slowly rising off the NC coast
Vibrio Vulnificus is a flesh-eating bacterium that can cause serious illness and lead to sepsis, shock, and large blisters that destroy tissue. Infections are…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Investigates the cost of a gunshot
More than 3,500 people become gun violence victims in our state every year. Survivors have their lives totally altered by their injuries in physical, emotional…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a North Carolina woman’s case over menstrual pain could help others
A federal judge in Raleigh ruled that endometriosis can qualify as a disability for legal protections. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains how…
- WRAL Daily Download
RNC Chair Michael Whatley officially launches U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina
Thursday, Michael Whatley, Republican National Committee Chair and longtime ally of President Trump, launched his campaign to seek his party's nomination for…
- WRAL Daily Download
A new bill could make getting and renewing an NC driver's license easier
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass House Bill 245, which would allow North Carolinians to renew their driver’s…
- WRAL Daily Download
NC lawmakers override vetoes and reach deal on 'mini budget'
On Tuesday, republicans in the General Assembly found enough democratic support to override some of Governor Josh Stein's vetoes. They also reached a deal on a…
- WRAL Daily Download
The illness linked to cannabis and THC landing more people in the hospital
Doctors in the Triangle report seeing more patients reporting persistant nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration. Many are being diagnosed with…
- WRAL Daily Download
Here are North Carolina's ties to Netflix's 'The Waterfront'
Set in the fictitious North Carolina coastal town of Havenport, the Netflix drama "The Waterfront" follows the powerful Buckley family as their fishing and…
- WRAL Daily Download
The race for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat begins
On Thursday, WRAL News learned Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is entering the race as the likely GOP front runner for the 2026 U.S…
- WRAL Daily Download
5 On Your Side team gets Morrisville man refund after a Raleigh Vrbo troubles
A Morrisville man thought he'd picked the perfect Vrbo rental in Raleigh while his family's home was under construction, until he got there. A discovery about…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL Investigates anesthesia safety concerns after Greensboro toddler dies during dental procedure
A two-year-old boy's death has raised questions about anesthesia protocols at dental offices in our state. WRAL Investigates has reported on deaths from…
- WRAL Daily Download
New college football season begins with an uncertain future
Tuesday marks the beginning of the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. It's the Atlantic Coast Conference's annual football preview event. It's the unofficial start to a…
- WRAL Daily Download
Storm Myths, Cloud Seeding and North Carolina’s Geoengineering Debate
After the deadly floods in Texas, your social media feed may have been filled with viral false posts blaming "weather-control planes" for the storms. Experts…
- WRAL Daily Download
NC Democrats seek to pry a state Senate seat from Republicans
North Carolina Democrats need to flip just one seat in the state Senate next year to give Gov. Josh Stein more veto power. Republicans hold a veto-proof…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why North Carolina is seeing a bug boom after heavy rain and heat
As parts of our area recover from flooding due to recent rainfall, some are dealing with another consequence--more bugs. Experts say insect populations are…
- WRAL Daily Download
Man charged in Faith Hedgepeth murder now faces new drug charges
Miguel Salguero-Olivares is waiting for trial in the Durham County Detention Center. On Tuesday, a court hearing focused on charges that he had meth inside the…
- WRAL Daily Download
North Carolina sues over Trump education funding cuts
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced announced a lawsuit Monday over more than $165 million in frozen education funds. Other states have also…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a new children's hospital could transform a growing Wake County town
A partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health plans to build the state's first standalone hospital in Apex. The deal is expected to transform a wide swath…
- WRAL Daily Download
5 On Your Side testing finds pricing errors at local grocery stores
Imagine picking up an item on sale, only to be charged full price at checkout. 5 On Your Side found that this is taking place at several local grocery stores…
- WRAL Daily Download
Hillsborough urges conservation as water system remains fragile
Even after lifting a boil water advisory, Hillsborough town leaders called for people who live there to conserve their water. Intense floods overwhelmed the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Sanford community remembers family of four killed in plane crash
Travis, Candace, Aubrey and Walker Buchanan died Monday in a plane crash in Lee County. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating what…
- WRAL Daily Download
Tropical Depression Chantal leaves widespread property damage at Hyco Lake
The storm brought record rain to parts of Moore, Chatham, Orange and Durham counties. It also brought flooding to parts of Person County along Hyco Lake…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why NC’s career-switching teachers are quitting the classroom
North Carolina has long depended on career-switching professionals to help fill its teaching ranks, giving them temporary licenses with the expectation that…
- WRAL Daily Download
Your car is tracking your driving--is that information safe?
Our cars and phones are gathering data about how we drive every time we get behind the wheel. 5 On Your Side looked into how that information is gathered and…
- WRAL Daily Download
1 year later: WRAL revisits the case of a Fayetteville mother accused of murdering her adoptive children
1 year ago, a Fayetteville mother was arrested because she was accused of murdering two of her adopted children. Since that time, WRAL has kept an eye on…
- WRAL Daily Download
A new study finds kids' foods are more likely to contain synthetic dyes
A new study led by UNC researcher Elizabeth Dunford reveals that nearly 20% of popular U.S. food products contain synthetic dyes, with a significant…
- WRAL Daily Download
With Tillis out, GOP has more clarity — and hope — in North Carolina
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis surprised fellow Republicans Sunday when he said he wouldn’t seek reelection next year. The decision has underscored the dangers…
- WRAL Daily Download
How climate change made Raleigh's record-breaking heat more likely
In the last week, we've seen a stretch of record breaking summer heat. Experts says climate change is making those kinds of days five times more likely. WRAL's…
- WRAL Daily Download
Budget talks stall, shrimping ban fails and Helene bill prevails as NC lawmakers adjourn
North Carolina lawmakers adjourned for summer vacation without approving a budget, leaving a number of big spending priorities in limbo. But the legislature…
- WRAL Daily Download
A new WRAL documentary explores cancer in young North Carolinians
Cancer is striking people younger than ever. We’re talking about aggressive forms of cancer happening to people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. WRAL…
- WRAL Daily Download
What you need to know about the first measles case in North Carolina
The first case of the measles was found in Guilford and Forsyth counties earlier this week. It comes as cases continue across the country. WRAL Health Reporter…
- WRAL Daily Download
SBI joins investigation into a Wake County house fire that killed a man and two teenagers
The Wake County Sheriff's Office says 49-year-old Shannon Collins, a 13-year-old and a -15-year-old were found dead inside a home after a house fire. The…
- WRAL Daily Download
A top NC Democrat needs new desks. She also needs Republicans' approval
North Carolina lawmakers are sparring over the details of a $32 billion-dollar state spending plan. One thing they seem to agree on is a $95,000 budget request…
- WRAL Daily Download
What new emails tell us about how UNC handled fallout from Bill Belichick interview
WRAL obtained new emails and text messages that show how Bill Belichick repsonded to questions about why his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson joined him at a…
- WRAL Daily Download
Zoning change approval opens up RTP for residential redevelopment
From Research to Residential. Research Triangle Park covers 7,000 acres in Wake and Durham counties. 55,000 people also work at RTP, but when they clock out…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why are Pride flags disappearing from a Wake County neighborhood?
People all over the Triangle say their Pride flags have disappeared from their neighborhoods. A Cary woman believes hers was stolen from her home--and she's…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…
- WRAL Daily Download
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…