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
Should NC judicial elections be nonpartisan?
North Carolina’s judges are chosen by voters in partisan elections, just like any other politician. But should judges have party labels next to their…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a recalled hot tub pump might have led to a Cary house fire
A popular product meant for relaxation may be putting families at risk. A Cary family, recently displaced by a fire, says investigators suspect a hot tub (or…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why 'death by distribution' charges are contributing to an autopsy backlog for the state
Three men police say died of overdoses in Durham sparked a WRAL Investigation into the delay in their autopsy results. It found that the kind of charges sought…
- WRAL Daily Download
WRAL investigation finds major Triangle employers are behind on fire inspections
Companies like Wolfspeed and RTI are years behind on their fire inspections because of staffing shortages at the Durham County Fire Marshall's Office. WRAL…
- WRAL Daily Download
Anderson Clayton wins second term as NC Democratic Party chair
North Carolina Democrats reelected Anderson Clayton as state party chair over the weekend — again putting the 27-year-old in charge of a critical state…
- WRAL Daily Download
Before the Biltmore, there was Shiloh
Most North Carolinians are familiar with the Biltmore Mansion but many don't know who lived on the land before it was built. It turns out the land the…
- WRAL Daily Download
A closer look at the state's winter storm response and WRAL's continuous coverage on it
North Carolina is experiencing another winter storm this week. On this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, we share how the state prepared and what officials…
- WRAL Daily Download
How climate change is altering NC’s winter storms
Even though we've seen three winter storms in the Triangle this season, experts say Raleigh's winters are warming. It will mean extreme weather patterns and…
- WRAL Daily Download
What if the Department of Education goes away?
President Donald Trump says he wants to close the department of education, and some members of Congress are on board with the idea. North Carolina receives…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a UNC student fell victim to financial "sextortion"
If your child is old enough to be online, they're old enough to be taken advantage of by criminals. The FBI is warning of a rise in what's known as financial…
- WRAL Daily Download
North Carolina board warns of people posing as dentists
The State Board of Dental Examiners says its seen an increase in unlicensed people posing as dental professionals over the last year and a half. Many patients…
- WRAL Daily Download
Fort Liberty is now Fort Bragg again--but not that Bragg
Earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeseth declared the Army would rename the base in Fayetteville back to Fort Bragg. Instead of taking the name of…
- WRAL Daily Download
Public records reveal Durham District Attorney comes to the office roughly half of work days
They're elected officials funded by your tax dollars--how often should local district attorneys be in the office? WRAL Investigates went through years of data…
- WRAL Daily Download
A new ruling in lawsuit to toss 60K NC ballots; Helene relief funding update
A Wake County judge issues a key ruling in the legal battle over ballots that could determine the winner of a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court…
- WRAL Daily Download
The Raleigh WWII veteran with a post office and a Netflix movie dedicated to her service
Millie Dunn Veasey's family knew about her accomplishments as a civil rights activist but they didn't know the full extent of her military service until late…
- WRAL Daily Download
Broken: WRAL's newest documentary investigates North Carolina's foster care system
The tragic deaths of two local foster children and the arrest of their adoptive mother have raised big questions about our state’s child welfare system…
- WRAL Daily Download
North Carolina school districts trying to calm parents as fake ICE messages cause panic
This week both Nash and Edgecombe County Schools responded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement hoaxes that alarmed parents this week. It comes as President…
- WRAL Daily Download
The federal lawsuit targeting North Carolina's 'broken' foster care system
A new federal lawsuit wants the courts to force North Carolina to fix what it calls a broken foster care system. Children, many of them already traumatized…
- WRAL Daily Download
How new officials are trying to speed Helene recovery efforts
Newly elected state and federal leaders are looking to improve government efforts to help victims of Hurricane Helene. President Donald Trump and North…
- WRAL Daily Download
What changes from the Trump administration could mean for water treatment efforts in NC
Earlier this week, several new PFAS treatment facilities opened in the Triangle in part of a larger effort to remove the toxic "forever chemicals" from the…
- WRAL Daily Download
Deaths at the Dentist: The push for anesthesia regulations in North Carolina
Many people dread a visit to the dentist, but few think of it as dangerous. WRAL Investigates found numerous times, in recent years, when local dentists were…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a Department of Defense change to moving could affect military service members in North Carolina
Hundreds of thousands of military service members move every year nationwide. It can be a big undertaking for military families and some worry that a change at…
- WRAL Daily Download
North Carolina doesn't require training hours for tattooing, we explore the dangers and concerns
In North Carolina, you need more training to cut someone's hair than to put permanent ink on someone's skin. After hearing concerns from a Raleigh tattoo shop…
- WRAL Daily Download
How the teacher shortage is affecting students with disabilities
North Carolina’s worsening teacher shortage is hampering schools that need special education services. Students with disabilities are increasingly being…
- WRAL Daily Download
Where the battle over NC's Supreme Court seat stands
This week, the NC Supreme Court ruled the battle over which candidate should sit on its bench has to go to trial in Wake County Superior Court. Democrat…
- WRAL Daily Download
What we know about a Raleigh shootout that killed two men and seriously hurt a police officer
On Wednesday, we learned the names of the suspect and victim of a shootout in a Raleigh neighborhood that also injured a Raleigh Police officer. As police…
- WRAL Daily Download
North Carolina sues President Trump over birthright citizenship
North Carolina is joining the list of states suing the Trump administration over an executive order targeting birthright citizenship. State Attorney General…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why North Carolina taxes illegal drugs--and why some want to stop
North Carolina is one of a handful of states where people who sell or by illegal drugs are supposed to pay taxes on them. Some argue the bills for those taxes…
- WRAL Daily Download
How Trump's next term could affect North Carolina
President-Elect Donald Trump's second term begins this week. On the campaign trail, he promised sweeping changes to immigration and economic policy that could…
- WRAL Daily Download
The specialized unit keeping you safe on the road through tractor-trailer inspections
Tractor-trailers are the biggest (and potentially) most dangerous vehicles on the roads. A highly specialized unit in our state is making sure THEY are safe --…
- WRAL Daily Download
The Triangle reacts to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. WRAL has covered local perspectives on the conflict since it began 15 months…
- WRAL Daily Download
Woman charged in fire that burned down House of Art in Raleigh had previous Arson charges
Fifty-nine-year-old Eva Torrellas is facing felony charges and police say she is the woman seen on surveillance video moments before a popular downtown Raleigh…
- WRAL Daily Download
The high-tech policework being used to catch illegal dirt bike & ATV riders
Police say dirt bikes and ATVs are illegally driving on public roads in big groups that sometimes ignore traffic laws. Several Triangle law enforcement…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why the race for a state Supreme Court seat is still undecided
The race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court is still up in the air — months after the November election, and despite the fact the incumbent…
- WRAL Daily Download
The stunning confession connected to a Fayetteville woman charged with murdering her two adoptive children
An astounding new development in the case of a Fayetteville mother accused of killing her adopted children. A woman confirmed to WRAL Investigates that she…
- WRAL Daily Download
Bird Flu found in NC poultry and recent U.S. death raise concerns about potential outbreak
A Hyde County poultry farm has found bird flu among its commercial egg producing flock. The virus' risk to humans is still low but the first human death in the…
- WRAL Daily Download
How should Wake County Schools handle cell phones in the classroom?
Wake County Public Schools is looking at putting its first-ever cell phone policy in place. Many options are on the table, including banning phones altogether…
- WRAL Daily Download
Gilbert Baez reflects on time at WRAL after 17 years leading the Fayetteville Bureau
Longtime WRAL reporter Gilbert Baez departed after 17 years leading our reporting from Fayetteville. He's covered the area for decades--through breaking news…
- WRAL Daily Download
The year ahead in North Carolina politics
There are big changes in North Carolina leadership after the November elections--from the governor to the state legislature and beyond. WRAL State Government…
- WRAL Daily Download
Two Raleigh men share what they saw before, during and after the New Orleans terrorist attack
At least 14 were killed and dozens injured when a truck drove through a New Year's Day crowd on Bourbon Street. As the investigation into the suspect…
- WRAL Daily Download
Revisiting 2024: Blake and London Deven's adoptive mother charged with their murders
As we look back on 2024, the WRAL Daily Download is revisiting some of our episodes from the year. WRAL's Chris Lovingood began reporting on two children…
- WRAL Daily Download
Did Governor Roy Cooper keep his campaign promises?
As we close out 2024, WRAL has updated its Promise Tracker for North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper one last time. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran…
- WRAL Daily Download
Bowl Game Breakdown: What to expect from NC State, UNC, and Duke football
It's the most wonderful time of the year...for college football! This weekend, NC State will play in the Military Bowl and UNC-Chapel Hill in the Fenway Bowl…
- WRAL Daily Download
Revisiting 2024: An update on Old Shiloh after Hurricane Helene
As we look back on 2024, the WRAL Daily Download is revisiting some of our episodes from the year. Back in February, WRAL's Gerald Owens told us the story of…
- WRAL Daily Download
Revisiting 2024: WRAL meteorologist calls it a "strange" year for weather
Tornadoes, flooding, and hurricanes are just some of the wild weather our state saw in 2024. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth reflects on what we learned and…
- WRAL Daily Download
Hurricanes and elections: A busy year for misinformation in NC
Election claims and the government’s response to a devastating natural disaster in western North Carolina spawned an endless stream of misleading…
- WRAL Daily Download
Hurricanes and elections: A busy year for misinformation in NC
Election claims and the government’s response to a devastating natural disaster in western North Carolina spawned an endless stream of misleading…
- WRAL Daily Download
The chemicals inside Poe Hall and where they were found
Over the past six months, WRAL 5 On Your Side has reviewed more than 1,000 pages of testing documents to understand the toxic chemicals people working and…
- WRAL Daily Download
Winters warming in Raleigh and around the world
As we head into the start of the winter season, new data shows that truly cold temperatures are becoming less and less frequent. While some may celebrate fewer…
- WRAL Daily Download
How a convicted murderer got away from the Alamance County Courthouse during his trial
Burlington Police are warning that a man found guilty of first-degree murder is on the loose. 47-year-old Litego Marshall left during a lunch break and never…
- WRAL Daily Download
Emails reveal a local District Attorney's policy to dismiss gun charges for felons
A WRAL investigation uncovered that some criminals, seemingly, are not facing consequences for carrying guns in Durham. WRAL Investigates Reporter Sarah…
- WRAL Daily Download
'That was wrong' accuser in Duke University lacrosse scandal admits to lying
Crystal Mangum told a podcast host she falsely accused three Duke lacross players of raping her in 2006. The case put a national spotlight on Durham and Duke…
- WRAL Daily Download
Bill Belichick and the transition to college football
Bill Belichick was formally introduced as UNC-Chapel Hill's head football coach on Thursday. WRAL Sports Reporter Louis Fernandez breaks down Belichick's…
- WRAL Daily Download
Its official: UNC hires coaching legend Bill Belichick to lead Tar Heel Football
The University of North Carolina's Board of Trustees is expected to meet Thursday morning and approve Bill Belichick's five year contract. WRAL's Aaron Thomas…
- WRAL Daily Download
Chapel Bill? Tar Heels offer Belichick coaching job
On Tuesday, sources told WRAL that the Tar Heels have offered former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick their head coaching job. No deal had been…
- WRAL Daily Download
Catherine Truitt reflects on tenure as NC superintendent
North Carolina schools superintendent Catherine Truitt is preparing to leave office at the end of her four year term. While she says she and her team have…
- WRAL Daily Download
Why biotech companies are flocking to Holly Springs
Amgen Inc.’s expanded manufacturing plans could bring $1.5 billion and more than 700 jobs to Holly Springs. It’s one of several biotechnology…
- WRAL Daily Download
New polling reveals most North Carolina voters approve of using military to deport undocumented immigrants
According to a new Meredith College poll, a majority of North Carolina voters support President-elect Donald Trump's plan to deport undocumented immigrants…
- WRAL Daily Download
A sentencing in the shooting that killed the son of a local reality TV star and paralyzed his friend
A Garner man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting Alex Shirley and his friend Sophie Hagy. Shirley, a son of the star of "Lizard Lick Towing", was…
- WRAL Daily Download
An immigration attorney who disappeared in Wilson County and the woman hoping to help his clients
Clients of a Wilson County law firm say they cannot reach their attorney after paying for legal services. As the state tries to figure out where he is, it…