WRAL Daily Download

Do you know if you live in a flood zone? Multiple studies show that more than half of flood damage actually occurs outside of FEMA's regulatory floodzones. WRAL's Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin and WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones discuss what this means for North Carolinians and why funding issues make it hard for those creating new flood maps. 

Botox and other cosmetic injectibles are a booming business with no national standard for training. A cosmetic injectibles training company is partnering with the UNC School of Nursing to offer hands-on instruction. WRAL's Grace Hayba explains what patients should know before seeking these types of treatments.

The official start to spring is still more than a week away, but doctors say North Carolinians are already feeling the effects of allergy symptoms. Allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer, making symptoms worse for many. Climate change reporter Liz McLaughlin talks to digital producer Jaylin Jones, explaining the reasons behind the intensifying pollen and shares practical tips to manage allergies.

The men's ACC basketball tournament begins Tuesday in Charlotte, NC. WRAL digital producer Jaylin Jones goes over his top five headlines ahead of the start of the matchups, including where NC State, UNC and Duke lineup with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon. 

A video game centered around convicted child sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein may have been accessed and played by students in Wake County, school officials confirmed to WRAL Tuesday.  The game in question, "Five Nights at Epstein's" is a survival-based game appearing to parallel another internet horror game "Five Nights at Freddy's." WRAL's Alex Littlehales and Jaylin Jones talk about what we know about the game, the response from WCPSS and what parents should know. 

One of North Carolina’s most powerful state legislators was in a dead heat with his GOP primary opponent late Tuesday after all of the district’s precincts reported their vote totals. Senate leader Phil Berger, who was first elected in 2001, trailed Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page by two votes Tuesday night in the Republican primary to represent the senate’s 26th district. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher and Paul Specht have everything you need to know about this tight race.

A popular former governor and a key ally of President Donald Trump cruised to their parties’ U.S. Senate nominations Tuesday, setting up an expected matchup that could play a key role in determining control of the chamber in November. Former two-term North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is a Democrat, and former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley will meet in the general election in a race for a current GOP-held seat in North Carolina. WRAL's Brian Murphy and Louis Fernandez discuss how it happened and what the next few months look like ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

Whether you're looking to buy or sell--spring is typically the best time of the year for real estate. The red-hot Triangle market could look a little different this year. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur explains what to expect.

North Carolina voters go to the polls Tuesday to pick party nominees for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. The seat is being closely watched nationally as Republicans try to maintain control of the chamber. WRAL state government reporters Will Doran and Paul Specht break down the race.

Is there a right way to use artificial intelligence in or out of the classroom? WRAL Education Reporter Emily Walkenhorst and WRAL's Destinee Patterson look into how teachers, students, and tech leaders are talking about A.I. use in the classroom. 

Does buying more actually save more? But is the time and cost worth it in the end? 5 On Your Side's Alex Littlehales tries to find out where your money is best spent. 

Six people are injured and 70 people are out of their homes after a fire at the Camden Westwood Apartments in Morrisville. As residents move into recovery mode, investigators are working to figure out the cause. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains where the investigation stands.

New construction homes are booming across the Triangle. A report from Realtor.com ranked the Raleigh area as one of the top 10 metros in the country for new home construction. WRAL 5 On Your Side reporter Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL digital producer Jaylin Jones and shares that new doesn't always mean perfect. What buyers need to check before they sign on the dotted line.

During Black History Month, WRAL anchor/reporter Kirstyn Clark and digital producer Jaylin Jones talk about a local piece of important history - the Pack-House and Grigsby House in Holly Springs. Clark dives into her reporting on the Grigsby family, their impact and the desire to preserve an important part of Black History in Holly Springs.  

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports fentanyl and opioid overdoses dropped dramatically between 2024 and 2025. However, some parts of the state are still struggling with rates higher than the state average. WRAL's Alex Littlehales explains why. 

Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday at the age of 84. The civil rights icon was also a groundbreaking politician who made two runs for the presidency in the 1980s. WRAL's Ken Smith looks back at Jackson's accomplishments.

About 150 students at Crossroads Flex High School are without a school building after fire marshal intervention. It all started with a phone call in 2023 - a Wake high school administrator made a routine call, asking when the last time Crossroads Flex High School had a fire inspection. The problem? The Wake County fire marshal’s office had no idea a school was even there. WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst tells us how this came to pass and what's next for the school and its students.  

Which political party should have the final say on where, when and how people vote in North Carolina? That’s a question being argued in state court. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains the arguments, and what’s at stake.   

Warmer winters are shrinking reliable snow worldwide. It's leading to adaptions at ski resorts in western North Carolina and at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains.

A woman went to deposit a $10K check at an ATM and didn't receive a receipt back. After bringing it forward to her bank, they told her the deposit would be held, saying it was being investigated. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur explains how she was able to get it back. 

We’ve been following along with changes to the DMV. WRAL has reported extensively on long wait times, new offices and a top-down effort to make the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles better. The most recent development - early morning hours are getting cut. Starting this week the DMV will no longer offer extended early morning hours, opening at the standard 8 a.m. statewide. WRAL’s Carly Haynes and Jaylin Jones sat down to talk through the changes and how they fit into the big picture when it comes to fixing the DMV.  

On Tuesday, Austin Thompson's defense team will begin presenting evidence in his sentencing hearing. Thompson pleaded guilty to killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood in October of 2022. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher reviews the prosecution's case and what we expect to hear from the defense.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed a new executive order last week aimed at improving coordination between the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems. It comes on the heels of recent killings in Charlotte, Raleigh and Southport that police say were committed by people with histories of mental illness. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran breaks it down.

Nearly a third of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. have radio stations. As we celebrate Black history this month, WRAL's Kirstyn Clark and Jaylin Jones shine a light on one that is right here in our backyard – North Carolina Central University’s WNCU 90.7 FM. 

A massive data center proposal in southern Wake County is raising questions. Developers want to build a campus of four data center buildings, each the size of a super Walmart. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin digs deep into North Carolina's data center boom. 

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 people in the Hedingham neighborhood in 2022. WRAL's Megan Cloherty walks us through the heart-wrenching testimony.

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 murder and three charges of assault. All this stems from an October 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood.  WRAL’s Megan Cloherty and Jaylin Jones talked before the hearing began: a top-down view of what you need to know ahead of what could be a long few weeks in court.   

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 challenged the eligibility of Republican Margot Dupre, alleging she actually lives in Florida. State law requires candidates to live in North Carolina, and Dupre says she does. Officials plan to hold a hearing in the case this week. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran explains.   

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 victims are responding. 

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 around the world will be competing to bring home gold for their counties.  Today’s conversation comes to us from WRAL’s Ashley Rowe and Liz McLaughlin. Both have covered the winter games. They take a look at some major storylines for the world, the USA and right here in NC.

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 filings reveal details about the argument the defense team may be preparing to make. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down the documents.

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 filings reveal details about the argument the defense team may be preparing to make. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down the documents.

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 this coming weekend. WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Aimee Wilmoth break down what we know so far.

WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner breaks down the ingredients of the top predictive weather models — the American model and the European model — and explains why they sometimes contradict one another and how WRAL meteorologists use the data, as well as their own insight, to refine forecasts. He also describes the future of weather forecasting as artificial intelligence plays a greater role.

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 state this weekend. You can also watch this podcast on the WRAL YouTube page.

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 weekend. This podcast can also be found on the WRAL YouTube page. 

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 on Tuesday. The intent to plead guilty was filed one day before Thompson was scheduled for a a hearing ahead of a trial planned for February. That hearing is still scheduled for Wednesday. It's likely Thompson would enter his plea at that time.  In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, news reporter Shaun Gallagher talks through what this means for the case and what comes next in court.

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 about 20 monks began their "Walk for Peace" in late October, drawing the adoration and attention of people all over the country in person and on social media. WRAL state government reporter Caroline Yaffa spoke with one man who spent miles with the monks about his experience. Plus, we have the latest information on what to expect when the group gets to the Triangle. 

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, what it means for you and when we could see a change.

A state program using ankle monitors, designed to protect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes, has proven successful in North Carolina. But confusion about how it'd be funded means it could end soon, with no back-up plan in sight. WRAL's Paul Specht shares why those in the legal field say the program has been called a 'life saver.' 

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 North Carolina. WRAL State Government reporter Paul Spetch shares why both cases highlight the gaps in mental health care and public safety procedures, as both the justice system and mental health care system are under strain. 

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 explains the issues impacting animal welfare.

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 Lyric Woods and Devin Clark, two teens killed and found along a remote ATV path in 2022.  WRAL news reporter Monica Casey was in court on Monday and has the latest developments and what's next. Plus, how this case created "Lyric and Devin's Law," which impacts how law enforcement agencies search for juvenile suspects.

Debates are brewing over the criminal justice system following two recent high-profile killings in Charlotte and Raleigh - crimes, police say, that were committed at random by people with mental health issues who had been in and out of local jails and prisons for years. North Carolina is making strides toward helping people get health care, jobs and other assistance after they leave prison, Gov. Josh Stein said last week, part of a push to help prepare convicted criminals for life after prison. WRAL digital producer Jaylin Jones and state government reporter Will Doran discuss Stein's speech, where things stand, and what can be done in 2026 and beyond. 

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 lighten the load on their already strained staff. WRAL Investigative Reporter Sarah Krueger dug into the data to see if it's making a difference.   

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 will be talked about for years to come. From the cold winter days that delivered some snow this year, to the extreme heat of the summer. WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell joins WRAL's Jaylin Jones to look back on what the data can tell us about weather trends in North Carolina. 

Ryan Camacho is being held without bond, charged with Ravenscroft teacher Zoe Welsh's murder. WRAL Investigates found public records showing he avoided a multi-year prison sentence last year due to a plea agreement reducing four felonies to a single misdemeanor. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains what we're learning from Camacho's criminal history.

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 motions. The trial date for Austin Thompson is set to begin on Monday, February 2nd. The shooting took place on October 13, 2022, starting inside the Thompson family home and ending on the nearby Neuse River Greenway. Thompson was 15 at the time of the shooting. He faces 5 murder charges as well as 2 charges each of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. WRAL news reporter Shuan Gallagher spoke with a local defense attorney to learn more about what these pre-trial motions mean.  

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 critical destination for a key national security initiative. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains what’s coming to this town of 4,000 people.

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 nationwide, a new congressional map that seeks to increase the GOP's advantage in 2026 gained final approval. The 11 of 14 districts for the U.S. House of Representatives favor Republicans in the map. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains the impacts of this vote.

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 proposed data center. Hundreds of people have signed a Change.org petition against it. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains the plans for the facility and the pushback.