WRAL Daily Download

The community of Southport is grieving three killed in a shooting along the waterfront while the suspected shooter is awaiting his next court date. WRAL's Heidi Kirk talked to witnesses and investigators about what happened inside American Fish Company.

Lawmakers returned to Raleigh last week, passing a flurry of bills aimed at individual projects and new policies. But, they left without a deal on a state budget or a plan to fund Medicaid expansion. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran shares the highlights. 

Nearly three months after Tropical Storm Chantal caused millions of dollars in estimated damage to Hillsborough, one of the public spaces most impacted in the town, Gold Park, has reopened. Town officials said watermarks in the park's restrooms reached 6 feet high. WRAL news reporter Flynn Snyder spoke with Hillsborough residents about the park's return, while checking in on some more of the major damage to the town and the work still being done to recover.

The newest WRAL Documentary airs Thursday, September 25 on WRAL-TV and online platforms and looks back at the damage caused in western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene one year later. Helene was the most damaging storm in state history causing $60 billion in damage and killing 108 people. WRAL's Cristin Severance shares the stories of hope and survival as recovery continues.

On Monday, Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson was named the next head coach of the U.S. Women's basketball team for the next four years. Lawson will coach the Team USA in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany, and at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. WRAL sports reporter Pat Welter talks about the emotional journey for Lawson and why the U.S. women's national team means so much to her.

Holly Hill Hospital's CEO says seven teens who escaped Sunday night in Raleigh attacked a staff member to get out. The incident raised questions about past issues at the facility. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains the history of escapes and inspections at Holly Hill.

State lawmakers return to Raleigh this week for another check-in after failing to pass a budget on time earlier this summer. Lawmakers are expected to introduce a bill with a number of proposed law enforcement and judicial reforms. And they could consider funding for health care, economic development and more. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran breaks it all down. 

The UNC System Board of Governors discussed a tuition increase up to 3% at its universities. It would be the first increase in the cost of tuition in the system in the last 9 years. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down how much families could pay.

Duke Health and health insurance company Aetna are in the middle of contract negotiations. There's just about a month left to salvage a deal. Depending on the outcome, more than 750,000 state employees could see their insurance premiums rise for the second time in the past few months.  WRAL state government reporter Will Doran talks aobut what is slowing down negotiations, what State Teasurer Brad Briner has to say, and what are the consequences of a deal coming together or falling through.

It is hurricane season in North Carolina. While you may be thinking about how to protect your family from floodwaters or your home from storm damage, veterinarians say you should be thinking about protecting your pets too. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin has been reporting on how hurricanes can impact our environment, our families, and now, our furry friends.  

Charlie Kirk's death has led many people aroudn the country to voice their thoughts on the shooting and the state of our politics on social media. It has been met with swift public reaction in some cases. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher and Kirstyn Clark explain comments made by Durham's Police Chief and a Wake County Schools teacher that have some calling for them to be fired.

A new data center in Tarboro promised to bring in 500 jobs, $6.4 billion in investment and millions in new tax revenue for the rural North Carolina community, but residents weren't convinced. Fears over water use, noise and the project's long-term sustainability pushed the town council to reject the plan. Tarboro isn't alone in potential data center locations and concerns. WRAL climate change reporter Liz McLaughlin talks about how a growth of data centers could impact the environment, the power grid and your wallet. 

A North Carolina attorney boldly dared to be searched and even arrested in front of the state’s Supreme Court Justices while holding a baggie in hand. In that baggie was a green plant: Was it hemp or marijuana? No one in the room, not even top law enforcement, could tell. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran shares why the inability to do so is causing issues in the North Carolina legal system.   

Last month, a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman who came to the U.S. to flee the war with Russia was fatally stabbed on a light rail train in Charlotte.  Though it received little national attention for a few weeks, in the last few days, the stabbing has sparked a political firestorm across all levels of government, from Charlotte, to Raleigh, to Washington, D.C. and beyond.  WRAL Political Reporter Paul Specht joins us now to talk about why politicians on either side of the aisle are paying attention to this specific case.   

As the cooler months approach, respiratory illnesses are front of mind, which includes COVID-19. Unlike years past, as of now, not everyone can walk up to a pharmacy and get the shot. WRAL's Ashley Rowe talks about where things stand, why there's confusion and when you'll find out for sure if you're eligible this season.

On Monday, 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.

Duke University's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center will soon offer new mental and emotional support for its patients, their families and their caregivers, all thanks to the donation of a former patient's daughter. Durham native Rebecca Feinglos donated $250,000 to create the Susan & Mark Feinglos Grief initiative in honor of her parents. Her mother died after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, the most deadly for of brain cancer when she was 13 years old. Her father died from a sudden illness in 2020. WRAL news reporter Grace Holland shares how Feinglos hopes the new program can help all those impacted by the cancer - from patients to family and even medical professionals. 

Durham County EMS workers made nearly $2 million in overtime and worked more than 30,000 hours of overtime in just one year, according to reports obtained by WRAL Investigates through a public records request. It's an example of the need for additional employees: 22% of positions are vacant. WRAL Investigative Reporter Sarah Krueger speaks on the concerns and potential solutions.

New data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows student test scores are still not up to pre-pandemic levels, across nearly all subjects and grade levels. But, there’s some positive news: Test scores are on the rise, especially in math, and, in some cases, students are making big gains. WRAL Education Reporter Emily Walkenhorst digs into the test scores and what they show about student performance in the classroom. 

The South Wake Landfill has been causing an odor problem for neighbors in Apex and Holly Springs since it opened in 2008. In the past three months, complaints are on the rise again. The county said most come from within a half-mile radius, but some have been filed from as far as 2 miles away. WRAL news reporter Heidi Kirk spoke with residents about living with the smell and officials with the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling to see why the smell is more prominent this summer and what they're doing to find a solution.

Fall semester starts at Saint Augustine's University on Tuesday but students will begin classes without a clear leader in place. SAU's interim president resigned two days before the first day citing personal reasons. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher explains the reaction from alumni.

The University of North Carolina has turned to former NASCAR team executive Steve Newmark to help guide the Tar Heels into a new era of college athletics. Newmark says UNC is looking for every last bit of new revenue for an athletics budget approaching $200 million. WRAL sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy outlines the top priorities for Newmark, who takes over the role next year.

New EPA data shows PFAS, short for per-and polyfluroalkyl, is showing up in 200 more drinking systems nationwide, including in Durham and Fayetteville. Those chemicals, known as "forever chemicals" because of how hard they are to break down, can cause health issues. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin digs into how utilities are responding and if their efforts are paying off. 

Changes to federal benefit programs will likely mean a loss in free school meals for some students, advocates warn. The "One Big Beautiful Bill," signed into law by President Donald Trump in July, tightens eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance (SNAP) and Medicaid programs. While fewer families will qualify for SNAP and Medicaid, they may still qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. But they'll no longer automatically qualify for the meal program based on their SNAP or Medicaid eligibility. To stay eligible, they'll need to fill out extra paperwork --- paperwork that eligible families often don't fill out. WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst describes local reactions, how many families this could impact in North Carolina and when this could go into effect.

Biotechnology company Genentech broke ground on its first east coast facility on Monday. It plans to hire 420 people in Holly Springs as it works on developing obesity drugs. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher explains what the company's plans are over the next five years.

The North Carolina Criminal Justice Information Network is scrambling to find permanent funding for a program that tracks defendants in domestic violence cases across the state. The group’s ankle monitors are being used in 12,000 cases across the state. But its funds are running low. WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht explains what it could mean for victims and defendants.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter discuss the top storylines for UNC, Duke and NC State before the start of the 2025 college football season. The top storylines include: Will the Bill Belichick experiment work at UNC? Duke QB Darian Mensah making a reported $8 million in 2 years How long will Manny Diaz stay at Duke? Is Dave Doeren on the hot seat? Will NC State continue its 4-game winning streak vs. UNC? What role will Jordon Hudson have at UNC? UNC QB battle: Gio Lopez vs. Max Johnson Can NC State's defense return to form? CJ Bailey's sophomore season College football chaos Duke CB Chandler Rivers Duke's British LB Memorable Factor

Artificial Intelligence – what most people now refer to as “A-I” – is a powerful tool that could help students learn. But it’s also raising new concerns about cheating and bias, and educators are being forced to rethink how they teach. 5 On Your Side’s Keely Arthur digs into how teachers are responding to AI and if it can help with academic performance.   

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 in the Outer Banks. But a new collaborative study finds that some of the very efforts to protect this road whenever a major storm comes through may actually be making Ocracoke more vulnerable in the long run. WRAL climate reporter Liz McLaughlin has been digging into the findings. 

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 to line up with some of the busiest times of the year for the beach. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur shares with us what you can do to get a refund if you have to cancel your vacation plans.

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 most impacts from the storm's wind and rain. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher explains the precautions taken so far.

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 its not just a way to help make teams more money, but also make them perform better.  WRAL’s Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy shares what he's learned about the change.   

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 of a $14.1 million federal grant to do so earlier this year. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention 40% of US high school students in 2023 reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year and 20% reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year. More than half of U.S. adolescents reported discussing their mental and emotional health with a health care professional. WRAL news reporter Destinee Patterson spent time with professionals directly involved and shares how they're trying to meet the goal despite the loss of federal money. If you or someone you know needs help -- you can contact the Suicide and Crisis lifeline at any time.  The number is 988. You can also visit wral.com and search 'get help' for additional resources in our area.

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 compromised during a 2023 data breach, impacting thousands of customers. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher shares how he found the story and what steps to take to protect yourself.

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 group, purchased the site in the summer of 2022 with plans to develop it into an area for lab science spaces, offices, and residential units. But there’s a lot in flux, including a pulled rezoning request and the feelings of the historic African American community around it. WRAL news reporter Monica Casey dives into the history and details while trying to answer the question: what comes next?  

Wake County Public School System has a $200 million dollar maintenance backlog affecting heating and cooling its classrooms. Students have been pushing for new HVAC technology but the district says it's not ready for that kind of upgrade. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains the obstacles.

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 staff and tweak processes to improve special education services, and they’re looking for ways to improve management of individualized education plans — a source of frustration for many parents. WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst breaks down the reorganization.

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 noncitizens were not counted in the U.S. Census. And now, President Trump is calling for changes to the Census to count them out. But would it make a difference? PolitiFact Reporter Paul Specht weighs in. 

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 Eric Miller takes a look at how it's impacting people who live there.

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 rare, but can be fatal, and the North Carolina coast is seeing an uptick in cases. WRAL Climate Change reporter Liz McLaughlin puts the danger into perspective, discusses who is most at risk, and looks at the reason for this troubling trend.

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 and financial ways. WRAL's Willie Daniely tells the story of one woman.

A federal judge in Raleigh ruled that endometriosis can qualify as a disability for legal protections. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains how the decision could help women who suffer from the condition receive accommodations at work or school.

Thursday, Michael Whatley, Republican National Committee Chair and longtime ally of President Trump, launched his campaign to seek his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate Seat. We explore his background, his platform, and why going up against the Democratic challenger, former Governor Roy Cooper, will make this an expensive and exciting race. 

The North Carolina House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass House Bill 245, which would allow North Carolinians to renew their driver’s licenses online more frequently and ease a law requiring new drivers to document their driving practice hours and submit logs to the state. The bill now goes to the Senate. WRAL's Kirstyn Clark explains the impact to DMV lines and safety.

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 'mini budget' plan to fund some basic state functions. WRAL's Laura Leslie and Liz McLaughlin explain the impacts of these moves.

Doctors in the Triangle report seeing more patients reporting persistant nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration. Many are being diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. WRAL health reporter Grace Hayba talked to one woman who was sick for months before doctors could get to the bottom of it.

Set in the fictitious North Carolina coastal town of Havenport, the Netflix drama "The Waterfront" follows the powerful Buckley family as their fishing and restaurant empire crumbles. To stay financially afloat, the family resorts to drug smuggling. Created by New Bern native Kevin Williamson, the eight-episode first season features prominent Wilmington and Southport landmarks. WRAL's Mark Bergin and Justin Arner shared their thoughts on the first season of "The Waterfront," and whether they'd like to see a second season.

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. Senate race. Meanwhile, former governor Roy Cooper is likely to be the front runner fo the Democrats. WRAL's Paul Spect explains as the race takes shape.

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 what happened at the home, and help from the 5 On Your Side team, got him a $6,000 refund. 

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 anesthesia-related dental procedures. Sarah Krueger explains the growing calls for reform.

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 season full of uncertainty. WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy looks at the changes to revenue sharing, player endorsment deals and more. Plus the biggest stories to watch for this season across the Triangle.