WRAL Daily Download

WRAL’s PolitiFact team investigated dozens of claims made by politicians and government officials in North Carolina in 2025. WRAL PolitiFact reporter Paul Specht breaks down some of the year's most popular fact-checks. 

This year, the WRAL Documentary team premiered five stories. They range in topics from western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene to the first season of Bill Belichick's tenure at UNC.  WRAL's Cristin Severance sat down to talk through these five stories, what they learned and what they hope people take away from these documentaries.

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 competing globally in the coming year. WRAL' s Grace Holland learned more about the growing sport of aesthetic gymnastics.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, is a United States and Canada bi-national organization which, according to its website, "defends the homeland through aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America." On Christmas Eve, for the past 70 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, track Santa Claus. We spoke with Major Kathleen Leaton about their work helping out the big man.

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 for months. CHS is a condition characterized by persistent nausea and vomiting, intense abdominal pain and loss of appetite. As the condition gains attention on social media, WRAL health reporter Grace Hayba revisits what it looks like, what causes it and updates us on how Jill is doing.

The North Carolina Tar Heels finished year one under head coach Bill Belichick with a disappointing 4-8 record. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer were fired in December. The team has a large group of freshmen coming in, but there's a lot of work to be done in the offseason. WRAL Sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy talks about where the program stands after a full season with Bill Belichick, what challenges the team faces and how much patience the university will have for the six-time Super Bowl winning head coach.

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 of it garnered hundreds of comments and shares on social media. WRAL's Kirstyn Clark spoke with officials about what caused the problem. 

WRAL’s newest documentary, "Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way," reveals how the University of North Carolina landed Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest football coach of all time, and what unfolded next. WRAL Documentary Investigator Cristin Severance speaks ahead of the documentary, detailing how it uncovers the real story behind one of the most unlikely and consequential hires in college athletics.

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 severance package after resigning. WRAL's Carly Haynes explains how we got here.

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 Helene recovery relief, which they blame on the federal government. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein’s advisory committee on Western North Carolina recover, a bipartisan group of state and local officials in charge of Helene recovery goals, are pretty upset as well. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran discusses what these groups say is slowing things down and what they want to see change. Plus, what federal government representatives are saying about the complaints.  

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. The timeline had some community members wondering if the wait was worth the resources. We share why the Craven County Sheriff said it was, and will be in future cases. 

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 stays in the cities and counties that collect those taxes. WRAL's Will Doran explains what this says about housing affordabilty in our state.

A top North Carolina legislator yelled and threw a book Wednesday during a legislative hearing where lawmakers grilled Chapel Hill-Carrboro school officials about ignoring parts of the "Parents' Bill of Rights" law. That law limits discussion of gender identity among some of the state's youngest students. WRAL's Flynn Snyder was at the hearing and explains how school officials are responding.   

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 Congress could finally make that recognition a reality. WRAL's Will Doran explains what will change if and when its approved.

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 difficult to hear, but bring up important questions. WRAL Investigative reporter Sarah Krueger looks into who has been charged in these cases, what kind of charges they face and what is the state doing to prevent these deaths.

Proposed changes to North Carolina's math standards would shake up requirements for upperclassmen in the state’s public high schools and emphasize real-world problem-solving in all grade levels. Education leaders say they want to make math more interesting and relevant to students. WRAL Education Reporter Emily Walkenhorst explains.

President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race isn’t deterring other Republicans from the race. Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman who Trump endorsed this summer, is expected to face Waxhaw lawyer Don Brown and teacher Elizabeth Temple of Smithfield in the GOP primary to replace outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who isn’t seeking reelection in next year’s midterms.  WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht goes over who has entered the race. Plus a look at the state's 1st Congressional District.

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 postponed, neighboring towns' convention centers are offering to host if needed. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains where the investigation into the cause stands.

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 potentially life-saving procedures without spending an exorbitant amount of money. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher spoke with one woman ahead of her scheduled hysterectomy on Tuesday. Plus, what we know about insurance company contracts with healthcare providers across the state.

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 talks about Dave Doeren's return, season one under Bill Belichick and Duke's suprise trip to the ACC Championship. Plus, Murphy dives into the college football playoff outlook for Duke and the ACC.

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 construction hasn’t started. And the company says it needs more time to meet hiring goals tied to hundreds of millions of dollars in state economic incentives. WRAL State Government Editor Jack Hagel explains why state officials agreed to adjust key deadlines to accommodate the company.

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 the best strategies to not pay too much in store or online during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and everything in between. 

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 how to best prepare for travel turbulence you may experience when flying. 

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 resulting in one woman's death. No one has been arrested. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger talks about where things stand and what's next for the investigation and the community.

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 winter weather outlook. WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains what the team looks for, how it puts together its predictions and what to expect for all you snow lovers out there.

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 whole list of claims surrounding these sweeps and the aftermath that were either false or in dispute.  

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 to Mike Robinson, who shared his story with WRAL's Keely Arthur. 

The euthanasia rate for animal shelters statewide is starting to tick up slightly, after bottoming out during the pandemic, according to numbers provided by the state. WRAL Investigates analyzed data from 2024 for every county's shelter to find which shelters have the highest euthanasia rates, which have the lowest, and what may be behind that variation. WRAL Investigates senior producer Randall Kerr discusses which counties are falling behind and how some counties are keeping rates low.

Local officials confirmed federal immigration agents were conducting operations in the Triangle Tuesday. Videos of interactions with those agents in Raleigh and Durham flooded social media along political statements on the operation. WRAL's Louis Fernandez and Grace Holland break down what we know so far.

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 polls this month, a top staffer took voluntary leave after what appeared to be an internal dispute over a statement refuting a Democratic Party leader. That came a day after the board’s top lawyer had departed. The departures come months after the elections board shifted from Democratic to Republican control. It also has new oversight from the Republican state auditor.  WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht talks about what the changes mean.

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 bill that would fill it, and they plan to ignore orders by Gov. Josh Stein to hold a special session this week to strike a deal. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the battle over the funding, and explains what happens if the shortfall isn’t solved.

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 project taking place over the last four years. WRAL's Grace Holland shares her experience touring the assembly line.

North Carolina is known for being first in flight. Wilbur and Orville Wright claimed that title. Fast forward 122 years later. America's first flying car is touching down in the Tar Heel state. WRAL's Flynn Snyder shares what this could mean for transportation in North Carolina and what challenges those wanting to fly may face. 

The House is set to vote on a Senate approved plan to reopen the government. It would restore important funding for federal food aid and federal workers' pay but it does not extend expiring health subsidies. WRAL's Ashley Roe explains what impacts that would have on healthcare costs in our state.

Researchers at the City University of New York's Advanced Science Research Center have published new findings that could create a new way to detect climate threats before they show up. They call it a "Climate BioStress Sentinel System" that would track how climate change is stressing living things, using those signals in a preventative fashion. WRAL climate change reporter Liz McLaughlin explains how this works and how it could be implemented in a state like North Carolina.

One of the most accomplished Republican legislators in North Carolina history faces a primary challenger with enough name-recognition to potentially capture his seat and upend the state’s power dynamics — a battle involving casinos, shrimpers, raw milk and allegations of playing politics with public safety. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains.

This year's government shutdown is the longest in history. Over the past few weeks, we've started to see direct impacts across the country. The newest trouble comes in the sky. The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a reduction of air traffic at 40 of the busiest airports across the United States. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur joins us to talk through what troubles we could see at RDU and beyond, plus what you should know if you're flying soon.

Four different towns in Wake County will have new mayors next year. It comes after Democrats made big gains in the county’s suburbs on election night. Paul Specht and Will Doran with WRAL's NC Capitol Team break down what happened and what this may mean for Democrats and Republicans heading into 2026 – when all eyes will be on North Carolina for the U.S. Senate race. 

North Carolina FC is seeking membership in a new, higher USL division and will suspend operations after this season to pursue that. The move would require a larger stadiumm WRAL's Louis Fernandez explains how that could also help the NC Courage.

When you’re driving in Wake County, are there any intersections that make you worry? Maybe you make sure to pay EXTRA attention, maybe you just avoid them all together? WRAL Investigates has looked into what Wake County intersections have the most car crashes and what’s being done to make things better. Sarah Krueger combs through the NCDOT data and shares the results with us.  

As the government shutdown continues, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, has faced much uncertainty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the country's biggest food aid program starting on Saturday, November 1, but two federal judges have ruled that a contingency fund must be used. Even that emergency fund only extends SNAP so long. More than 1.4 million North Carolinians receive help from SNAP. We're sharing stories of people dealing with the uncertainty, ways you can receive help and ways you can give help.

When it comes to crime in Durham, both City and County leaders say things are heading in the right direction. Overall violent crime is down compared to last year. But now, Durham’s taking a new approach to tackling gun violence. WRAL’s Monica Casey weighs in.   

On Wednesday, the National Park Service put out a warning to visitors coming to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore: avoid the beach and stay out of the water. It comes after five different homes on the oceanfront collapsed this week, leaving hazardous debris in the water and along the beach. So far this year, the National Park Service has reported 16 oceanfront homes have collapsed. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin shares more. 

Johnston County deputies and State Bureau of Investigation agents searched for evidence at a home in Zebulon Tuesday after four children were found dead. Deputies say their father told 911 he killed them. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher explains what we know about the case so far.

The Atlantic Coast Conference got just four teams into the men's NCAA Tournament last season, one of the lowest totals it's had in decades. For the past few years, the men's side of things have underperformed in the regular season for the ACC. WRAL Sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy dives into why that is, what changes have been made and what the future could look like for the former top conference.

North Carolina’s new congressional districts, approved Wednesday, are already facing legal challenges. The new voting map gives Republicans an edge in 11 of the state’s 14 congressional districts. Opponents allege racial gerrymandering, a claim GOP lawmakers deny. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the arguments.

Imagine getting a letter saying your driver’s license is being suspended, for a ticket from a state you’ve never even visited. That’s what happened to one North Carolina woman. 5 On Your Side’s Keely Arthur uncovers how a simple mistake nearly cost her license, and what you need to know to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

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.

Several headlines came out of a Tuesday press conference with UNC Football Coach Bill Belichick. From a suspended coach reinstated to a paused Hulu docuseries and a trip to Saudi Arabia, there's been a lot of distractions. WRAL's Brian Murphy explains how the team is handling all of that and preparing for this weekend's game against Virginia.

A Wake Forest woman tried over and over again to get Verizon to cancel her husband's phone service. He was diagnosed with dementia more than a decade ago and now lives in an assisted care facility. She contacted 5 On Your Side and within a week Verizon resolved the matter. Keely Arthur explains what happened and how you can be prepared if you ever need to handle bills and subscriptions for a loved one. 

State lawmakers are coming back to Raleigh this week to vote on newly proposed congressional districts — an effort to help the GOP maintain its majority in Congress. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the new map and lays out what’s expected in the week ahead.