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 journalists, episodes post weekdays by 4:30am.
Episodes
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 t...
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. statewid...
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...
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 stat...
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 h...
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.
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