WRAL Daily Download

On October 1, the federal government officially shut down. A big reason behind the shutdown is disputes of healthcare subsidies. Healthcare spending is also the focus of a budget fight here in North Carolina. WRAL State Government reporter tells us why it's a key focus and how both political fights may impact North Carolinians. 

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.

A new national study projects that more than two-thirds of North Carolina's counties could lose home value over the next few decades due to climate change. North Carolina has alread experienced firsthand the rising costs tied to weather events. WRAL Climate Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains how homeowners can prepare their homes.

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.