WRAL Daily Download

Election claims and the government’s response to a devastating natural disaster in western North Carolina spawned an endless stream of misleading rhetoric in 2024. And WRAL’s fact-checking team helped check claims and set the record straight. WRAL’s PolitiFact North Carolina reporter Paul Specht breaks down the top North Carolina fact-checks of the year.

Election claims and the government’s response to a devastating natural disaster in western North Carolina spawned an endless stream of misleading rhetoric in 2024. And WRAL’s fact-checking team helped check claims and set the record straight. WRAL’s PolitiFact North Carolina reporter Paul Specht breaks down the top North Carolina fact-checks of the year.

Over the past six months, WRAL 5 On Your Side has reviewed more than 1,000 pages of testing documents to understand the toxic chemicals people working and learning inside Poe Hall may have been exposed to. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur explains the results of that reporting.

As we head into the start of the winter season, new data shows that truly cold temperatures are becoming less and less frequent. While some may celebrate fewer snow days, it can have wide reaching impacts on the ecosystem. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains what it means for you.

Burlington Police are warning that a man found guilty of first-degree murder is on the loose. 47-year-old Litego Marshall left during a lunch break and never returned when the jury handed down a guilty verdict. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher dug into his criminal history.

A WRAL investigation uncovered that some criminals, seemingly, are not facing consequences for carrying guns in Durham. WRAL Investigates Reporter Sarah Krueger explains the apparent policy of the District Attorney's Office.

Crystal Mangum told a podcast host she falsely accused three Duke lacross players of raping her in 2006. The case put a national spotlight on Durham and Duke. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger explains why Mangum confessed 18 years later.

Bill Belichick was formally introduced as UNC-Chapel Hill's head football coach on Thursday. WRAL Sports Reporter Louis Fernandez breaks down Belichick's impressive NFL background and what he could bring to Carolina's program.

The University of North Carolina's Board of Trustees is expected to meet Thursday morning and approve Bill Belichick's five year contract. WRAL's Aaron Thomas reports from Chapel Hill about Tar Heel fans' reaction to the hire.

On Tuesday, sources told WRAL that the Tar Heels have offered former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick their head coaching job. No deal had been completed that night and no announcement was imminent but the news sent shockwaves nationally. WRAL's Brian Murphy breaks down the possible impacts.

North Carolina schools superintendent Catherine Truitt is preparing to leave office at the end of her four year term. While she says she and her team have accomplished a lot, North Carolina’s public schools still face many challenges. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst and NC Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie sat down with Truitt for an exit interview. Walkenhorst takes us through the high points.

Amgen Inc.’s expanded manufacturing plans could bring $1.5 billion and more than 700 jobs to Holly Springs. It’s one of several biotechnology companies to target the southern Wake County town for future production. WRAL State Government Editor Jack Hagel explains why the town has become a hotbed for life sciences — and how other parts of the Triangle are benefitting from the growth in the biotechnology sector.

According to a new Meredith College poll, a majority of North Carolina voters support President-elect Donald Trump's plan to deport undocumented immigrants with help from the military. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie breaks down those numbers.

A Garner man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting Alex Shirley and his friend Sophie Hagy. Shirley, a son of the star of "Lizard Lick Towing", was killed. Hagy is paralyzed from the waist down. WRAL Brett Knese explains what played out in court Wednesday.

Clients of a Wilson County law firm say they cannot reach their attorney after paying for legal services. As the state tries to figure out where he is, it leaves a void for those seeking counsel about immigration. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains what this shows us about the lack of immigration attorneys in rural parts of the state.

On Monday, the ACC announced both UNC and NC State would receive fines for a post-game fight. It was one of several fights at college football games over the weekend that started when the away team planted their flag on the home team's field. WRAL Investigative Sports Reporter Brian Murphy talks through how we got here.

It’s been two months since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in the region’s worst natural disaster in modern history. Since then, the state’s recovery efforts have become bogged down by political infighting. That’s a contrast from Washington, where the federal government’s efforts have remained mostly above the partisan fray. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains. 

Raleigh Police says it's network of 1,200 cameras throughout the city now includes those in and around Crabtree Valley Mall. The mall says will make the response to possible emergency situations faster. WRAL's Brett Kneese explains how it works.

UNC fired Mack Brown with three years left on his contract as head football coach for the Tarheels. It comes after a rough season for the team. WRAL's Brian Murphy explains who could be the next to fill the role.

Last week, Michael McLellan pleaded guilty to kidnapping, raping and murdering 13-year-old Hania Aguilar, who was taken from her Lumberton driveway in 2018. He was then taken back to prison to serve a life sentence--but he did not go easily. Deputies say he tried to escape twice. WRAL's Chelsea Donovan found out why law enforcement believes he'd been planning it for a while.

The Carolina Hurricanes are planning a $1 billion redevelopment around Lenovo Center. WRAL reporter Brian Murphy explains why it’s the centerpiece of a reimagined West Raleigh, why it’s taken so long for the area to evolve.

Last weekend, a car club meet-up ended with an officer shooting a 16-year-old in Durham. Within the same week, the citys' most recent crime report shows a decline in violent crime. WRAL's Monica Casey shares what we now know about the shooting and breaks down those new numbers.

The city of Raleigh will now require Christmas Parade participants to sign a waiver releasing the city from blame in the event of injury or death. The announcement came days before the 2024 parade and one day after the two year anniversary of Hailey Brooks' death. She was hit by a truck while dancing in the 2022 parade. WRAL's Sean Gallegher explains what legal experts say about the change.

The WRAL Severe Weather Team put out its winter weather prediction this week--and it doesn't look good for snow lovers. Snow has been less and less frequent in North Carolina over the last few years. WRAL Meteorologist Chris Michaels explains what factors went into this forecast.

WRAL News obtained missing audits for Saint Augustine's University that show internal control failures, documentation discrepancies and protocol breaches in major transactions. Meanwhile, a decision on the university's accreditation is expected next month. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains what we learned from the documents and how we got here.