WRAL Daily Download

A popular former governor and a key ally of President Donald Trump cruised to their parties’ U.S. Senate nominations Tuesday, setting up an expected matchup that could play a key role in determining control of the chamber in November.

Former two-term North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is a Democrat, and former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley will meet in the general election in a race for a current GOP-held seat in North Carolina.

WRAL's Brian Murphy and Louis Fernandez discuss how it happened and what the next few months look like ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

Whether you're looking to buy or sell--spring is typically the best time of the year for real estate. The red-hot Triangle market could look a little different this year. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur explains what to expect.

North Carolina voters go to the polls Tuesday to pick party nominees for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. The seat is being closely watched nationally as Republicans try to maintain control of the chamber. WRAL state government reporters Will Doran and Paul Specht break down the race.

Is there a right way to use artificial intelligence in or out of the classroom? WRAL Education Reporter Emily Walkenhorst and WRAL's Destinee Patterson look into how teachers, students, and tech leaders are talking about A.I. use in the classroom. 

Does buying more actually save more? But is the time and cost worth it in the end? 5 On Your Side's Alex Littlehales tries to find out where your money is best spent. 

Six people are injured and 70 people are out of their homes after a fire at the Camden Westwood Apartments in Morrisville. As residents move into recovery mode, investigators are working to figure out the cause. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains where the investigation stands.

New construction homes are booming across the Triangle.

A report from Realtor.com ranked the Raleigh area as one of the top 10 metros in the country for new home construction.

WRAL 5 On Your Side reporter Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL digital producer Jaylin Jones and shares that new doesn't always mean perfect. What buyers need to check before they sign on the dotted line.

During Black History Month, WRAL anchor/reporter Kirstyn Clark and digital producer Jaylin Jones talk about a local piece of important history - the Pack-House and Grigsby House in Holly Springs.

Clark dives into her reporting on the Grigsby family, their impact and the desire to preserve an important part of Black History in Holly Springs.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports fentanyl and opioid overdoses dropped dramatically between 2024 and 2025. However, some parts of the state are still struggling with rates higher than the state average. WRAL's Alex Littlehales explains why. 

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 there.

WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst tells us how this came to pass and what's next for the school and its students.

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. statewide.

WRAL’s Carly Haynes and Jaylin Jones sat down to talk through the changes and how they fit into the big picture when it comes to fixing the DMV.

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 of what you need to know ahead of what could be a long few weeks in court. 

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 state government reporter Will Doran explains. 

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 have covered the winter games. They take a look at some major storylines for the world, the USA and right here in NC.

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.