WRAL Daily Download

Rising costs and dwindling enrollment are causing North Carolina schools to tighten their belts. 

Wake County Public schools proposed a budget with more than 5 million dollars in cuts, on top of more than 100 layoffs designed to save the state’s biggest school district millions more. 

WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains why districts are in a budget crunch and breaks down a new ruling in a major lawsuit over school funding.

Could Raleigh be the next home to a fleet of driverless taxis? 5 On Your Side's Alex Littlehales and WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones talk about what the program would look like and how city leaders are responding. 

Sports wagering was just the beginning of a betting boom across the country. Now prediction markets offer the opportunity to bet on just about anything. 

While sportsbooks deal with games and matchups, perhaps an important someone with insider information, is making hundreds of thousands of dollars betting on whether the Strait of Hormuz will be closed by this time next week. Or who will be the last one standing in the latest season of “Survivor” or taking home the Oscar for best picture. 

WRAL digital producer Jaylin Jones and sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy talk through what prediction markets are and its impacts in a modern speculative landscape. 

For the first time in more than 70 years, North Carolina turned to an outsider to lead its storied men’s basketball program. Michael Malone, a longtime NBA coach, is now charged with leading the Tar Heels back to national prominence and national titles.

In partnership with the WRAL sports podcast, WRAL Triangle and Two, Chris Lea and Brian Murphy go over the introductory press conference and what to expect from Malone in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina has been allocated $1.4 billion for Hurricane Helene relief from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. More than half of that is earmarked for single-family homes. Yet 18 months after the deadly storm ripped through the state, only 30 single-family homes have been completed through HUD-supported programs. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why officials say that’s good news, even though it is just a fraction of the thousands of homes that need attention. 

An influential Republican group says it plans to spend at least $71 million to help Michael Whatley’s U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina — an enormous pledge that comes less than a week after a poll showed Whatley trailing Democratic challenger Roy Cooper by 14 points. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why the race to replace U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is expected to break records for political spending in North Carolina.

Consumer Reports evaluated dozens of doorbell camera models, looking at video quality, response time and data security. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones about what happens to video that gets recorded, where it's stored, and how easily police can depend on the prodcut. 

Four astronauts--including a woman from North Carolina--are set to take off for the Moon on Wednesday aboard Artemis II. Nasa Ambassador Tony Rice is at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to cover the first Moon mission in 53 years. WRAL's Louis Fernandez spoke to him about this historic mission.

As high-protein diets surge in popularity, a Consumer Reports investigation found high levels of lead in some protein powders and shakes, raising questions about supplement safety. The good news: Consumer Reports’ nutrition team says many tasty foods pack a protein punch without the risk of heavy metals.

A recent CR investigation that found lead in more than two-thirds of the protein powders tested. In two plant-based powders, lead levels were about 12 to 16 times higher than what experts consider safe for a single day.

WRAL's Keely Arthur and Jaylin Jones talk through what you should know before leaning to heavily on protein powders.

North Carolina elections officials faced intense scrutiny over recounts in the Republican primary between state Sen. Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. 

WRAL state government reporters Paul Specht and Will Doran break down what we learned about the accuracy of elections in North Carolina — and the processes to verify the count.

They also break down what comes next for state budget negotiations and other big policy debates that could dominate the rest of 2026.

Crypto scams are surging because they're getting more sophisticated. Bank or retirement accounts are getting drained and the money is hard to trace and get back. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains what you need to watch out for.

State Senate Leader Phil Berger loses to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in a GOP primary for the Triad-area. Berger has been a constant in the State Senate and had great control over state legislative measures for years. How will the loss impact N.C. politics? Will Doran and Paul Specht share what this means going forward for the party and for North Carolinians. 

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake hit Western North Carolina Monday evening near the Macon-Jackson County line. Damage causing earthquakes are very rare in North Carolina but the state has seen a few memorable and powerful quakes. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains the largely forgotten history.

Pollen counts are on the rise, you might have seen plenty of it sticking on surfaces outside in North Carolina. It's only going to get worse, and it's likely to stick around longer this season too.

WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell and digital producer Jaylin Jones talk through why it's hitting so hard.

How are ICE operations playing out here in North Carolina? WRAL Investigates dives into the limited data on who is being detained and how the numbers differ between the current administration and the previous one. 

On Wednesday, Republicans in the North Carolina House of Representatives rolled out a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to lower people's property tax bills. Meanwhile, a committee heard a proposal to close a loophole for tax exemptions for affordable housing projects. WRAL's Shaun Gallegher explains how likely either of these proposals are to become law.

The WRAL documentary "The Gamble: Sports Betting in North Carolina" premieres at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday.

In 2024, mobile betting launched in North Carolina. WRAL's Mark Bergin and Brian Murphy discussed what people can bet on in North Carolina and what the state does not allow.

Plus, Bergin and Murphy shared their biggest takeaways after watching the documentary and what's next for mobile betting in North Carolina.

Several North Carolina primary elections are expected to go to recounts, including one in a closely watched legislative race. 

Senate leader Phil Berger trails his GOP primary challenger, Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page, by 23 votes out of more than 26,000 votes. That means Berger is eligible to request a recount. 

WRAL's Paul Specht and Will Doran breakdown the process and how it impacts this huge race in North Carolina politics.

Some key themes are emerging from North Carolina's primary elections. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks it all down — from the strength of Republican President Donald Trump’s endorsement to the strength of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s veto.

Do you know if you live in a flood zone? Multiple studies show that more than half of flood damage actually occurs outside of FEMA's regulatory floodzones. WRAL's Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin and WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones discuss what this means for North Carolinians and why funding issues make it hard for those creating new flood maps. 

Botox and other cosmetic injectibles are a booming business with no national standard for training. A cosmetic injectibles training company is partnering with the UNC School of Nursing to offer hands-on instruction. WRAL's Grace Hayba explains what patients should know before seeking these types of treatments.

The official start to spring is still more than a week away, but doctors say North Carolinians are already feeling the effects of allergy symptoms. Allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer, making symptoms worse for many.

Climate change reporter Liz McLaughlin talks to digital producer Jaylin Jones, explaining the reasons behind the intensifying pollen and shares practical tips to manage allergies.

The men's ACC basketball tournament begins Tuesday in Charlotte, NC. WRAL digital producer Jaylin Jones goes over his top five headlines ahead of the start of the matchups, including where NC State, UNC and Duke lineup with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon. 

A video game centered around convicted child sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein may have been accessed and played by students in Wake County, school officials confirmed to WRAL Tuesday. 

The game in question, "Five Nights at Epstein's" is a survival-based game appearing to parallel another internet horror game "Five Nights at Freddy's."

WRAL's Alex Littlehales and Jaylin Jones talk about what we know about the game, the response from WCPSS and what parents should know. 

One of North Carolina’s most powerful state legislators was in a dead heat with his GOP primary opponent late Tuesday after all of the district’s precincts reported their vote totals.

Senate leader Phil Berger, who was first elected in 2001, trailed Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page by two votes Tuesday night in the Republican primary to represent the senate’s 26th district.

WRAL's Shaun Gallagher and Paul Specht have everything you need to know about this tight race.