Episodes

This Atlantic hurricane season has been pretty inactive so far. Does the quiet now lead to more noise down the road – in the winter? WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels and Louis Fernandez talk through the numbers to see if there's any causation between the two. Plus, how El Nino could impact what we see this winter.

Social Security is a pillar of retirement for older people across the country. Because of a variety of factors, this government program will reach insolvency by 2032. New senators this cycle, including the one elected in North Carolina, will play a pivotal role in crafting solutions in the next six years. For this week's On the Record, WRAL state government reporter Will Doran and Louis Fernandez go over what insolvency means for current and future retirees and how it impacts the senate race ah...

A Fayetteville father is upset his complaints to Social Services did not help remove his children from dangerous living conditions, even providing documented evidence of his son and daughter being severely injured while living in the home. WRAL's Chris Lovingood investigated the case and explains his reporting process.

Earlier this week, the Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act in a bipartisan vote. It would regulate governing payments in NIL deals and how often college athletes can transfer. WRAL's Louis Fernandez and Brian Murphy go in-depth.

Do you know what's in your fuel? A lawsuit alleges two companies conspired to mix contaminated fuel with clean fuel loads and sell it to drivers at 130 gas stations across the state. WRAL's Keely Arthur talks about the lawsuit and how the companies are responding.

The murder trial in the death of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth began in Durham Monday. The case has gripped the Triangle for more than a decade. WRAL's Monica Casey and Grace Holland answer some of the biggest questions heading to trial.

Sunday, September 27, marks two years since Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, becoming both the deadliest and most economically destructive storm in state history. It's also becoming a hot topic on the campaign trail for our US Senate race between Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran and WRAL News+ anchor Grace Holland talk through the past two years and how Hurricane Helene and its recovery efforts are playing a role in this November...

Robert Murphy Jr. is now facing dozens of charges tied to possible sexual abuse while working with athletes at NC State. WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy speaks with WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes about the new charges, after a judge dismissed a civil lawsuit against Murphy back in 2022.

President Donald Trump visited Gastonia, NC to back Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Michael Whatley. He discussed violent crime, diesel prices, and more. WRAL's Dan Haggerty was in the room and together with PolitiFact's Paul Specht, we check the facts to determine what's true, false and somewhere in between.

President Donald Trump spoke in Gastonia to give a boost to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley. His comments got a strong response from Governor Josh Stein. WRAL's Will Doran and Grace Holland talk through what it reveals about the President's midterm mindset.

WRAL sports investigate reporter Brian Murphy talks about what he learned from investigators who looked into allegations of drug use, sexual relationships and compliance issues within the UNC football program. Murphy met with lead investigators for over an hour on Thursday, the same day Steve Belichick's resignation was announced.

For today's WRAL Daily Download, we're going back in the vault to a previous episode. A new Consumer Reports investigation found concerning levels of certain additives and contaminants in some widely-sold foods and drinks. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Alex Littlehales explains what the findings show.

As WakeMed plans a massive partnership with Atrium Health, major questions remain about the cost of care, charity care and the potential for a $2 billion investment in the Triangle. WakeMed CEO Donald Gintzig sits down with WRAL's Dan Haggerty to discuss the questions coming from patients.

The fall foliage forecast is out for 2026! WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell spoke with a local expert to go over what our leaves will do this year. The heat, along with inconsistent rain over the summer, has put our area in a less-than-favorable position for fall foliage. What does that mean for the timeline for leaves to change colors? Are there still places in North Carolina where we can see those bright colors pop? Campbell and WRAL's Louis Fernandez spoke through what we can expect.

Less than two months from midterm elections and the campaign trail is heating up for U.S. senate Democratic nominee Roy Cooper and U.S. senate Republican nominee Michael Whatley. Cooper told supporters at a campaign stop in rural Wayne County Thursday that he stands by his record on public safety, defending his actions as North Carolina governor a day after nationally televised attacks from President Donald Trump. Whatley took to the national stage during the Republican national midterm conven...

The North Carolina Education Lottery has for years not met its goal of giving out at least 38% of proceeds to public education, which mostly includes K-12 schools, according to a state audit. A state statute indicates that at least 50% should go toward paying out winnings, the auditor said. North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a new report, North Carolina lawmakers and policymakers should make a decision about the future of the North Carolina Education Lottery. WRAL’s Randall Kerr ...

What led up to UNC Football's General Manager Michael Lombardi's resignation? WRAL's Pat Welter and Chris Lea walk us through the month leading up to his resignation.

On Monday morning, we heard from UNC football head coach Bill Belichick for the first time since the resignation of general manager Michael Lombardi. Lombardi’s resignation came in moments before WRAL reported new details about the scope of the investigation, a probe that was launched shortly after he was placed on administrative leave in July. People familiar with the investigation told WRAL that outside lawyers hired to conduct the inquiry are asking people close to the program about whether...

Voting is underway in North Carolina, as the 2026 midterm elections started here Friday. North Carolina is the first state in the country to begin voting, although most voters are still unlikely to cast their ballots for another month or more. The online portal that overseas and military voters can use opened at midnight. And as the day went on, officials in all 100 counties also began mailing out ballots to people stateside who have already requested to vote by mail. As that was all happening...

University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi, the highest-paid general manager in college football, resigned Thursday after a tumultuous tenure in Chapel Hill working alongside Bill Belichick, the university said. But the investigation is still ongoing, and lawyers hired by the university are now focused on behaviors by defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, people familiar with the investigation tell WRAL. WRAL's Dan Haggerty, Pat Welter and Brian Murphy talk through t...

What is a maternity care desert? How many of them are in North Carolina? WRAL Health Reporter Grace Hayba and WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes speak about how one North Carolina university is using doulas to do life-saving maternity care in rural communities.

Students in the capital used to go to school at either a Raleigh city school or a Wake County school. 50 years ago this year, the two school districts merged into one. Now, we know it as the Wake County Public School system. But it didn’t happen overnight – in fact, it took years. WRAL's Destinee Patterson and Emily Walkenhorst sit down with former superintendent Bill McNeal. He was a teacher during the time of the merger and would eventually lead the largest school district in the state.

A Wake County family is raising questions about the state's cemetery oversight after someone else's remains were buried in a plot they bought burial rights for more than a decade ago. WRAL's Alex Littlehales found out it's not the first time there's been a situation like this at that cemetery.

North Carolina election officials say things are "business as usual" as they plan to send mail-in ballots out next week. But there's been legal back-and-forth at the state and federal level. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran speaks with WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes about what voters need to know.