Episodes

Jan. 10, 2025

The stunning confession connected to a Fayetteville woman charged with murdering her two adoptive children

An astounding new development in the case of a Fayetteville mother accused of killing her adopted children. A woman confirmed to WRAL Investigates that she dismembered the body of Blake Deven. He's the boy investigators say Avantae Deven abused and starved to death, along with his adoptive sister, London Deven. WRAL's Chris Lovingood explains why she's speaking up now.
Jan. 9, 2025

Bird Flu found in NC poultry and recent U.S. death raise concerns about potential outbreak

A Hyde County poultry farm has found bird flu among its commercial egg producing flock. The virus' risk to humans is still low but the first human death in the U.S. has health officials on alert. WRAL's Grace Hayba explains the likelihood of a human outbreak and how prepared we would be to deal with one.
Jan. 8, 2025

How should Wake County Schools handle cell phones in the classroom?

Wake County Public Schools is looking at putting its first-ever cell phone policy in place. Many options are on the table, including banning phones altogether. WRAL's Eric Miller talked to parents and students about the possible solutions.
Jan. 7, 2025

Gilbert Baez reflects on time at WRAL after 17 years leading the Fayetteville Bureau

Longtime WRAL reporter Gilbert Baez departed after 17 years leading our reporting from Fayetteville. He's covered the area for decades--through breaking news, severe weather and community driven stories. Gilbert reflects on his time at the station.
Jan. 6, 2025

The year ahead in North Carolina politics

There are big changes in North Carolina leadership after the November elections--from the governor to the state legislature and beyond. WRAL State Government Reporter breaks down what he's watching in the new year.
Jan. 3, 2025

Two Raleigh men share what they saw before, during and after the New Orleans terrorist attack

At least 14 were killed and dozens injured when a truck drove through a New Year's Day crowd on Bourbon Street. As the investigation into the suspect continues, WRAL spoke to two men who found themselves in the French Quarter during the attack. We also found out how they're reflecting on what happened.
Dec. 31, 2024

Revisiting 2024: Blake and London Deven's adoptive mother charged with their murders

As we look back on 2024, the WRAL Daily Download is revisiting some of our episodes from the year. WRAL's Chris Lovingood began reporting on two children missing for years from Fayetteville as soon as we learned about the investigation in the spring. We bring you back to the day their adoptive mother was arrested for their murder and bring you an update on the case.
Dec. 30, 2024

Did Governor Roy Cooper keep his campaign promises?

As we close out 2024, WRAL has updated its Promise Tracker for North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper one last time. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down Cooper's final grades.
Dec. 27, 2024

Bowl Game Breakdown: What to expect from NC State, UNC, and Duke football

It's the most wonderful time of the year...for college football! This weekend, NC State will play in the Military Bowl and UNC-Chapel Hill in the Fenway Bowl. Next week, Duke is in the Gator Bowl. WRAL Sports Reporter Louis Fernandez breaks down who each team is up against and which are favored to win.
Dec. 26, 2024

Revisiting 2024: An update on Old Shiloh after Hurricane Helene

As we look back on 2024, the WRAL Daily Download is revisiting some of our episodes from the year. Back in February, WRAL's Gerald Owens told us the story of Shiloh--a historically Black neighborhood in the Asheville area that you may know as the Biltmore Estate. We bring you that story and how the area is doing after Helene.
Dec. 24, 2024

Revisiting 2024: WRAL meteorologist calls it a "strange" year for weather

Tornadoes, flooding, and hurricanes are just some of the wild weather our state saw in 2024. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth reflects on what we learned and what it could tell us about weather in the new year.
Dec. 23, 2024

Hurricanes and elections: A busy year for misinformation in NC

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.
Dec. 23, 2024

Hurricanes and elections: A busy year for misinformation in NC

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.
Dec. 20, 2024

The chemicals inside Poe Hall and where they were found

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.
Dec. 19, 2024

Winters warming in Raleigh and around the world

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.
Dec. 18, 2024

How a convicted murderer got away from the Alamance County Courthouse during his trial

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.
Dec. 17, 2024

Emails reveal a local District Attorney's policy to dismiss gun charges for felons

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.
Dec. 16, 2024

'That was wrong' accuser in Duke University lacrosse scandal admits to lying

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.
Dec. 13, 2024

Bill Belichick and the transition to college football

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.
Dec. 12, 2024

Its official: UNC hires coaching legend Bill Belichick to lead Tar Heel Football

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.
Dec. 12, 2024

Chapel Bill? Tar Heels offer Belichick coaching job

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.
Dec. 10, 2024

Catherine Truitt reflects on tenure as NC superintendent

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.
Dec. 9, 2024

Why biotech companies are flocking to Holly Springs

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.
Dec. 6, 2024

New polling reveals most North Carolina voters approve of using military to deport undocumented immigrants

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.