Episodes
July 19, 2023
Summer excursions: Visiting ghost towns in North Carolina
You’ve probably driven by one and not even noticed it… a ghost town. North Carolina is full of them. Why go to the beach this summer when you can visit one of these spooky places? WRAL’s Hidden History reporter Heather Leah s...
July 18, 2023
Summer excursions: Hidden remnants of Raleigh’s first zoo in Pullen Park
It’s right in the middle of the bustling city. On any given Saturday or Sunday families with children flock to Raleigh’s Pullen Park to enjoy the small train, the paddle boats, the playground or the carousel. But did you know...
July 17, 2023
Will NC make a $1.43 billion bet on start-ups?
State lawmakers are considering a proposal that would pump $1.425 billion into unproven companies. Supporters say the money is needed to spur economic growth in the state. Opponents say it has too many risks, and the money wo...
July 17, 2023
Summer excursions: A life-size dinosaur roams Durham woods
If you’re a fan of dinosaurs, there’s one roaming the woods in Durham that you must see this summer. You might see him peering through the branches along the heavily wooded greenway trail. He’s been there for more than fifty ...
July 13, 2023
Giving students a chance to thrive beyond high school in Goldsboro
For as long as anyone can remember, Goldsboro High School has struggled to have students achieve at their grade level or above. Currently, the high school is part of the state’s Restart program which gives low-performing scho...
July 11, 2023
Governmental immunity—what it means and how it affects us all
If we break a traffic law, there’s a good chance we’ll get a ticket. If we violate a policy at work, there’s a good chance we will be reprimanded. But there’s one entity that’s above being held responsible for wrongdoing in N...
July 10, 2023
Power struggle at the State Bureau of Investigation
A battle is simmering over leadership of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. It involves allegations of discrimination and intimidation and political meddling in what is supposed to be an independent agency. The...
July 7, 2023
ICYMI: Redistricting and gerrymandering in North Carolina explained
Originally aired on March 22, 2023, this episode of the WRAL Daily Download explains some things that are often hard to put into layman’s terms. It’s been the topic of heated debate across the country and here in North Caroli...
July 6, 2023
ICYMI: Tips to make your DMV wait time shorter
This show aired on February 9, 2023, but there’s no doubt that many of us are still apprehensive when we have to head to the DMV. Wait times continue to be a concern at North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles. 5 On Your S...
July 5, 2023
ICYMI: Coach K, after the court, Pt 1
This interview originally aired in January of 2023, long after he coached his last season. But he will forever be an icon in college basketball. Love him, or not, former Duke Men’s Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski has be...
July 5, 2023
ICYMI: Coach K, after the court, Pt 2
Mike Krzyzewski talks about the Final Four, his last game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, and his new dog, Coach, with WRAL’s Debra Morgan in part two of her in-depth interview with the coaching legend. https://www.wralsportsfan.c...
July 4, 2023
ICYMI: 8 iconic Raleigh landmarks that changed forever in 2022
This episode originally aired on January 20, 2023, but it’s a trend that continues. As Raleigh’s skyline fills with cranes that are busy building new high-rises, some of the old flavor that many people grew up with is disappe...
July 3, 2023
ICYMI: Recycling 101
This show originally aired in December 2022, but trying to understand the rules of recycling never gets outdated. Most of us want to be better stewards of the planet we live on, but recycling rules can be confusing and can va...
July 3, 2023
NC health policy proposals could impact medical bills
Lawmakers are considering provisions that would help UNC Health and Atrium Health, already some of the industry's biggest players, expand. The Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns about competition. WRAL state governm...
June 30, 2023
A woman is chastised by a judge for bringing her breastfed infant to court in Wilson County
Amanda Mullen was in a Wilson County courtroom asking for a domestic violence protective order. She says she had no choice but to bring her ten-month old baby with her because she is exclusively breastfed. Mullen says she was...
June 30, 2023
Coastal safety on North Carolina’s beaches
With a coastline of more than 300 miles that attracts more than 12 million visitors per year, North Carolina has its hands full when it comes to dealing with water emergencies. Only 17 of our state’s beaches have lifeguards. ...
June 29, 2023
The history behind the Pride movement in Raleigh
We started the month of June speaking with a Raleigh business owner about what the Pride movement means to him, and how it has allowed him to thrive both personally and professionally. In this episode, as Pride month comes to...
June 28, 2023
North Carolina abortion bill continues to change in the 11th hour
This week a new abortion law will go into effect in North Carolina which tightens restrictions unless a federal judge blocks them. This comes after the GOP-controlled legislature overrode the governor’s veto of the controvers...
June 27, 2023
ECourt defects and alleged injustice lead to lawsuit
The state’s eCourt system was rolled out in four counties in North Carolina as a pilot program at a cost of 100 million dollars. Now, many people say it is turning out to be a disaster. Hundreds of defects have made the elect...
June 26, 2023
GOP love triangle sparks suit against NC House speaker
Scott Lassiter, a former Apex town councilman, sued North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, alleging that an affair between Moore and Lassiter's wife led to the destruction of the Lassiters' marriage this year. Moore says the...
June 23, 2023
WRAL’s 5 On Your Side uncovers more major mismanagement of state benefits
Last month 5 On Your Side shared a story about an 80-year-old former state worker who was told the state’s retirement fund had overpaid him by $240,000. He died while working to pay the money back. Now, our team has discovere...
June 22, 2023
Fayetteville domestic violence victim speaks out to shed light on this silent crime
There are many reasons domestic violence victims don’t report the crimes against them-fear of retaliation, fear of losing their children or their livelihood. In this episode, a powerful and candid conversation with a domestic...
June 21, 2023
WRAL’s Cullen Browder retires from television-his journey, the legacy he leaves behind, and his advice to young journalists
Cullen Browder came to WRAL in 1998. In his twenty-five years here he's blazed an incredible trail and become one of the market's most talented and recognizable journalists. Cullen has worn many hats at WRAL including anchor ...
June 20, 2023
In the era of remote work, are state government offices being used efficiently?
After the pandemic, many people continued to work remotely, or took on a hybrid schedule where they do some work from home and some in the office. In light of this shift, our WRAL Investigates team looked into how our state g...