WRAL Daily Download
Capitol Broadcasting
The WRAL Daily Download is an in-depth conversation about a single news story. WRAL covers news across North Carolina every day, but this podcast focuses on one story at a time, bringing context to each conversation. The in-depth, localized podcast takes you into the latest stories from Raleigh, Durham, and the entire Triangle region on North Carolina. This is community news aimed at keeping you informed about the more subtle stories that are happening around you. Hosted by WRAL News journalists, episodes post weekdays by 4:30am.
Location:
United States
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Networks:
Capitol Broadcasting
Description:
The WRAL Daily Download is an in-depth conversation about a single news story. WRAL covers news across North Carolina every day, but this podcast focuses on one story at a time, bringing context to each conversation. The in-depth, localized podcast takes you into the latest stories from Raleigh, Durham, and the entire Triangle region on North Carolina. This is community news aimed at keeping you informed about the more subtle stories that are happening around you. Hosted by WRAL News journalists, episodes post weekdays by 4:30am.
Language:
English
Episodes
WRAL Investigates: Kids and access to unsecured guns
12/9/2025
At least nine North Carolina children were shot this year - with one very preventable cause: an unsecured gun. Four of those kids died. These stories are difficult to hear, but bring up important questions. WRAL Investigative reporter Sarah Krueger looks into who has been charged in these cases, what kind of charges they face and what is the state doing to prevent these deaths.
Duration:00:12:31
Why NC education leaders want to shake up math class
12/8/2025
Proposed changes to North Carolina's math standards would shake up requirements for upperclassmen in the state’s public high schools and emphasize real-world problem-solving in all grade levels. Education leaders say they want to make math more interesting and relevant to students. WRAL Education Reporter Emily Walkenhorst explains.
Duration:00:10:36
A first look at the Republican primary in North Carolina's senate race
12/5/2025
President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race isn’t deterring other Republicans from the race.
Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman who Trump endorsed this summer, is expected to face Waxhaw lawyer Don Brown and teacher Elizabeth Temple of Smithfield in the GOP primary to replace outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who isn’t seeking reelection in next year’s midterms.
WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht goes over who has entered the race. Plus a look at the state's 1st Congressional District.
Duration:00:11:38
Raleigh Convention Center cancels all December events after fire
12/4/2025
The fallout from a fire that caused two million dollars in roof damage to the Raleigh Convention Center continues. While some events have been cancelled or postponed, neighboring towns' convention centers are offering to host if needed. WRAL's Heidi Kirk explains where the investigation into the cause stands.
Duration:00:12:26
How the Cigna-UNC Health contract negotiations are impacting patients
12/3/2025
UNC Health and Cigna have yet to come to an agreement on a contract renewal. While they continue negotiating, real people are finding ways to navigate potentially life-saving procedures without spending an exorbitant amount of money. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher spoke with one woman ahead of her scheduled hysterectomy on Tuesday. Plus, what we know about insurance company contracts with healthcare providers across the state.
Duration:00:06:51
College football regular season wrap up - where NC State, UNC and Duke go from here
12/2/2025
The college football regular season is over, so let's look back on how things went for the ACC Triangle teams. WRAL sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy talks about Dave Doeren's return, season one under Bill Belichick and Duke's suprise trip to the ACC Championship. Plus, Murphy dives into the college football playoff outlook for Duke and the ACC.
Duration:00:21:06
Why NC is giving Apple more time to meet economic incentives targets
12/1/2025
Four years ago consumer electronics giant Apple Inc. promised to create 3,000 jobs and build a hulking new campus in Research Triangle Park. But so far construction hasn’t started. And the company says it needs more time to meet hiring goals tied to hundreds of millions of dollars in state economic incentives. WRAL State Government Editor Jack Hagel explains why state officials agreed to adjust key deadlines to accommodate the company.
Duration:00:14:52
WRAL SmartShopper: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and everything in between
11/28/2025
The holiday season is upon us, and for many, that means buying gifts and looking for deals. WRAL SmartShopper Faye Prosser talks us through the best deals and the best strategies to not pay too much in store or online during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and everything in between.
Duration:00:14:57
5 On Your Side: Thanksgiving travel tips with Keely Arthur
11/27/2025
The Federal Aviation Administration expected this Thanksgiving travel season to be the busiest in 15 years. We speakk with 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur about how to best prepare for travel turbulence you may experience when flying.
Duration:00:15:16
WRAL Investigates: Nearly three years since the attack on Duke Energy substations in Moore County
11/26/2025
A week from today marks three years since the attack on two Duke Energy substations in Moore County that left tens of thousands of people in the dark, even resulting in one woman's death. No one has been arrested. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger talks about where things stand and what's next for the investigation and the community.
Duration:00:11:11
Here's the WRAL Winter Weather Outlook for this season
11/25/2025
The days are darker, the temperatures are dropping - winter is almost here. What should we expect this season? The WRAL Severe Weather Team has released its winter weather outlook. WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains what the team looks for, how it puts together its predictions and what to expect for all you snow lovers out there.
Duration:00:12:55
Fact-checking claims about the immigration crackdown in North Carolina
11/24/2025
Did the recent federal immigration crackdown in North Carolina actually help traffic? Are jails blocking acess to inmates? Our NC Capitol team put together a whole list of claims surrounding these sweeps and the aftermath that were either false or in dispute.
Duration:00:17:11
5 On Your Side: Rental car chaos makes NC man feel wrongly charged
11/21/2025
Imagine returning a rental car in perfect condition, only to be told days later that you damaged it and now owe thousands of dollars in repairs. That happened to Mike Robinson, who shared his story with WRAL's Keely Arthur.
Duration:00:07:17
WRAL Investigates: NC animal shelter euthanasia rates are trending upward
11/20/2025
The euthanasia rate for animal shelters statewide is starting to tick up slightly, after bottoming out during the pandemic, according to numbers provided by the state.
WRAL Investigates analyzed data from 2024 for every county's shelter to find which shelters have the highest euthanasia rates, which have the lowest, and what may be behind that variation.
WRAL Investigates senior producer Randall Kerr discusses which counties are falling behind and how some counties are keeping rates low.
Duration:00:12:28
Federal immigration enforcement agents on the ground in Raleigh and Durham
11/19/2025
Local officials confirmed federal immigration agents were conducting operations in the Triangle Tuesday. Videos of interactions with those agents in Raleigh and Durham flooded social media along political statements on the operation. WRAL's Louis Fernandez and Grace Holland break down what we know so far.
Duration:00:15:47
What an internal shuffle means for the future of the North Carolina State Board of Elections
11/18/2025
An internal shuffle is raising new questions about partisanship at the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Less than a week before voters went to the polls this month, a top staffer took voluntary leave after what appeared to be an internal dispute over a statement refuting a Democratic Party leader. That came a day after the board’s top lawyer had departed.
The departures come months after the elections board shifted from Democratic to Republican control. It also has new oversight from the Republican state auditor.
WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht talks about what the changes mean.
Duration:00:20:06
Why NC lawmakers are at a stalemate over Medicaid funding
11/17/2025
Rising health care costs and increased enrollment have left the state’s Medicaid program with a gaping funding gap. But lawmakers can’t agree on a bill that would fill it, and they plan to ignore orders by Gov. Josh Stein to hold a special session this week to strike a deal. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down the battle over the funding, and explains what happens if the shortfall isn’t solved.
Duration:00:13:38
Inside the Toyota electric vehicle battery plant charging up in North Carolina
11/14/2025
The first Toyota electric vehicle batteries built in the U.S. rolled off the line in North Carolina this week. It was the culmination of a 14 billion dollar project taking place over the last four years. WRAL's Grace Holland shares her experience touring the assembly line.
Duration:00:21:24
Could flying cars come to North Carolina?
11/13/2025
North Carolina is known for being first in flight. Wilbur and Orville Wright claimed that title. Fast forward 122 years later. America's first flying car is touching down in the Tar Heel state. WRAL's Flynn Snyder shares what this could mean for transportation in North Carolina and what challenges those wanting to fly may face.
Duration:00:11:51
As government shutdown nears an end, thousands of North Carolinians could see healthcare costs rise
11/12/2025
The House is set to vote on a Senate approved plan to reopen the government. It would restore important funding for federal food aid and federal workers' pay but it does not extend expiring health subsidies. WRAL's Ashley Roe explains what impacts that would have on healthcare costs in our state.
Duration:00:11:18