WRAL Daily Download

A new national study projects that more than two-thirds of North Carolina's counties could lose home value over the next few decades due to climate change. North Carolina has alread experienced firsthand the rising costs tied to weather events. WRAL Climate Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains how homeowners can prepare their homes.

People living in Raleigh could see changes to the city's leaf pickup program. Raleigh leaders met Tuesday to discuss potential changes to leaf pickups due to the city's increasing population, which has led to increased demand. WRAL reporter Shaun Gallagher spoke with WRAL's Mark Bergin to discuss the changes city leaders are considering. Web story: https://www.wral.com/news/local/raleigh-city-council-possible-leaf-pickup-changes-discussion-april2025/

Cell phones, e-bikes, tools – what they all have in common is that they run off of lithium ion batteries. 5 On Your Side producer Pritchard Strong talks with Ali Ingersoll about how they might pose a risk.

Thousands of North Carolina voters could soon have their 2024 ballots thrown out after a state Court of Appeals ruling Friday. The case could flip another seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court to Republicans months after the election. WRAL's Will Doran explains where the case goes from here.

WRAL’s Mark Bergin spoke with NC State’s Entrepreneurship Clinic Director Haley Huie about the preparations before Raleigh-Durham Startup Week. The free event is held from April 7-11 throughout the Triangle. Raleigh-Durham Startup Week helps showcase the region’s entrepreneurial community through workshops, networking and keynote speakers. It's expected to draw about 2,500 attendees. Huie explained how there’s something for everyone at Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, from people trying to get into the startup industry to established founders looking to grow their companies.

The project to widen I-440 was supposed to be done in 2023 but now it's been delayed until the end of this year. Drivers say it creates headaches for their commute. WRAL's Aaron Thomas looked into what slowed the project down.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez previewed Saturday night's Final Four game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars. Star freshman Cooper Flagg leads Duke, but it was the Blue Devils' defense that helped propel the team to the Final Four. Bergin and Fernandez discussed why Duke is considered the favorite to win the national championship. Plus, they shared how the Blue Devils match up against a Houston team with lots of basketball experience. Last, the guys discussed which team – Auburn or Florida – would be a more favorable championship matchup for the Blue Devils if they beat Houston.

WRAL has been tracking long wait times and appointment shortages at the state's DMV for years. With the deadlines for Real ID's coming up, that wait could become even longer. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur explains other factors contributing to the problem and possible solutions.

Efforts by North Carolina lawmakers to write a new state budget are more complicated than normal this year. That’s because the state is bracing for cuts to federal funding at a time when the state is also cutting taxes. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains how lawmakers could be forced to make tough decisions over funding for teachers, farmers, scientific research and public health.

A Durham-based semiconductor company has a new leader. This comes months after Wolfspeed eliminated hundreds of positions, the majority of which were in North Carolina. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher shares what we know about Robert Feurle.

Six months after Hurricane Helene, some people in Western North Carolina are still without basic necessities. 100 miles from Asheville, volunteers are still helping residents in the Fleetwood community in Ashe County. WRAL's Willie Daniely talked to a woman who still doesn't have running water.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discuss how Duke will play Arizona on Thursday night in the Sweet 16. Arizona guard Caleb Love used to play for North Carolina. Love's 3-pointer in the 2022 Final Four eliminated Duke from the tournament and ended legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski's career. If Duke wins, the Blue Devils will play the winner of Alabama and BYU in the Elite Eight. Bergin and Fernandez discussed how Duke has its best team in years, whether any other Duke players deserved to make the All-ACC first-team and whether the Blue Devils would put in 5'8" guard Spencer Hubbard again.

Nearly 200 cases tied to two North Carolina State Highway Patrol members have been dismissed. Many cases that led to convictions have not been re-examined and some are asking why. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains what her investigation has revealed.

North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner left a career in high finance to pursue one of the highest-pressure roles in state government. Briner oversees the state pension plan and the state health plan, which serve hundreds of thousands state government employees, retirees and their families. Briner recently spoke with WRAL’s Dan Haggerty about everything from investment strategies to coverage of weight-loss drugs. Haggerty offers highlights from their wide-ranging conversation.

A video of fishermen releasing a great white shark on the Outer Banks went viral earlier this week. Many had questions about the legality of catching these sea creatures in the first place. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher met the men behind the video.

Last month, WRAL Investigates reported that Durham's District Attorney swiped into the office on only about half of work days. She claimed that number was incomplete, in part, because of "issues with the courthouse's security system" -- That sparked concern from some, wondering if the building is safe! WRAL's Sarah Krueger investigates the DA's claims.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discuss Cooper Flagg’s left ankle injury, which looms over the start of the tournament for the Duke Blue Devils. Duke expects to get Flagg back for the start of the NCAA Tournament. The guys also shared why Auburn was the No. 1 overall seed of the tournament despite losing three of its lats four games. Several talented teams will play this weekend at the Lenovo Center, including No. 1 seeds Duke and Florida along with back-to-back national champions Connecticut. The guys talked about which players to watch. Plus, Bergin and Fernandez talked about how the ACC only got four teams into the NCAA Tournament. Last, there is the possibility that Duke will play against Baylor’s Jeremy Roach, who played for the Blue Devils from 2020-2024. Plus, Duke could also play against Arizona’s Caleb Love in the Sweet 16. Love hit the 3-pointer that sealed the game for UNC in the 2022 Final Four against Duke.

A Louisburg woman says earlier this month, she got an alert that an unknown Apple AirTag had been with her for more than seven hours--but after several tries, she still hasn't found it. WRAL's 5 On Your Side has learned that criminals can disable the speaker designed to locate these devices, making them harder to find. Keely Arthur explains why this makes it harder for law enforcement and Apple to protect victims of this kind of stalking.

North Carolina officials have found themselves the target of protests, violent threats and menacing voicemails in recent weeks. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains why — and what lawmakers are doing about it.

Duke is the No. 1 team in the country entering the ACC Tournament. WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discussed Cooper Flagg's incredible season and Duke's historic scoring differential. Duke is vying to become the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Plus, the guys shared what North Carolina needs to do in the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament.