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 looks into cell phone policies at local high schools
6/6/2025
North Carolina lawmakers and school boards want to restrict cell phones in schools -- and there’s robust debate over how to do it. WRAL found that not all school policies are keeping kids off of their phones. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst shares what's working and what's not after a trip inside three local high schools.
Duration:00:17:23
Governor Stein announces a new council to explore legalizing THC products for adults in North Carolina
6/5/2025
In an exclusive interview with WRAL's Lena Tillett, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called for statewide regulations to legalize THC-intoxicating products and announced the creation of a new state advisory council to explore methods to legalize products containing THC. We share their full conversation here.
Duration:00:27:17
How the new NC DMV commissioner plans to fix problems at offices across the state
6/4/2025
Long wait times, lack of staff, and inefficiency -- these are ongoing problems at the North Carolina DMV. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher shares how the new NC DMV commissioner plans to fix it.
Duration:00:09:39
What’s next for the Carolina Hurricanes?
6/3/2025
The Carolina Hurricanes postseason run ended in the Eastern Conference Final, leading to questions about whether the franchise has the talent and the playing style to win the Stanley Cup. WRAL’s Brian Murphy and Pat Welter breakdown the Canes' postseason success and what comes next in a big offseason for the team.
Duration:00:20:01
Local research into postpartum depression and the experience for both men and women
5/30/2025
Doctors say more research is needed on perinatal depression -- that's the updated way to refer to postpartum depression. Just like there’s a stigma around talking about women experiencing this, there’s new research into men experiencing it, too. WRAL’s Chris Lovingood shares that research, plus the first-hand experiences of a local mother and father.
Duration:00:16:04
Why Durham County jail safety issues led Sheriff Birkhead to as for more money
5/29/2025
Durham County's sheriff says his detention center is understaffed and aging as inmate assaults become more frequent. He took those concerns to county leaders who will allocate more funds to address some of the problems. WRAL's Monica Casey explains how what's happening in Durham County compares to others in the Triangle.
Duration:00:14:24
Rocky Mount Police warns parents after toddler shoots self with teenage uncle's gun
5/28/2025
A two-year-old is in critical condition after shooting themselves with an unsecured gun that belonged to their 17-year-old uncle. Officers say the teen had two guns--one of which was reported stolen 50 miles away. WRAL's Aaron Thomas explains what we know about the investigation so far.
Duration:00:07:26
Campbell family remembered a year after their deaths in Garner Memorial Day crash
5/27/2025
It's been a year since Tyler, Susan and Miles Campbell were killed in a crash on U.S. 70 in Garner. A man charged with drinking and speeding behind the wheel still has not stood trial. WRAL's Carly Haynes talked to Tyler Campbell's mother about their legacy.
Duration:00:09:57
How UNC System cuts and tuition hikes could help GOP lawmakers reduce taxes
5/26/2025
Republicans in the North Carolina legislature want to free up more than $100 million a year in state funding from higher education through tuition hikes and cost cutting. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why UNC System students could soon be paying more for less — and how it all figures in to the GOP tax strategy.
Duration:00:12:27
New 911 calls shed light on a dangerous and chaotic farm party in Orange County
5/23/2025
New 911 calls are revealing the dangerous situation at a party earlier this month in Orange County. WRAL has done numerous stories on this growing issue of “farm parties," including a 2,000 person party that resulted in charges against the owner. WRAL investigates’ Sarah Krueger shares the latest.
Duration:00:12:28
Wake County DA decides not to charge to NC State Troopers in handling of fatal crash
5/22/2025
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced that two state troopers will not face charges for their handling of a fatal crash in Raleigh last year. Freeman said the evidence in the case would not support a successful prosecution despite their 'dishonesty' on the night of the crash. WRAL Investigates Sarah Krueger explains.
Duration:00:10:58
Why do trains keep hitting people and cars in Durham?
5/21/2025
On Monday, the latest crash between a car and a train happened in Durham. It's one of at least 19 similar crashes in the Bull City over the last 25 years. WRAL Durham Reporter Monica Casey explains why it keeps happening and possible solutions.
Duration:00:12:19
Mike Pence parts ways with Trump on tariff policy in Raleigh
5/20/2025
Former Vice President spoke about tariffs and free trade at a round table discussion in Raleigh Monday. He drew a contrast with his economic vision compared to President Trump's in his second term. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher talked one on one with Pence.
Duration:00:11:01
How Trump’s immigration policies could impact college athletes
5/19/2025
The Trump administration has threatened to revoke some student visas, pushed to revoke visas from certain countries and worked to implement a travel ban. All could impact international collegiate athletes. WRAL Sports Investigative Reporter Brian Murphy explains who’s at risk — and why.
Duration:00:11:23
The investigation into unlicensed massage therapists at local shopping malls
5/16/2025
A new statewide effort to protect you when you get a massage. On this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL Investigates takes you undercover as investigators catch massage businesses in malls operating without a license.
Duration:00:15:29
EPA Scales Back PFAS Protections, Drawing Backlash in North Carolina
5/15/2025
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it is rolling back part of a rule meant to limit the toxic 'forever chemicals' in your drinking water. WRAL's Liz McLaughlin explains the change.
Duration:00:13:39
Bill Belichick talks to WRAL for the first time about UNC football
5/14/2025
Bill Belichick talked to WRAL in his first interview with local media this week. He talked to WRAL's Brian Murphy about the burst of attention on the UNC football prgram, why he opted to get back into the game and his expectations for the season.
Duration:00:08:41
How the Jefferson Griffin case could affect NC voters in the future
5/13/2025
Republican Jefferson Griffin lost his effort to overturn the results of a 2024 race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. But North Carolina voters will feel the effects of the case for years to come because Griffin’s lawsuit succeeded in changing the rules for future elections. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains what some voters might face going forward.
Duration:00:15:20
WRAL obtains emails that show UNC's Cunningham got death threats after NCAA bracket was set
5/12/2025
University of North Carolina Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham's email inbox was full of angry West Virginia University fans in the days after Selection Sunday. Cunningham, also the chairman of the selection committee for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, oversaw the decision to leave the Mountaineers out in favor of the Tar Heels. WRAL's Brian Murphy explains what we learned from these newly-released emails.
Duration:00:10:26
Parks remain closed for a second summer in Durham as lead testing continues
5/9/2025
For the second summer in a row, kids in Durham will not be able to enjoy some of the city's biggest parks. It comes 2.5 years after Duke researchers discovered "alarmingly high" levels of lead in the soil there. WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger is asking officials when the parks will reopen, how much it'll cost, and where they'll find the money.
Duration:00:12:39