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.
Latest episodes
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19 min
How to rise of "AI Slop" is impacting a content creator in NC
Imagine you're scrolling on social media and you see your face being used on someone else in multiple videos. That's what happened to a Triangle woman who uses her online platform…
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20 min
Congressional races in N.C. we're keeping our eyes on
WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran shares more on the Congressional races heating up, especially one in Eastern North Carolina, as well as what happened when the President a…
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18 min
Why you'll likely see higher heating bills this winter
WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin shares the reason why you'll see higher heating costs this winter and what you can do to save money on your utility bills.
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6 min
In Depth: Wake Schools technology survey
Wake Schools is discussing how much students should be using technology in the classroom. Dan Haggerty takes an in-depth look at specific programs and what other states are doing a…
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13 min
Prosecution rests in Faith Hedgepeth murder trial
After 9 days of testimony, the prosecution has rested its case in the UNC student murder trial. Miguel Salguero-Olivares is on trial for the murder of Faith Hedgepeth. She was foun…
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18 min
On The Record: Everything we learned from the WRAL Poll
For this week's On the Record, WRAL state government reporter Will Doran and WRAL News+ anchor Grace Holland talk through this week's exclusive WRAL/WSOC Poll conducted by SurveyUS…
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17 min
WRAL POLL: Where voters stand on violent crime, immigration and youth sports
The exclusive WRAL/WSOC Poll conducted by SurveyUSA asked North Carolinians how they feel about several big talking points for Republican candidates. WRAL Politics reporter Paul Sp…
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13 min
WRAL POLL: Economy is top Midterm Election issue for North Carolinian
North Carolinians who are likely to vote in 2026 are mostly unsure or pessimistic about their personal finances, say that it’s gotten worse over the past two years, and blame Presi…
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13 min
WRAL POLL: Democrat Roy Cooper leads by double digits in race for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat
Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by a wide margin in the race to claim North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat as voters sour on President Donald Trump, a new WR…
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15 min
Tornadoes hit central North Carolina: A look at the video and data
People in North Carolina are assessing damage after tornadoes touched down across the central part of the state. WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner and WRAL's Louis Fernandez loo…
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16 min
On the Record: NC gas tax suspended
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed a law suspending the state's gas tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. It's aimed at lowering prices that have remained elevated since Presiden…
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18 min
In Depth: What happened to Zoe Welsh? New WRAL documentary highlights decades of warning leading up to her tra…
The tragic loss of Zoe Welsh shook the Ravenscroft community, but the warning signs were there for decades. WRAL Documentary Investigator Cristin Severance joins the In Depth podca…
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21 min
WRAL Investigates | More families come forward after cemetery mix-up in Raleigh
New claims of burial mistakes at a Raleigh cemetery. Several weeks ago, we first told you about a cemetery mix-up at Montlawn Cemetery. A family discovered a stranger in a plot the…
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18 min
In Depth: The AI Regulation Crisis
Artificial Intelligence is evolving at a breakneck pace, but industry leaders and governments are clashing over how we can keep it under control. WRAL'S Dan Haggerty and Ashley Row…
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13 min
Does a calmer Atlantic hurricane season mean a more active winter?
This Atlantic hurricane season has been pretty inactive so far. Does the quiet now lead to more noise down the road – in the winter? WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels and Louis Fer…
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14 min
Will you be able to retire? Social Security becomes issue in senate race
Social Security is a pillar of retirement for older people across the country. Because of a variety of factors, this government program will reach insolvency by 2032. New senators…
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18 min
Multiple injuries and an escape: Father shares frustrations pulling children out of dangerous Orange County ho…
A Fayetteville father is upset his complaints to Social Services did not help remove his children from dangerous living conditions, even providing documented evidence of his son an…
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21 min
Senate passes Protect College Sports Act in bipartisan vote
Earlier this week, the Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act in a bipartisan vote. It would regulate governing payments in NIL deals and how often college athletes can trans…
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14 min
5 On Your Side | Lawsuit alleges companies mixed contaminated fuel into clean loads
Do you know what's in your fuel? A lawsuit alleges two companies conspired to mix contaminated fuel with clean fuel loads and sell it to drivers at 130 gas stations across the stat…
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11 min
Faith Hedgepeth murder trial | Jury selection begins in 2012 killing of UNC student
The murder trial in the death of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth began in Durham Monday. The case has gripped the Triangle for more than a decade. WRAL's Monica Casey and Grace Holland…