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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.