WRAL Daily Download

“Election integrity” is the buzz phrase for 2020 election deniers who are watching the voting process closely this year, but in North Carolina an awful lot goes into protecting that integrity. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie has been reporting for weeks on NC election security, and she joins the Daily Download to break it down.

North Carolina Democrats are positioned to boost their party’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, but the gains under a newly enacted voting map could be short-lived. WRAL State Government Reporter Bryan Anderson breaks down the key races to watch on Election Day—including two high-profile local battles.

In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze talks about some of the biggest hurricanes to impact North Carolina. Maze has covered hurricanes in North Carolina for more than 20 years, in this discussion Maze shares how forecasting the hurricane has changed over the years. He also shares some of the biggest misconceptions people have about tropical cyclones.

The 15-year-old suspect who is accused of killing five people in Raleigh including his brother has survived and will face the criminal justice system. The victims are being laid to rest. As the community mourns and begins the healing process, there are still so many questions about why this happened. WRAL’s Joe Fisher has been covering the tragedy and shares his insights with us.​

After three student deaths by suicide this semester, the chancellor of North Carolina State University is taking a pause to help students cope with mounting pressure. The university is holding a “Wellness Day” on Thursday to give students a break from tests and assignments. WRAL reporter Aaron Thomas speaks with us about his coverage of this issue.​

Climate change isn’t coming, it’s here, and people on North Carolina’s coast, and along its eastern rivers, face hard choices as homes flood repeatedly and infrastructure groans under the weight of encroaching waters. WRAL Climate Change reporter Liz McLaughlin joins us to discuss the already seen impacts, and the changes yet to come.

WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain discusses what’s at stake in the race for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. He discusses their records, their stances and offers highlights from candidate interviews for a recent episode of WRAL’s On the Record program.

In this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst reviews the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The newest assessment shows North Carolina fourth and eighth grade students scored worse on math and reading exams this spring than before the pandemic. Walkenhorst explains some of the culprits for the poor performance and possible solutions.

It’s that time of year. Halloween brings out the ghost stories. WRAL multiplatform producer Heather Leah has a special interest in North Carolina’s history and all things paranormal. These are stories we just can't get enough of.

For four years North Carolina has had divided government: A Republican General Assembly and a Democratic governor able to veto some of their ideas – 47 of them since 2018. Republicans have a shot at a supermajority this election season, which would moot the governor’s vetoes. Should they get it? Two lawmakers debate: One Republican, one Democrat.