WRAL Daily Download

If you're a Duke Energy customer, or have to pay an electric bill to any company, you'll want to hear these tips on how to bring down your energy costs from 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur. 

Even after recent rain, much of North Carolina remains in drought conditions. WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner explain how dry weather could affect mosquito populations.

State lawmakers, the Raleigh mayor, a group that represents state employees and the state’s elected attorney general, auditor and treasurer are among those weighing in on a takeover deal between two state hospital systems.

Atrium Health is in position to take control of WakeMed. WRAL state government editor Jack Hagel looks at what the deal would mean, why some officials are sounding the alarm and what the future looks like as the deal is put on pause.

State lawmakers are homing in on housing expenses as North Carolinians sour on the economy, with rising concerns over the cost of living and broader economic conditions.

North Carolina lawmakers are proposing a variety of new initiatives to address the rising cost of living, everything from freezing reappraisals to easing development to boost supply.

WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht talks us through some of the ideas lawmakers are putting forward as we get closer to midterm elections in November.

A new report from the National Education Association ranks the state 43rd in average teacher pay and 38th in starting teacher pay. These rankings are about the same as last year.

This is all based on data from the 2024-25 school year. Teachers haven't received raises for the current school year, because the North Carolina legislature has yet to pass a new budget.

Without a raise, North Carolina teacher pay is projected to fall to 46th this year, based on estimates.

WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst talks through the state of teacher pay in North Carolina.

Most of the state is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions, causing a statewide burn ban and water restrictions in different localities. The lack of rain means we've also seen a lack of severe weather in our area. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth speaks with Digital Producer Jaylin Jones about how this year's weather compares to years prior. 

St. Augustine's University filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy according to court documents filed this week. It comes after years of financial struggles for the HBCU. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains how we got here.

Can you really trust travel insurance when it matters most? A Fort Bragg family tried to use their policy after a sudden deployment forced them to cancel a trip, only to face a roadblock.

WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur stepped in to help recover more than $1,000. She talks through the process and tells you what you should know about travel insurance. 

The North Carolina State legislature is back in session with a lot on the docket, from a potential book ban to Medicaid changes that could affect millions of North Carolinians. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks it all down from the state legislative building.

Most of North Carolina is experiencing dangerous drought conditions, causing a statewide burn ban and increasing water use restrictions in different localities. WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner and WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones talk about how we got here and how long it may take to get out of it.