WRAL Daily Download

For the first time in more than 70 years, North Carolina turned to an outsider to lead its storied men’s basketball program. Michael Malone, a longtime NBA coach, is now charged with leading the Tar Heels back to national prominence and national titles.

In partnership with the WRAL sports podcast, WRAL Triangle and Two, Chris Lea and Brian Murphy go over the introductory press conference and what to expect from Malone in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina has been allocated $1.4 billion for Hurricane Helene relief from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. More than half of that is earmarked for single-family homes. Yet 18 months after the deadly storm ripped through the state, only 30 single-family homes have been completed through HUD-supported programs. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why officials say that’s good news, even though it is just a fraction of the thousands of homes that need attention. 

An influential Republican group says it plans to spend at least $71 million to help Michael Whatley’s U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina — an enormous pledge that comes less than a week after a poll showed Whatley trailing Democratic challenger Roy Cooper by 14 points. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why the race to replace U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is expected to break records for political spending in North Carolina.

Four astronauts--including a woman from North Carolina--are set to take off for the Moon on Wednesday aboard Artemis II. Nasa Ambassador Tony Rice is at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to cover the first Moon mission in 53 years. WRAL's Louis Fernandez spoke to him about this historic mission.

As high-protein diets surge in popularity, a Consumer Reports investigation found high levels of lead in some protein powders and shakes, raising questions about supplement safety. The good news: Consumer Reports’ nutrition team says many tasty foods pack a protein punch without the risk of heavy metals.

A recent CR investigation that found lead in more than two-thirds of the protein powders tested. In two plant-based powders, lead levels were about 12 to 16 times higher than what experts consider safe for a single day.

WRAL's Keely Arthur and Jaylin Jones talk through what you should know before leaning to heavily on protein powders.

North Carolina elections officials faced intense scrutiny over recounts in the Republican primary between state Sen. Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. 

WRAL state government reporters Paul Specht and Will Doran break down what we learned about the accuracy of elections in North Carolina — and the processes to verify the count.

They also break down what comes next for state budget negotiations and other big policy debates that could dominate the rest of 2026.

Crypto scams are surging because they're getting more sophisticated. Bank or retirement accounts are getting drained and the money is hard to trace and get back. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains what you need to watch out for.

State Senate Leader Phil Berger loses to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in a GOP primary for the Triad-area. Berger has been a constant in the State Senate and had great control over state legislative measures for years. How will the loss impact N.C. politics? Will Doran and Paul Specht share what this means going forward for the party and for North Carolinians. 

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake hit Western North Carolina Monday evening near the Macon-Jackson County line. Damage causing earthquakes are very rare in North Carolina but the state has seen a few memorable and powerful quakes. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains the largely forgotten history.

Pollen counts are on the rise, you might have seen plenty of it sticking on surfaces outside in North Carolina. It's only going to get worse, and it's likely to stick around longer this season too.

WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell and digital producer Jaylin Jones talk through why it's hitting so hard.