WRAL Daily Download

Witnesses, first responders, victim's loved ones and survivors took the stand on the first day of Austin Thompson's sentencing hearing. Thompson killed five people in the Hedingham neighborhood in 2022. WRAL's Megan Cloherty walks us through the heart-wrenching testimony.

The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson is slated to begin on Tuesday. Thompson pleaded guilty in January to five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and three charges of assault. All this stems from an October 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood. 

WRAL’s Megan Cloherty and Jaylin Jones talked before the hearing began: a top-down view of what you need to know ahead of what could be a long few weeks in court. 

North Carolina elections officials are investigating whether a candidate for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat actually lives in North Carolina. A voter challenged the eligibility of Republican Margot Dupre, alleging she actually lives in Florida. State law requires candidates to live in North Carolina, and Dupre says she does. Officials plan to hold a hearing in the case this week. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran explains. 

Thousands of cars, stolen. It's a big problem in the Triangle. WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger shares why so many of these cases are going unsolved and how victims are responding. 

We're about one week out from 

We’re about a week away from the start of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games. Some of the greatest athletes from around the world will be competing to bring home gold for their counties. 

Today’s conversation comes to us from WRAL’s Ashley Rowe and Liz McLaughlin. Both have covered the winter games. They take a look at some major storylines for the world, the USA and right here in NC.

A judge will allow defense attorneys for Miguel Salquero-Olivares to call Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student as witnesses at trial. Court filings reveal details about the argument the defense team may be preparing to make. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down the documents.

A judge will allow defense attorneys for Miguel Salquero-Olivares to call Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student as witnesses at trial. Court filings reveal details about the argument the defense team may be preparing to make. WRAL's Monica Casey breaks down the documents.

Bitter cold forced some school districts to go remote Tuesday as our area tries to thaw out after the weekend's winter weather. More winter weather is possible this coming weekend. WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Aimee Wilmoth break down what we know so far.

WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner breaks down the ingredients of the top predictive weather models — the American model and the European model — and explains why they sometimes contradict one another and how WRAL meteorologists use the data, as well as their own insight, to refine forecasts. He also describes the future of weather forecasting as artificial intelligence plays a greater role.

WRAL Meteorologists Elizabeth Gardner and Grant Skinner break down the potential for ice that could create dangerous conditions for our area and most of the state this weekend. You can also watch this podcast on the WRAL YouTube page.