WRAL Daily Download

If 2025 weather felt like a lot to you, you’re not alone. This year we saw quite a few extreme temperature swings, and for some communities, events that will be talked about for years to come. From the cold winter days that delivered some snow this year, to the extreme heat of the summer.

WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell joins WRAL's Jaylin Jones to look back on what the data can tell us about weather trends in North Carolina. 

Ryan Camacho is being held without bond, charged with Ravenscroft teacher Zoe Welsh's murder. WRAL Investigates found public records showing he avoided a multi-year prison sentence last year due to a plea agreement reducing four felonies to a single misdemeanor. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains what we're learning from Camacho's criminal history.

The legal defense for a teen accused of killing five people in the 2022 shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood has filed a series of pre-trial motions.

The trial date for Austin Thompson is set to begin on Monday, February 2nd.

The shooting took place on October 13, 2022, starting inside the Thompson family home and ending on the nearby Neuse River Greenway. Thompson was 15 at the time of the shooting. He faces 5 murder charges as well as 2 charges each of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

WRAL news reporter Shuan Gallagher spoke with a local defense attorney to learn more about what these pre-trial motions mean.

The Johnston County town of Benson is mostly known for an annual festival called Mule Days. But in the coming years, it’s expected to become known as a critical destination for a key national security initiative. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht explains what’s coming to this town of 4,000 people.

As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area.

In a victory for Republicans in the state legislature and nationwide, a new congressional map that seeks to increase the GOP's advantage in 2026 gained final approval. The 11 of 14 districts for the U.S. House of Representatives favor Republicans in the map. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains the impacts of this vote.

As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area.

Tarboro Town Council held a public hearing about a proposed data center. Hundreds of people have signed a Change.org petition against it. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains the plans for the facility and the pushback.

As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area.

Tropical storm Chantal brought record rain to parts of Moore, Chatham, Orange and Durham counties. It also brought flooding to parts of Person County along Hyco Lake. WRAL's Grace Holland explains the clean up ahead.

As 2025 comes to an end, we're reflecting on stories from this year that made an impact in our area.

Millie Dunn Veasey's family knew about her accomplishments as a civil rights activist but they didn't know the full extent of her military service until late last year. The Raleigh native served in the only all-Black, all female unit to operate overseas during World War II.--the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. WRAL's Destinee Patterson talked to her family about her life of service.

WRAL’s PolitiFact team investigated dozens of claims made by politicians and government officials in North Carolina in 2025. WRAL PolitiFact reporter Paul Specht breaks down some of the year's most popular fact-checks. 

This year, the WRAL Documentary team premiered five stories. They range in topics from western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene to the first season of Bill Belichick's tenure at UNC. 

WRAL's Cristin Severance sat down to talk through these five stories, what they learned and what they hope people take away from these documentaries.