WRAL Daily Download

Javier Leiva has lived in the Carolinas for the past decade.

In 2017, the Raleigh man began hosting the "Pretend" podcast.

"Pretend" is a documentary-style, true crime podcast about real people pretending to be someone else.

In 2024 alone, he surpassed 5 million audio downloads.

Plus, a Spotify billboard featured "Pretend" on a Times Square billboard in New York City.

Leiva spoke with WRAL News' senior multiplatform producer Mark Bergin about how he’s covered con artists, cult leaders and even debunked claims made in the movie “Catch Me If You Can.”

The men accused of kidnapping and trafficking a Siler City teen were denied bond, with a judge saying they are public threats. Both men were in the country illegally and had previous run-ins with law enforcement. WRAL's Destinee Patterson explains what comes next in the case.

North Carolina’s judges are chosen by voters in partisan elections, just like any other politician. But should judges have party labels next to their names on the ballot? WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why some state lawmakers say it’s time to take those labels off judicial races.

A popular product meant for relaxation may be putting families at risk. A Cary family, recently displaced by a fire, says investigators suspect a hot tub (or the pump that comes with it) purchased from a local Costco may have caused the fire. WRAL Five On Your Side's Keely Arthur explains.

Three men police say died of overdoses in Durham sparked a WRAL Investigation into the delay in their autopsy results. It found that the kind of charges sought to hold someone responsible for their deaths is slowing down the state's Medical Examiner's Office in many other cases. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains how and a possible solution one county is trying.

Companies like Wolfspeed and RTI are years behind on their fire inspections because of staffing shortages at the Durham County Fire Marshall's Office. WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger explains the changes that started happening since she started looking into the delays.

North Carolina Democrats reelected Anderson Clayton as state party chair over the weekend — again putting the 27-year-old in charge of a critical state for the party. Clayton originally won the seat in 2023, promising to improve the party’s ground game to boost Democratic performance in statewide elections. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht shares highlights from his recent interview with Clayton.

Most North Carolinians are familiar with the Biltmore Mansion but many don't know who lived on the land before it was built. It turns out the land the sprawling estate sits on used to be a Black neighborhood called Shiloh. WRAL News Anchor Gerald Owens explains his special connection to Shiloh and what he learned on a recent visit.

North Carolina is experiencing another winter storm this week. On this episode of the WRAL Daily Download, we share how the state prepared and what officials say YOU need to do to stay safe. Also, a breakdown on WRAL's continuous severe weather coverage.

Even though we've seen three winter storms in the Triangle this season, experts say Raleigh's winters are warming. It will mean extreme weather patterns and fewer cold nights as winter changes over time. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin explains why North Carolina's winters are changing.