WRAL Daily Download

President Donald Trump says he wants to close the department of education, and some members of Congress are on board with the idea. North Carolina receives billions of federal dollars for public schools, plus aid and loans for college students. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains what might happen to that money and other federal education programs if the department goes away.

If your child is old enough to be online, they're old enough to be taken advantage of by criminals. The FBI is warning of a rise in what's known as financial "sextortion." In the last few months, at least two UNC students were victims. WRAL Investigates Reporter Sarah Krueger spoke with one of those students. She shares his story and the efforts to protect others. 

The State Board of Dental Examiners says its seen an increase in unlicensed people posing as dental professionals over the last year and a half. Many patients are drawn in by low prices in social media advertisements. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains how you can protect yourself.

Earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeseth declared the Army would rename the base in Fayetteville back to Fort Bragg. Instead of taking the name of a Confederate general, as it was for decades until 2023, this time it is named for a World War II soldier. WRAL's Shaun Galleger was the first person to tell PFC Roland L. Bragg about the change.

They're elected officials funded by your tax dollars--how often should local district attorneys be in the office? WRAL Investigates went through years of data and found there are big discrepancies between counties. WRAL's Sarah Krueger explains what it means for the people tasked with keeping our communities safe.

A Wake County judge issues a key ruling in the legal battle over ballots that could determine the winner of a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Meanwhile, state lawmakers meet to discuss more funding for victims of Hurricane Helene. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran offers the latest. 

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.

The tragic deaths of two local foster children and the arrest of their adoptive mother have raised big questions about our state’s child welfare system -- a system meant to protect the most vulnerable children. WRAL Documentary Reporter Cristin Severance and WRAL Anchor Chris Lovingood share what they uncovered and what needs to change.

This week both Nash and Edgecombe County Schools responded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement hoaxes that alarmed parents this week. It comes as President Trump's stronger immigration policies go into affect. WRAL's Heidi Kirk talked to parents about how they're feeling and officials about how they're monitoring these types of rumors.

A new federal lawsuit wants the courts to force North Carolina to fix what it calls a broken foster care system. Children, many of them already traumatized, spend years inside the system and many of them bounce from home to home. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains the changes that suit seeks to make.