WRAL Daily Download

Election results across the country are showing positive signs for Democrats. Since President Donald Trump started his second term, special elections to fill vacant Congressional seats have yielded tepid Republican turnout. Democrats have flipped more than two dozen GOP-held legislative seats. And in North Carolina, Democrats last year won almost every single municipal seat up for election in Wake County.

That raises the question: Can the Democrats harness that momentum to gain control of at least one chamber of the GOP-run North Carolina General Assembly? And, if not, will they be able to muster enough power to affect policy?

WRAL state capitol reporter Paul Specht and Louis Fernandez speak through what races will make the different and impact the balance of power come November.

Durham has a new top cop. Stephanie Mardis will be the city's new police chief, starting in early September. She's focused on reducing violence, improving staffing, and building trust. WRAL's Monica Casey spoke with Mardis in a one-on-one interview. 

A 4-year-old Johnston County boy is dead, and his family believes Child Protective Services should have done more to protect him. WRAL reviewed records to learn what happened to Jack Gibson.

His mother, Amber Gibson, is now facing child abuse and drug charges. Although family members say caseworkers visited her home at least four times earlier this year, Gibson's three children were not removed until July 1.

WRAL’s Megan Cloherty and Rennee Chou talk through what we know.

Lynn Council died Sunday at 93 years old. Council survived an attempted hanging by two Wake County deputies who were trying to corece a confession from him. Council survived the ordeal, but kept the emotional and physical scars of the experience. He shared his story with WRAL's Gerald Owens in 2019. Seven years later, Gerald reflects on Council's passing.

Wake County teachers earn less on average than their peers in comparable southeastern metropolitan areas, a WRAL News data analysis shows. That’s despite a recent state budget that drastically boosted early career teacher pay and provided more modest pay increases for more experienced teachers. 

WRAL’s Destinee Patterson and Emily Walkenhorst talk through the salary gap and how this impacts your kids. Here’s their conversation.

North Carolina Republicans plan to replace U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards on the ballot as soon as next week following the incumbent’s decision Wednesday to end his reelection campaign, party leaders said Wednesday.

Edwards on Wednesday withdrew from the race for his 11th Congressional District seat — an announcement that came two days after the U.S. House Ethics Committee recommended he be sanctioned after releasing a report that alleged he harassed two aides. 

WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht and Louis Fernandez speak through what led to this decision and how North Carolina republicans move forward.

Scott Mason introduces us to a family rescuing their ancestral home in Wilson County. He also visits the Ol' Moose store in Edgecombe County.

NC lawmakers agree that legal hemp products have been too widely available. But they can't agree on how to limit them, leaving gummies, beverages and other edibles easy to purchase for all ages. WRAL State Capitol Reporters Will Doran and Carolina Yaffa break down the debate.

The number of new Cyclospora infections is going down in North Carolina. The state has seen more than 800 cases so far this year. WRAL health reporter Grace Hayba talks through where things are trending and what experts say you need to know about the current state of cyclospora.

5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL News+ Anchor Elizabeth Holmes about how you can save up to $300 on back-to-school necessities for college students, plus secret student discounts and what's worth getting second-hand.