WRAL Daily Download

St. Augustine's University is pushing back it's fall semester by two weeks in part as it finalizes funding to pay staff and student refunds. WRAL News has been reporting about missing pay for employees, incorrect student balances and lawsuits for money owed. WRAL Destinee Patterson explains where the Historically Black College's finances stand heading into a new school year.

The Republican candidate to lead North Carolina's public schools is pushing back against accusations she called for a military coup on January 6. The comments that surfaced this week caught national attention and her democratic opponent has criticized her ability to serve as the Superintendent of Public Instruction. WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst breaks down the race and interviews with each candidate.

Three people died in North Carolina as Tropical Storm Debby brought tremendous amounts of rain and 10 tornadoes. One of those deaths came from an EF-3 tornado in Wilson County. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth talks about what it was like to survey the damage in the WRAL Storm Tracker.

For months, Republican political operatives largely ignored the presidential race in North Carolina. But then Kamala Harris took Democratic nomination and gained ground in the Tar Heel State. Now Republican Donald Trump is buying up ads in North Carolina. So too are moderate Republicans who are trying to keep Trump out of office. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why, and what it says about this battleground state.

From Tropical Storm Debby to multiple confirmed tornadoes, severe weather is at the forefront this week on WRAL. On this episode, we hear from both WRAL's Chelsea Donovan and Shaun Gallagher. Chelsea shares the extensive tornado damage at Springfield Middle School in Wilson County. Shaun reports the water rescue of three children in Raleigh.

Tropical Storm Debby is making its presence known across the Carolinas this week, especially on the coast. WRAL's Grace Holland shares what she has seen and who she has heard from in Ocean Isle Beach.

Tropical Storm Debby is crawling up the East Coast toward the Triangle. WRAL Meteorologist Brian Shrader gives an update on the storm and lays out the essentials for a proper extreme weather prep kit. He also offers tips on how to protect your home, your valuables, your pets and yourself. 

Much of our state is in the path of Tropical Storm Debby after it made landfall in Florida. It is expected to still have plenty of rain left after it brings flooding and historic rain to Georgia and South Carolina. WRAL Meteorologist Brian Shrader explains how you can prepare.

North Carolina Democrats hope a Kamala Harris presidential nomination will help them win down-ballot races this year. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie explains how Democrats’ chances have changed since Harris inherited President Joe Biden’s campaign.

As Clayton's population grows, so does the traffic coming into town. In 2023, more than 50,000 cars traveled through the intersection of U.S. 70 Business and Shotwell Road each day. By the end of next year, a $3.7 million project will help ease those backups. WRAL's Brett Knese explains the plan in place and how local drivers feel about it.