WRAL Daily Download

The pandemic set children back in so many areas—academically, socially, and emotionally. For many parents, helping their children regain what they lost and thrive has been a major struggle. In this episode, we speak to local author Dr. Rebecca Jackson about how brain development impacts everything our children do. In her new book, Back on Track, she helps guide parents to create an action plan that can give their children the tools they need to thrive from birth through the teenage years.

For months, Republicans have been battling over items in the $30 billion state budget. The biggest obstacle was a plan to expand gambling in North Carolina. GOP lawmakers finally agreed to table this for now so that the budget can move forward. The current proposal includes a 7% pay increase for state workers, including teachers, over the next two years. It also continues the goal of lowering the state income tax and clears the way for major Medicaid expansion. In this episode, WRAL state government reporter Travis Fain explains what the budget contains and who will be affected.

It was off, and now, it’s on again. One year after 11-year-old dancer Hailey Brooks was accidentally run over and killed by a pickup truck pulling her dance school’s float as thousands of people watched, the status of the Raleigh Christmas Parade is more confusing than ever. Initially, the city refused to permit the parade saying it was out of respect for Hailey’s memory. The family then said they didn’t ask for the parade to be canceled. So, now it’s back on again with new rules. WRAL’s Matt Talhelm was at this week’s city council meeting where the issue was discussed and joins us in this episode to break it all down.

Who doesn’t love lighthouses? The North Carolina coast is almost synonymous with the majestic structures that have been maritime beacons for centuries. Most of us have not visited every single lighthouse in the state. WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason is doing his best to see all of them. In this episode, he gives us insight into the unique history of each lighthouse and tells us what we can expect in his lighthouse special airing tonight on WRAL at 7:30.

A mental evaluation revealed that the man accused of shooting a professor at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill lacks the mental capacity to be tried for the crime. Tailei Qi, a 34-year-old doctoral student, is charged with first degree murder in the August 28th shooting of Associate Professor Zijie Yan that caused a campus-wide lockdown for several hours. WRAL Investigates’ reporter Sarah Krueger was in court for Qi’s most recent appearance and joins us with the latest developments on this story.

Nearly 5000 elevators, escalators and lifts are behind on their inspections in North Carolina. A large portion of them are in Wake County. While accidents are rare, they can be fatal. WRAL spoke to the husband of a woman who died in an elevator accident at work. He wants there to be more awareness about elevator safety. In this episode, WRAL Investigates' reporter Sarah Krueger shares what her team learned about why these inspections are out of date and what the state plans to do about it.

The lawsuit that ended race-based admissions at universities around the country cost the University of North Carolina nearly $25 million to defend. Most of that money went to an international law firm whose attorneys charged the university nearly $1000 an hour. The cost provides insight into the financial impact of high-profile cases on universities. WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain breaks down why it matters to taxpayers and why the costs have led to consternation among UNC leaders. 

Less than two months after a WRAL investigation into the death of a second child in the care of Nash County’s Department of Social Services, the state of North Carolina is taking over the agency’s troubled welfare section. This is a rare and drastic action for the state to get involved in the operation of a county DSS. In this episode, WRAL anchor and reporter Lena Tillett explains the latest developments in this tragic story.

The nationwide manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison on August 31st, is finally over. He was captured Wednesday morning without incident. But the experience has put many communities on edge in this largely rural area. Prior to his capture, he was spotted on Ring doorbell cameras in the vicinity. Authorities say he changed his appearance and stole a car and a rifle. The search has brought back dark memories of another escape in the same area—that of Norman Johnston, a serial murderer who escaped from prison in Pennsylvania 1999. Local journalist and former Fayetteville Observer reporter Rebecca Logan joins us with the latest developments from Pennsylvania.

It feels like we are always preparing for storms, and sometimes they never come. But when they do come, there are very specific things you need to have on hand in case of an emergency. You could lose power. Roads could be impassible. After major storms, there can be shortages of gas, water, and groceries. These are all things we need to think about during hurricane season. It’s better to be prepared and not need a hurricane kit. In this episode, 5 On Your Side’s Keely Arthur walks us through what you need to have to be ready for any storm that comes our way.