In-depth from WRAL Specialists

NC lawmakers consider harsher penalties for substation attacks

We still don't know who shot up a pair of Moore County power stations in December 2022, causing a days-long blackout. If it happens again, the punishment would be much harsher.

Cooper signs sports gambling bill into law, but no betting allowed yet

The NC Lottery Commission must now award licenses to mobile sports wagering operators. Mobile sports gambling can not begin in the state until January 8 and it could take longer.

Brian Murphy, WRAL sports reporter

'It's substantial.' 20 school systems could lose millions of dollars toward educator pay

The school systems are stuck in the middle of a disagreement over how the money for extra educator pay was supposed to be used. Now, they could lose it and more.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

The future of online sports betting in the Triangle

Mobile sports betting can begin in the state as soon as Jan. 8, but the NC Lottery Commission has up to one year from when it becomes law to have it up and running.

Tar Heel Traveler: Pinkie

Pinkie Strother is an artist from Fuquay-Varina who creates small buildings and clay figures, not dollhouses, but recreations of actual buildings, many of which are from her childhood. Her dioramas, along with her paintings, capture the culture and values of Black families.

Cooper to sign sports gambling bill into law Wednesday in Charlotte

Mobile sports betting can begin in the state as soon as January 8.

Brian Murphy, WRAL sports reporter

In Depth with Dan: Will US Supreme Court's decision on Alabama force NC to redraw its voting maps?

Several states might have to redraw their congressional district maps before the 2024 elections. Could North Carolina be one of them?

Dan Haggerty, WRAL anchor/reporter

Neighbors' yards flooded with stormwater from Raleigh construction site; more than 40 complaints made against same developer

Stormwater from a construction site drained onto a family's northeast Raleigh property, and the city said the builder is doing nothing wrong.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

More than half of NC spending 30% of income on rent, data shows

About half of North Carolinians and Wake County are spending 30% or more of their monthly income on rent alone.

About half of North Carolina and Wake County renters burdened by increasing prices, data shows

About half of North Carolinians and Wake County are spending 30% or more of their monthly income on rent alone.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL Investigative Data Journalist

Who can guess how much NC teachers earn each year?

How much do North Carolina teachers make? WRAL News went out to get people's best guess.

NC bill would allow police departments to hire, train people to help with minor traffic crashes

The next time you're involved in a fender bender, the person who shows up to investigate may not be a police officer. A proposal that's close to becoming law would allow cities to hire and train civilians to handle minor traffic crashes that don't involve an injury.

Traffic crashes could soon be investigated by civilians in North Carolina

The next time you're involved in a fender bender, the person who shows up to investigate may not be a police officer. A proposal that's close to becoming law would allow cities to hire and train civilians to handle minor traffic crashes that don't involve an injury.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

WRAL Investigates the local emergency plan for a potential train derailment disaster

WRAL investigates the local emergency plan for a potential train derailment disaster, and asks why we're left in the dark about the hazardous materials traveling through the Triangle.

Climate change fueling more wildfires

In the east, we are seeing changes in conditions that can make dangerous fires more likely. According to climate central, most of north Carolina has seen an increase in high-risk days in recent decades.

Economists forecast grocery bill relief in months ahead

Economists believe grocery inflation should continue improving, but expect it to remain above pre-pandemic levels for the duration of the year.

Expect your grocery bill to go down, economists forecast - but not to what it was before COVID

Economists believe grocery inflation should continue improving, but expect it to remain above pre-pandemic levels for the duration of the year.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL investigative data reporter

Bill proposes to educate high school students on cost of college

High school students in North Carolina could soon get an education about the cost of a four-year college degree, as well as more information about vocational and technical programs. That proposal passed a key committee Wednesday.

Cost of college could soon be a 10th-grade topic in North Carolina

High school students in North Carolina could soon get an education about the cost of a four-year college degree, as well as more information about vocational and technical programs. That proposal passed a key committee Wednesday.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

Online sports gambling approved by NC lawmakers, bill awaits Gov. Cooper's signature

House Bill 347 would allow betting on professional, college and other sports on phones or other electronic devices.

Wake offering more than $2,000 in attendance bonuses for every bus driver during summer learning programs

The district will need about 400 bus drivers for non-required summer learning programs.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Chatham County will not revisit past inspections

Despite the mistakes, WRAL 5 On Your Side has learned the county will not recheck the safety of any other buildings inspected by that inspector.

Chatham County will not recheck buildings ok'd by disciplined inspector

Despite the mistakes, WRAL 5 On Your Side has learned the county will not recheck the safety of any other buildings inspected by that inspector.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Morrisville High School, coming 2027: Wake school board approves name of town's first high school

The board veered from its newer practice of not naming schools after towns.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Veteran receives $2,419 from H&R Block after calling 5 On Your Side

Gregg Gidding hired a tax preparation company to file his 2018 taxes. Years later, he received a letter from the North Carolina Department of Revenue explaining an error in the filing. Because of the mistake, Gidding owed thousands of dollars in back taxes.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter