WRAL Video documentaries about issues and events in North Carolina, including the "Focal Point" series.

WRAL Documentaries

WRAL documentary, WRAL doc, documentaries

WRAL shows how fentanyl has destroyed the lives of thousands of North Carolinians across the state, what the state is doing to fight this epidemic and what more is needed to save lives.

WRAL Documentary: Crisis Next Door explores impact on families of illicit fentanyl

WRAL Documentary: Crisis Next Door

Aftermath: North Carolina hurricane victims still feel left behind years later

Aftermath: North Carolina Hurricane Victims Left Behind

Critical Term: Why are Black mothers and babies dying?

WRAL Documentary Durham Under Fire investigates how city is fighting complex issue of gun violence 

WRAL Doc: Durham Under Fire

WRAL Documentary 'Pandemic Generation: Kids in Crisis'

Pandemic Generation: Kids in Crisis 

WRAL's investigative documentary reporter Cristin Severance and photojournalist Jay Jennings answer the question 'what is the Leandro case?'

New WRAL Documentary 'Leandro: The Case for a Sound Basic Education' debuts Wednesday

Leandro: The Case for a Sound Basic Education

Fish Farms: Aquaculture industry thriving in North Carolina's backyard 

The Skin We're In

Moment of Truth: The never-before-seen story behind the tragic murder of James Jordan

Moment of Truth

Home Economics

WRAL Documentary: Home Economics

The new WRAL Documentary "MaryAnn" examines the life and work of MaryAnn Black

WRAL Documentary: MaryAnn

The ability to do business, get an education and get quality health care are becoming increasingly dependent on access to a high-speed Internet connection or broadband. WRAL News reporter and anchor Monica Laliberte narrates "Disconnected," March 19 at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL-TV, WILM-TV, wraldocumentary.com and the WRAL channels on Amazon Fire, Apple TV and Roku.

WRAL Documentary: Disconnected

It's hard to imagine being a parent and losing a child to suicide. So it's startling to learn that the suicide rate among teens in North Carolina has doubled in the last decade according to a recent study. A new WRAL Documentary examines the issue of teen depression and suicide through the personal story of a young woman who's battled depression since eighth grade and attempted suicide at 16.

Out of the Darkness

WRAL Documentary: Out of the Darkness

The new WRAL documentary "Finding a Fix" is an update to the 2017 WRAL Documentary "Searching for a Fix." That program shared the personal stories of families who've lost loved ones to overdose, revealed how first responders are dealing with the crisis, looked at the challenges of getting people addicted to opioids into treatment and examined how policymakers were dealing with the epidemic.

Finding a Fix

Finding  a Fix

In 1990, the Neuse River was on the brink of catastrophe. Thirty years later, the Neuse is in trouble again. Four prominent scientists who helped WRAL to study the Neuse back then agreed to help again. We also interviewed local and state political leaders, river keepers, activists and fishermen about the state of the Neuse and what must be done to protect it.

WRAL Doc: New Trouble on the Neuse River

Bill Leslie by the Neuse River

Hurricane Florence is the sixth named storm, third hurricane and the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. If Florence continues on its projected path, it is expected to make landfall along the coast as a strong Category 1 storm the morning of Friday, Sept. 14.

75 Hours

Hurricane Florence floods New Bern

The WRAL Documentary, "Connecting the Bots," examines how automation is changing the workplace. It goes inside a textile mill near Hickory where robots sew socks that are manufactured without ever being touched by a human hand. It tours a giant greenhouse where automated systems include robots that space plants as they grow. It visits a company in Sanford that makes robots that make other products and a company in Matthews that automates woodworking assembly lines eliminating the need for human labor.

Connecting the Bots

Knight Chamberlain had a happy childhood, growing up in the small mountain town of Brevard North Carolina.  Then, at nine-years-old a stranger sexually assaulted him near his home and his life changed forever.  



Speaking the Unspeakable

WRAL Documentary: Speaking the Unspeakable

Immigration is a polarizing issue and the subject of an ongoing national debate. The issue isn't just political or ideological, especially in our state. 

Land of Opportunity

Scientists are predicting about a three-foot rise in sea level along North Carolina's coast by 2100, which would have devastating impacts on our coastal communities.

Sea Change 

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Breaking News: Lamont Butler hits a buzzer-beater to send San Diego State to the Title Game, 72-71

Thousands watched artists hit the stage, including Ari Lennox, Toosii, City Girls, Earthgang, and Usher, who closed the night out.

Despite late start, Dreamville Festival draws in huge crowd on opening day 

Dreamville Festival on Saturday afternoon

Significant teacher raises, smaller state employee raises, new school policies and a little bit of politics. Here's what House Republicans want from the state's $30 billion annual spending plan.

Leverage and 7 other things Republicans want from NC's annual spending plan

State budget

Headlining artist Usher was spotted at He's Not Here on Friday night in Chapel Hill.

He was here: Usher spotted at He's Not Here in Chapel Hill

Usher at He's Not Here in Chapel Hill

A person was struck by a train and killed in Dunn.

Person hit, killed by train in Dunn

Crime scene do not cross tape

Sunday morning will be chilly with temperatures in the mid 40s. Overall, it will be a sunny, breezy day with highs reaching the mid 60s and lower 70s by the afternoon.