Texting Coverage

Family says text may have saved 12-year-old's life

Texting 911 is often used by people who are deaf or mute. But it can help in situations where the witness or victim of a crime can't make a call.

How to help students navigate drama in group chats

If you have a tween or teen with a smartphone, you know how active group chats have become.

Laura Tierney, Founder and CEO of The Social Institute

These are the 12 phone numbers sending the most scam calls and texts

Software company BeenVerified analyzed 150,000 complaints from users to figure out the 12 phone numbers most used for scams.

Block these 12 phone numbers linked to text and call scams

Cell phones are being bombarded with scam texts. Even just clicking on a malicious link can compromise your personal information.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

UNC student newspaper front page features texts sent during lockdown

Student newspaper - "The Daily Tar Heel" - is going viral after compiling some of those powerful messages from students and parents on its front page.

Want to pay for parking via text? A new service just for that is coming from Charlotte firm Passport

What can't you do via text these days? Pay for parking? Well you'll soon be able to do that as Charlotte startup Passport rolls out a new "Text to Pay" service that augments its current offerings.

New text alert system aims to battle police brutality in Wake County

You can now sign up for a text alert system in Wake County that will inform you of instances of police brutality.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

Student activist at UNC-Chapel Hill creates texting alert system to battle police brutality

Kerwin Pittman, the brains behind CodeBlue Brutality Alert, designed the system to send out text alerts in real-time when Law Enforcement/ Police in Wake County is critically injuring or murdering someone.

Texting turns 30: Today 5 billion people 'text' - here's how it happened

It may seem hard to believe there was a world of communications before texting. But TXT became reality 30 years ago today. In a blog post, Raleigh-based Bandwidth, which providers a wide variety of messaging services and other broadband communications applications, recaps the rise of texts.

A bit of tech history: First-ever text message sent out 30 years ago

30 years ago, Neil Papworth did something groundbreaking. He sent the first-ever text message to a friend from work.

First-ever text message sent 30 years ago

Thirty years ago in 1992, Michael Papworth sent the first text message ever sent.

'Don't trust anything in your inbox': Holiday is peak season for scammers, hackers

Holiday shopping season is the busiest time of the year for scammers and hackers. Here's how a security expert says you can protect yourself and your family.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Fed Up With Political Text Messages? Read On.

“Boris, Florida is in trouble,” warned one text message seeking campaign donations — and promising 900% matching funds — for Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Natasha Singer, New York Times

Apple's iMessage & you: New features include ability to edit, unsend

For anyone prone to typos, sending messages to the wrong person or firing off thoughts they may later regret, there's now some hope. Apple has delivered on two of its most requested features: the ability to edit and unsend iMessages.

NC grandma texts 42 people every morning

Doris Johnson, 85, texts 42 family, friends and neighbors from her Person County home each morning.

'Good morning Grandma': NC woman, 85, texts 42 people every single day

Doris Johnson texts 42 people every morning.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Scam calls decrease, but Americans are getting 12 billion robotexts a month

North Carolina Public Interest Research Group reported Tuesday that robocalls have been cut in half since a federal law was passed targeting scammers -- but Americans are getting more unwanted texts than ever.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Jan. 6 Panel Issues Subpoena to Secret Service in Hunt for Text Messages

WASHINGTON -- The House committee investigating the attack on the United States Capitol issued a subpoena to the Secret Service late Friday seeking text messages from Jan. 5 and 6, 2021, that were said to have been erased, as well as any after-action reports.

Luke Broadwater, New York Times

FCC approves texting '988' to reach National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by next year

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday unanimously voted to require text messages sent to the number 988 be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by next year, expanding access to the critical 24/7 national hotline.

By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN

This simple text message can encourage people to get vaccinated, researchers say

A simple text message may be able to provide the nudge some people need to get vaccinated, researchers say.

By Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN

Campaigns increasingly reaching voters through their phones

So many local and national political campaigns are relying on text messages to reach voters that some observers have dubbed 2020 "the texting election."

Uber debuts easy way for riders and drivers to text 911

Uber has released the "Text-to-911" feature nationwide after being tested in multiple locations.

State official used database of parent contact info to send criticized texts, emails

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson ran a text message that he blasted out to more than half a million parents and educators by a campaign adviser first, who edited the language.

VT bill would ban cellphones for people under 21

Vermont lawmaker proposes cellphone ban for people under 21 to prove a point.

Can't call 911? Try texting

Calling 911 for an emergency is the go-to option to summon help, but Wake County now offers other options.

Mark Boyle, WRAL anchor/reporter