Washington Coverage

Man charged with murder after 19-year-old found dead in abandoned car in eastern NC

Jordan Isaiah Thomas was charged with murder after 19-year-old Amarriah Smith was found dead in a car in Beaufort County. Smith's family is still looking for the full story.

WRAL staff

Washington Magnet Elementary School named top magnet school in the country

Washington Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary School was named top magnet elementary school in the country.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

NC mother gets $185K from local police after son shot, killed during traffic stop

The mother of a Beaufort County man who was shot and killed by police in 2018 was awarded $185,000 Wednesday in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Washington State Senator Died at 52 After COVID Infection

State Sen. Doug Ericksen, a Republican who had led efforts to oppose Washington state's COVID-19 emergency orders and vaccine mandates, has died after his own battle with the illness. He was 52.

Mike Baker, New York Times

Washington museum tells the story of enslaved people, those who helped them gain their freedom

WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason showcases a museum housed within a caboose on the waterfront in Washington, NC. The museum tells the history of enslaved people seeking freedom and of the underground network of people who helped them.

King Chicken serving up southern soul since 1958

It's a Washington, NC, landmark, known for fried chicken, collards, and all kinds of good country cookin' and down-home soul food.

President Trump delivers farewell address on final full day in office

Trump delivered his final speech to the nation as an acting president.

Tours of Washington Monument shut down ahead of Biden inauguration

The National Park Service said it will also be implementing temporary closures at the National Mall and other monuments.

Fact check: Did Capitol Police let mob of Trump supporters in?

Footage that appeared to show some officers allowing rioters past barricades was misrepresented online. The journalist who shot the video said the officers backed off the barricade because they were "completely outnumbered."

Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact reporter

Fact checking misinformation during a day of chaos at the US Capitol

Here's a look at our fact-checks of the day's session, and the chaos that interrupted it.

PolitiFact staff

Secret tunnels, hidden treasures: 200-year-old mansion used as Civil War hospital

At first glance, the Elmwood 1820 seems like a classic bed & breakfast in a historic mansion. However, the 200-year-old manor holds many secrets inside its walls -- including hidden tunnels and carvings from Civil War soldiers.

Heather Leah, WRAL multiplatform producer

Thousands march on Washington in support for women's rights

Thousands of men and women are coming out to march for women's rights in Washington D.C..

Washington Monument welcomes back visitors on Thursday

The Washington Monument welcomed visitors back on Thursday. It closed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hundreds exposed to COVID-19 at chiropractor

Nearly 300 patients who visited Chiro One Wellness last week, along with 14 workers, are being urged to quarantine immediately.

Washington mayor dies of coronavirus complications

Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted his condolences Wednesday.

WRAL News

House adopts bill to make DC 51st state; Senate likely to kill bill

The Democratic-controlled House approved a bill Friday to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, saying Congress has both the moral obligation and constitutional authority to ensure that the city's 700,000 residents are allowed full voting rights, no longer subject to "taxation without representation.''

Fort Bragg soldiers still on standby in Washington, D.C.

We have confirmed that members of the 82nd Airborne and 18th Airborne Corps out of Fort Bragg are in the Washington, D.C. area on standby to help deal with the unrest.

Demand jumps for robot deliveries during pandemic

A vision for the future - self-driving delivery robots full of grocery items navigate a nearly empty sidewalk and crossing intersections in the streets of Washington, DC.

Determined DC tourists, locals take in cherry blossoms

Most National Cherry Blossoms events are canceled, but tourists and locals alike are still heading to the Tidal Basin to take in the flowering spectacle.

Melania Trump promotes awareness to opioid crisis

The Department of Justice held a National Opioid Summit Friday in Washington, where First Lady Melania Trump was a featured speaker.

Implant innovation: 8-year-old's invention is global winner

Kenzi Cayton, born deaf, has been using cochlear implants for years. Now her idea could change the devices in a big way.

Tumbleweeds are burying some homes in Washington state

Strong winds over the weekend brought a series of problems for people in Southwest Washington state.

Drivers struggle after being trapped in tumbleweeds on Washington state highway

Some people spent part of their New Year's Eve trapped on a Washington state highway after tumbleweeds blocked their route, authorities said.

President, Mrs. Trump help light National Christmas Tree

The Capitol Christmas tree was lit Wednesday night. Now, the National Christmas Tree is all aglow.

Capitol Christmas tree lights up D.C. sky

A tree from the Land of Enchantment better known as New Mexico, is this years Christmas centerpiece in front of the Capitol.