WRAL Data Trackers Coverage

Program giving new hope for recovery to those living with substance use
A new program in Robeson County helps people who find themselves in the criminal justice system find a space in a rehab. Robeson's ER visit rate for overdoses is among the highest rates in the state.

Local efforts underway to fight food insecurity in NC during the holidays
Food insecurity - or the lack of continuous access to nutritious meals, is an issue for people in every pocket of North Carolina.

More than 1.5 million North Carolina residents facing food insecurity, data shows
One of out every five children in the state lack continuous access to nutritious meal

NC daily COVID cases about 1/2 what they were a year ago
On Thanksgiving Day 2020, eight months into the coronavirus pandemic and with vaccine yet to be widely available, North Carolina was averaging 3,663 new cases of COVID-19 daily and 34 deaths. A year later, with 68% of North Carolina adults fully vaccinated, new cases are 45% lower.

Holidays compared: NC coronavirus cases on rise, still about half what they were last Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving Day 2020, eight months into the coronavirus pandemic and with vaccine yet to be widely available, North Carolina was averaging 3,663 new cases of COVID-19 daily and 34 deaths.

Homeowners growing frustrated federal money earmarked for mortgage help has yet to flow
Back in March, Congress approved the Housing Assistance Fund as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. As of now, the application portal hasn't even opened.

NCCU program aims to get more Black men into teaching
Although more than one-third of public school students nationwide are Black, less than 2 percent of teachers are Black men. North Carolina Central University wants to close that numbers gap.

Rate of suicides in NC double that of homicides
Between 2015 and 2019, more than 7,000 North Carolinians died by suicide, according to data recently released by DHHS.

Dine-in or takeout, NC restaurants once again are feeding the masses
After months of takeout and to-go orders early in the pandemic, followed by months of limited capacity at restaurants across North Carolina, diners have returned in force.

Doctors credit vaccinations, antibody treatments for drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations
While COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped by 62 percent in the last eight weeks, Triangle hospitals have seen an ever larger decline. Across WakeMed, Duke University Health System and UNC Health hospitals, the number of COVID-19 patients has fallen by two-thirds sine the end of August, from 785 to 269.

Home, vehicle break-ins down in Raleigh, but some areas still more prone to crime than others
Despite growth in the Triangle, the numbers of residential and vehicle break-ins have dropped in Raleigh this year, according to data examined by WRAL News.

On WRAL-TV at 6: Are crime rates increasing with the rapid growth in the Triangle?
Are crime rates increasing with the rapid growth in the Triangle? WRAL Data trackers broke down the numbers, so you don't have to.

COVID-19 was cause of death for 2 of every 3 NC law enforcement officers in last 2 years
Nationwide, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of 473 law enforcement first responders since the beginning of last year. That's more than five times as many who died from gunfire in that same time.

NC coronavirus hospitalizations are declining, but patients are getting sicker
Coronavirus hospitalizations in North Carolina continue to trend downward, but patients are requiring more care.

Naloxone use is up, data shows, but nationwide shortage could limit ability to reverse overdoses, save lives
On the heels of deadliest year for overdoses in U.S. history, there's a shortage in naloxone

Unpredictable drug supply among reasons for overdose uptick
Last year, about six North Carolinians died every day from an unintentional drug overdose,

RPD responded to historically high number of overdose calls in 2020. They've exceeded it already this year.
There was a 28% increase in statewide overdose deaths last year when more than 2300 lives were lost.

Durham considering Denver STAR program to improve community safety, ease officers' burden
Leaders involved with a program in Denver, Colorado has been having meetings with officials here in Durham about how to best launch its Community Safety Department.

Violent crime rate in NC higher than national rate
For the first time in 13 years, North Carolina's violent crime rate is higher than the national rate.