WRAL Investigates Coverage

'No excuses moment' for new NC unemployment chief trying to address mountain of claims
Former state House member Pryor Gibson, who was put in charge of the state Division of Employment Security a month ago, said he is now overseeing what he calls the most aggressive hiring campaign in state government history to try and tackle the unprecedented tidal wave of unemployment claims.

Tobacco relative could hold key to coronavirus vaccine
A weed could become a life-saver against the coronavirus.

RTP company on fast track to coronavirus vaccine
A weed could become a life-saver against the coronavirus.

More than 1,000 NC officers have lost their certification, but reasons usually not made public
Since the late 1970s, more than 1,000 law enforcement officers in North Carolina have had their certifications revoked for criminal or unethical behavior. In many cases, the public never finds out why.

Law enforcement expert says police needed better plan to keep Raleigh protests from becoming violent
Protests have spread across the globe in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police last month. While most were peaceful, the anguish turned to anger, and the protests turned dark once the sun went down.

From county and road names to statues, dozens of Confederate monuments in NC
Confederate monuments have been flashpoints for controversy in North Carolina in recent years, and NASCAR's decision this week to ban the Confederate flag from races is once again shining the light on the divisive issue.

Judge recommends denial of law enforcement certification to stay-at-home trooper
A judge has recommended that the state deny law enforcement certification to a former State Highway Patrol sergeant whom WRAL Investigates found at home on several occasions in 2016 when he was supposed to be working.

Raleigh police tactics during protests questioned
Protests have spread across the globe in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police last month. While most were peaceful, the anguish turned to anger, and the protests turned dark once the sun went down.

Franklin clerk cites training shortcomings for audit's finding of problems in her office
A local clerk of court accused of overstepping her bounds in a WRAL Investigation now finds herself answering questions from the state auditor. During a recent audit of the Franklin County Clerk of Court, auditors found five areas of non-compliance.

Researchers suggest coronavirus can linger in air for hours
As more people venture out during the pandemic, there are still a lot of unknowns about coronavirus, including how it spreads and how contagious it is. Some experts believe the threat is bigger than health officials first recognized.

Experts caution comparing virus outbreaks, reopening strategies between states
As North Carolina prepares for a scaled-back move on Friday into the second stage of a three-part plan to resume business and social activities during the coronavirus pandemic, other states are several steps ahead when it comes to returning to life as close to normal as possible.

Health screenings, smaller classes, alternate days are options as schools prepare for return amid pandemic
The annual back to school frenzy and first day jitters will be magnified when the new school year starts up again in the fall. Education officials have been saying for weeks the next school year will look and feel different.

Controversial virus research seen both as groundbreaking, reckless
Years before the world knew what the novel coronavirus was, a local researcher was sending out warning signs.

Triangle hospitals receive millions in stimulus money
The CARES Act for coronavirus relief provided $175 billion to health care facilities and doctors who lost business in order to prepare for a possible hospital surge. Newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control breaks down the individual payments.

How fear of future pandemic may have damaged chance to fight coronavirus
Years before the world knew what the novel coronavirus was, a local researcher was sending out warning signs.

NCSU professor says too early to say if SC, Georgia were right to reopen quickly
Several states are giving North Carolina a preview of coronavirus spread as restrictions are lifted in phases.

Some states that have reopened during pandemic aren't seeing spike in coronavirus infections
Several states are giving North Carolina a preview of coronavirus spread as restrictions are lifted in phases.

Change in rules on who could be tested for coronavirus not widely publicized
More than 200,000 people have been tested for coronavirus in North Carolina, but state officials never publicized a decision to relax the rules on who could be tested.

Tracking those infected people have contacted is key to slowing coronavirus
State leaders say a key tool in containing the virus will be increased contact tracing. WRAL Investigates examined what it entails- contacting and following up on anyone who had close contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.