5 days ago
A well-known WRAL reporter is leaving the station. What we know
A WRAL reporter and North Carolina native is leaving the station after six years.
Aaron Thomas' last day at WRAL is Monday, June 16, according to social media posts announcing the news.
'This wasn't an easy decision,' Thomas wrote in a Facebook post. 'Reporting for my hometown TV station has been a blessing and a dream fulfilled. YEARS of prayer and self-reflection led to the conclusion that it's time for a new challenge.'
Thomas, who did not immediately respond to a request for more information from The News & Observer, said in the Facebook post that he would take a month to 'recharge + reset.'
'As for what's next? Stay tuned,' Thomas wrote.
Thomas, who joined WRAL in 2019, graduated from N.C. State University in 2014 with a degree in communication media, according to his WRAL bio.
He was born in Fayetteville and raised in Fuquay-Varina, the bio says.
During his six years at WRAL, Thomas won two Nashville/MidSouth Emmy Awards in breaking/spot news - multiple reports and team coverage categories.
Before coming to WRAL, Thomas worked for two years as a reporter/multimedia journalism at ABC affiliate WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia.
From 2015-17, he was a reporter/multimedia journalist at CBS affiliate WTAJ-TV in State College, Pennsylvania.
WRAL legend Charlie Gaddy — 'the Walter Cronkite of North Carolina' — has died
Thomas is the latest broadcast journalist to leave WRAL in recent months.
Gilbert Baez, a longtime Fayetteville reporter for the station, left WRAL in January, after the station did not renew his contract. Baez is hosting a new TV show, 'Air Angels: Flight Helene.' He is also hosting a three-hour weekday news program at WFNC, The N&O previously reported.
Debra Morgan joined WRAL as an anchor in 1993. Until 2023, she co-anchored newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., alongside Gerald Owens. But in May of that year, she began co-anchoring only at the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. hours, a change she said would offer better work-life balance.
Morgan's last day on the anchor desk at WRAL was May 21.
Have a question about your community you'd like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you'd like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
If you have a question about the Charlotte area, send The Charlotte Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form.
If you have a question about Raleigh or a Triangle area community, send The News & Observer team a question by submitting questions to this form.
Local TV station announces new host for public affairs program. Here's when she'll start
Former WRAL reporter begins 2 new TV & radio projects this year. Here's what to know
