Monica Laliberte moves from WRAL News team to corporate role
Keely Arthur to front “5 On Your Side” daily reports
WRAL News, the most watched news team in the Triangle, announced changes to its award-winning “5 On Your Side” team Wednesday evening during the 6pm news. Long-time consumer advocate and “5 On Your Side” anchor/reporter Monica Laliberte told viewers, “After 38 years in local news, it’s time for a change. I am grateful to the many who supported me along the way: my bosses, mentors, and co-workers—but I am most grateful to the viewers who have trusted me, believed in me, shared their stories with me and watched. I owe YOU for this priceless career.”
The announcement and new role is further described by 27-year WRAL News veteran Laliberte as, “a fantastic, new adventure. I’m going from working for all our viewers, to working to support and grow our great employees across all Capitol Broadcasting Company divisions as well as recruit new employees. To get to stay with this great company, and my awesome co-workers in this role, is an incredible opportunity.”
The End of An Era
Monica Laliberte
The “5 On Your Side” news franchise has been a long-running part of WRAL News’ on-air coverage, with reports ranging from consumer investigations and restaurant ratings to safety and recall updates. Television viewers in North Carolina are familiar with the groundbreaking journalism Laliberte and the “5 On Your Side” team has done over nearly three decades, some of which brought about changes to state laws and regulations.
Noteworthy stories include her expose on flooded car resales that started with recording VINs of submerged vehicles while she was covering Hurricane Floyd. Laliberte and her team spent the next year tracking the cars and found out many were sold to consumers who had no idea they were buying flood-damaged cars. Her efforts won the “5 On Your Side” team a Murrow Award.
Other impactful stories include Laliberte’s investigation into Low-E windows, called “the next asbestos,” that brought about changes in building codes and one of Laliberte’s seven Emmys, and the “Close Before You Doze” story on how shutting a bedroom door can save lives during a fire.
“Monica’s contributions to the WRAL News team are immeasurable,” said Rick Gall, WRAL News Director. “She leaves behind a momentous legacy of righting wrongs, helping people save money, arming viewers with info to protect their families and prompting change.”
Laliberte’s work has earned numerous awards, including two regional Edward R. Murrow awards, seven regional Emmy awards and AP and RTDNAC awards.
WRAL viewers will continue to see Laliberte reporting “5 On Your Side” stories through February 2022. She will then formally transition from her role in the WRAL Newsroom to a new role on the corporate human resources team for WRAL parent company Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC.) Laliberte has been named Director of Communication & Engagement for CBC, working to recruit, support and grow the internal company team across divisions.
Keely Arthur promoted to lead reporter for “5 On Your Side”
Keely Arthur
“I’m so excited to take on this well-known and beloved brand and help North Carolinians make smart financial choices, fight scams and save money,” said Arthur on the new role.
Since joining WRAL in 2020, Arthur has primarily worked as a reporter for WRAL News, appearing in a variety of evening newscasts. Arthur previously worked in Madison, Wisconsin for TV station WISC as an anchor and breaking news/investigative reporter. She has won multiple awards for her work including a regional Emmy award. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in history and journalism.
Thanks to WRAL-TV for this Capcom story & for these Capcom photos.
