While some local stations are doing stories on what Chili flavored ice cream tastes like, there are some stations trying to make a difference.

WRAL in Raleigh delves into the harrowing story of Blake and London Deven, adopted siblings whose tragic deaths have spotlighted critical flaws within North Carolina's foster care system. Titled "Broken: Foster Care in North Carolina," this investigative piece by WRAL's award-winning Documentary Unit brings to light the systemic gaps that allowed these children to fall through the cracks. The documentary, hosted and produced byReporter Cristin Severance and Photojournalist Dwayne Myers, meticulously examines the shortcomings in oversight, funding, and accountability.

Cristin Severance underscores the documentary's mission, stating, "The story of Blake and London Deven is heartbreaking. We were inspired to create this documentary to push for the change that these children, and so many others, deserve." WRAL Anchor and Reporter Chris Lovingood's tenacious reporting on the Deven case has provided unprecedented access to key figures, including members of the children's biological family and the surviving adopted daughter of Avantae Deven, who has been arrested and charged with the murders of Blake and London.

The documentary also highlights the broader challenges faced by North Carolina's foster care system. With nearly 11,000 children in the system and only 6,000 licensed foster homes, the disparity leaves many without the necessary support. Child welfare advocates note the state's unique county-administered, state-supervised structure creates inconsistencies in care across its 100 counties, putting vulnerable children at risk. Senator Sydney Batch, a family law attorney, criticizes the system's fragmentation, emphasizing the urgent need for a more cohesive approach to prevent further tragedies.

In addition to shedding light on these issues, "Broken" explores legislative efforts to address the foster care system's shortcomings. Despite efforts like Senate Bill 625, which aimed to enhance state oversight of county programs, progress has stalled. Through powerful interviews with lawmakers, advocates, social workers, and families, the documentary calls for comprehensive reforms to prevent future tragedies and ensure no child is left behind. Republican Senator Jim Bergin, a longtime advocate for foster care reform, poignantly remarks, "Every time you take a child and put them in a different environment, sleeping on a different pillow, you chip off a little piece of that child. Eventually, you crack them, and we just can’t keep doing this.”