WPTF Afternoon News

How do you help an aging parent stay healthy without nagging, overwhelming them, or turning every family conversation into a health lecture? John Cochrane, CEO of HumanGood, talks with Jon Champion about practical ways older adults and their families can cut through the noise, focus on manageable steps, and work together toward healthier aging—even during the hectic holiday season.

Jon Champion talks with Willie Odell Jordan, a former teacher and retired Wake County educator. The award-winning theatre director and founder of the Crown Jewel Theatre joins Jon to discuss his new theatre company, its inaugural production of American Son, and the power of storytelling to challenge perspectives, spark conversation, and inspire change.

What shapes the way young people think about relationships, gender, and social pressure—and how do those attitudes follow them onto college campuses? In this conversation, Jon Champion speaks with Shanna Marzilli, president and CEO of Plan International USA, about new national research from Perry Undem and Plan International USA examining the pressures young people face, why these issues matter, a...

The NC State Fair is here and with it come not only the rides, the deep fried foods and fun, but the traffic and safety concerns. Each year the Department of Agriculture takes great efforts to ensure that the fair keeps moving and does so with a minimum of congestion and crime. The person at the helm of those efforts again this year is Chief Anthony Prignano, Chief of Police for the NC Agriculture...

Former North Carolina Governor and RightCount North Carolina Chair Pat McCrory will join East Carolina University political science professor Dr. Peter Francia in Greenville this Thursday for a public conversation about the 2026 election, North Carolina’s voting process, and public trust and confidence in elections. McCrory joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the election process as early voting gets un...

A Cary woman is using a Halloween display to draw attention to what she and her neighbors say is a dangerous stretch of road where speeding drivers remain a concern. Ginger Peters has placed a skeleton along Harrison Avenue with a message aimed at both motorists and town leaders. Peters joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the display.

The Rawleigh Oyster Festival combines oysters and barbecue and will be held at Raleigh Iron Works. It benefits the Frankie Lemmon School and the NC Coastal Federation. It takes place on November 7. Ed Mera, a coastal North Carolina oyster farmer, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the event.

The state of the Sun Belt Conference is in question. On Monday, James Madison announced they were leaving the league in 2028 to join the American Conference. The College Football Playoff will reportedly expand to 24 teams by 2027, according to ESPN. Where does this unrest leave Appalachian State, once the best college football program in North Carolina. Jeff Hamlin talked with Appalachian graduate...

It’s the final event of the PGA Champions Tour regular season. The SAS Championship starts on Friday at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Connor Stange from the PGA Champions Tour joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the event that will lead into the Champions Tour playoffs.

Jeff Harkey North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Association

Homeowners and renters across the area are assessing damage after Sunday's storm, but before making repairs, experts say there are important steps to take to protect your property and your money. Mike Causey, North Carolina’s Insurance Commissioner, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what to look out for when seeking people to repair damage to your home

Hunger doesn’t take a day off, and for Braswell Family Farms, neither does the commitment to helping feed its community. Following National Farmers Day on October 12, World Food Day on October 16 offers an opportunity to spotlight how one Eastern North Carolina family farm is putting its agricultural roots and community relationships to work in the fight against food insecurity. Trey Braswell from...

As communities assess the damage caused by Hurricane Isaias, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, CARFAX is warning used-car shoppers that the impact of a storm doesn't end when the rain stops. Em Nguyen, from CarFax Public Relations, joined Bruce Ferrell to discuss how common flooding is in North Carolina.

Wake Tech is spotlighting proposed investments in the hands-on training that helps students prepare for technical careers across Wake County. The $149.1 million Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond, on the November 3 ballot, includes $12 million to expand skilled trades training at Southern Wake Campus. Wake Tech President Scott Ralls joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the bond would benefit the commun...

Gas prices are falling as North Carolina’s gas tax suspension takes effect. Governor Josh Stein signed the law Friday, cutting 41 cents per gallon in gas and diesel taxes. N.C. State professor Jeffrey Dorfman joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the impact the tax will have.

The US suspended Microsoft, major IT outsourcers and software maker Adobe from a key green-card program on Thursday while opening probes into nine top universities, widening a crackdown it says targets fraud and protects American jobs. Steve Rao, a former member of the Morrisville Town Council, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation

Cleanup crews are out in north Raleigh after tornados from Hurricane Isaias left behind toppled trees and debris throughout yards. On Sunday afternoon, the storm caused a tree to fall on someone's roof in the Raleigh neighborhood. The chainsaws are out and removal crews are working on clearing the streets and sidewalks. Jonathan Blaes from the National Weather Service joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss...

Your bones could be getting weaker right now—and you might not know it until it's too late. What if the everyday habits you barely think about are putting your long-term health at risk? Jon Champion talks with Kyle Zagrodzky, author of The Bone Betrayal: How Modern Life Dismantled the Human Skeleton and What Science Says We Can Do About It. Drawing on more than 400 peer-reviewed studies, Kyle chal...

Major League Baseball is proposing major changes for the 2029 season. The regular season would be paired down to 154 games, but the Divisional Championship Series would expand to a best-of-seven. Plus, in the wildcard series, the divisional winner would get to choose its opponent. In the divisional series, the top-seed in each league would choose which wildcard winner to play in the divisional ser...

The N.C. State Fair will continue its tradition of offering special themed days in 2026. The days bring special programs, events and discounted or free admission to the fair, which runs Oct. 15-25 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Kent Ylverton, the Director of the North Carolina State Fair, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the themed days.

Isaias is surging toward the U.S. Gulf Coast as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Governors in Florida and Alabama declared a state of emergency for dozens of counties. Isaias is forecast to intensify rapidly and bring strong winds and a life-threatening storm surge to the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi. Wes Hohenstein, chief meteorologist for CBS17, joined...

The North Carolina General Assembly during its one-day special session Wednesday passed a bill to pause the state gas tax for six weeks. The vote was nearly unanimous, with one House Democrat voting no. Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy(dot)com joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how much of an impact the gas tax pause will have.

A new High Point University Poll finds that most North Carolina adults are aware October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nearly three-quarters said they were aware of the observance. Dr. Lorrie Davis-Dick, Assistant Professor at High Point University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the survey.

Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the southern Gulf, and it is likely to become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. The storm is expected to bring rain to North Carolina. Gary Stephenson, a meteorologist for Spectrum News One, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Isaias.

It’s been three years since October 7, 2023 in Israel. It has a significant meaning for members of the Chabad of Raleigh. Rabbi Mendy Wilschanski joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his memories of three years ago and the time since.