WPTF Afternoon News

The weekend snow storm has impacted much of North Carolina, but things were a bit different with a winter storm that hit North Carolina exactly 26 years ago. The snowfall from Jan. 24-25, 2000, still stands as the record for the most snow from one storm in Raleigh. It was a storm that few saw coming. Gary Lackmann, N.C. State meteorology professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how forecasting has...

Siemens Energy is bringing back a type of manufacturing to Charlotte that the company paused in 2018. On Tuesday, the company announced they're also expanding a grid technology project execution in Raleigh. Siemens will invest $421 million to expand its operations throughout North Carolina. Matt Neal, President of North America at Siemens Energy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the expansion.

The snow has moved out of North Carolina, leaving behind a thick blanket on roads across the state. Bitterly cold temperatures in the forecast will lead to snow sticking to the roads over the next few days in central North Carolina. Sergeant Marcus Bethea of the State Highway Patrol, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how busy of a weekend it was for the highway patrol.

Health officials are issuing a warning about the dangers surrounding lakes and ponds that are covered by ice. Over the weekend, two people had to be rescued from a frozen pond in Cary. Doctors want parents to emphasize to children that to never walk out on icy water. Doctor Christine Kenttel, a doctor at UNC Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the dangers of hypothermia.

The North Carolina National Guard is helping residents after snow blanketed North Carolina this weekend. The snow amount varied across the state. One foot of snow came down in Havelock. There was nine inches reported in Currituck County. Unfortunately, it led to more beach houses collapsing. Sam Walker of OBX News joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the unusual amount of snowfall by the coast.

While snowfall amounts varied across central North Carolina this weekend, the Triad was buried underneath some of the largest accumulations in years. There was eleven inches of snow in Winston-Salem. High Point got 12 inches. Greensboro and Asheboro each received ten inches. Gary Stephenson, meteorologist with Spectrum News One, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the weekend snowstorm.

It's back-to-back winter weather for the Triangle, and families want to be ready. Once again, Hudson Hardware locations in Clayton and Garner are busy providing customers with the tools they need to be ready for snow. From businesses to customers, everyone is searching for the same thing to deal with Mother Nature's double whammy. Stone Gulley, co-owner of Hudson Hardware, joined Jeff Hamlin to di...

To the surprise of many, Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Belichick, the coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, came up short of induction in his first time on the ballot. That’s despite winning six World Championships as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Alex Zietlow of the Charlotte Observer joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why Belichi...

“The Sarafinas, My Way” combines the elegance and glamour of classic precision dance with the beloved music of the American songbook. It will be presented at Theater Raleigh from February 12-through-15. Eric Woodall, Theatre Raleigh’s Artistic Director, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the production.

The Research Goes Red initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in heart health studies, highlighting the critical role of women's participation in research. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet women remain vastly underrepresented in the research aimed at diagnosing it. Vrinda Vyas, a cardiologist with ECU Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the initiat...

Duke University and quarterback Darian Mensah have reached an agreement in a lawsuit filed by the school. It will allow Mensah to transfer after one season in Durham. The school and Mensah’s agency released statements confirming a deal without providing any details. Mensah helped Duke to its first outright ACC Championship since 1962 last month in a win over Virginia. Abigail DiSalvo, the Sports E...

The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday released its updated recommendations for what vaccines children should get. It's a routine revision, hardly different from last year's recommendations, but it carries more significance this year: More states and doctors are relying on it instead of a controversial new schedule from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. David Weber of UNC He...

A Customs and Border Protection official told Congress in a notice that two federal officers fired shots during the encounter that killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Tuesday’s notification obtained by The Associated Press said officers tried to take Pretti into custody and he resisted, leading to a struggle. The official said that during the struggle, a Border Patrol agent yelled, “He’s...

Snow is looking more likely this weekend with cold air in place. Models are trending toward the potential for a round of snow this weekend. National Weather Service meteorologis Chrissy Anderson joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about this weekends forecast and the possibility of more snow in the triangle area

The winter weather can have an impact on your home. Cregg Henson is known as “Cregg the Floor Guy” on Making Your Home Great on WPTF. Cregg joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how to keep your floor in one piece in the midst of frigid temperatures

Robert Mihaly, a Durham artist, said he first came across Buddhist monks with Walk For Peace as they were passing through North Carolina in High Point. When he returned to Durham, he began working on a painting to show his gratitude. Mihaly joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the work he created.

For the last 20 years, the Flower Shuttle in Raleigh has provided joy to unsuspecting recipients. Every Tuesday, volunteers meet at Ridge Road Baptist Church to make bouquets. The flowers are donated from florists or stores like Costco and Trader Joe's that otherwise would have been tossed out. Eileen Taylor of the Flower Shuttle joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Flower Shuttle

The fatal shooting of Minneapolis man Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers has sparked calls for an independent investigation. The Trump administration has launched three federal probes, but details remain unclear. Tensions are high in Minneapolis, with conflicting narratives about the incident. The FBI is assisting in processing evidence, but there’s no indication their Civil Rights Divisi...

Winter temperatures are here, and "white flag" or emergency shelters are open for the homeless community and others who need a safe place to escape the cold. The Salvation Army of Wake County is helping the unsheltered get out of the cold. Major Joseph Crawford of the Salvation Army joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their white flag operation.

As ice blanketed roads across much of North Carolina on Sunday, Department of Transportation crews worked around the clock to treat highways and clear hazardous spots, while troopers with the N.C. Highway Patrol responded to an uptick in crashes and stranded drivers. Sergeant Marcus Bethea, a spokesperson for the State Highway Patrol, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the storm’s impact on travel and...

While the worst of the winter weather has moved out of the area, frigid temperatures are sticking around for much of the week, raising concerns about black ice on local roads. Clarence Birkhead, Sheriff of Durham County, had deputies out assisting drivers over the weekend and monitoring conditions. Birkhead joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the roadways are looking and what residents should watch...

Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through the morning as slick roads and icy conditions continue to impact travel. A Cold Weather Advisory is also in place from 7 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Tuesday, with overnight lows expected to fall into the single digits and teens and wind chills dropping even lower. Gary Stephenson, a meteorologist with Spectrum News One, j...

It’s been 40 years since the Smith Center in Chapel Hill opened. But the future of the building that Antwan Jamison, Vince Carter and Tyler Hansbrough called home is in question. The question of where the North Carolina men’s basketball team should play in the future has divided the fan base and alumni. Greg Barnes of Inside Carolina was at a meeting regarding Carolina North as a potential new hom...

More than three years after five people died in a mass shooting in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood, 18-year-old Austin Thompson pleaded guilty Wednesday. Rob Steele lost his fiancé in the Hedingham shooting in October 2022. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his feelings about the guilty plea.

The President of EDF Action says U.S. energy policy isn’t taking advantage of the lower cost of renewable energy. Instead, leadership is propping up outdated fossil fuel producers and passing the cost directly to Philadelphia residents in the form of alarmingly high electricity bills. David Kieve, the President of EDF Action, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how renewal energy is cheaper.