WPTF Afternoon News

President Donald Trump says he has scrapped the tariffs that he threatened to impose on eight European nations to press for U.S. control over Greenland. The dramatic reversal came shortly after Trump insisted he wanted to get the island “including right, title and ownership.” Bruce Jentleson, from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Trump’s policy rever...

Many people start the new year focused on weight loss, without realizing everyday habits may already be putting them at risk for prediabetes. In this episode, Jon Champion talks with registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist Dawn Menning about simple, realistic steps to help prevent prediabetes before it becomes a bigger health issue.

A great partnership and lots of beautiful art coming to the City of Oaks in just a few days. Joining us to share more about the exciting event and special surprises is Jennifer Bryant, Director of Public Engagement for the Raleigh Film and Art Festival.

Duke University has been granted a temporary restraining order that keeps quarterback Darian Mensah from entering a new institution until a preliminary injunction hearing on February 2. However, Duke has entered Mensah's name into the transfer portal. Mensah announced plans to enter the transfer portal last Friday. Previously, Mensah announced plans to return to Duke to fulfill the second year of...

Chances for a significant to potentially severe winter storm this weekend continue to increase. Exact details remain unclear at this time, but a threat for significant snow and ice accumulation is possible. Not everyone can stay off the roads whenever the winter weather hits. Tiffany Wright of AAA Carolinas joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how to safely drive in the winter weather.

Wake Tech has reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with Wake County Public Schools, underscoring a shared commitment to providing students with powerful, affordable pathways to college and career success through the Career and College Promise program. Brian Gann, Wake Tech Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services.

A potential winter storm this weekend could have a huge impact on the Triangle. Lows across the Triangle will be in the low teens on Saturday and Sunday nights. That has officials from Duke Energy on alert preparing for potential power outages. Gary Stephenson, Spectrum News One Meteorologist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential for winter weather.

President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland have strained relations with America's key NATO allies. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, criticized Trump's approach on Tuesday, warning of potential retaliation. The European Union's top official calls the tariffs a "mistake," questioning Trump's reliability. Trump argues the U.S. needs Greenland to counter threat...

Less than a month before his trial was set to begin, Austin Thompson will plead guilty in the Hedingham mass shooting from 2022. Thompson’s attorneys filed motions for a guilty plea from the defendant on Tuesday morning. Thompson is accused of killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood and his trial was scheduled to begin on Feb. 2. Carl Fox, a former North Carolina judge, joined Jeff Hamli...

New federal screening guidelines are expanding ways for women to be tested for cervical cancer. Starting in January 2027, private insurers will cover a self-collection option that will allow for at-home testing. Dr. Lisa Rahangdale, a Professor of General Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Midwifery at the UNC School of Medicine, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the importance of cervical cancer screening.

Just when things were trending inn the right direction for Duke football, there was stunning news on Friday. Quarterback Darian Mensah entered the transfer portal. The news comes just two weeks after Mensah announced he would return to Durham next season. Mensah led Duke to the ACC Championship last month and most likely is headed to a conference rival…Miami. Conor O’Neil, the Publisher of Devils...

European Union leaders are using strong language like "intimidation" and "blackmail" to describe U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of new tariffs over Greenland. This marks a shift in tone since Trump returned to the White House a year ago. The idea of NATO's most powerful member threatening an ally's territory is shocking to most among its ranks. How much of an impact will President Trump’s ta...

A former chairman of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, who played a pivotal role in bringing football coach Bill Belichick to the school, has left the board. John Preyer, whose term as chairman ended in July, but remained a member of the board, submitted a letter of resignation last week. Dave Glenn, from the North Carolina Sports Network and Chapelboro.com, joined...

Just 10 months before the general election, two candidates for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina are giving a clearer picture of their individual campaigns. North Carolina’s Senate election is considered among the most competitive of the 2026 midterms. Incumbent Republican Thom Tillis is not seeking re-election to a third term, leaving the seat open. Bryan Anderson, from Anderson Alerts on Su...

President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops to quell persistent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis. Trump made the threat Thursday. A day earlier, a federal officer in the city shot and wounded a man who had attacked the officer with a shovel and broom handle. N.C. State political science professor Steven Greene j...

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid met on January 13. Members heard presentations about the effects of federal funding cuts to Medicaid and new workforce requirements for beneficiaries. KFF estimates North Carolina will see a reduction of $23 billion in federal funding in the next decade as a result of the cuts. Lisa Poteat, Executive Director of the Arc of NC, joined Jeff Hamli...

Hidden Historian Heather Leah brings lost history to life through interactive stories, tours, books, livestreams and more. Later this month, her book “Lost Towns of North Carolina” will be released. She explores everything from ghost towns to lost cemeteries, from secret tunnels through the mountains to underwater cities. She's passionate about uncovering history that isn't in traditional history...

Inflation declined a bit last month as prices for gas and used cars fell, a sign that cost pressures are slowly easing. The Labor Department said Tuesday that consumer prices rose 0.3% in December from the prior month, the same as in November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.2%, also matching November’s figure. Steve Allen, N.C. State Economics Professor, join...

Professional softball is coming to Durham. Athletes Unlimited Softball League has announced Durham will be the home city for the Carolina Blaze. The Blaze will play its games at Duke's Smith Family Stadium. Their first game will be on June 9. Among the players on the roster will be former Duke pitchers Ana Gold and Jala Wright, who each were on the roster when the Blue Devils became the first Nort...

Sailor Jones has been named the new Executive Director of Common Cause NC. He succeeds Bob Phillips, who retired from the organization this month after helming Common Cause’s North Carolina office for a quarter-century as a stalwart champion of voter empowerment and government accountability. Jones joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his new role.

The Raleigh Convention Center is open again. Just over a month after fire damaged the roof of the building, the center opened its doors again on Monday. Documents show that more than $800,000 has been spent to fix the building, including work to install a temporary roof and clean up water damage inside. Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Center, joined...

Immunotherapy is offering new hope for cancers that once had grim prognoses by harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight the disease, often sparing patients from the harsh side effects of chemotherapy. But its success may hinge on everyday medications people are taking during treatment. Nicholas DeVito, from the Duke University School of Medicine, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the commentar...

As North Carolina grapples with what state officials call "crisis-level shortages" in the caregiving sector, Duke students are part of an innovative solution—providing hands-on care to Durham families while building the clinical experience medical schools demand. CareYaya Health Technologies matches pre-health students nationwide with families needing affordable care.

Siembra NC is set to host demonstrations on Wednesday in the memory of Renee Good. Demonstrations are set for Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro and Wilmington in the memory of Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent last week. Emmanuel Gomez Gonzalez from Siembra NC joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the demonstrations.

The Wake County Animal Center will temporarily close Friday, January 16, through March 2, 2026, for building repairs and maintenance. The Center will be closed for animal intake and adoptions. Meagan Frost, Wake County Outreach Manager, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the closure and what services will be interrupted.