WPTF Afternoon News

Former Governor Jim Hunt passed away on December 18th at the age of 88. Former North Carolina governor Pat McCrory joined Gayle Hurd to talk about his fellow former governor and how his time as governor changed the office in North Carolina and how he stayed as a strong presence and mentor to other governors even after he left office.

Former Governor Jim Hunt passed away on December 18th at the age of 88. Former Secretary of State for North Carolina Rufus Edmisten joined Gayle Hurd to talk about the former governor and how his leadership shaped NC and how his legacy will live on in North Carolina politics

The N.C. State men’s basketball team returned to Reynolds Coliseum on Wednesday night to play its annual Heritage Game. In another generation, the holiday season meant that Reynolds Coliseum was the basketball capital of the world because of the Dixie Classic. Legendary coaches and players would descend to Raleigh every December for a holiday tournament held at Reynolds. Tim Peeler, an N.C. State...

We are a week away from Christmas Eve and many final preparations are underway. Many organizations are helping spread the holiday cheer across the state, including the North Carolina Friends of Santa. Bill Himes first felt the magic of the Santa Claus suit over a decade ago. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how he organized the North Carolina Friends of Santa.

The Duke Fuqua School of Business released the CFO Survey on Wednesday. Among the main takeaways is companies remain concerned about tariffs and are projecting price increases of more than 3% in 2026. Sonya Waddell, economist at the Fed Richmond, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the survey for the fourth quarter.

The Education Law Center recently released its Making the Grade 2025 Report. North Carolina received an “F” for funding level, which measures cost-adjusted per-pupil revenue from state and local sources. Tamika Walker Kelly, the President of the North Carolina Association of Educators, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the report.

For decades, Raleigh residents have driven past a little Christmas tree, alight and visible from the Beltline near Six Forks Road. They have asked themselves the same question: What's the story behind that little tree? The mystery of the little Christmas tree has hung over the city since 1988, when it first appeared, fully-decorated, atop the steep hill that overlooks I-440. Like clockwork, it wou...

Community activists from western North Carolina traveled to the U.S. Capitol on Monday, adding their voices to a growing chorus of complaints about the slow pace of Hurricane Helene recovery, which they blame on the federal government. Kevin Leonard, who leads the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, is among those frustrated with the government response. Leonard joined Jeff Hamlin...

A lack of diversity among Santas forced Stafford Braxton to launch Santas Just Like Me in 2013. It encourages Santas of all ethnic backgrounds to spread holiday cheer along the east coast. He believes there should be a Santa for every community who spreads holiday cheer and brings an inclusive experience to families everywhere. Braxton joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Santas Just Like Me.

It was Josh Stein’s first calendar year as governor. There were changes in the North Carolina Republican Party. Thom Tillis decided to break ranks with President Trump and announce that his current term in the U.S. Senate will be his last. And Roy Cooper marked his return to the political arena shortly after leaving the governor’s mansion. Tom Campbell, the longtime host of N.C. Spin, joined Jeff...

Temperatures in the Triangle are expected to plummet to well-below freezing Monday night, meaning your pipes could be in danger of freezing. Whether cold temperatures are enough to freeze your pipes largely depends on where they’re located. Chris Massey, from C. Massey Plumbing, talked with Jeff Hamlin to discuss how to keep your pipes from freezing.

The death of famed director Rob Reiner has saddened the cinematic world. Reiner directed “This is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “The American President.” Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead inside their home on Sunday night. Hayes Permar, the owner of the Rialto movie theatre in Raleigh, grew up watching the films of Rob Reiner....

The Salvation Army of Wake County will begin distributing gifts to more than 8,000 children through its annual Angel Tree program on Tuesday. For many families facing financial hardship, this program provides the only gifts their children will receive for Christmas. Christine Rogers of the Salvation Army of Wake County joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Angel Tree program.

A day after the Indiana Senate rejected President Donald Trump’s contentious mid-decade redistricting proposal, warnings of political and financial retaliation escalated — including public threats that the Hoosier State could lose federal funding as punishment for GOP senators’ refusal to approve the new congressional map. Is this a sign of how the GOP is ready to move on from Donald Trump as the...

Often minor traffic accidents lead to massive traffic delays. WPTF Traffic Reporter Jon Champion talks with State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Christopher Knox about the Fender Bender law and more.

A new feature film with ties to Triangle college athletics is set for global release. Producer Rick French, Chairman and CEO of French/West/Vaughan and founder of Prix Productions—joins Jon Champion to discuss the tragic true story behind the film, what critics are saying, and why completing this project matters so deeply.

North Carolina’s foster care system is seeing a sharp decline in foster homes — and that means more children could go without holiday gifts. The Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina hopes to change that with its “Holiday Hope” toy drive, supporting more than 1,000 foster kids this season. Gaile Osborne, Executive Director of the Foster Family Alliance of NC, talks with Jon Champion to explain...

Jason Orthner from NCDOT joins host Josh Ellis to share details about the one-day Santa Train, a festive holiday ride between Raleigh and Greensboro featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus, and plenty of family fun.

The Durham Rescue Mission has relaunched “Operation Rescue: Warm Shelter” as dangerously low temperatures continue. A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for parts of the Triangle and Central North Carolina, beginning Thursday night through Friday night. A wintry mix is expected Friday with temperatures highs only reaching the uppers 30s. Rob Tart, CEO of the Durham Rescue Mission, joined Jeff Haml...

The Durham County sheriff is seeking his third term in office. Clarence Birkhead qualified to run in the upcoming 2026 election after filing paperwork at the Durham County Board of Elections Office earlier this week. Birkhead joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why he’s seeking another term in office.

Dozens of volunteers have spent weeks collecting toys and other items to help people around Alamance County. It’s an effort that will continue in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The donations at Christmas Cheer of Alamance County will go to kids, families and elderly residents who might otherwise not have much this holiday season. The Director of Christmas Cheer, Betty Hall, joined Jeff Hamlin...

A win on Senior Day and plenty of help has led to Duke reaching the ACC Football Championship game for the first time since 2013. The Blue Devils helped its own cause by beating Wake Forest 49-32 on Saturday. Then, Cal upset SMU, which earned the Blue Devils tiebreakers that put them in Charlotte on Saturday. Conor O’Neil, a nominee for North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year, joined Jeff Hamlin t...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet this week to discuss hepatitis B immunization and the childhood vaccine schedule. It’s one of the most influential committees for the country’s health, but this year it’s also a hotbed of controversy. Dr. David Weber discussed the CDC’s stance and how it has raised concern among some...

On what would have been Pfc. Booker T. Spicely’s 116th birthday, loved ones hosted a family conversation at the Durham County Main Library aimed at educating the community on his legacy. Spicely took a stand for civil rights many years before Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Jerry Gershenhorn, from the Museum of Durham History, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Spicely’s leg...

In a Wednesday morning ruling, the supporters of the Umstead Coalition received much-welcomed news from superior court. Judge Sean Cole, in his ruling, sided with the coalition after years of the group's advocacy efforts to prevent Wake Stone, now Vulcan Materials, from expanding mining operations near Umstead State Park. Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of the Umstead Coalition, joined Jeff Hamlin to disc...