WPTF Afternoon News

A deal has been reached on the North Carolina state budget. The deal is expected to include income tax cuts, money for a new children’s hospital and pay raises for state employees, but do workers think the raises are enough? Ardis Watkins, Executive Director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the budget proposal.

There has been an increase in people in Wake County facing poverty, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration histories and other major setbacks. Step Up Ministry in Raleigh is working to help people stabilize, find work, build confidence and create a stronger future for themselves and their families by providing employment, life skills , mentorship and long term support. Gayle Hurd talked about t...

Look to the southeastern sky Monday evening and you’ll see June’s full moon rising just after sunset. Astronomically, the Moon reaches its full phase at 7:56 p.m. on June 29, but it will appear full throughout the night. The June full moon is also known as the strawberry moon, but don't expect a pink or red Moon. Amy Sayle, from the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, joine...

With the window for finding survivors shrinking fast, Venezuelans combed through more ruins of buildings toppled by last week’s devastating back-to-back earthquakes Meanwhile, a 4.6 magnitude aftershock rumbled through the disaster zone in the northern state of La Guaira. Dr. Andy Bobyarchick, with the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences at UNC Charlotte, joined Jeff Hamli...

North Carolina lawmakers — who spent the weekend deliberating over proposals in a long-awaited state budget — have reached a budget deal and aim to vote on the spending plan this week. Bryan Anderson, writer for the Assembly, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss details about the long-awaited budget.

Summer is here, and for many people, it's the perfect time to shop for a new ride. But with vehicle prices, interest rates, and inventory continuing to shift, deciding whether to buy new or used, and when to buy, can be a challenge. Joining WPTF to break down the current car market and share tips for getting the best value is Sean Tucker, Managing Editor at Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader.

WPTF's very own Jon Champion was joined by Maggie Clapp, Director of Durham County Department of Social Services, to discuss Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and changes in the program as well as how it's affecting consumers.

North Carolina and N.C. State will play in a nonconference game at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro next winter, according to Pack Pride. While details haven't been finalized, the game is expected to be played on December 15. The Tar Heels and the Wolfpack are slated to play just one conference game next year at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill. Cory Smith, the Editor of Pack Pride, joined Jeff...

Travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport are navigating high airfare, construction, and booming summer demand as the airport works to expand capacity and improve the passenger experience. Stephanie Hawco, spokesperson for Raleigh Durham International Airport, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the summer demand.

World leaders and Venezuela related celebrities are reacting with offers and solidarity after two powerful earthquakes shook the South American nation on Wednesday, killing at least 164 people, injuring more than 1,000 and trapping many beneath collapsed buildings. There were also earthquakes reported in Japan and in California on Wednesday. Dr. Kevin Stewart, with UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of...

Democratic congressional primary results in New York City are accelerating the party's debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A trio of candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani all won after harshly criticizing Israel. Many progressives accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza, an accusation rejected by Israel, and want Democrats to take a firmer stand against the Israeli government

Colin Woodard, Salve Regina University’s Nationhood Lab Director, has research which shows that a common belief in the principles of the Declaration of Independence still holds us together. Recent polling from Nationhood Lab found Americans agreed by a 97-2 margin that citizens are duty-bound to protect one another’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Woodard joined Jeff Hamlin...

For many cancer survivors, finishing treatment is a major milestone, but it's often followed by a lingering question: Could the cancer come back? Researchers continue to study why some cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, recur and what can be done to help prevent recurrence. Jon Champion talks with Sylvie Beljanski, founder of the Beljanski Foundation. They discuss the latest research o...

The heat indexes for central North Carolina on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will climb above 100 degrees. It will add to the extreme drought conditions that has led to water restrictions across Durham and Wake Counties. Wes Hohenstein, CBS17 meteorologist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the heat wave and the drought

Researchers in North Carolina say a native beetle species is increasingly damaging blueberry crops in the southeastern part of the state, adding to challenges already posed by ongoing dry conditions. Kenneth Geisert, an N.C. State student researcher, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the threat that the Prionus beetle poses.

North Carolina is home to many ghost towns that each tell a different story of rise, decline and disappearance. Buffalo City, Brunswick Town, Cataloochee, Diamond City, Lost Cove and Henry River Mill Village are six examples that remain as reminders of what once existed across the state. Heather Leah, the author of Lost Towns of North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss various ghost towns acr...

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5. This year’s domestic travel forecast surpasses last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers, but the increase is smaller than recent year-over-year gains. Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson for AAA Carolinas, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what Independence Day...

As fireworks light up the skies, many pets panic—leading to a sharp uptick in runaways and emergency vet visits. PetSmart’s local veterinarian expert, Dr. Irena Perdew, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss tips for keeping your pets safe for the Fourth of July.

The kickoff of a "Stanley Cup Summer," as proclaimed by Governor Josh Stein, brought 180,000 people to downtown Raleigh over the weekend. Now, it has some people wondering what's next regarding North Carolina as a Major League sports city. The Hurricanes win in the Stanley Cup is the second Major Professional Sports Championship in North Carolina history. Loren Gold, Executive Vice President of th...

The proximity of new data centers to utilities in Vance County has prompted local residents to inquire about their quality of life. Citizens in the area are seeking transparency from their local representatives, believing their research shows data centers are not beneficial to the community. Steph Gans, from Clean Water for North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss concerns about data centers.

Vice President JD Vance says his lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland created a good foundation for a final deal to end the Iran war. Vance made the comment Monday after initial talks with Iran’s parliamentary speaker. Bruce Jentleson, from the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developments.

Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100. He died on Monday from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. That's according to his wife of 29 years, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell. N.C. State Economics Professor Emeritus Mike Walden joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Greenspan’s 18 years at the head of the Fed.

Only 5% of America's doctors are Black. That number has barely changed in 100 years. A former television reporter out of Durham just wrote a new book that explains why, and traces it back to a building in Raleigh that most people walk past without a second thought. Nicole Carr, who previously worked at WTVD, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss “The Price of Exclusion: The Pursuit of Healthcare in a Segr...

The North Carolina baseball team is two wins away from its first national championship. The Tar Heels romped through the opening three games of the College World Series. On Saturday, UNC starts a best-of-three series against Oklahoma for the national championship. Dave Nathan, UNC Baseball play-by-play man, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Tar Heels latest stint in Omaha so far.

George Clinton, a Kannapolis native, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Clinton was inducted into the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2009 and is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Victoria Cordble, with the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Clinton receiving the Lifetime Achie...