WPTF Afternoon News

The Soccer Tournament is staying in Cary. The 7-on-7 All-Star Tournament that brings together men's and women's teams from around the world will remain at WakeMed Soccer Complex through 2029. The Soccer Tournament started four years ago in Cary. Last year, it attracted over 31,000 fans and nearly 2,000 players from 34 countries. Last year, teams owned by Hope Solo, J.J. Watt, Steve Nash, Ali Krieg...

Domestic violence survivors gathered Sunday at the NC State Capitol, urging Senators to pass the "Jesse's Law," aimed at enhancing protections for domestic violence survivors in family courts. The law passed the North Carolina House in May with bipartisan support. Advocates are now calling on state senators to follow suit. Veronica Hatton, a child advocate, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Jesse’s La...

A High Point University Poll finds that a little more than half of North Carolina residents will celebrate Halloween this year, while 40% will not. These findings are higher compared to a 2023 High Point University Poll in which 47% of North Carolinians said they would celebrate Halloween that year. Dr. Martin Kifer, the Poll Director for High Point University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss other Ha...

A movement for joy, unity, and a stronger future—led by the people, for the people. Kristin Hiemstra, a Chapel Hill resident, is leading a new group called We the People Rise. Their goal is to build a nation where every citizen can thrive. Kristin, who has worked as a high school counselor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why she started We the People Rise.

It’s officially North Carolina College Application Week. It’s a critical moment for students across the state to take the next step toward higher education. As proclaimed by Governor Josh Stein, this week is part of the statewide Countdown to College initiative. designed to break down barriers to college access. Sarita Broadway, CFNC Associate Outreach Director for North Central North Carolina, jo...

North Carolina lawmakers have given final approval to a new U.S. House map backed by President Donald Trump. The map adopted Wednesday could help Republicans win an additional seat by reshaping a swing district currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis. The previous map already helped the GOP win 10 of the 14 House districts in North Carolina, which Trump won with 51% of the vote last year....

In a win for their party, North Carolina Republican lawmakers formally passed a redrawn Congressional map meant to give them an extra seat in Washington, D.C., something they say is heeding the call from President Donald Trump. Governor Josh Stein posted a video on X saying the legislature failed North Carolinians. He went on to say Republicans haven’t even passed a budget yet and should focus on...

North Carolina lawmakers gave final approval to a new congressional map, a victory for Republicans in the state legislature and beyond who have sought to increase the GOP’s advantage in races for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. The North Carolina House of Representatives approved the map in a party-line vote Wednesday, following on the heels of another party-line vote in the state Senat...

On Tuesday, the Raleigh City Council gave approval to an updated noise ordinance. The vote comes as residents in Glenwood South and other neighborhoods have voiced their frustrations with the noise from bars and restaurants. Council member Megan Patton says there should be monitoring on how the ordinance is being implemented. Larry Miller, the President of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collabora...

Some local alumni of the historic Ligon High School who lived through segregation are making their voices heard to make sure their beloved school, now Ligon Magnet Middle School, isn't torn down as it faces renovations. The Wake County Public School System announced details on the proposed $141 million renovations to the nearly 75-year-old school. Carol Gartrell is a graduate of Ligon Magnet Middl...

The Early Head Start program under Durham's Partnership for Children is not immediately impacted by the government shutdown, but there's grave concern that the program won't be able to operate at its current level, which could leave dozens of families at risk. Early Head Start Director Shekema Crawford and Executive Director Kate Irsh joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the government shutdown is im...

With the low fall foliage color now in the Piedmont and Charlotte metro areas, you might notice some of the leaves already look dry or faded. That’s a sign of drought stress. The mountains, only under a slight drought, which means minimal impacts. Some leaves are browning and dropping early which is a clear sign they’re struggling without enough water. Howard Neufeld, Professor of Biology at Appal...

Looking for a thrilling scare? You're just an hour from the Triangle, where one of the country's most terrifying haunted attractions await. Kersey Valley Spookywoods in Archdale earned the Number 9 spot on HauntWorld magazine's list of the Top 13 Scariest Haunted Houses in America. Dustin Douglas, the owner of Kersey Valley Spookywoods, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how this facility defines the H...

Two physicians at the UNC Health system have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Robert Ferris, the UNC Health chief of oncology clinical services, and Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, the executive dean of the UNC School of Medicine, were the only physicians in North Carolina elected to the academy this year, according to health system officials. Ferris and Meltzer-Brody joined Jeff...

Families Moving Forward is a Durham-based nonprofit that helps families transition out of homelessness. On November 6, the group will present the Chefs for Change gala. It features some of the best culinary talent from across the Triangle. Joe Daly from Families Moving Forward joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Chefs for Change.

North Carolina Republicans are one step closer to helping Republicans in Washington hold on to power in Congress through redistricting. The proposed district maps passed its final hurdle in the NC Senate on Tuesday and now moves onto the House. The map takes District 1 from a swing seat to a Republican seat by adding territory on the coast. Mitch Kokai, a spokesperson for the John Locke Foundation...

The House is expected to remain away from Washington this week as GOP leaders continue to put the responsibility on the Senate to reopen the government. The House hasn't voted since Sept. 19. Speaker Mike Johnson said he would bring the House back if the Senate voted to pay federal workers and members of the military, but indicated he thinks that is unlikely. Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News White House r...

Flat electronic displays are a $150 billion industry and quickly growing thanks to the near-ubiquitous presence of modern smartphones and televisions. It’s also an industry dominated by east Asia, with very little manufacturing taking place in the U.S. If that is ever going to change, American companies must come up with a disruptive innovation. Researchers at Duke University might have just found...

Glenwood South residents and businesses have been buzzing about noise for weeks. Now, a proposed amendment for Raleigh’s noise ordinance is on the city’s radar. The city sought a comprehensive assessment of noise levels downtown and in the Glenwood area to see what some are dealing with. According to the Austin-based Sound City Planning, a balanced approach can solve the issue. Saideh Brown is the...

This week, North Carolina Republican lawmakers announced plans to vote on redrawing the state's U.S. House District map. Political experts say Republicans will likely target N.C. Congressional District 1, a swing district in the eastern part of the state represented by Democrat Don Davis. North Carolina would be following other states like California and Texas this year, where Democrats and Republ...

The Justice Department appears to be moving forward with an expected indictment of President Donald Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton. The department is expected to present the possible criminal case and seek an indictment by a federal grand jury in Maryland on Thursday, according to CNN. Mac McCorkle, Duke University Professor with the Sanford School of Public Policy, joined J...

A mostly dry forecast to end this week is great news if you have outdoor plans, but there's also a downside to the forecast. Much of North Carolina could really use the rain. This weekend's nor'easter did provide needed rain in some coastal communities. Many areas in central to western North Carolina, however, saw little to no rain from that system. Corey Davis, Assistant Climatologist for North C...

A new North Carolina survey conducted by the Elon University found significant concern among residents about their personal safety in large outdoor gatherings, public transportation and public places, such as shopping malls. The survey reveals significant safety concerns in the wake of highly publicized violent crime incidents in North Carolina and elsewhere. Jason Husser, Elon University Professo...

He was just 51 years old. Michael D'Angelo Archer, professionally known by way of his stage name, D'Angelo, has died from pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the 10th-most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Dr. Daniel Nussbaum, Duke Health associate professor of surgery, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what is dubbed “the silent killer.”

As the government shutdown lingers on, it isn’t the first time that federal workers in North Carolin have had to deal with uncertainty. In 2018, there was a shutdown that impacted thousands of workers across North Carolina. Jon Franklin worked as a corrections officer at the prison in Butner and dealt with weeks of financial uncertainty. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the difficult period and ho...