WPTF Afternoon News

The heights the Carolina Hurricanes have reached didn’t seem possible 25 years ago. When the Canes arrived from Hartford, Connecticut in 1997, they were met with skepticism from critics, both in North Carolina and abroad. Dave Glenn has covered the Hurricanes from the very beginning and joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Canes during much more humble times.

Tickets are now on sale for NCMondernist’s tour of The Grand Masonic Lodge, a prime example of modernist institutional architecture along Glenwood Avenue known to generations of Raleigh residents, on June 20. George Smart, Founder of NCModernist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the tour at the Great Masonic Lodge.

The Carolina Museum of the Marine officially opened in Jacksonville on Monday. For Tara Gonsorcik, one exhibit is very personal. It tells the story of her grandfather, Jack H Lucas. Gonsorcik joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Jack Lucas’ story.

What if the soundtrack of your life wasn’t just music? What if some of the most iconic artists in history were also at the center of hidden influence campaigns, intelligence operations, psychological experiments, and cultural engineering projects that shaped entire generations? Broadcaster, author, and longtime investigator Richard Syrett explores those provocative questions in his new book, Tales...

Athletes Unlimited Softball League will make its debut in Durham on Tuesday night. The Carolina Blaze will face the Portland Cascade at Smith Family Softball Stadium at Duke University. It’s the first of five games that the Blaze will play at Duke over the next week. Kara Dill, the head coach of the Blaze, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest professional sports team in North Carolina.

Wake Tech Community College and the Wake County Public School System are launching the WakeWorks Youth Apprenticeship Academy, a groundbreaking partnership designed to connect high school juniors and seniors with in-demand skilled trades careers. Dr. Scott Ralls, the President of Wake Tech Community College, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new academy.

The Carolina Hurricanes' run to the Stanley Cup Final is not only energizing fans but also driving a growing interest in youth hockey across North Carolina. Shane Willis, a former Canes forward who is now the team’s Director of Youth Hockey and Community Outreach, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how youth hockey is growing.

If you have aging parents and you're wondering how you will handle caregiving, the Aging Gracefully Resource Fair is perfect for you. The fair is set for this Saturday at the Human Services Building on West Main Street in Durham. Travis Williams, Assistant Director of Aging & Adult Services with Durham County Department of Social Services, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the fair.

The North Carolina baseball team is focused on returning to the College World Series. In order to get there, UNC will have to defeat Southern Cal in the Chapel Hill Super Regional. The best-of-three series will start on Friday afternoon. R.L. Bynum of Tar Heel Tribune joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Super Regional series.

Friday is National Donut Day. On Friday, the Salvation Army of Wake County will be at the Garner VA Clinic handing out donuts to honor local veterans. Major Joseph Crawford of the Salvation Army of Wake County joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the tradition.

Another oceanfront home collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean Tuesday night in Buxton, scattering debris across the beach and forcing closures along part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Sam Walker, Reporter for OBX News, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the dangers that are present on the Outer Banks as summer draws closer.

Republicans in the North Carolina Senate overrode Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a school choice bill Wednesday. The Education Choice of Children Act, will enroll North Carolina in the federal education tax credit program that is part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The NCAE has come out in staunch opposition to the veto override. Bryan Proffitt of the NCAE joined Jef...

The Mallard Creek and Jordan men's track and field teams are now co-8A State Champions. The independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board overturned Mallard Creek's disqualification, which happened last month inside Truist Stadium at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. A Mallard Creek runner was disqualified in the 4x400 relay for raising his arm while approaching the finish line...

A new study is offering hopeful news in the fight against youth suicide, finding deaths among young people dropped nearly 11% nationwide after the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Isley Cotton, Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the hotline and how it has helped people.

Kristin Hiemstra is a first-time documentary filmmaker based in Chapel Hill and the founder of We the People Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to civic connection and collective possibility. She has developed and created a documentary regarding the town of Sparta called “The Town of Sparta.” It is available on YouTube. Hiemstra joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why she selected Sparta for the project.

Next week, more than 10,000 pounds of food will be packed and distributed to Raleigh children and families in need – and the effort will come together in a single afternoon. The NACS Foundation, Vontier and Convey of Hope are hosting a community packing event at Vontier’s Raleigh offices, bringing together over 40 volunteers. Kevin O’Connell, the Executive Director of the NACS Foundation, joined J...

Secretary of State of North Carolina Elaine Marshall joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about the possibility of counterfeit Carolina Hurricanes merchandise and tickets as the Canes make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since they won the Cup in 2006

Howard Neufeld has studied trees for many years. Known as the "Fall Color Guy," he has people around the world waiting for his fall color predictions, which lead to an influx of visitors in the High Country. He says after the moderate color season last year there is hope for this year to be better. Neufeld joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the drought in western North Carolina will impact leaf col...

It's been almost one year since Tropical Storm Chantal flooded homes and local businesses, including Eastgate Shopping Center. Sean Scott acquired the Guglhupf Bakery & Restaurant, which was already established at the bustling shopping center, around three years ago. Scott joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how businesses around Eastgate have recovered since Chantal, and how they’re preparing for t...

The Carolina Hurricanes return to the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. It's game one of the best-of-seven series between the Canes and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. The Canes won the Eastern Conference title, outscoring Montreal 16-5 in the last four games. After firing head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29, Vegas has gone 19-4-1 under John Tortorella. John Forslund, a longti...

The Stanley Cup Finals are less than 24 hours as the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights. The Canes are the first team in NHL history to reach the Stanley Cup Finals with a 12-1 playoff record. The matchup against Vegas is a study of contrasts. Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour is the third-longest tenured coach in the NHL in his eighth season. The Knights hired coach John Tortor...

The White Oak Foundation is set to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed White Oak Foundation Townhomes—a milestone project bringing 30 new homes to Apex, including 15 affordable housing units. The Reverend Charles Tyner, the Executive Director of White Oak Foundation Townhomes, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the ceremony.

Summer is quickly approaching, and the pleasant weather means more people outdoors and a higher chance for crashes, boat accidents and other injuries. The American Red Cross said there is a greater need for blood in the warmer months, but there’s a drop in donations available. Ellen Gorham, the Executive Director of the Greater Triangle area chapter of the American Red Cross, joined Jeff Hamlin to...

It’s a special time for Carolina Hurricanes superfan Jacob Emmons of Mebane. He was only three years old when the Canes raised the Stanley Cup in 2006. Now, he has a chance to watch the Canes raise the cup again when the Stanley Cup Finals begin on Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Emmons joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the shrine of Canes memorabilia he has at his home.

It’s a new chapter of baseball at Five County Stadium. The Zebulon Devil Dogz are set to make its debut in the Coastal Plain League this week. The Devil Dogz replace the Carolina Mudcats, who played at Five County for 35 years before moving to Wilson last winter. Caleb Whittlemore, the General Manager of the Devil Dogz, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new team in Zebulon