WPTF Afternoon News

As wildfires continue to spread across North and South Carolina, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Dry and windy conditions have exacerbated the situation, with over 175 separate wildfires reported, consuming more than 4,200 acres. In response, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency. In North Carolina, Polk County was hit particularl...

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has placed central North Carolina under a Level 3 risk out of 5 for severe thunderstorms Wednesday, but everyone in the state should feel the effects of this storm. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center indicates that scattered gusts of 75 mph will be possible throughout the Carolinas. It’s just another weather situation for a busy winter for power crews and public works em...

CBS News White House Reporter Linda Kenyon joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about President Trumps contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House and what that meeting means for the relationship between the two countries.

Shawn Taylor NC DEQ

Trevor Wagener Tech

Tom Green NWS

North Carolina men's basketball coach Hubert Davis has agreed to a two-year contract extension. WRAL reports that the deal was agreed to in July and officially signed in December. Davis is now under contract through the 2029-2030 season. News of the extension comes as Carolina is 18-11 and may miss the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. The Tar Heels have won four in a row after l...

A growing number of state and local elected officials around the country are pushing to eliminate fluoride from water systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25%. But despite the health benefits there’s growing opposition to adding the mineral that began being introduced to U.S. water systems in the 19...

Members of North Carolina’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community shared firsthand perspectives during a visit to the General Assembly on Wednesday. Despite recent legislative efforts, thousands of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities remain without critical services. More than 18,500 North Carolinians are stuck on what's known as the Innovations Waiver Wait...

Orange County is celebrating the grand opening of its newest library. It's a three-level library complex located on South Greensboro Street and named after Carrboro's first Black Mayor, Dr. Robert Drakeford. The $42 million project will serve as Orange County library's southern branch and also house several town departments. The ceremony was supposed to happen last week, but was postponed by the w...

Anderson Clayton will lead the North Carolina Democratic Party for another two years. Last weekend, the state party’s executive committee met Saturday in Wilson to elect a chair and several vice chairs, which direct state party operations and play a critical role in fundraising, messaging and campaigning. The committee elected Clayton 405-71 to its chair position over challenger Marlando Pridgen....

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality broke ground on its Reedy Creek Lab Campus renovation and expansion project today, a project that is expected to add new laboratory and public meeting space availability. The campus, located in Raleigh, is currently home to labs from DEQ’s divisions of Air Quality and Water Resources. The new campus is expected to be Green Globes certified, me...

This month is American Heart Month. Wake County Emergency Management Services offers free CPR cases each month. Vikki Huffman of Wake County EMS joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the CPR cases, where they are held and how they help the public.

Hungry kids can’t learn and it’s a growing crisis in North Carolina. One in five children statewide faces hunger every day, and in some rural areas, it’s as high as one in three. Without access to no-cost school meals, students struggle in the classroom, face stigma in the lunch line, and working families are burdened with complicated paperwork just to qualify. Governor Josh Stein headlined the No...

Microplastics are turning up in human brains, and new research suggests their presence is increasing at an alarming rate. A study led by Dr. Andrew West, a pharmacology professor at Duke University, is exploring the potential links between environmental factors and age-related brain diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. While the study found higher concentrations of plastic in individuals diagno...

As the war between Ukraine and Russia enters its third year, hundreds gathered in front of the state capitol to show their unwavering support for Ukraine. While many demonstrators praised leaders like U.S. Senator Thom Tillis for his strong stance against Vladimir Putin, others expressed growing concern over recent statements from both the White House and the Kremlin. Among them is Natalia Bondare...

Last year, the North Carolina Tar Heels clinched their 23rd NCAA Division I women's soccer championship, marking their first national title since 2012. Now, that unforgettable season is the subject of Why Not Us, a new documentary capturing the team's journey to victory. The film, produced by UNC students, has been generating major buzz on campus, with screenings selling out fast. UNC Students and...

Kim Deaner from the NC DOT provides updates on worsening road conditions during a winter storm. She highlights heavy snowfall in northern areas, DOT preparations and urges residents to stay off the roads. Deaner also recommends using the NC Drive website for real-time updates.

Duke Health, WakeMed and Lifepoint Health are celebrating the opening of Peak Rehabilitation Hospital in Apex. The 52-bed rehabilitation hospital is a joint venture between Duke Health, WakeMed and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, a business unit of Lifepoint Health, that was announced in 2021. The two-story rehabilitation hospital spans more than 60,000 square feet and includes all private rooms, large...

With the threat of extreme winter weather looming over North Carolina, meteorologist Nick Petro of the National Weather Service joined Jon Champion to discuss the potential impacts, what residents should expect in the coming days, and how to prepare for hazardous conditions.

Durham City Manager Bo Ferguson joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about the results of a recent survey given to residents of Durham

A special delivery is in the works this Valentine's Day for hundreds of unsuspecting recipients in the Triangle. More than 150 volunteers are gathering at the Cary Senior Center to assemble nearly 800 flower arrangements ahead of Valentine's Day. The nonprofit MOM Wishing Widows Well is leading the effort to spread love and kindness. Martin Martin, the President of MOM Wishing Widows Well, joined...

Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Governor Josh Stein today announced a settlement with Pactiv Evergreen on behalf of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the town of Canton, and Haywood County. Pactiv will pay $6.25 million in financial restitution. The settlement also provides millions in additional value to Canton and Haywood County because Pactiv also agreed to stop its legal efforts to...

President Donald Trump has rolled out his plan to increase U.S. tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports. The Republican is possibly triggering a broader economic confrontation with allies and rivals alike as he hopes to eliminate any trade imbalances. Trump said Thursday: “I’ve decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff.' The prospect of a...

After seven years of dedicated service to the Town of Morrisville and 31 years in law enforcement, Chief of Police Pete Acosta has decided to retire, effective July 4. Chief Acosta began his Morrisville tenure in 2018 and has served as chief since 2022, leading numerous initiatives to enhance public safety, build community relationships and modernize policing strategies. Under Chief Acosta’s leade...