WPTF Afternoon News

As the presidential race heats up, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are leveraging media appearances to solidify their platforms. Mac McCorkle, Duke University Political Science Professor, joined Bruce Ferrell to break down how their interviews, including Harris on Fox News and Charlamagne tha God and Trump on Univision and Bloomberg, might shape the outcome of the election. Tune in for expert analy...

Tune in for an engaging conversation with California Governor Gavin Newsom as he shares his thoughts on Kamala Harris' recent interview with Bret Baier on Fox News. Newsom offers his perspective on Harris' campaign strategy and reflects on his own experience navigating Fox News interviews. As early voting begins in North Carolina, the race for the White House heats up, and Newsom's insights provid...

Join Jeff Hamlin as he talks with Trish Hanchette, President of McKee Holmes, about the upcoming unveiling of The Gallery at the View in Durham on October 23. This pop-up charity gallery, featuring 25 local artists, is more than just an art event—it’s a way for the community to give back. With art pieces being auctioned for charity and the gallery opening to the public after the event, there’s muc...

Jeff Hamlin speaks with Kathryn Long, Student Body President of Appalachian State University, about how students and staff are navigating the return to campus following Hurricane Helene. With some areas still undergoing repairs and adjustments being made for virtual classes, Kathryn shares insights on the campus morale and how the university is handling the challenges. Tune in to hear more about t...

In a recent conversation, Congressman Wiley Nickel shared valuable insights into the tight race for the presidency and the critical role swing states like North Carolina play. He discussed the necessity for Kamala Harris to connect with voters through a positive message for change and the importance of addressing pressing issues such as reproductive rights, the economy, and immigration. Nickel emp...

ikurin Kalevino, Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Indian Americans, joined the show to share how his team quickly mobilized to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. With $50,000 raised and essential supplies distributed, Kalevino offers insights into the challenges faced and the importance of community partnerships in the recovery process. Tune in to hear how local b...

he North Carolina State Fair is feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene, with some growers reporting fewer submissions of certain items. However, the event saw a major highlight as a record-breaking 2,100-pound pumpkin from West Virginia took top honors at the Great Commonwealth Weigh-In. April Blazich, exhibit manager for the fair, emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers, particular...

Inflation remains a significant concern for North Carolinians, according to the latest High Point University Poll. In the survey, 52% of residents said inflation has heavily impacted their spending decisions this year, with one-third reporting that it has affected them to some extent. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, what do these numbers mean for the candidates? Martin Kifer, Directo...

Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has sued CNN and a former clerk at a Greensboro porn store, alleging defamation stemming from news reports about him. A recent CNN investigation revealed that an account linked to Robinson had made explicit racist and sexist comments on a pornography website, which he has denied, calling it “salacious tabloid trash.” Louis Money, the former clerk, claims Robinson...

Stephen Porter, who taught inside Poe Hall at N.C. State University for years, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing investigation into potential cancer cases linked to the building. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating whether exposure to PCBs in Poe Hall might be connected to an excess of cancer...

David Turk, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to provide an update on the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Governor Roy Cooper announced that 92 people are still unaccounted for, while power outages have significantly decreased from 1 million to 13,000. Turk discussed the challenges of restoring power across western North Carolina and the pr...

Meagan Frost, Community Outreach Manager for Wake County, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the Wake County Animal Center’s special adoption event. In celebration of both National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and National Pit Bull Awareness Month, the center is waiving adoption fees for all Pit bull-type dogs throughout October. With 65 American Staffordshire Terriers ready for...

Steven Greene, political science professor at N.C. State, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to break down the latest efforts from Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to energize critical voter groups. Harris is focusing on Black men with an upcoming town hall in Detroit, hosted by Charlamagne Tha God, while Trump turns his attention to women through a Fox News event moderated by Harris Faul...

Devin Freeman, a delegate for the Democratic National Committee and a student at North Carolina Central University, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' policy agenda for the 2024 election. Freeman shared insights on Harris' plans to promote equal opportunity and how her proposals aim to uplift communities across the country.

In this episode, renowned money-saving expert Trey Bodge joined Jon Champion to discuss the upcoming holiday shopping season and how consumers can maximize their savings. With major retailers preparing for big sales, Trey emphasized the importance of a thoughtful shopping approach to uncover hidden gems that can keep more money in your wallet. She shared valuable tips on using deal sites for coupo...

Ashley Humphrey, a reporter from UNC Media Hub, joined Anthony DeHart to share her recent experiences covering the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Traveling from Chapel Hill to Marion, Ashley detailed the striking contrast in damage, with some buildings completely destroyed while others stood intact. She highlighted the resilience of local businesses and the challenges fac...

In this episode, Anthony DeHart is joined by Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky to share insights on recovery efforts following natural disasters. Drawing from his experience leading Kentucky through devastating tornadoes and flooding, Governor Beshear discusses the parallels between rebuilding efforts in Kentucky and the challenges North Carolina faces after Hurricane Helene. He emphasizes the imp...

Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao and Joshi Abarajan, a leader in the Morrisville Parks and Recreation Committee, joined Anthony DeHart to discuss the upcoming Diwali celebration on October 19th at Cedar Fork District Park. Joshi shared the cultural and symbolic significance of Diwali, which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. The event will feature live performances, fireworks, and...

Chip Kennedy, CEO of Civic Reach, explored the role of artificial intelligence in accelerating misinformation, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. He shared how AI contributes to spreading false information and emphasized the importance of verifying facts before sharing content. The discussion also touched on Triangle Tech Night, an event founded by Kennedy to fos...

Former mayor of Pittsburgh and past chair of the Democratic Party, Randy Voller joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to share his insights on the upcoming elections. He discussed the enthusiasm surrounding early voting and evaluated the Harris campaign's performance amid challenges from Trump. Voller also addressed the state’s political landscape and concerns related to absentee voting in...

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to share his observations from storm-ravaged areas in western North Carolina. Causey spoke about the extensive damage and the ongoing recovery efforts, as well as the support provided by major insurance companies and FEMA. He also gave a critical warning about potential fraud in the wake of the storm an...

Political analyst Michael Briski discussed his recent trip to the Warsaw Security Forum, Europe’s second-largest security event. He shared insights into key discussions about European security, the ongoing Ukraine War, and how U.S. foreign policy impacts NATO's eastern flank. Briski noted that European attendees were closely watching the U.S. presidential election, focusing on defense policies fro...

North Carolina communities already struggling with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene are now facing waves of misinformation. Orange County Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders, who was on the ground in western North Carolina after the storm, explained the difference between misinformation, which can be unintentional, and disinformation, the deliberate spread of false information. B...

The North Carolina General Assembly is expected to approve a $273 million disaster relief package to support recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Senate President Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore unveiled the plan, which is the first of several expected to aid the communities affected by the storm's devastation. Tim Moffitt, a state senator from Henderson, Polk...

The 11th annual STEAM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities will take place on Tuesday, October 15, hosted in person by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This free event is designed to inspire and educate students with disabilities in grades 6-12 about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. The event will feature a Keynote Speaker, an Opportunity Fair, a...