WPTF Afternoon News

The University of North Carolina system has launched NC College Connect, a new initiative aimed at simplifying the college application process for public high school seniors across North Carolina. This program allows qualifying students to bypass traditional college applications and easily apply to participating UNC System and North Carolina Community College institutions. Shun Robertson, Senior V...

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to unveil a new proposal aimed at boosting small businesses by increasing the tax deduction for startup expenses to $50,000, up from the current $5,000 limit. This significant change would allow new small businesses to spread the deduction over several years or delay claiming it until the company turns a profit. However, challenges remain, as the IRS has previou...

A new report from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit based in Washington, DC, highlights the critical need for additional state and federal transportation investment to improve North Carolina's roads and bridges. The report emphasizes that rising inflation is eroding purchasing power, necessitating further investment to complete essential projects. It also includes regional breakdo...

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off in their first presidential debate on September 10. Nate French, a communications professor at Wake Forest University, shared insights on both verbal and nonverbal communication, emphasizing the significance of this event. French highlighted the likely discussion of critical issues such as the economy, immigration,...

Wiley Nickel, Congressman for North Carolina's 13th district, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' economic plans, including a $6,000 tax credit for parents of newborns and the return of the pandemic-era expanded Child Tax Credit. These tax credits could lift millions of children out of poverty and assist middle-class families with the cost of rais...

Molly Goldston, founder of Saving Grace Animals for Adoption, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to celebrate 20 years of the renowned animal rescue organization. Over 500 people attended the event at the Wake Forest facility to see the dogs ready for adoption and to raise awareness about the ongoing capacity crisis in North Carolina. With around 300 animals in its care, both on-site an...

Dr. Jonathan Augustine, senior pastor of St. Joseph AME, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the upcoming Community Partnership Prayer Breakfast, an event aimed at showing support for Durham Public Schools' new leadership. Sponsored by Duke Energy, the breakfast will bring together community leaders from the state legislature, the local school board, parents, and concerned cit...

Tamikca Styles, founder of the nonprofit Pathchangers, Inc., joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the organization's mission to make homeownership more accessible for young adults emerging from the foster care system or facing homelessness. With affordable housing increasingly out of reach for many, Pathchangers is dedicated to providing stability and a fresh start for those wh...

Andy Andrews, former tennis pro and NC State alum, joined Steve Rao on the Wake County Roundup to share his journey from being one of the best tennis players in North Carolina history to becoming the CEO of a real estate company. Andy discussed his early dreams of playing in the Grand Slams, his experiences competing against top players like John McEnroe, and the creation of satellite tour events...

Dr. Clinton Robinson, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning for Wake County Public Schools, joined Steve Rao on the Wake County Round Up to discuss the first week of school, the logistics involved in managing one of North Carolina’s largest school districts, and the innovative measures in place to ensure safety. Dr. Robinson provided an overview of the district’s size, including the number of scho...

With the introduction of artificial intelligence into schools across the state, teachers and students are learning to navigate this new technology in the classroom. As generative AI becomes more prevalent in various industries, educators are now tasked with teaching students how to use it effectively while also addressing the challenges it presents, such as the potential for cheating on exams and...

Vice President Kamala Harris has launched a new advertising push to spotlight her plan to build 3 million new homes over four years, aimed at curbing inflation and offering a distinct contrast to Donald Trump's approach. The minute-long ad, released Tuesday, shares Harris’s personal experience of growing up in rental housing while her mother saved for a decade to purchase a home. Targeting voters...

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a topic that is often stigmatized and taboo. Amy Brundle, a spokesperson for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the urgent need to decrease the number of suicide deaths, which have become a leading cause of death in the U.S., particularly for those aged 10 to 24. Bru...

Michael Breziki, a seasoned political analyst and commentator, joined Steve Rao and Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss Ukraine's ongoing war and the significance of Ukraine’s recent Independence Day. Michael provided insights into the latest developments, including Ukraine's strategic advances in the Kursk region of Russia and the impacts of these moves on Russia’s military operatio...

Funeral services were recently held for Kiera Massenburg and her 6-year-old daughter Zoey Jones, the tragic victims of a murder-suicide in Wilson. Investigators revealed that Massenburg's boyfriend, Daquan Jones, was responsible for the deaths, also injuring two others before taking his own life. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Monica Kearney, Executive Director of Safe Space, a nonprofit dedica...

As Vice President Kamala Harris embarks on her fall campaign for the White House, she faces historical challenges that have stymied many before her. Since 1836, only George H.W. Bush, in 1988, has successfully transitioned from the vice presidency to the presidency. Notable figures like Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and Al Gore all narrowly lost their bids for the Oval Office. Shinica Thomas of...

Tucker Perkins, President and CEO of the Propane Education and Research Council, joined Jon Champion on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the evolving role of propane in the agricultural sector. Tucker highlighted propane's traditional uses, such as grain drying and animal heating, and its expanding applications in irrigation, power generation, and even as an alternative to herbicides and pestici...

Dr. Sam Brandsen, a Chapel Hill father and instructor with TheraFriends, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the ripple effects of a heartwarming moment during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. When vice presidential nominee Tim Walz shouted out to his son Gus, who emotionally responded with pride, the moment ignited conversations across the nation. Brandsen, whos...

Brad Senkiw, Gaming Industry Reporter with Covers.com, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the dramatic shifts in sports betting in North Carolina. After March saw a surge in betting activity, an expected summer slump led to a significant drop in wagers by the hundreds of millions. Senkiw explored whether the start of college football season could revive betting enthusiasm and...

Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the results of the first survey for North Carolina's fall 2024 election season. The survey revealed high levels of concern among voters about the integrity of the vote count and potential violence following the election. Husser also provided insights into how voters view the candidates for...

J. Mike Blake, a writer for HighSchoolOT.com , joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the lawsuit filed by Rolanda Brandon, the mother of top high school quarterback Faizon Brando from Greensboro. The complaint challenges North Carolina's name, image, and likeness (NIL) prohibitions for high school athletes and is directed at the North Carolina State Board of Education and the De...

Nataliia Bondarenko, a native of Ukraine and Outreach Coordinator at UNC-Chapel Hill, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence from Russia. Bondarenko shared insights from the Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations held in Chapel Hill, which featured dance, arts and crafts, music, and food. The conversation also covered the latest dev...

Dr. Jeffrey Swanson, Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to delve into a Duke Health-led analysis revealing that an estimated one life is saved for every 17 instances where an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) removes firearms from individuals at risk of harming themselves or others. Swanson discussed the effectiveness of ERPOs, also kn...

Morrisville Town Councilman and political commentator Steve Rao, along with political analyst Michael Breziki, joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News for a compelling conversation about Ukraine's struggle for independence. As Ukraine's Independence Day approaches, Breziki provides historical context and shares insights into the ongoing war, highlighting the current state of the battlefie...

Morrisville Town Councilman and political commentator Steve Rao and Joe Milazzo, Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Alliance joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the critical challenges facing the Triangle's transportation system as rapid population growth adds pressure to existing infrastructure. Rao and Milazzo emphasized the need for strategic projects, inc...