WPTF Afternoon News

Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to share his insights on the major political stories of the day, with a particular focus on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Rao offered analysis of the key speeches, political messaging, and potential impact on the upcoming election as the convention came to a close.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to close out the Democratic National Convention with a speech accepting her party’s historic presidential nomination. She will lay out her vision for the country and argue her case against Republican Donald Trump. Earlier in the week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the vice presidential nomination. Duke University political science professor Mac McCorkle joine...

Travelers are planning their “last hurrah” before the unofficial end of summer with increased bookings for Labor Day weekend, according to AAA. Labor Day travel is up 9 percent from last year, with families across the country wrapping up their summer vacations before school begins. Tiffany Wright of AAA Carolinas joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the rise in Labor Day travel...

For the first time since John Edwards was the vice-presidential nominee in 2004, North Carolina is back in the national spotlight during the Democratic National Convention. A new poll from High Point University shows Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump 44-43 in the presidential race, while Josh Stein holds a significant lead over Mark Robinson in the gubernatorial race. Senator Jay Chaudhuri, a Dem...

Steve Guilday, Director of Travel at AARP Services, joined Jon Champion to explore the many advantages of off-season travel, including fewer crowds, lower prices, and more authentic experiences. Guilday shared his expert tips on maximizing savings and getting the most out of your travel during the off-season.

Thorne Daubenspeck, Executive Director of Band Together, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the potential relocation of Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh. As Raleigh City Council engaged in high-stakes discussions about the venue's future, Daubenspeck shared his concerns, especially since Band Together holds its annual fundraising concert at Red Hat Amphitheater, with...

Nate French, a communication professor at Wake Forest University, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss Governor Roy Cooper's decision to withdraw from Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate search. Cooper's withdrawal, partly driven by concerns over his Republican lieutenant governor taking control during out-of-state travels, occurred before Harris formally began vetting c...

Crystal Lorbacher, Vice President of Communications at RDU Airport, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about RDU's record-setting summer. The airport welcomed nearly 1.5 million passengers in July, breaking the previous monthly record. The July 4th holiday also saw a significant increase in traffic, with a 9.5 percent jump compared to 2023. Lorbacher discussed the factors drivin...

Congressman Wiley Nickel joined Steve Rao and Jon Champion live from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Nickel shared his thoughts on President Biden’s historic speech, the electric energy at the convention, and the strategic message needed to win swing states like North Carolina. He also discussed Vice President Harris's vision for the future and how she can address critical issues su...

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams (D) joins Jon Champion and Morrisville Town Council member Steve Rao from the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. They discuss the atmosphere and what to expect on night two at the DNC.

North Carolina higher education leaders have unveiled new transfer guides designed to make it easier than ever to transition to one of the state’s 16 public universities. The guides, which include information on admissions, course equivalencies, and academic programs, help students align their community college credits with the requirements for four-year degrees in specific majors at universities...

Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper joined Jon Champion to share his insights on the Democratic National Convention. Cooper provided an analysis of the key moments, discussed the political strategies on display, and highlighted the potential impact of the convention on the upcoming elections.

Bryan Anderson, freelance journalist, joined Jon Champion to discuss the growing concerns within the Republican Party regarding Mark Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina. Anderson sheds light on the internal debates, challenges, and the broader implications for the GOP as the race for governor continues to captivate the state’s attention.

Marti Hampton, a real estate professional, joined Jon Champion to discuss the new regulations affecting real estate in North Carolina that went into effect on Friday. Hampton provides insights on how these changes will impact buyers, sellers, and agents across the state, offering valuable advice on navigating the evolving real estate landscape

Patrick Newton from the Forward party joins Anthony DeHart and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao on the WPTF Afternoon News

Wit Tuttell, the Executive Director of Visit NC, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the record-breaking visitor spending in North Carolina for 2023. The N.C. Department of Commerce reported that travel spending statewide rose by 6.9 percent, reaching an impressive $35.6 billion, following a 15 percent increase in 2022. Tuttell shared insights into the factors driving this growth, the rise in direct tou...

Randolph Voller, the former Chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, joined Steve Rao and Jeff Hamlin to discuss Kamala Harris' $90 million advertising campaign, which aims to introduce her to voters and contrast her vision with that of Donald Trump. Voller shared insights on Harris' personal narrative, her career as a prosecutor in California, and the implications of this media push as El...

Doug Spero, a former news anchor for WCBS, joined Jeff Hamlin to reflect on his time at the station and the significance of WCBS NewsRadio's final sign-off. As WCBS prepares to retire its all-news format and transition to sports radio, Spero shared his thoughts on what the end of nearly 60 years of broadcasting means for New York City and the radio industry as a whole.

Steven Greene, a political science professor at N.C. State, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developments in the presidential race. The conversation focused on how modern campaigning has evolved, particularly in the context of attacks on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s military service, which echoed the charges faced by Sen. John Kerry two decades earlier. Greene explained how the changing media...

Mecklenburg County State Representative Wesley Harris joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’s cautious approach to unveiling her policy vision as she begins her presidential campaign. Harris is working to outmaneuver former President Donald Trump and address previous vulnerabilities in her policy positions. The conversation covered key issues such as Medicare and Social Securi...

Kris Anne Bonifacio, spokesperson for North Carolina State Parks, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the significant impact of Tropical Storm Debby on parks across the state. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Chatham County remains closed due to severe flooding, with trails and docks submerged. Falls Lake and Kerr Lake are also closed due to high water levels. Bonifacio sh...

After 45 years and 21 national championships, the most successful women's college soccer coach in history, Anson Dorrance, announced his retirement. Dorrance, who has led the University of North Carolina’s women’s soccer team since 1979, leaves behind an unmatched legacy, with 934 wins and a record of developing legends like Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow, Kristine Lilly, Crystal Dunn, and Cat Reddick. He...

Several organizations and downtown businesses are urging the public to "join the conversation" about a proposed plan to relocate Red Hat Amphitheatre, which would involve permanently closing a block of South Street to traffic. Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin has emphasized the importance of the amphitheatre for the city's future, stating that losing Red Hat could mean losing the future of downtown....

A new poll from YouGov reveals that Kamala Harris is tied with Donald Trump in North Carolina, reflecting the momentum Harris has gained since becoming the top Democratic candidate. Cynthia Wallace, executive director of the New Rural Project, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the shifting dynamics and the perspectives of young and marginalized voters in rural areas. Wallace shared insights into how H...

Morrisville Town Councilman and political commentator Steve Rao, along with Zach Thorne, Senior National Conference Director of GovTech Magazine, joined the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the upcoming North Carolina Digital Summit. Thorne highlighted the event's significance, noting that it will cover essential topics like cybersecurity, AI, and broadband expansion. He emphasized North Carolina's...