WPTF Afternoon News

As Memorial Day travelers hit North Carolina roads for the unofficial start of summer, state and local law enforcement agencies are urging drivers and passengers to buckle up every trip, every time. Mark Ezzell, Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss this year’s safety campaign and how officials hope to reduce crashes and save lives during the busy holiday...

It’s the end of an era in broadcast journalism. CBS News Radio, founded in 1928, is set to sign off for the final time on Friday night. Steve Kathan, who has spent 39 years with CBS Radio News, joined Jeff Hamlin to reflect on the network’s legacy and the impact of radio news over nearly a century.

The Wake County Public School System has notified families about a cybersecurity breach involving the education platform Canvas that may have exposed personal information belonging to students and staff. Kimberly Simon, CEO of Growth Office Partners, says families should stay alert for suspicious emails, texts, or other communications following the breach. Simon joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss onlin...

You may know her from Martin Legendary Actress and singer Tisha Campbell is coming to Raleigh this weekend for her highly anticipated headline run at Goodnight's Comedy Club May 15 through the 17th. She's in town to debut her hit standup show the "Dayum Gina" Comedy Tour " A live celebration of laughter, legacy, and unfiltered storytelling from my fellow Jersey girl's life in Hollywood and motherh...

Some say laughter is the best medicine, and this guy’s bringing a full prescription. Comedian Jack Crissey, who’s performed everywhere from comedy clubs across the U.S. to stages overseas in Asia, sharing bills with names like Russell Peters and Dave Attell, joins Jon Champion to discuss a new show he's bringing to Raleigh where comics do more than perform.

Affordable housing continues to disappear across North Carolina — and for many families, the options are running out fast. As we recently reported here on WPTF, mobile home parks across the state are being sold off as rapid growth and rising land values reshape communities. Now, residents at Chatham Estates are facing a fast-approaching deadline to leave as the property’s owner prepares to sell th...

This Mother’s Day, a local author is encouraging young moms to prioritize their mental health and rediscover their sense of self, or, as she puts it, “get their pink back.” Author and former WPTF news anchor Malena Cahall Wilson joined Gayle Hurd to discuss her debut novel, Lady Luck Books, and the message behind helping mothers reclaim confidence, identity, and balance in their lives.

The Division I men's and women's basketball committees voted unanimously to expand the tournaments this afternoon. The changes are expected to go into effect next year. The men's tournament has had a 68-team field since 2011 with the First Four, held annually in Dayton, Ohio. The women's tournament went to a 68-team format in 2022. Dave Glenn of the North Carolina Sports Network joined Jeff Hamlin...

WakeEd Partnership is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing a new $20,000 matching grant from the 4 Others Foundation for its free classroom supply store for Wake County Public Schools teachers. The 4 Others Foundation will match any donation to WakeEd Partnership’s Tools 4 Schools through September 30 up to $20,000. Keith Poston of the WakeEd Partnership joined Jeff Hamlin to discus...

Governor Josh Stein has announced that North Carolina set a record for tourist spending in 2025, with travelers spending more than $37.2 billion on trips to and within the state, surpassing the previous record of $36.7 billion set in 2024. Wit Tuttle, Executive Director for Visit NC, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new tourism numbers.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announced Thursday that she is resigning from office effective June 30. Lyles, who was first elected mayor in 2017, cited a desire to spend more time with her grandchildren and allow for new leadership. Joe Bruno, a reporter for WSOC-TV in Charlotte, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Lyles’ announcement.

CNN founder Ted Turner has died at age 87. His company Turner Enterprises says the television pioneer died Wednesday. Turner transformed an obscure Atlanta television station into the first satellite-based “superstation” and founded Cable News Network, the first 24-hour, all news TV network. Charlie Tuggle, a UNC-Chapel Hill Journalism Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Turner’s legacy.

It is National Nurses Week. The American Nurses Association has named this year's theme The Power of Nurses. Bonnie Meadows, the President of the North Carolina Nurses Association, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their focuses on National Nurses Week.

The primary election in Ohio has set up what is expected to be one of the most expensive races for U.S. Senate this year as Republicans try to hold on to the chamber, while biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will face a challenge from the state’s former health director as he seeks to keep the governor’s office in GOP hands. Zachary Donnini, Head of Data Science for Vote Hub, joined Jeff Hamlin to...

There’s a new sports event for the summer calendar in the Triangle. The World Collegiate Baseball Championship will be held at the USA Baseball Complex in July of 2027 The United States, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan will participate in the event. Eric Campbell, General Manager of Collegiate and Professional National Teams for USA Baseball, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the World Collegiate Baseba...

Natalie Brand from CBS News joined Jeff Hamlin to give him the latest on the war in Iran

A local nonprofit dog rescue is raising urgent concerns after spending thousands of dollars to save the lives of two critically injured puppies—while receiving only a small portion of those costs back in donations. Nicole Kincaid, the Founder of Perfectly Imperfect Pups, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the uncertainty surrounding her shelter.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is once again offering help to people who may struggle to stay cool during the hottest months of the year. Through Operation Fan Relief, the state's Division of Aging is partnering with area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans to eligible recipients from May 1 through Oct. 31. Tammy Kroger, with the Division of...

Leaders of WakeMed and Atrium Healh of Charlotte are laying out their reasons for a combination, that some are calling a "takeover" of the Wake County based medical system. Speaking to reporters in Raleigh Tuesday, Steve Smoot with Atrium says the deal comes with major investment. Rose Hoban, the Editor of NC Health News, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential merger

This week marks National Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise awareness of the importance of mental wellness and the reality of mental illness for 1 in 4 North Carolinians. Rod Brooks, the Interim Executive Director for National Alliance on Mental Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss National Mental Health Awareness Month.

UNC-Chapel Hill Religious Studies Professor Dr. Evyatar Marienberg has written a book regarding the musician Sting. It focuses on Sting’s faith and how he relied on it to write two of his most popular albums following the deaths of his parents. Dr. Marienberg joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss “Sting and Religion.”

The war with Iran is in limbo as the Trump administration weighs a new Iranian proposal to drop restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for the world’s oil supply. In the United States, after a brief dip, gas prices are climbing again. In Wake and Durham Counties, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is over $4.00. Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis of...

A burn ban was recently lifted in North Carolina. Even when we're not in a burn ban, some outdoor burning is prohibited, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality, which enforces the state’s open burning rules. Phillip Jackson, with the N.C. Forest Service, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what is allowed after the ban was lifted.

The Matthew Effect in education shows how early reading advantages grow while gaps widen. By third grade, kids are expected to read to learn—so those who haven’t mastered decoding often fall behind in ways that are hard to spot and even harder to fix. Educator and early literacy coach Leah Ruesink joins Jon Champion to break it down.

Americans are quietly overpaying for spring and summer travel—and many are skipping trips they think they can’t afford. But new research from AARP shows savvy travelers are using AI to find better deals and stretch their budgets. Steve Guilday, Director of Travel at AARP Services talks with Jon Champion.