WPTF Afternoon News

The cost of rent in Wake County is up more than 50 percent in the last five years, and when the cost of living goes up, it can add another barrier for people who are trying to leave a domestic violence situation. When we talk about domestic violence, we rarely talk about the financial abuse component of the problem. But InterAct's Sheryl Cromedy says it's present in almost every domestic violence...

Nate French, a Wake Forest communication professor, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss Governor Roy Cooper's decision to withdraw from consideration as a running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. Cooper, concerned about his Republican lieutenant governor assuming control during his out-of-state travels, withdrew before Harris began soliciting vetting material. French and...

Ashley Humphrey, a reporter from the Husband School of Media and Journalism at UNC Chapel Hill is currently en route to Paris to serve as one of WPTF's correspondents at the Olympics. Ashley joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss her excitement about covering such a major event, her journey to get this opportunity, and the diverse group of 20 students from various majors headi...

Hill Carrow, CEO of the World University Games joined Steve Rao and Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to provided an in-depth look into the upcoming World University Games, slated to be held in Wake county, scheduled for 2029. He elaborated on the significance of the Games, the extensive logistics involved, and the anticipated economic impact on Wake County. Carrow highlighted the variety...

Tyler Swanson from the Wake County School Board joined Steve Rao and Anthony DeHArton the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the state of Wake County Schools. The discussion covered the size and funding of the district, strategies for recruiting and retaining teachers, addressing growth challenges, and the role of technology and AI in education. Swanson highlighted efforts to restore master's pay, dev...

Vice President Kamala Harris has told reporters that she’s “ready to debate Donald Trump.” She accused Trump of “backpedaling” away from a previous agreement for a debate hosted by ABC News on September 10. Harris' sudden rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has led to improved poll numbers in a short amount of time. Chavi Koneru, co-founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Ameri...

Vice President Kamala Harris has told members of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta that “we are not playing around,” and asked for their support in November. Voters in North Carolina have only gone for a Democrat for president just once in the last 44 years. Harris has become the likely nominee for the Democratic nomination. Will that inspire younger voters to get to the polls? Vinod T...

Nuno Fernandes, president of the American Public University System (APUS), joins Jon Champion on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the evolving landscape of higher education and the increasingly diverse student population.

Emily Foster didn't have the conventional path to becoming a small business owner. What started as a side hobby while working towards her meteorology degree at North Carolina State University has now become a business she takes to countless conventions. At GalaxyCon in Raleigh, Foster will show off over 10,000 plushies, many of which she sewed herself. Her business, Alpacasews, has grown so fast t...

On June 29th, Carrie Everett was crowned the 86th Miss North Carolina. In an interview with Jon Champion, she shares her journey from representing Johnston County to winning the state title and looks at the path to following more dreams.

Volunteers with the Salvation Army in Wake County passed out 150 box fans to people in the community at their Raleigh location off Capitol Boulevard. Drivers lined up in the parking lot of the building an hour ahead of Wednesday's giveaway. Most people in line waiting were seniors. This initiative came during a summer where temperatures at Raleigh-Durham International Airport recorded the highest...

St. Augustine’s University has triumphantly regained its accreditation status. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges unanimously reversed its 2023 decision, restoring the university's membership. However, financial uncertainties still loom, with accusations that St. Augustine’s has struggled to pay its staff on time. Barry Saunders, a respected local newspaper col...

Days after President Joe Biden withdrew his name from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, Black female Republicans are voicing their opinions on this unexpected move. Felice Pete, President of Wake County Republican Women, expresses her surprise at the lack of a traditional primary for Democrat voters to choose their nominee. As a 'God-first Repub...

Millions of dollars are now available for North Carolina farmers and other small business owners in the agriculture industry. The state department of agriculture and the USDA are offering a total of $6.2 million in grants, with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $2 million. Robert Hosford, Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Aft...

Governor Roy Cooper's potential as Kamala Harris' running mate has become a hot topic since President Biden announced he would not seek a second term. Cooper's political stature continues to rise, and he recently addressed questions about his national prospects, emphasizing Harris' role in uniting the Democratic party. Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF After...

President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the presidential race, significantly altering the dynamics of the upcoming election against Republican nominee Donald Trump. This decision follows a lackluster debate performance, prompting many Democrats to urge Biden to step down from his bid for a second term. Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now commi...

Jason Moody, the creative mind behind the captivating fantasy series "Gabriel and the Guardians," joins Jeff Hamlin to discuss his journey and inspiration. As GalaxyCon descends upon Raleigh, Moody shares how ancient Hebrew texts influenced his work, drawing parallels to how "Lord of the Rings" was inspired by Northern European legends. Dive into the rich tapestry of "Gabriel and the Guardians" an...

In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race following a challenging debate with Donald Trump. This unexpected decision, announced just months before the election, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Join us as we delve into this historic moment with Steven Greene, a distinguished Political Science professor from N.C. State. Profe...

Jim Weaver, North Carolina's Secretary of Technology and Chief Information Officer, joins Morrisville Town Councilman and political commentator, Steve Rao, and also WPTF's Anthony DeHart on this edition of Wake County Roundup. Secretary Weaver sheds light on a recent tech outage impacting state services, explaining the nature of the disruption and the state's swift response to restore operations....

Steve Rao from the Morrisville Town Council joined Jeff Hamlin on WPTF to discuss JD Vance’s speech and Usha Vance’s historic appearance as a potential second lady. Rao also shared insights on the Democratic Party's concerns over Joe Biden's 2024 candidacy, predicting significant developments within the next ten days. He suggested that Governor Roy Cooper might be a strategic vice-presidential pic...

Former North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Judge Bob Orr joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the significant push from top Democrats urging President Joe Biden to reconsider his 2024 election bid. With private concerns from former President Barack Obama and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi about Biden’s ability to win against Donald Trump and retain control of the House...

North Carolina is experiencing its worst summer drought since 2008, with nearly 90% of the state in moderate drought or worse. The latest drought monitor report reveals a significant decline in crop conditions, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture rating almost three-quarters of the state's crops as poor or worse. Billy Augustine, founder of All-American Produce Company, joined Jeff Hamlin on t...

In a few months, the Raleigh City Council will vote on permanently closing a portion of South Street, relocating the Red Hat Amphitheater, and expanding the convention center into that space. Kerry Painter, director and GM of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Center, joins Jon Champion on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the exciting developments for downtown Raleigh, the economic impac...

Indian Americans are a growing population in North Carolina and across the United States, and they will significantly impact the upcoming presidential election. Ohio Senator J.D. Vance was nominated as Donald Trump’s running mate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Usha Vance, the senator’s wife, is an accomplished Indian-American with impressive academic credentials and legal expe...

California Congressman Adam Schiff has become the highest-profile Democrat to call for President Biden to step down. With the Republican party presenting a united front around Donald Trump during its convention in Milwaukee, uncertainty looms within Democratic circles. Poll numbers show Trump leading in battleground states he lost in 2020, which cost him the White House. Catawba College political...