WPTF Afternoon News

Stephanie Hawco, a spokesperson for RDU Airport, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the new service to Panama, making traveling from the Research Triangle region to Central and South America and the Caribbean easier with direct flights to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama on Copa Airlines. Copa will become RDU’s 18th airline and Panama City will be its 10th...

The North Carolina Senate has voted three times in three years to legalize medical marijuana, but so far, most Republicans in the House have postured for it not to get to a vote. As it stands, the proposal will allow adults 21 and older with a qualifying medical condition and a state-issued medical cannabis identification card to purchase cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries. Paula Savchenko,...

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin speaks with Black Biden, a YouTuber known for exposing suspected child predators in Long Beach, California. They discuss the recent arrest of Harlan Frye, the former Human Resources director for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Frye, 62, was arrested in early June on a felony charge of arranging a meeting with a child for lewd purposes. The arrest, caught on v...

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin is joined by Reverend Kate Byrd from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Smithfield to discuss their ambitious efforts to abolish $14 million in medical debt in Johnston County. This mission is deeply personal for Reverend Byrd, who faced mounting medical bills when a family member underwent cancer treatment. Inspired by the nonprofit Under Medical Debt, she is now rallying...

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin speaks with Denise Kissel, Project Administrator for Wake County, about the record-breaking demand for the Cool for Wake program as the summer heats up. With 160 fan requests since the season began, more than double last year's number, the program is working hard to meet the needs of residents. Denise shares insights on the seven distribution sites available across Wak...

In this episode, Jeff Hamlin is joined by Mitch Patterson, Emergency Services Outreach Leader for OnStar, to discuss preparations for the current hurricane season. Last year, the United States faced 28 disaster events, resulting in nearly $93 billion in losses. With an 85% chance of above-normal hurricane activity forecasted for the Atlantic Coast this year, and up to 25 named storms expected, pre...

Apex Mayor Pro Tem Ed Gray joins Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao and Anthony DeHart to discuss the remarkable achievements of local students, such as Ananya Prasanna's success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, highlighting the educational excellence that defines Apex. They also explore the town's recent budget decisions, focusing on investments in public safety and affordable housing to...

Join Mayor Buddy Gupton of Garner, NC, alongside Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rau and Anthony DeHart as they delve into the pressing issues and exciting prospects for Garner. Mayor Gupton offers a detailed look at Garner's budget priorities, strategies for sustainable growth, and efforts in affordable housing. Explore why Garner is increasingly recognized as a desirable destination in Wake Co...

Laurie Buckhout, retired Army Colonel and Congressional candidate for N.C. 1, and Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of the US Representatives, joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the race for NC’s 1st Congressional District and the pressing issues facing the country this campaign season. Laurie Buckhout shared her military insights and campaign priorities. Speaker Johnson...

Kinston Mayor Don Hardy joined The WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the key issues facing Kinston, including business growth, transportation, and emergency management. Mayor Hardy is attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Kansas City. He shares insights on the importance of grant funding, digital equity, and strategies to combat homelessness and improve local law enforcement. Mayor Hardy also re...

As hot and dry weather persists across central North Carolina, Johnston County is urging homeowners to conserve water and minimize non-essential use. Increased irrigation has been observed countywide due to recent weather conditions. Chandra Farmer, Director of Johnston County Public Utilities, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss effective water conservation tips and the count...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are disparities in drowning rates. Black children are more prone to drowning in public pools, whereas white children are more susceptible in residential pools. For instance, Black children aged 10-14 drown in pools at rates 7.6 times higher than their white counterparts. In natural water settings, American Indian or Alaska Native i...

Tuesday the Biden administration unveiled a plan to allow certain spouses of U.S. citizens, currently without legal status, to apply for permanent residency and eventual citizenship. According to the White House, this policy change could impact as many as 500,000 immigrants. Sarah Bermeo is a Duke University associate professor from the Sanford School of Public Policy believes this decision will b...

On Monday night, the House unveiled its own plan, which Senate leaders believe calls for excessive spending. The plan includes funding for federal child care aid that is set to expire at the end of June. Additionally, the House budget proposes extra raises for state employees and teachers beyond those already scheduled to take effect on July 1. In other political news, the first presidential debat...

In this week's edition of the Wake County Roundup, Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao and host Anthony DeHart discuss pressing issues in Raleigh with City Council Member Cory Branch. The segment covers gun safety initiatives during Gun Safety Awareness Month, Raleigh's infrastructure improvements amidst rapid growth, and transportation developments, including the bus rapid transit system and gr...

Wake Tech held a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction for another instructional building at Wake Tech East in Wendell. Wake Tech East opens to students in August with university transfer degrees, and engineering and EMS degree programs. The new building, called the Advanced Technology Center, will house the college’s Biopharmaceutical Technology degree program. It will offer a...

President Joe Biden is planning to announce a sweeping new policy that would lift the threat of deportation for tens of thousands of people married to U.S. citizens. It's an aggressive election-year action on immigration that had been sought by many Democrats. Biden hosted a White House event to celebrate the Obama-era directive that offered deportation protections for young undocumented immigrant...

The temperatures are about to climb to 100 degrees, meaning the unhoused across Raleigh will seek refuge from the heat. Pastor Vance Haywood of St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church takes this situation very seriously, as instances of heat stroke and heat exhaustion rise dramatically during the summer. When temperatures reach dangerous levels, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church will imple...

Dr. Karrie Dixon is the newly appointed Chancellor of North Carolina Central University (NCCU). She joined Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about her inspiring journey and vision for the university. Dr. Dixon, who previously served as the Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, shares her proudest achievements at ECSU, where she significantly boosted enrollment, beautified...

Morrisville Town Councilwoman Liz Johnson has served on the council for 25 years and represents District 3, she joins fellow Morrisville town councilman and Anthony DeHart to discusses the recently adopted Morrisville budget of $59 million. She highlights the challenges posed by inflation and the efforts to maintain essential services and invest in future amenities for residents. She addresses the...

Sarika Bansal is a trailblazing council member from the city of Cary. She joined Steve Rao, a Morrisville Town Council member and Anthony DeHart to delve into Cary's upcoming budget, pressing issues such as inflation and affordable housing, and exciting developments like the downtown Cary Park. Councilmember Bansal also discusses Cary's commitment to affordable housing, the city's partnerships wit...

Exciting news today as we learn that the CIAA Football Championship game is returning to Durham. After nearly a decade in Virginia, the CIAA Championship game will once again be hosted by the Durham Sports Commission. Jon Champion talks with Kaila’Shea Menendez, Deputy Director of the Durham Sports Commission and Host Committee Executive Director for the CIAA Football Championship in Durham.

Greear Webb, a former youth leader at UNC Chapel Hill and now a dedicated law student at Emory University in Atlanta, was a highly active student leader and a Chancellor's Award recipient. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill a year ago and has an impressive list of accolades, including working with the Raleigh Police Advisory Board and being selected as a Youth Vote Ambassador by Harvard’s Graduate...

Code the Dream, a national non-profit based in Durham, focuses on providing technology training for diverse and low-resource young people. On Tuesday, June 18th at 5:30 PM, they are hosting a special event with the Black Googlers Network at the American Underground in Durham. The event, titled "Synthesize: A Juneteenth Celebration of Creativity, Technology, and Community," will highlight this impo...

The Duke Blue Devils community mourns the loss of Bob Harris, the iconic voice of the team, who passed away following a valiant three-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bob leaves behind a rich legacy of legendary play-by-play calls, vividly capturing the triumphant eras of Duke men’s basketball under the stewardship of Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Across his illustrious career, Bob narrated five NCA...