WPTF Afternoon News

Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing how content is created. It’s starting to change how people are represented. From fashion to entertainment, education and even a courtroom, AI avatars and digital doubles that can look and sound real are appearing in more places than ever before. At N.C. State, students are learning how to build them. Topher Maraffi, Assistant Professor in the Coll...

The Supreme Court has weakened a landmark Civil Rights-era law that has increased minority representation in Congress and elsewhere. In a 6-3 ruling, the court's conservative majority on Wednesday struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. Professor Irving Joyner has followed the Voting Rights Act since its implementation. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the ramifications o...

Kimberly Jones North Carolina High School Teacher joins Jeff Hamlin to discusses the May Day march that educators will be taking part in on Friday

On Wednesday, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and advocates from across North Carolina gathered at the General Assembly to share personal stories and call on lawmakers to continue to protect Medicaid and other critical services that support people with individual developmental disabilities. Talley Wells, with the North Carolina Council for Developmenta...

Xion Ferrara is a second-grade student at Pittsboro Elementary School in Chatham County. He wrote a book about losing his individualized educational plan at school. His mother, Hollee, encouraged him to write the book after a series of events at school. Hollee and Xion joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the book and what led to its creation.

After years of financial problems several announcements Tuesday from Saint Augustine's University. Court filings show that between $50 and $100 million is owed, including more than $14 million to the IRS. Leaders say the move allows the university to keep operating while restructuring its debt. Steve Williams, a member of Save St. Augustine’s University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his feelings...

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again, this time over a social media photo of seashells arranged on a beach that officials say constituted a threat against President Donald Trump. It’s the second criminal case the Justice Department has brought against the longtime Trump foe. Thane Rosenbaum, a CBS News Legal Analyst, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the fallout of the latest indict...

Drivers across North Carolina received an unpleasant surprise when they arrived to the gas pump on Tuesday. The average price of a gallon of gas is now over $4 a gallon. At one station in Raleigh on Tuesday, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $4.19. On Monday, the price was $3.91. The higher gas prices are leading motorists to explore electric vehicles. Dave Erb, a member of the Blue R...

Newly released data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed that the infant mortality rate is at its lowest in state history. According to the data, North Carolina’s infant mortality rate declined 8.7 percent from 2023 to 2024, which is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Belina Pettiford, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section Chief in the N.C. Division of Publ...

Duke University has been awarded $12.9 million from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute for a new clinical trial aimed at improving the standard of care for autistic children with chronic digestive discomfort. The study will be co-led by researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill, underscoring the impact of the partnership between Duke Health and UNC Health. Dr. Bruno Chumpitazi, a Duke Universit...

Since President Donald Trump made comments opposing Pope Leo's opinion on the Iran war, some faith leaders have been vocal about where and when religion should participate when it comes to political issues. Dr. Evyatar Marienberg, UNC-Chapel Hill Religious Studies Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the conflict between the Pope and the President.

Smart scientists can create breakthrough ideas. But turning that idea into a real, working lab or agtech facility is a completely different challenge, and most of them don’t know how to do that part. One of the things the Triangle does best is having people who do know how to make that leap, and actually care about whether these ideas succeed in the real world. Dave Fleming and Sam Cronin from Inn...

In a historic achievement, North Carolina Central University has secured its first-ever national championship in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. An all-women team made waves with a thrilling comeback against Hampton University, claiming not only the title but also a $100,000 grant. Roni Butts, a member of the team, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss winning the elusive national championship.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affects affects millions of children, yet many go years without a diagnosis, missing the chance for early support that can change long-term outcomes even when early signs are present. In a new study, Duke Health researchers found that artificial intelligence tools can analyze routine electronic health records to accurately estimate a child’s risk of develop...

The North Carolina Association of Educators has released a report that shows teacher pay is lagging behind other states. The report shows North Carolina will rank 46th nationally in teacher pay. That's down three spots from last year and eight spots from where we were two years ago. Bryan Proffitt, the Vice President of the NCAE, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest report.

New reporting from the Athletic finds that administrators at UNC Chapel Hill planned to unveil plans for a new basketball arena at Carolina North back in the ball. But those plans were derailed after pushback from former Carolina coaches and players, most notably Roy Williams. The author of the report, Brendan Marks, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what happened and where things stand now.

There are explosive new developments in the ongoing situation involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, a former NFL reporter for the Athletic. On Thursday, the New York Post published photos of Russini and Vrabel kissing in 2020. Late Wednesday, Vrabel announced he would be away from the Patriots on the third day of the NFL Draft in order to undergo counseling. Dem...

After his stunning primary loss, Senate President Phil Berger spoke with reporters on Wednesday. Berger said he’s mulling some changes to election laws as the General Assembly resumes work for the first time since the Republican state Senate leader lost his reelection bid. Bryan Anderson, a North Carolina politics writer for the Assembly, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Berger’s statements.

New CARFAX data shows used car prices are climbing sharply after hitting their lowest point in the past year. The average price of a used vehicle is now about $25,500 — up roughly $1,500 in just one month. North Carolina has among the highest increases in the country. Em Nguyen from CARFAX joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest figures.

Virginia voters have approved a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats in this year’s midterm elections. Voters passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the unusual mid-decade redistricting. Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina University political science professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest state to gerrymander its di...

Paul T. O’Connor was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and spent his career covering politics for North Carolina newspapers, television and radio. He also spent 30 years as a part-time journalism professor at the University of North Carolina. He has released a new book called “The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and the Life She Missed.” It’s about his mother’s hidden past. Paul T. O’Co...

On Thursday, the Wake County SPCA will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new pet resource center. The 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art center will serve a new standard for animal welfare in North Carolina. Kim Janzen, President of the Wake County SPCA, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new center.

Jason Johnson, Orange High School principal and the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, was named the National Association of Secondary School Principals 2026 National High School Principal of the Year. He received the recognition at the National Education Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C. on April 17. Johnson joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the honor

A man who achieved global fame as a professional wrestler and movie star soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Andre the Giant will receive the honor. Before his death in 1993, Andre had an extensive history with North Carolina. Bruce Mitchell, a longtime pro wres...

Last-minute ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran look uncertain as a two-week truce is set to expire and both sides say they’re prepared to resume fighting. A White House official says Vice President JD Vance, who is expected to lead the U.S. delegation if talks resume in Pakistan, called off a trip to Pakistan. Linda Kenyon, a CBS News reporter, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss latest...