WPTF Afternoon News

CBS News Correspondent Scott MacFarlane joined Chris Edwards on Friday to talk about the latest with former President Donald Trump being left off the primary ballot in Colorado and Maine along with the latest on Congress and its efforts on impeachment of President Biden and what is the status of congressional aid to Israel and Ukraine.

North Carolina Bar's and Restaurants are facing new requirements after the removal of the "private bar" distinction, meaning all bars that serve food will face new health permit requirements if they serve food. Those changes will take place beginning in March and Lynn Minges of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association joined Chris Edwards to talk through these changes and what impac...

North Carolina is bracing for its first storm of the year that could bring winter weather to our state. While the event is expected to be mostly rain for the Triangle, parts north and west could see snow and ice this week. North Carolina Department of Transportation Spokesperson, Kim Deaner talked with Chris Edwards about the DOT is doing to prepare for this storm.

Opened for nearly 50 years, Linda's, a popular restaurant in Chapel Hill announced earlier this month that they would be closing their doors, but according to Kim Williams-Scott who founded the establishment, that is not the case, Williams-Scott and her mother plan to reopen the restaurant and continue this Chapel Hill staple. Williams-Scott spoke with Chris Edwards and Anthony DeHart to talk abou...

The Corinth Holders High School marching band just returned home from the trip of a lifetime -- they were selected to play and march in London's New Year's Day Parade. Olivia Spell is the Band Director at the Johnston County school and spoke with Chris Edwards about the opportunity, how it came about and how much band can impact a high school student.

Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids provides resources to more than 300 people in need each month. As it enters a new year, the nonprofit organization has one goal: Increasing volunteers. Union Mission Executive Director Sabina Lawson discuss the drop in volunteers with Jeff Hamlin

Berkeley Mall and Greenwood School in Goldsboro were on lockdown after a report of a shooting. No one was hurt and two people are in custody, according to police. Andrew Stevens of Goldsboro Daily News.com joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation.

It will be cold tonight. And tomorrow it will be cold and rainy. Once again, officials with several local organizations are helping the unsheltered and those lacking heat with white flag shelter programs. Pastor Vance Haywood of St. John's Metropolitan Church of Raleigh joined Jeff Hamlin on Thursday.

At almost 21 months old Owen Monroe is a medical miracle, born with a lethal heart condition. By taking part in a groundbreaking study led by Duke health physicians, Owen is thriving. The procedure happened nearly two years ago. Dr. Joseph Turek joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the procedure.

Former President Donald Trump has asked a Maine court to overturn the secretary of state’s decision to remove him from the 2024 primary ballot there because of his role in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol insurrection. A local political science professor says this is simply the work of officials ruling based on the constitution. Catawba College Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer joined Jeff...

The top judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals lost her leadership position as the chief justice of the state Supreme Court replaced her with a colleague. Judge Donna Stroud, a Republican who has served as chief judge of the court since 2021, will be succeeded by Judge Chris Dillon. Political analyst Michele Woodhouse, the host of the Michele Woodhouse Show on WPTF, joined Jeff Hamlin to dis...

Harvard University president Claudine Gay announced her resignation Tuesday. Pressure on Gay to resign began after a December congressional hearing, during which Republican Representative Elise Stefanik questioned Gay and other university presidents - one of whom stepped down last month - about antisemitism on campus. Dr. Deborah Stroman is the Director of the Center for Civil Rights at UNC's Law...

A major change is taking place at Wake County's animal shelter. The Wake County shelter will no longer allow owners to surrender their pets at the shelter. Wake county Commissioner Vicki Adamson said they hope enacting the change will reduce the crowding and chance of having to make the decision to put healthy pets down for space. Jennifer Federico, the Executive Director of the Wake County Animal...

The Wilson Tobs have played in the Coastal Plain League for 27 years. But now their future is in question after the Carolina Mudcats announced plans to move from Zebulon to Wilson. Greg Suire of the Wilson Tobs joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how they plan to survive beyond 2024.

The countdown to the launch of legal sports betting in North Carolina is on. Last week, an important milestone was reached in the rollout. Last Wednesday, companies wishing to launch betting services in the state had to file their applications. Brad Senkiw from Covers.com joined Jeff Hamlin about a timeline when legal sports betting could happen in North Carolina.

As we welcome a new year, real estate experts are breaking down what you can expect with the housing market in 2024. Interest rates are a big topic of conversation after sitting at roughly 8% a few months ago, they've now dropped below 7%, and many are forecasting them to dip even lower in 2024. Eric Maribojoc, a professor at the Kenan Flagler Business School, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the for...

The new year is bringing new policies at several area hospitals. They are part of a new effort to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses. Starting on Tuesday, UNC Health and WakeMed started restricting young visitors from inpatient areas. Later today, a similar policy takes effect at Duke Health. UNC Health Doctor David Weber joined Jeff Hamlin on Tuesday to discuss the changes.

Are making a New Year's Eve resolution.. Cassandra Happe, an analyst from Wallet Hub talked to Anthony DeHart about Financial resolutions for 2024?

It was a record setting year at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro with more than one million visitors in one year for the first time. Zoo spokesperson Sarah Pack said they have surpassed last year's overall record.

Lynn Williams is the PR person at Mt. Olive pickle talking about the New Year's Eve celebration that involves the dropping of a big pickle.

Anthony Dehart talked with Stephanie Hawco with the Raleigh Durham International Airport, looking back on the major accomplishments at the airport in 2023

The Carolina Mudcats are making plans to move to Wilson from Five County Stadium in Zebulon. Chris Edwards talked with Tyler Barnes, Vice President of Communications and Affiliate Relations with the Mudcats owner, the Milwaukee Brewers.

North Carolina State Treasurer, Dale Folwell, announced Thursday an updated its list of companies subject to divestment and contract restrictions due to their boycott of Israel. Added to this year’s list is Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. This action includes affiliates of Ben & Jerry’s such as its parent company, Unilever PLC, and Unilever’s subsidiaries

Reaction to Florida State taking legal action which would lead to exiting the ACC. Chris Edwards talked longtime sportswriter and commentator David Glenn

ShotSpotter has come to an end in Durham, after the City Council voted earlier this week to discontinue using the technology. Now, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead has expressing his disappointment. He talked with Chris Edwards