WPTF Afternoon News

A Garner family is on vacation in Hawaii and found themselves in the middle of a wildfire situation that is making national headlines. Nate Saunders spoke with Andie Powers Jones, who has flown from Maui to a smaller island with her family.

A landmark vote in Ohio and more rumors swirling around Donald Trump's legal defense. Nate Saunders discussed these national topics with Duke University Political Science Professor David Schanzer.

The Orange County Animal Services is reporting that they are now low on space in the shelter. Before the issue turns dire, they are reaching out to the public, asking people to consider adopting a dog or cat. Nate Saunders spoke with Tenille Fox about the state of the shelter.

With no state budget expected to be enacted until at least September, leading Republicans say it’s unlikely they’ll move to approve pay raises for state workers and teachers before then. House Speaker Tim Moore said this week there’s “zero” chance of the budget being resolved this month. Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, described the situation...

Photo Credit: Kati Saunders Drivers in North Carolina will be paying higher rates for car insurance starting December 1. The increase is the result of a settlement reached between insurance companies and state regulators. Mike Causey, North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner, joined Nate Saunders to discuss how high the hikes will be.

Representative Dan Bishop, a vocal member of the Freedom Caucus that's become a foil to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has announced that he would run for state attorney general next year rather than seek to remain in Congress. Bishop joined Congress in 2019. He joined Nate Saunders to discuss his candidacy.

Author Brandon Williams has written a book about the colorful basketball figure LaVar Ball and his professional basketball league. Williams had an up close and personal experience with the Junior Basketball Association, a league that Ball operated for one year until shutting down just before the pandemic started. Williams joined Nate Saunders to discuss his book "The JBA League: A League of Our Ow...

Brian Strong, a 23-year veteran of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, has been named director of the division by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Strong has been acting director of the division since early 2023 and has been a member of the state parks staff since 2000. Strong joined Nate Saunders to discuss his appointment on Tuesday.

Most of North Carolina is expecting an evening of severe thunderstorms and high winds... a recipe for power outages. Nate Saunders spoke with Jeff Brooks from Duke Energy about what they are doing to prepare for a potentially busy night.

The second half of summer brings a welcomed sense of familiarity for families across the country as back-to-school season approaches. The end of this summer, in particular, means that borrowers who are out of college will have to resume paying back their federal student loans after more than three years. For new and resuming college students, proper planning on how to pay for college is paramount....

Wake County Public Libraries is expanding its Memory Care Kits program, which uses books and activities to spark memories, create conversations and provide positive, engaging interactions between people experiencing memory loss and their caregivers. Dayna Shields is with the library system and talked with Nate Saunders about the program.

As we fast approach the new school year, Durham Public Schools is preparing to debut the new Northern Durham High School. Nate Saunders spoke about the state of the art campus with Frederick Davis, the Executive Director of Building Services for Durham Public Schools.

The latest numbers on jobs are out and economists are assessing whether or not we will hit a recession. Nate Saunders discussed the latest data with UNC Chief Economist Gerald Cohen.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino Morrisville will change it's name (briefly) to S'Morrisville to celebrate a favorite treat, Donald Trump has been arraigned on his 3rd indictment, and cricket may return to Morrisville. Nate Saunders talked about all of these with Town Councilman Steve Rao.

Donald Trump has been arraigned on his third set of indictments in Washington D.C. Many questions surround the future of the trial. Campbell Law professor Greg Wallace spoke with Nate Saunders about the legal situation.

Florida State University has been vocal about their desire to leave the ACC. In recent months of changeups and turmoil for college athletic conferences, many people are wondering about the future of the ACC. David Glenn from the North Carolina Sports Network joined Nate Saunders to discuss what the future could hold.

A report from the CDC found that food allergies impact 1 out of every 13 U.S. children... and as we get into the new school year, parents need to make sure their children are safe while eating at school. Nate Saunders spoke with Kelly Cleary, Senior Director of Education & Support Programs for Food Allergy Research & Education, about practical things parents can do.

Photo Credit: Meagan Thomas For the first time in 7 years, the Wake County Animal Services is considering euthanizing animals as the shelter is at capacity. Nate Saunders spoke with Meagan Thomas about the situation.

Photo Credit: Ken Huth The Durham County Sheriff's Office has released numbers on firearms for the first half of 2023. The numbers are on par with 2022... but are dramatically higher than in 2020. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead joined Nate Saunders to talk about combating gun crime.

The WakeEd Partnership has kicked off its Tools4Schools event where Wake County teachers can "shop" for school supplies. According to the Partnership, the average teacher in the county spends over $900 every year to buy needed supplies for their classroom. Kim Absher, a 4th grade teacher at Vandora Springs Elementary School in Garner, talked with Nate Saunders about what teachers do to get ready f...

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino Donald Trump has been indicted for a third time. He now faces 78 felony charges after being charged with working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. Political analyst and former North Carolina Congressional candidate Michele Woodhouse joined Nate Saunders to discuss how this impacts Tru...

For the third time, former President Donald Trump has been indicted. On Tuesday afternoon, Trump was indicted on felony charges for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. Western Carolina political science professor Chris Cooper joined Nate Saunders to discuss the implications of the indictment.

The 30th Infantry Division held its 77th annual reunion at the Ramada Inn in Raleigh over the weekend. The association consists of combat veterans from World War II and Iraq that served in the 30th Infantry Division in World World Two and the divisions historic trace unit. Charlie Noble of the Infantry Division joined Nate Saunders to discuss the reunion.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders A busy July is drawing to a close in Morrisville, including an event from Major League Cricket. Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao discussed cricket with Nate Saunders.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Researchers at North Carolina State University used a CRISPR gene-editing system to breed poplar trees with reduced levels of lignin, the major barrier to sustainable production of wood fibers, while improving their wood properties. Jack Wang and Rodolphe Barrangou from N.C. State joined Nate Saunders to discuss their research.