WPTF Afternoon News

As many Americans anticipate larger refunds this season, former U.S. Senator out of Arkansas Blanche Lincoln has come out in support of a GOP-led bill that gives Working Families Tax Cuts. Lincoln argues that a more competitive business tax system can help power America’s next era of growth — driving job creation, boosting wages, and expanding opportunity and prosperity for millions of families. L...

Three copies of the Declaration of Independence will be displayed in Durham later this year, offering the public an uncommon look at how the founding document was reproduced and circulated in the nation's early years. Deborah Rutter, Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the display.

This year’s Lyrid meteor shower is visible now. Lyrid is getting a boost thanks to a dim crescent moon. Skywatchers could see 10 to 20 shooting stars per hour across the spring sky, according to NASA, when the fiery display peaks Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Amy Elizabeth Sayle of the Morehead Planetarium joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Lyrid and the North Carolina Statewide Star Party,...

A berry big battle is underway in central North Carolina as strawberry harvest season kicks in — ripe, red strawberries vs. a stubborn stretch of dry weather. Every drop of water matters more than ever during this two-week dry spell and six-month-old drought. Jessica Jones is an operator at D.J.’s Berry Patch in Apex. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the impact has impacted them.

A Raleigh mom is turning her son's prom disappointment into a movement to make sure no student feels left out. Maxine Huggins said her son, Darius, who is on the autism spectrum, struggled to find a prom date. He asked multiple girls, but kept hearing no. That’s why she organized Moms on Proms. Maxine Huggins joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss more about Moms on Proms.

The U.S. says it has attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz that tried to get around its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran's joint military command says Tehran will respond soon and calls it an act of piracy. It’s the first interception since the U.S. naval blockade began last week. Vinayak Deshpande, a professor at UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School, joined Jef...

With drought conditions and higher than normal temperatures, Raleigh Water is starting water restrictions next week. Raleigh Water Assistant Director Ed Buchan says this is an unusual event. Buchan joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what will be imposed.

The lack of rainfall is creating extreme drought in the Triangle. With water restrictions going into effect on Monday, how could this impact nurseries and other agricultural locations. At the J.C. Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State in Raleigh, there are many plants and trees to maintain. Greg Paige, Director of the Arboretum, says they prepare for water restrictions. Paige joined Jeff Hamlin to disc...

Police in Virginia say killed his wife before killing himself. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Thursday that the couple were found dead at their northern Virginia home after their teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight. He says the couple were going through a messy divorce and that Justin Fairfax had recently received papers telling him when next to be in court. Jim Krasula, a...

On Tax Day, community leaders, small business owners, and young people from across North Carolina gathered at the State Capitol to deliver thousands of petition signatures demanding that lawmakers stop eliminating the corporate income tax and instead invest in people for the state’s future. Katerina Marroquin joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the petitions and what young people are demanding.

When the United States invaded Iran in February, there were many Iranian natives who welcomed a new regime. After initially saying the war would last 4-5 weeks, President Trump is now preparing for the war to go into its third month. Shahram Mazhari, an Iranian-American who lives in Charlotte and teaches at York Technical College in South Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developm...

Hungarian voters on Sunday ousted long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban after 16 years in power, rejecting the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement that he embodied in favor of a pro-European challenger in a bombshell election result with global repercussions. Jakob Wiedekind, a UNC-Chapel Hill Political Science professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the fallout of Orban’s def...

At the Briggs Avenue Community Garden, growing your own food is becoming more than just a hobby; it's a way to save money. The garden is seeing more people due to an increase in gas and food prices. Cheralyn Berry, Manager of Briggs Avenue Community Garden, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the growth of the garden.

New U.S. Census Bureau data shows Raleigh now ranks #1 nationally for net domestic migration. Raleigh is also the only market among this year’s top five to improve its growth compared to last year. James Flanagan, Vice President of Community Experience at Tri-Point Homes in Raleigh, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what Raleigh ranks so high nationally.

It has been a "hot start" to April over NC and the Mid-Atlantic. Temperatures in some areas have averaged nearly 10 to 15 degrees above normal since April 1. Will a hot April lead to a hot summer? CBS17 meteorologist Wes Hohenstein joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the outlook for this summer and whether a cooldown is on the way.

While enrollment across the University of North Carolina System remains strong, a new report shows persistent gaps in key academic fields that are critical to meeting the state's workforce needs. Gaps in fields such as engineering, education, and nursing - sectors that have wide-ranging effects on North Carolina's economy and public services - are drawing considerable attention. Keith Poston of th...

As central North Carolina faces record-breaking dry conditions and temperatures in the 90s, about 94% of the state is now grappling with severe or extreme drought. Raleigh is experiencing its driest year on record. Anthony Penny is a farmer at the North Carolina Farmers Market. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how he’s adjusting to the weather.

Attorney, organizer and North Carolina Democratic Party First Vice Chair Jonah Garson was selected by the Senate District 23 Nominating Committee to serve the remainder of Senator Graig Meyer’s term and replace him on the ballot in November’s general election. Garson joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his new role.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the American military has begun a blockade of Iranian ports. Trump's statement on Monday was part of his effort to force Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal to end the war that has raged for more than six weeks. Klaus Larres, UNC-Chapel Hill Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developments in Iran.

It has been a "hot start" to April over NC and the Mid-Atlantic! Temperatures in some areas have averaged nearly 10 to 15 degrees above normal since April 1. James Danko of the National Weather Service in Raleigh joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the drought that still impacts the entire state.

Pope Leo XIV has responded to President Donald Trump's criticism over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, saying the Vatican's peace appeals are rooted in the Gospel. Speaking Monday, Leo emphasized that his message is not a direct attack on Trump but a call for peace. Trump criticized Leo on social media and to reporters, accusing him of being too liberal. Fin Gomez, CBS News Political Director, joined...

Women's health has been a concern in this country and even a political issue for years as is Access to healthcare in general. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, is highlighting health issues and solutions for women of every age at their 12th Annual Women's Health Awareness Conference , this Saturday, April 11 at Hillside High School,...

PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill is bringing the story of sisterhood, made famous on the big screen , Steel Magnolias, on stage April 8 - 26. Emmy-nominated actress Sharon Lawrence, returns to Chapel Hill this season to star in the beloved Southern classic as the main character, M'Lynn . Gayle Hurd had a good old sit down with the NC native about this iconic story of friendship, resilie...

Raleigh-based tech firm Pendo is the latest company in the Triangle to announce layoffs, marking a recent shift in shakeups in the industry. The company says the 90 positions have been affected as part of a larger restructuring. This news comes two weeks after Cary-based gaming behemoth Epic Games's layoff of more than 200 people. Mike Walden, N.C. State Economics Professor Emeritus, joined Jeff H...

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is an annual international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema. Each spring, Full Frame welcomes filmmakers and film lovers from around the world to historic downtown Durham. It starts next week in the Bull City. Emily Foster, the co-Director of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss this year’s...