WPTF Morning News

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joins Lisa Price to discuss how airlines are collectively spending $100 billion more on fuel than projected this year, forcing fare increases and the suspension of marginally profitable routes across the country, including the Raleigh-Durham to Las Vegas service. Ratliff also breaks down a case in Houston where a 25-year-old used a fake boarding pass to sneak onto a Un...

Susan Shanske, director of transitional care support at the BRIDGES Adult Transition Program, joins Lisa Price to discuss a new survey finding that two-thirds of young people wish they had been better prepared before aging out of pediatric care around age 18. Shanske explains why the shift to managing appointments, insurance and medical decisions independently is overwhelming for many teens and ho...

Jason Husser, professor of political science and public policy and director of the Elon Poll at Elon University, joins Tony to discuss the latest Elon Poll findings on how Americans are feeling about the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations and whether the semiquincentennial is influencing their political views and sense of pride in being American.

Anna Kulcsar, programs coordinator at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, joins Lisa Price to discuss the free Heavy Thunder: Summer Artillery and Infantry Program on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event recreates the sights and sounds of the 1865 battle at one of North Carolina's most significant Civil War sites.

Johnna French, food and lifestyle influencer, joins Tony to discuss Delta Air Lines' decision to scale back food and beverage service on many short-haul routes and what it means for families, business travelers, and frequent flyers. French shares smart packing tips to avoid mid-flight hunger, how to sidestep overpriced airport purchases, and what the trend signals about the future of airline servi...

Brooke Wilensky-Lanford, author and Chapel Hill resident, joins Tony Riggsbee to discuss her new book "A God-Shaped Nation: Five Hundred Years of Religion in America" and her recent article in The Assembly on Billy Graham. Wilensky-Lanford will hold a reading and signing at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill on June 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Tony Riggsbee for his weekly segment to discuss the latest economic trends and practical personal finance guidance for listeners.

Andy Esser, certified financial planner and financial advisor at Edward Jones in Durham, joins Tony on 529 Day to discuss new research showing families are feeling less confident about covering future education costs, how 529 plans work and what steps parents can take now to build a clearer education savings strategy.

Brooke Parkhurst, culinary instructor, cookbook author and operating partner at Harry Roy, joins Tony to discuss how updated dietary guidelines and growing interest in protein-rich foods are driving renewed attention to the dairy aisle, and shares practical ideas for quick summer meals and snacks. This interview is provided by the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association.

Dr. Mike Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University and president of Walden Economic Consulting, joins Tony to discuss why municipalities across North Carolina are seeing budget deficits ranging from millions to billions of dollars and whether the trend is likely to spread to other communities.

North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner joins Tony to discuss efforts to create high school financial literacy clubs across the state and why building money management skills early is critical for the next generation of North Carolinians.

Nick Petro, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service forecast office in Raleigh, joins Tony to discuss the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins June 1. Petro explains how a developing El Niño and warm Atlantic waters are competing forces this year, why early-season storms forming close to the Southeast coast concern him most, and why flooding poses a gr...

Dr. Mona Amin, board-certified pediatrician, founder of PedsDocTalk and Lingokids spokesperson, joins Tony to discuss a new study on how much time children ages 8 and under spend on screens and how parents can set healthy boundaries around screen time while still using technology as a tool for learning and development.

North Carolina-born musician Ben Folds joins Lisa Price to discuss his Keys for Kids NC charitable initiative, which provides free piano lessons to young people across the state, and an upcoming benefit concert Saturday, May 30, at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh. Folds helps 400 children a year through the program. Tickets are available at https://www.benfolds.com/tour/ and you can learn more at https:/...

John Bard Manulis, producer of the documentary "Fortunate Sons," joins Lisa Price to discuss the film's exploration of masculinity and the mental health of boys and men, including the stigma surrounding mental health issues, gender role expectations and the pressure of parental expectations. The documentary is now streaming on demand.

Lindsay Silberman, founder of Hotel Lobby Candle, and Ami Vedak, managing vice president at Capital One, join Lisa Price to discuss how small business owners are stretching their work trips to make every journey count more, and what financial tools can help entrepreneurs manage the growing complexity of business travel. For more information, visit capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/venture...

Maria Intscher-Owrang, co-founder of Simplifyber, joins Lisa Price to discuss how the Raleigh-based startup is developing bio-based materials molded directly from natural fibers, dramatically reducing production waste, carbon emissions and reliance on plastics while attracting major brand partnerships and new investment, and what it means for the Triangle's growing reputation as a hub for climate...

Bob Passmore, department vice president of personal lines at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and Rebecca Weast, senior research scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, join Tony to discuss teen driver safety as the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day begins, a period when teen traffic fatalities spike by nearly 26%. The two share practical steps parent...

Greg Oates, director of AI advocacy at GuideGeek, joins Tony to discuss how artificial intelligence has transformed travel planning ahead of a major summer season featuring the FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations. Oates explains how travelers can use AI tools to save money, customize itineraries and get the most out of their trips even with rising gas and flight prices.

Wendy Payne and Marie join Tony to discuss the inaugural Cary Garden Tour running May 30-31, 2026, featuring exclusive access to 13-14 private gardens, historic sites and classic car displays headquartered at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center in Cary. The event supports local nonprofits through ticket sales and is presented by the 90-year-old Cary Woman's Club. Tickets and information are av...

Matthias Berninger, executive vice president of public affairs, sustainability and safety at Bayer, joins Tony to discuss findings from the new Science Under Siege survey, which found 80% of Americans blame social media for spreading health and science misinformation yet continue to use it as their primary source. Berninger discusses how the generational trust gap is growing and what Bayer's Scien...

Linda Rosa-Lugo, president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Janice Trent, former ASHA board member and practicing audiologist, join Tony during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month to discuss a new national poll on the challenges caregivers face when communication breaks down and how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can improve quality of life for both patien...

Keith Poston, president of WakeEd Partnership, joins Tony to discuss the conclusion of another successful year of Partners Read, a community literacy program that connected more than 325 volunteers with approximately 650 Wake County elementary school students this year, putting 13,000 new books into students' hands. Volunteers are being recruited now for next school year at wakeed.org/partnersread...

Tiffany Wright, spokesperson for AAA Carolinas, joins Tony to discuss what travelers can expect this Memorial Day weekend, including gas price trends, expected traffic volumes and safety tips for the road.

Bill Briggs, deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, joins Lisa Price to discuss the SBA's announcement doubling the cumulative loan limit for its 7(a) and 504 loan programs to $10 million, his visit to North Carolina small businesses and remarks at the FedTex conference, and the agency's ongoing focus on veteran entrepreneurship and manufacturing.