WPTF Morning News

Several North Carolina parents rallied on Wednesday calling on Republican legislators to fully fund scholarships for children to attend private and religious institutions. This comes after lawmakers were not able to work out an agreement earlier this year to meet the demand of the program. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this is one of the rally organizer's Rachel Lee Brady.

A group of UNC Students from the Hussman School of Journalism are in Paris reporting on the 33rd Summer Games and finding North Carolina connects to the games. Those games continue today and with Chris Edwards to recap what we have seen so far and to preview what is coming up is one of those students from UNC, Ashley Humphrey.

Farmer's in North Carolina have faced a challenging summer from extreme heat to a lengthy drought, last week heavy rain for several days and now, a potential tropic system that could impact our state in the coming days. With Chris Edwards to discuss all of this and more is Bob Etheridge.

We continue to highlight the work that is going on in our local communities from summer events, to things that impact them most. In the Talk of the Town Segment today Chris Edwards visits with Blake Massengill, mayor of Fuquay-Varina to tell us about his town and what makes Fuquay-Varina a great place to be.

A group of UNC Students from the Hussman School of Journalism are in Paris reporting on the 33rd Summer Games and finding North Carolina connects to the games. Those games continue today and with Chris Edwards to recap what we have seen so far and to preview what is coming up is one of those students from UNC, Holden Manna.

There are a number of issues that are key for the 2024 Presidential Race and one of them that is garnering a lot of attention are those reproductive rights with each side having strong opinions on the issue - with Chris Edwards now to talk more about the issue is Dr. John Purkal, ER Physician and Reproductive Rights Advocate.

There are a number of items that have made news from the political landscape both from a national and a state-wide level this week as we continue to monitor the rapidly changing 2024 political season. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective is Catawba College Political Science Professor Dr. Michael Bitzer.

Over the last several months there have been a number of crashes on roadways across the state but in particular the triangle and unfortunately many of them fatal. One of the themes of these crashes is speed of the drivers. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective and to talk about ways to prevent these awful crashes is Mark Ezzell, Director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program.

Today is the Anniversary of the Medicare and Medicaid Act that was signed into law by President Johnson in 1965. That legislation established the Medicare and Medicaid programs and for 50 years have been protecting the health and well-being of Americans and families. Joining Chris Edwards to offer some perspective on this Anniversary is Brenda Pollard.

As the 33rd Summer Games continue in Paris, several of the competitions are getting into full swing and that is the case with equestrian which continues today. Joining us to offer perspective on the event is former American Olympian, competing in the 2020 games in Tokyo, Gold Medalist at the Pan Am Games, and owner of Payne Equestrian in Rougemont, Doug Payne.

The 2024 Presidential Election appears to be changing rapidly with new stories coming each day from both sides and the sprint to the home stretch really ramps up. With Chris Edwards to discuss their campaign as well as other items of note is Tommy Pigott, RNC Strategic Communications Director.

As the 33rd Summer Games continue in Paris, several of the competitions are getting into full swing and that is the case with equestrian which continues today. Joining Chris Edwards to offer perspective on the event as well as offer a North Carolina connection to the games is Cait Kincaid.

We continue to highlight the work done by departments in our state that are impacting the lives of North Carolinians each day. With Chris Edwards to talk about the work done by the Department of Labor is North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson.

The Government released its most recent update on US economic growth it was what some have called an "upside surprise". The economy expanded in the second quarter far ahead of what was expected - to give us an update on how much the economy grew and why it was a surprise, Chris Edwards spoke with CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger.

We are less than 100 days away from election day and the Presidential Election has been a fast moving one with the news changing daily. Just eight days ago President Biden announced he would not seek his parties nomination for reelection and now presumptive nominee, Vice President Harris has raised over $200 million. With Chris Edwards to discuss the milestone as well as one of the bigger issues o...

There are a number of items to discuss that have made headlines in our Nation's Capitol over the last several weeks including the announcement from President Biden last week that he will not seek reelection and now Vice President Harris is poised to be the Democratic Parties nominee and will face former President Donald Trump in November. Chris Edwards discusses that as well as other legislation w...

In an Oval Office address to the nation earlier this week, President Biden laid out an ambitious plan for his final six months in office, one of the things the President highlighted was reform with the Supreme Court. With Chris Edwards now to officer perspective is Retired North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a viral infection that can affect birds and sometimes humans. There is currently a new strain which seems to be highly contagious among birds and can likely infect humans through direct or indirect contact with infected birds or their droppings. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is Dr. Mark Heise with the UNC School of Medicine.

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA made it illegal for employees to discriminate against employees with disabilities and also provided better access to goods, services and communications, among other things for individuals with disabilities. With Chris Edwards to discuss this more in depth is Debra Farringt...

It has been a wild week in politics in our country from President Biden announcing he would not seek reelection to Vice President Harris now the presumptive Democratic nominee and former President Trump making a stop in our state this week. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective is North Carolina Representative Zack Hawkins.

Vice President Harris has not yet selected her running mate as rumors continue to swirl about the possibility of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper being selected as a part of the ticket. A little closer to home the short sessions of the General Assembly has had a number of items coming out of Jones Street. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective on all of these items is North Carolina Senate Demo...

July is National Independent Retailer Month and all month long we will highlight Independent retailers in our communities that are working each day to provide goods and services to those in our areas. Today Chris Edwards visits with April Morey owner of the Cookie People.

Vice President Harris has not yet selected her running mate as rumors continue to swirl about the possibility of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper being selected as a part of the ticket, additionally President Biden addressed the nation last night for the first time since announcing he was not running for reelection, with Chris Edwards for perspective on all of this as well as the state of politi...

A busy day in Washington on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of congress in the afternoon while President Biden spoke to the nation from the Oval Office to, for the first time, lay out the reasons he was not seeking reelection. With Chris Edwards now to offer perspective on both those speeches and their impact is CBS News Correspondent Scott MacFarla...

On Wednesday former President Donald Trump held a rally in Charlotte, his first event in North Carolina since Vice President Harris was named the presumptive nominee for the democratic party. With Chris Edwards now to offer thoughts on his speech is Raleigh City council member and Mayor Pro Tem, Jonathan Melton.