WPTF Afternoon News

Hurricane Erin has strengthened back into a Category 4 storm and is now just under a thousand miles southeast of Cape Hatteras. Pitt County Emergency Planner Merredith Lovely warns that in past storms, pet owners have put themselves at risk trying to rescue animals, stressing the importance of including pets in evacuation plans.Laura Helock of the National Weather Service joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what impacts Erin could bring to central North Carolina.

All eyes are on Hurricane Erin, now a Category 4 storm. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Ocracoke Island in Hyde County and Hatteras Island in Dare County. While the storm is expected to stay offshore, officials aren’t taking chances by issuing a state of emergency for all of Dare County. Sam Walker, Editor-in-Chief of Sam Walker OBX, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the Outer Banks are preparing.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump say they hope recent talks at the White House with Ukrainian and European leaders could lead to trilateral negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The meeting followed Trump’s sit-down with Putin last week, where Trump suggested it was now on Zelenskyy to agree to concessions that could bring the conflict to a close. Nataliia Bondarenko, a Ukrainian native who came to the U.S. after the war began, joined Jeff Hamlin to share her reaction to Trump’s meeting with Putin.

SNAP benefits help 1.4 million North Carolinians put food on the table. Amy Beros is the CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. She says there are more than 600,000 people in the 34 counties her agencies serve facing hunger every day. That number is up from 450,000 people two years ago. Beros joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the loss of federal funding is impacting the food bank.

Most stocks are falling on Wall Street following a disappointing update on inflation. But gains for Amazon and other influential Big Tech companies are helping to mask the losses on Thursday, and the S&P 500 edged down by just 0.1% after setting an all-time high the day before. The hotter-than-expected inflation report forced traders to second guess the widespread consensus that the Federal Reserve will deliver relief next month by cutting interest rates. Treasury yields rose. Gerald Cohen, Chief Economist at the UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan Flagler Business School, joined Jeff Hamlin to discus the inflation update.

Raleigh Exec has signed agreements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide customs services — clearing the way for international flights in and out of the growing general aviation airport. Details about when customs services will begin and how they will be administered are now being finalized and will be announced soon. The jetport has always been a final destination for flights into the United States, especially for individuals traveling on vacation to locations in the Caribbean and beyond and for the large number of executives working for international corporations doing business within a few miles of the airport. Bob Heuts, spokesman for Raleigh Executive Jetport, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what the new agreements will mean.

A new study shows that a simplified two-dose antibiotic treatment may be just as effective as traditional long-term IV therapy for serious staph bloodstream infections, offering patients a safer and easier path to recovery. Led by researchers at Duke Health and funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study tested the antibiotic dalbavancin against the standard of care – antibiotics delivered through a peripherally inserted central catheter. Dr. Nicholas Turner, the author of the study, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what his team has uncovered.

There’s a month remaining in the Durham Bulls season. But Bulls management has all sorts of activities planned in downtown Durham throughout the offseason. And the Bulls have announced its schedule for the 2026 season so fans have something to look forward to when next spring rolls around. Mike Birling, the Vice President of Capital Broadcasting Company Sports, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s ahead this winter and next spring at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

A controversial proposal in Glenwood South is one step closer to reality after the Raleigh Planning Commission unanimously recommended Raleigh City Council to rezone 2.6 acres northeast of Peace and West Streets. Right now, that area is zoned for up to 12 stories. Raleigh Development Company wants to create a mixed-use building up to 30 stories high in the area adjacent to Smoky Hollow Park. Larry Miller is the head of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why he supports the plan.

North Carolina has the eighth-worst nursing shortage in the nation, a study has found. According to the study from CheapNursingCEUs, North Carolina has 1,674 nurses per 100,000 residents. There are 185,007 in the state overall, with 162,197 registered nurses and 22,810 nurse practitioners. Bonnie Davis Meadows, President-Elect of the North Carolina Nurses Association, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss reasons for the shortage.

At the age of 67, a Raleigh resident has accomplished his dream of writing a book that’s getting rave reviews. Buddy Howard spent his life organizing financial mergers and acquisitions who spent eight years writing about his days from Wake Forest University. Now, he’s turned into a gripping thriller called “The Burden of Evidence.” It’s earning five-star reviews as it nears publication. Howard joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his journey from business analyst to published author.

Wake Tech has announced it will be launching a new radio technician program in partnership with the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters. According to the school, the 10-week, the NCAB Broadcast Technology Academy program will provide students with the technical skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the broadcasting industry through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Scott Rawls, the President of Wake Tech, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new program.

NC By Train continues to experience growth in the first half of 2025. The state-supported intercity passenger rail service saw an increase for the first half of 2025 compared to ridership for the first half of 2024. NC By Trai has carried over 355,000 total passengers in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Jason Orthner, N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division director, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the increase in ridership.

A recent study from Stanford Medicine shows death from heart attacks have dropped overall, but heart attacks are becoming more prevalent in young adults. A student at East Carolina University, and member of the track team, lived through a heart attack at just 21-years-old. The experience has turned her into an advocate for AED and CPR training, which can make a life-or-death difference. Hailey Yentz, the former ECU runner, shared her experience from last winter with Jeff Hamlin.

The National Institute of Minority Economic Development is holding its conference in Pinehurst this week. The institute was formed in 1986 with a purpose to diversify North Carolina’s business base as a strategy for expanding economic opportunity. Now, 35 years later, the institute remains the only organization of its kind in the country focused on business and economic growth through effective business diversity. Kevin Prince, the President of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss this week’s conference.

Five weeks after Tropical Depression Chantal, much of Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Shopping Center remains shut down. Longtime Triangle businesses are still unable to reopen, with their future uncertain. The storm caused more than $26 million in damage.Dale Sela, Broker-in-Charge of Blue Moon Properties, is working with business owners to get back on their feet and joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about what’s been a challenging summer.

With school starting soon, Raleigh families are trying to make the most of the last days of summer. Downtown offers hidden gems and kid-friendly spots, from restaurants with playful atmospheres to sweet treats and family activities. Illeana Rodriguez, Vice President of Community Relations for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, joined Jeff Hamlin to share ideas for enjoying downtown before the school year begins.

During the height of COVID-19, Dr. David Wohl recalled UNC hospital wards filled with patients “hungry for air.” He said the greatest lifesaver was the rapid development of mRNA vaccines. Now, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has canceled nearly $500 million in contracts and grants for mRNA vaccine development. Dr. Wohl joined Jeff Hamlin to share his reaction to Kennedy’s decision.

After 28 years, the Wilson Tobs have finally won their first Coastal Plain League championship, rallying from a 9-1 deficit to beat the Forest City Owls 10-9 and claim the Pettit Cup. But the celebration is bittersweet — Saturday may have been their last game at historic Fleming Stadium, in use since 1939, and possibly their final days in the CPL. Mike Bell, the Tobs’ General Manager, joined Jeff Hamlin to reflect on the championship and the uncertain future.

Jennifer King is an NFL history maker. This North Carolina native is the first black woman to be an assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL), coaching for the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, and Chicago Bears. She talks to Jon Champion about the upcoming season as she joins Coach Trei Oliver and the coaching staff at North Carolina Central University.

The "Sturgeon Moon" is the name for the full moon that occurs in August. This name is historically linked to the time when sturgeon fish were most readily caught, particularly in the Great Lakes region. It also marks the start of the harvesting season for some cultures. What does a Sturgeon Moon look like? Amy Sayle from the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what to look out for in the skies this month.

A major road in Apex will be closed for the near future. Over the last two days, six inches of rain has fallen in Apex, leading to the culvert at Olive Chapel Road failing. The N.C. DOT is looking for ways to accelerate plans to replace the culvert. Apex mayor Jacques Gilbert says the road will be closed and there's no timetable for its reopening. Gilbert joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how much damage the flooding left behind.

Martin General Hospital unexpectedly shut its doors in August 2023. Two years later, ECU Health and Martin County are teaming up to breathe new life into the facility. The Martin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the signing of a non-binding letter of intent to re-open Martin General Hospital as a rural emergency hospital. Martin County Attorney Ben Eisner says the goal is to reimagine health care in Martin County, and the entire region. Eisner joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their plans to reopen a vital part of Martin County history.

Hurricane season has had a fairly typical start in terms of the number of storms. With the fourth named storm of the season in Tropical Storm Dexter forming on Sunday, hurricane season this year is running close to average, as the fourth named storm of the season doesn’t typically form until August 15. Despite the typical start, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is still forecasting an above-average hurricane season. Matt Rosencrans, with the NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Protection, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their forecast.

It was another day of heavy rain across central North Carolina on Wednesday. Shortly before noon, Crabtree Creek in Raleigh had risen to 12 feet near Crabtree Valley Mall. The creek was sitting at only four feet before it started raining. The creek is considered minor flood stage at 16 feet and major flood stage at 23 feet. Prestonwood Country Club in Cary appeared to be completely underwater. Nick Petro of the National Weather Service joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how much it rained on Wednesday afternoon.

As North Carolina kids prepare to return to school, hunger and the damage it does is a more pressing problem than ever. Already one in five kids – in some rural communities, one in three – go hungry in class. Now, potential deep federal cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and school meal funding will leave more children hungry. What are parents, students, administrators, elected officials, and advocates saying and, more importantly, doing? Abby Emanuelson, the Executive Director for School Meals for All North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what her organization is seeing as the new school year approaches.

Tick-borne illnesses can be extremely dangerous, and they are on the increase. Legislation in Congress aims to combat the problem, and it’s named after Kay Hagan, the former North Carolina senator who died from a tick-borne disease. In 2019, Hagan, whose career spanned the world of banking to being a stay-at-home mom to politics, died from encephalitis, or brain inflammation. The cause was a rare tick-borne illness known as the Powassan virus. Chip Hagan, the husband of Kay Hagan, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how he believes a tick bite led to the death of his wife.

A serious bacterial infection has put a North Carolina man in an Outer Banks ICU, highlighting a growing concern over the flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters. Vibrio Vulnificus is a flesh-eating bacterium that can cause serious illness and lead to sepsis, shock, and large blisters that destroy tissue. Carl Williams is a veterinarian with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how dangerous and potent the bacteria is.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Erica Urquhart joins Jon Champion to discuss what patients should know about insurance, emerging medical technologies, and how to navigate upcoming changes in the healthcare system. A Harvard graduate in biomedical engineering, Dr. Urquhart also holds both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

A dramatic turn of events at the latest Durham City Council meeting. Chicago-based developer Sterling Bay had plans to rezone Hayti Heritage Park into a new life sciences campus. Yet on Monday night, Sterling Bay abruptly decided to pull the request. The move came much to the surprise of Durham mayor Leonardo Williams, who openly wondered about the future of Hayti Hertiage Park. Anita Scott Neville, the Director of Hayti Reborn, discuss the situation with Jeff Hamlin.

Starting this fall, more than 62,000 North Carolina public high school seniors will be offered direct admission to select institutions in North Carolina as part of the NC College Connect program. NC College Connect provides a simpler and faster way for eligible seniors to be admitted to colleges and universities in North Carolina. Public high school students who complete their junior year with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above and meet the NC College Connect requirements will be eligible. Patti Harris, Senior Director for Student Access Initiatives for the UNC System, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss NC College Connect.

Expected to be the most expensive U.S. Senate race in history, polling by the Center Square released Friday gave former North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper a lead on Republican Michael Whatley of 47%-41%. The sampling was taken Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of 1,000 registered voters. Estimates for spending range from $500 million to $750 million. Neither is expected to have serious competition at the March 3 primary. Alan Wooten, the Managing Editor for Center Square, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the early polling for North Carolina’s Senate race.

A new report suggests that UNC may be the first school to leave the ACC in the next wave of conference realignment—possibly even before Florida State or Clemson, despite their lawsuits against the league. UNC has been part of the ACC since its founding in 1952. Andrew Jones, Publisher with 24/7 Sports and CBS Sports, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential timeline for the Tar Heels’ departure.

July 2025 shattered records in North Carolina, marking the hottest month ever recorded in the state. Central North Carolina experienced a heat index over 100 degrees every day during the final week of the month. On top of the extreme heat, Tropical Depression Chantal brought devastating flooding to Orange, Alamance, and Durham Counties. Corey Davis, State Climatologist, joined Jeff Hamlin to break down just how intense the month truly was.

The U.S. job market saw a significant slowdown in July, with only 73,000 jobs added and major downward revisions to job gains in May and June. Economists say President Trump’s trade policies may be a key factor in the weakening trend. N.C. State Economics Professor Emeritus Mike Walden joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the troubling numbers and the administration’s response.

The Raleigh Convention Center and the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts have both received the 2025 Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers. Only five venues worldwide were honored this year for outstanding operations, safety, team development, and community service. Michelle Bradley, General Manager of the Marietta Center, joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about what the award means for Raleigh.

A part of Chatham County could be coming down. For more than a hundred years, the water tower has watched over Bynum. It saw the mill workers come and go, children growing up in mill houses, laundry flapping on clotheslines, and muddy baseball games played in the patch of field just beneath it. It was there for the Friday night lights, the church picnics, the first kisses, the long summer evenings when a worn-out ball hit the grass and someone’s grandpa shouted “safe!” from the porch. Martha Collins and Susan Crate of Bynum joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why the tower could come down.

Billy Wilder's 'Sunset Boulevard' is turning 75 this year. A forthcoming book by Wake Forest University Art Professor David Lubin called “Ready for my Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream” looks at the classic starring Gloria Swanson. As part of the celebration, the three-time Oscar-winning film will also be re-released on August 3 and 4 in more than 1,000 theatres nationwide, including in North Carolina. Lubin joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his book and the legacy of Sunset Boulevard.

Leaders at UNC-Chapel Hill aspire to put the school “on the global map” with the development of a new stadium to host cricket, rugby and soccer games ahead of the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, according to a proposal for the Carolina North campus. The UNC Board of Trustees discussed plans on Wednesday afternoon for the “NC Colosseum,” a proposed stadium that would be constructed less than two miles from the main campus. Steve Rao, a Morrisville Town Councilman who helped put Major League Cricket matches on in Wake County last year, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential for the stadium in Chapel Hill.

A very rare species of plant in Raleigh is about to do something special. Plant Delights Nursery at Juniper Level Botanic Garden in Raleigh houses the growing Corpse Flower. The plant is 10-11 years old and the tuber weighs 41lbs. Even with previous bloom statistics and measurements our best estimate has been thwarted by mother nature. Kevin Stevens with the Juniper Level Botanic Garden joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the growing flower.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper —who is undefeated in statewide elections over a long political career — said Monday that he would run for this battleground state’s open U.S. Senate seat. RNC Director Michael Whatley is expected to soon announce his candidacy. Republicans have long been preparing for a likely battle against Cooper — even before Tillis said last month that he wouldn’t seek reelection following a public falling out with Trump over the president’s tax-and-spending bill that sponsors titled the One Big Beautiful Bill. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Whatley’s campaign.

It’s been nearly a month since Tropical Depression Chantal devastated Eastgate Shopping Center in Chapel Hill and the cleanup continues. The weeks after have been full of cleaning up damage, paying their workers temporarily, and now figuring out what's covered. Part of the issue is that unlike Hurricane Helene, which brought widespread damage to western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Chantal spared most of Chapel Hill. It's frustrating for those who are having to deal with the concentrated damage. Joel Harper, with the Small Business Technology Development Center, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how they’re helping business owners.

Wednesday is National Whistleblower’s Day. Attorney Gary Jackson says whistleblowers are more important than ever, especially with the threat of tariffs from the Trump Administration. Jackson says as the U.S. government raises tariffs on imported goods, a troubling consequence could be an increase in tariff fraud by importers intentionally deceiving U.S. Customs to evade paying the higher tariffs. Jackson discussed the threat with Jeff Hamlin.

The General Assembly killed the state’s 70% emissions target, approving an energy bill some analysts say will raise power bills while supporters claim it keeps electricity reliable and affordable. Chris Herndon, director of the North Carolina Sierra Club, called the decision “corporate greed winning over the public interest.” Mikaela Curry, the Campaign Manager for the Sierra Club’s “Beyond Coal” campaign, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the measure.

The rivalry between Richard Petty and David Pearson wasn’t solely a battle between two stock car drivers. It propelled NASCAR from a regional sport to a national passion for race fans. Writer Michael Hembree has covered stock car racing since the 1960s and has a new book called “Petty vs. Pearson: The Rivalry that Shaped NASCAR.” Hembree joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how Petty vs. Pearson made each other, and the sport, better.

Back-to-school season is almost here, and many local students are preparing to return to class without even the most basic supplies—no backpack, notebook, or pencils. While families are doing their best, essential needs like food and housing often take priority. The Salvation Army of North and South Carolina is hosting a Stuff the Bus school supply drive on Friday at the Wake Forest Wal-Mart. Christine Rogers of the Salvation Army joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the need for back-to-school supplies.

There are renewed efforts by state mental health experts to get potentially life-saving resources to those who need them most. According to the N.C. Department of Health and Humas Services, rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts in Black kids are surging across the state, leading them to release a new action plan with hopes of reversing that trend. A new plan called COPE aims to champion suicide prevention efforts in Black kids. Dr. Stephanie Irby Coard is a UNC Greensboro Human Development Professor. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss COPE.

Taking place in Clemmons on September 20th and 21st, Tour to Tanglewood has a route for everyone and brings together cyclists of all levels, all of whom are united by one mission: to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives. This year, their goal is to raise over $730,000 to support research, programming, and advocacy for nearly 1 million people living with multiple sclerosis in the U.S., many of whom are living right here in the Research Triangle. Spokesperson Jay McCloy joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the event.

The Trump administration announced Friday that it will release the remaining portion of nearly $7 billion in federal education funding that had been under review. Last week, $1.3 billion was released for after-school programs, and now the rest of the funds are being made available. The decision ends weeks of uncertainty for schools nationwide. Keith Poston, Executive Director of the WakeEd Partnership, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what this development means for educators and students in North Carolina.

President Trump issued an executive order last week titled “Saving College Sports,” targeting recent changes in how college athletes earn money. Since a 2021 Supreme Court ruling allowed players to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), the college sports landscape has changed dramatically. The order aims to impose new regulations on NIL deals and how athletes are compensated. Former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr joined Jeff Hamlin to break down the potential legal and practical impact of the executive order.