WPTF Afternoon News

Former Governor Roy Cooper has officially launched his campaign for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat, announcing his bid on X. Undefeated in statewide elections, Cooper is seen as the early Democratic frontrunner. Fellow Democrat Wiley Nickel is expected to suspend his campaign and endorse Cooper later this week. Catawba College Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what Cooper’s Senate run could mean for the race ahead.

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper will soon launch his Senate campaign. That is according to Axios and The New York Times among other sources. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley will run for Senate in North Carolina and will have the blessing of President Donald Trump after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, opted not to seek the seat. David McLennan, Meredith College Political Science Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential Senate race.

Hulk Hogan, who headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias and led to World Wrestling Entertainment expanding nationally, has died. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest drawing attraction in pro wrestling history. He won six WWE Championships. After leaving WWE in 1993, Hogan joined Atlanta-based World Championship Wrestling, which became the biggest company in the world for several years while he was headlining. Hulk Hogan was 71. Bruce Michell, a longtime pro wrestling journalist based out of Greensboro, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the unforgettable life of Hulk Hogan.

The North Carolina Museum of Art will present an exhibition called “The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt” starting on September 20. Featuring more than 120 objects from collections across the world, this exhibition showcases the titular biblical story’s impact on the visual and popular culture of 17th-century Holland through paintings, prints, drawings, decorative art and ceremonial objects, transforming Queen Esther into a new heroine for a new century. The curator of the exhibit, Michelle Frederick, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the exhibit.

U.S. traffic fatalities fell in 2024 for the third straight year, four years after traffic fatalities surged in 2020 and 2021 as the nation grappled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the modest decrease in traffic fatalities over the past three years, traffic fatalities in 2024 remained significantly higher than a decade ago. Carolyn Bonifas Kelly, a spokesperson for national transportation research nonprofit TRIP, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the traffic fatality numbers for North Carolina.

It’s been one of the most humid summers in central North Carolina history. Exactly two months from Tuesday, fall will officially begin. ExploreFall is a website created by Evan Fisher. It aims to forecast fall foliage, while also pointing readers to resources for fall getaways. ExploreFall has released its first outlook for the peak fall colors. Fisher joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what to expect in September.

There's a new effort -- on wheels -- to get potentially life-saving care to people battling addiction. Dr. Eric Morse, the founder of Morse Clinics, which provides opioid addiction treatment and medication across the Triangle, has recently launched a mobile clinic aimed at improving access to those services, with a second mobile clinic in the works. People who have dealt with the throes of addiction call the new mobile service potentially life-changing.

The City of Raleigh is a hot spot for recent college graduates, according to a new study. Payroll company, ADP, looked at the wages of about 140,000 in their 20s in cities across the country and how long it takes them to land new jobs. Raleigh ranked number one for the second year in a row. Kyle Touchstone, Director at Raleigh Economic Development, discussed why Raleigh is so attractive to new graduates with Jeff Hamlin.

Through a suite of statewide workforce programs, the North Carolina Community College System is helping industry leaders like Wolfspeed, JetZero and Toyota meet aggressive hiring goals while fueling transformative regional growth. With 58 colleges serving all 100 counties, NCCCS is the state’s largest and most agile workforce development network. John Loyack, the Vice President of Economic Development with the North Carolina Community College System, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how community colleges continue to aid the state’s workforce.

The cancellation of the Last Show with Stephen Colbert continues a shifting tide away from network television. Revenue across networks has dried up and Generation Y moves towards streaming and podcasts for their entertainment. Is Colbert’s departure the beginning of the end for late night television as a whole? UNC Journalism professor Charlie Tuggle joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the future of a medium once dominated by Johnny Carson, David Letterman and Jay Leno.

Dacia Toll, Co-CEO of CourseMojo, talks with Jon Champion about AI in education, some common misconceptions, and how it all works.

GalaxyCon, the four-day celebration of pop culture, is back in Raleigh this weekend at the Raleigh Convention Center. Running Thursday through Sunday, the event draws thousands of fans and brings an estimated $9 million economic boost to the city each year. New this time is Street Fest, a free outdoor addition happening Saturday and Sunday on Fayetteville Street, featuring live music, cosplay wrestling, and local food trucks. Justin Burkhardt, one of the organizers, joined Jeff Hamlin to preview what fans can expect at this year’s GalaxyCon.

Brianna Kennedy, a former educator with seven years of classroom experience, understands the challenges teachers face—especially when it comes to affording basic classroom supplies. She recalls how her own community, including her church, rallied around her to help prepare for each school year. A recent survey by Coupon Birds highlights the ongoing issue: 93% of teachers spend their own money on classroom materials like pencils, paper, and even lab supplies. That’s where Crayons to Calculators comes in. Kennedy joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about how the program is working to ease that burden by providing essential resources for teachers and students alike.

The entertainment world is still buzzing after CBS announced it will cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert next May—bringing an end not just to Colbert’s run, but to the entire Late Show franchise, which began in 1993. Despite Colbert consistently leading late-night ratings, CBS cited financial pressures as the key reason for the decision. The surprise move has sparked broader questions about the future of late-night television in the age of streaming and changing viewer habits.Phil Napoli, professor at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what the cancellation might mean for the genre’s future.

The Triangle’s housing boom is drawing national attention. A new ranking from Construction Coverage places the Raleigh-Cary area at the top among large metro regions for new home construction. Despite recent layoffs in some industries, Raleigh real estate broker John Wood says the job market remains strong — a key driver behind the surge in building. Wood joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about what’s fueling the growth and where the market is headed.

In the aftermath of Tropical Depression Chantal, the Diaper Bank of North Carolina is ramping up relief efforts to support families hit hardest by the storm. Based in Hillsborough, the nonprofit has already distributed over 126,000 diapers and hygiene products to families in need. But with demand still rising, they’re calling on more volunteers to help keep up. Michelle Schaefer, CEO of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about their emergency response efforts and how the community can lend a hand.

Duke Health has pioneered a world’s-first technique that could expand by up to 20% the donor pool for pediatric heart transplants in the U.S. -- offering new hope to families on the waitlist. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study about overcoming barriers to heart donation after circulatory death in infants. Dr. Joseph Turek, the Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Duke Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new technique.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating strides made during the last three years with the 988 suicide hotline, and a spokesperson said more resources are being added so people can get instant care at any time of the day. Data showed that between June 2024 and May of this year, more than 11,000 calls, texts, or chats were placed every month. Kelly Crosbie, the Division Director of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities for the Department of Health and Human Services, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the future of the hotline.

Governor Josh Stein has declared a State of Emergency for areas impacted by Tropical Depression Chantal. That covers 13 counties, including Chatham, Orange, Durham, Moore, Lee, Person and Wake Counties. It comes as businesses in Chapel Hill are uniting to help others. Organizer Sheryl Waddell says they were contacted by other business owners in the area. Waddell described the service they’re providing to Jeff Hamlin.

A Rougemont man and his wife were forced to evacuate their home on the night of Tropical Storm Chantal last week. Paul Wilkerson’s home came off its foundation, but he is still alive after briefly being trapped inside his vehicle from the building water. Wilkerson had to use a gun just to escape his car and swim his way to higher ground. Wilkerson described how he and his wife were able to survive to Jeff Hamlin.

President Donald Trump’s strategy has been to downplay the uproar over the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case as his supporters demand the Justice Department release much-hyped records in the investigation. Trump claimed Tuesday without citing evidence there are credibility issues with the unreleased documents. Speaking to reporters, he also called the case “pretty boring” and said he didn't understand the fascination with it. Trump's problem is the nothing-to-see-here approach doesn’t work for those who've learned from him they must not give up until the government’s secrets are exposed. Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the fallout from the Epstein case.

More job cuts are coming to Research Triangle Park. Lenovo officials have confirmed they are laying off 3% of its U.S. workforce, including an unspecified number of employees at its campus in Morrisville. Also this week, the National Institutes of Health confirmed that RTP employees are part of their latest round of layoffs. Economists say the Lenovo layoffs are not indicative of a larger issue at RTP. Gerald Cohen of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what the layoffs mean for the overall job market.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released water from the dam at Jordan Lake to prevent flooding. All the rain that's fallen since Tropical Depression Chantal pushed the water level at Jordan Lake to nearly 14 feet above full pool. The water has piled up so quickly, the Corps of Engineers is released the equivalent of eight Olympic-sized swimming pools every minute. Elaine Wittry of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the process of reducing water at Jordan Lake.

The Kinston Police Department is facing tough questions this week, after a video surfaced showing a Kinston police officer punching an 18-year-old multiple times, while holding that teen on the ground, even after the teen says he blacked out. The incident escalated when the 18-year-old, Cameron Williams, says he walked over to the responding officer to ask who police were looking for. Longtime Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison has looked at the video and discussed his feeling about it with Jeff Hamlin.

The Liberation Station bookstore in Raleigh lives again. Owner Victoria Scott-Miller has announced the store will reopen in 2026. The new Liberation Station will resident at Montague Plaza, a 15,000 square foot space in southeast Raleigh dedicated to housing Black-owned businesses. It’s been a long process to get the store back open. Scott-Miller joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Liberation Station.

Another legal blow for St. Augustine's University in Raleigh in its fight to keep its accreditation. On Monday, an arbitration panel upheld the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools decision to remove the university from its leadership. The ruling leaves St. Augustine's accreditation up in the air after persistent financial trouble. Steven Williams, a St. Augustine's graduate says university leaders haven't done enough to help the school. Williams joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his concerns.

As stormwater runoff worsens and butterflies disappear, cities across the U.S. are rethinking how they manage their landscapes. A new study by Lawn Love finds that North Carolina cities rank among the best cities for rain gardens. The rankings looked at average monthly precipitation, supply access, public interest, and groundwater pollution. Kimberly Magerl, Social Studies Editor for Lawn Love, discussed the findings with Jeff Hamlin.

Last week the state saw a high volume of water displaced from Chantal. With more rain on the way this week, clean up may become more challenging and there could be an increase in certain pests. Michael Doyle, state epidemiologist, says the summer is peak season for tick- and mosquito-bone diseases. Doyle joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how summertime can bring threats from small insects

Inflation rose last month to its highest level since February as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs push up the cost of a range of goods, including furniture, clothing, and large appliances. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. Worsening inflation poses a political challenge for Trump, who promised during last year’s presidential campaign to immediately lower costs only to engage in a whipsawed frenzy of tariffs. Mike Walden, N.C. State Economics Professor Emeritus, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest numbers.

David Gergen, a veteran political adviser who served four U.S. presidents and became a respected voice in media and academia, has died at age 83. Gergen held key roles in the administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton—serving as a speechwriter, communications director, and counselor to the president over a career that spanned decades.Duke University Political Science Professor Mac McCorkle, who spoke with Gergen during his time in public service, joined Jeff Hamlin to reflect on Gergen’s impact and legacy in American politics.

A Raleigh-based technology company is teaming up with Wake Technical Community College and the Durham Bulls to spotlight tech career opportunities for students and recent graduates. RapidScale, a managed cloud services provider, has announced a fully endowed scholarship as part of a $60,000 investment aimed at boosting workforce development and innovation in the Triangle.Cindy Luttrell, Dean of Information Technology at Wake Tech, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the partnership will help prepare students for careers in the tech industry.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson and State Superintendent Mo Green have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over major cuts to education funding in North Carolina. More than $180 million in federal support—targeting teacher training and other essential programs—has been withheld, impacting nearly every public and charter school system in the state. Green warns the move could cost over 1,000 educators their jobs.Keith Poston, Chairman of the WakeEd Partnership, joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about the potential fallout from the funding freeze and what the lawsuit hopes to achieve.

Governor Josh Stein has vetoed House Bill 805, a measure that would have legally defined North Carolina as recognizing only two sexes—male and female—while rejecting gender identity as a legal or biological equivalent. The bill also sought to limit where transgender students could sleep during overnight school trips and restrict state funding for gender-affirming care. In his veto message, Stein called the bill discriminatory and harmful to vulnerable youth.Joseph Backholm, Government Affairs Advisor for the NC Values Coalition, joined Jeff Hamlin to share his thoughts on the governor’s decision and the future of the legislation.

Chantal’s heavy rainfall in parts of North Carolina over the past weekend flooded roads and damaged property, including cars. It’s leaving some car owners asking what’s next. Tiffany Wright, with AAA Carolinas, said if your car was impacted by flooding during Chantal, the first thing owners need to do is to contact their insurance company. Wright joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the steps you need to take if your vehicle has been impacted by Chantal.

In under a day, parts of central North Carolina were inundated with record-breaking rain. Nearly 9 inches fell in Chapel Hill, and some areas of Chatham County saw close to 1 foot of water. Streets turned to rivers, cars were submerged and emergency crews rescued more than 200 people from rising floodwaters. Helena Garcia is a Ph.D candidate at UNC Chapel Hill who has studied the growing tendency of intense rainfall across North Carolina. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the circumstances that led to Chantal.

Apex will be the new home to the state’s first standalone children’s hospital, thanks to an UNC-Duke partnership. UNC Health and Duke Health are teaming up to build North Carolina Children's Health, located at the intersection of US-1 and Interstate 540 in Apex. The campus will be built on 230 acres and will feature a 500-bed children's hospital, outpatient care center, and over 100 behavioral health beds. When completed, NC Children's will bring nearly 8,000 jobs to Wake County. Dr. Wesley Burks, the CEO of UNC Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new endeavor.

The heat is adding a strain to recovery efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Depression Chantal. Communities across Durham, Orange and Alamance Counties remain in cleanup mode. The storm dumped ten inches of rain in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, nine inches in Mebane and eight inches in Durham. Janet Johnson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross-Greater Triangle Area Chapter, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss tips in trying to clean up from the flooding left behind by Chantal.

The City of Mebane has issued a Code Red water shortage caused by Tropical Depression Chantal. According to the city, the Graham/Mebane Water Treatment Plant is still being repaired due to the tropical storm and the city could run out of water in the coming days. The City of Mebane is asking residents to limit their working use...with the exception of grocery stores, health care facilities and pharmacies. Ed Hooks, the mayor of Mebane, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest.

While working toward a PhD at Duke University, Isaac Villegas published a new book, “Migrant God,” which he described as a look at how the Christian faith is lived out through migrant solidarity. As the son of two immigrant parents from Colombia and Costa Rica who met in Los Angeles, the topic of immigration is a familiar one. Villegas discussed the events surrounding ICE agents across the U.S. and his new book with Jeff Hamlin.

The 2026 race for the U.S. Senate is wide open after the announcement that Thom Tillis will not seek re-election. A Democrat hasn’t captured a North Carolina U.S. Senate seat since 2008, when Kay Hagan defeated Elizabeth Dole. On Tuesday, state Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced he’ll support former Governor Roy Cooper, even though Cooper has yet to enter the race. Former Congressman Wiley Nickel has officially declared his candidacy. Catawba College Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest on the Senate race.

Thousands of people who switched careers to become North Carolina public school teachers are leaving their roles within three years, new data shows, the latest indicator of the hiring challenges plaguing school districts across the state. Temporarily licensed teachers — largely people who enter the profession from another field are the fastest-growing teacher population in the state — make up 10% of North Carolina’s teacher workforce, up from 2.6% a decade ago. But many of them are leaving. Alison Winzeler is the Director of Pathways to Practice. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the drop-off in would-be teachers.

The cleanup continues at Eastgate Shopping Center in Chapel Hill after flooding left behind by Tropical Depression Chantal. It's the start of a long process for several businesses to get back up and running that could take weeks. Mary Stowe had several feet of water inside her store, Yarn, Etc. She says the financial impact is devastating. Stowe joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how she’s planning to rebuild.

In under a day, parts of central North Carolina were inundated with record-breaking rain. Nearly 9 inches fell in Chapel Hill, and some areas of Chatham County saw close to 1 foot of water. Streets turned to rivers, cars were submerged and emergency crews rescued more than 200 people from rising floodwaters. According to hydrologists, the rainfall met the threshold for a 1,000-year flood. Dr. Kristina Dahl, a meteorologist with Climate Control, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s causing the intense rainfall.

For Martin General Hospital in Williamston, North Carolina’s decision to expand Medicaid came just too late. The emergency room abruptly closed its doors in the eastern North Carolina county that's home to more than 20,000 people in August 2023. The closest hospital is now about a 30-minute drive away. One realtor and longtime resident of Washington, North Carolina says the recent passage of President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill will keep Martin General from ever opening again. Paul Roberson, Broker in Charge of Riverside Realty Group, joined Jeff Hamlin.

Tropical Storm Chantal continues to leave a trail of destruction across North Carolina, with 120 roads still closed due to severe flooding and storm damage. In Chatham County, Gilmore Road was washed out entirely, prompting emergency crews to block off the hazardous area. Meanwhile, in Chapel Hill, the Eastgate Shopping Center remains a scene of devastation—mud covering the lot, vehicles pushed together by floodwaters, and at least seven businesses reporting major structural damage.Kim Deaner with the North Carolina Department of Transportation joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about the ongoing recovery and what it will take to get roads reopened.

Flash flooding overwhelmed parts of Chapel Hill on Sunday night, catching many by surprise and leaving significant damage in its wake. Two women found themselves wading through waist-deep water after leaving a movie theater, only to discover their cars were likely totaled. Businesses in the Eastgate Crossing shopping center also suffered severe water damage, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm.Chapel Hill Mayor Jessica Anderson joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about the city’s emergency response and what comes next in the recovery process.

On a scorching day with heat index values soaring past 100 degrees, thousands of North Carolinians found themselves without power in the wake of Tropical Storm Chantal. The storm left a trail of outages across Alamance, Chatham, Orange, Person, and Durham Counties. By Monday afternoon, more than 20,000 outages had been reported statewide, with Orange, Alamance, and Chatham counties among the hardest hit.Jeff Brooks, a spokesman for Duke Energy, was in Alamance County surveying the damage. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the storm’s impact on power infrastructure and what’s being done to restore electricity.

Tropical Storm Chantal tore through central North Carolina, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Alamance, Orange, Chatham, Durham, and Person Counties were all hit hard, with major flooding forcing the shutdown of Interstate 85/40 in Mebane and triggering voluntary evacuations near Lake Michael Dam. As residents begin to assess the damage, uncertainty still surrounds the full impact on homes and infrastructure.Mebane Mayor Ed Hooks joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about the storm's aftermath and how his community is responding

A new study published in Nature reveals that misleading narratives often spread not just through unreliable sources, but also through articles from reputable news outlets -- especially when those articles are shared by users who also post “fake” news. The findings suggest that users may be selectively sharing mainstream news stories to lend credibility and reach to misleading claims circulating on social media. Jon Green, a Duke University Assistant Professor of Political Science, discussed the findings with Jeff Hamlin.

As North Carolina enters the heart of the summer vacation period, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Insurance to underscore critical safety measures focusing on holiday travel safety and the dangers of vehicular heatstroke. Mark Ezell, Director of the Greater Highway Safety Program, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the steps his department is recommending to stay safe this summer.