WPTF Afternoon News

Jeff Brooks of Duke Energy

Steve Rao joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss and give commentary on the political news of the day.

Now that his term in Congress has ended, Wiley Nickel is looking back at his legacy and looking ahead at what’s next. The lawmaker acknowledged that he is “carefully evaluating” the opportunity to run for the U.S. Senate and will make a final decision next year. Nickel has been a critic of gerrymandering In North Carolina, a process by which electoral district boundaries are manipulated to favor one party or group over another. Nickel joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his future and his time in Congress.

A lingering arctic cold front potentially means more prolonged exposure of body parts to freezing temperatures in North Carolina. Severe cold can result in bad health outcomes depending on career, pre-existing conditions, age, amount of clothing and lifestyle choices. The medical director of emergency medicine at UNC Rex Hospital said there are reasons your body has to work harder to stay warm. Dr. Ryan Lamb joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss proper precautions during winter weather.

A nurse is recovering after she was attacked and severely injured by a patient at a Moore County Hospital. According to a spokesperson from FirstHealth, a patient assaulted a nurse on Monday in the emergency department at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. The nurse, Crystal Thompson, said the patient attacked her then placed her in a chokehold, slammed her head against the floor and broke her leg. The North Carolina Nurses Association released a statement denouncing the attack. Bonnie Meadows, President-Elect of the North Carolina Nurses Association, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation.

Darryl Robinson, a name etched throughout the App State men's basketball record books, will have his jersey retired by the program on Feb. 22, App State Athletics announced Monday. Robinson's jersey will be the first in App State men's basketball history to be hung from the rafters. The retirement ceremony will take place at halftime of App State's home finale against the Marshall Thundering Herd, the culmination of a season-long celebration of the Mountaineer legend. A 1986 App State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Robinson was a two-time All-SoCon second-team honoree, a first-team All-SoCon selection in 1979 and the 1979 SoCon Tournament MVP. Jeff Hamlin, an Appalachian State graduate, talked with Robinson about his induction to the Appalachian State Hall of Fame and being coached by a young Bobby Crimmins.

Forecasters are predicting that the Triangle could see snow Friday and Saturday . It has been 1075 days since measurable snow in the Triangle. Weather is predicted to begin to deteriorate around the evening commute on Friday, possibly starting as snow as a low-pressure moves northeast toward the Carolinas. With this storm, power outages are possible on Friday and Saturday, depending on ice accumulation, along with travel impacts. Black ice will be a concern on Saturday and Sunday nights. Nick Pietro of the National Weather Service joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential for a rare dose of winter weather in North Carolina.

The Carolinas are bracing for winter weather conditions across our region that will begin Friday. With a wintry blend of snow, ice and freezing rain, The Auto Club Group expects to receive a high number of road service calls for assistance. Since high call volumes are also possible during this time, motorists can also request road assistance by using the free AAA Mobile app or AAAcom. If you must be on the road, check the weather before setting out and change plans accordingly. Tiffany Wright from AAA Carolinas joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how to stay safe in the winter weather.

Durham and North Carolina are remembering an icon and advocate who died Tuesday. Dr. Lavonia Allison who was a longtime civil rights activist passed away at age 94 in Durham. Her son, Vincent Allison, made the announcement on Facebook. Dr. Allison led the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People for 14 years. She retired from the committee in 2011 and remained active in local politics. Former North Carolina State Senator Floyd McKissick and Durham City Councilman Floyd McKissick worked with Dr. Allison. He shared memories about her with Jeff Hamlin.

Eric and Terry Murray, parents of the late PGA TOUR player Grayson Murray, have announced the official launch of the Grayson Murray Foundation in their son’s honor. Murray, who was open about his personal experience with anxiety, depression and addiction, passed away on May 25, 2024 at the age of 30. A native of Raleigh, Murray played college golf at Wake Forest, East Carolina and UNC Greensboro. He earned five professional wins. The mission of the Grayson Murray Foundation is to raise awareness and support of mental health and addiction challenges faced by individuals from all walks of life.

North Carolina’s highest court blocked on Tuesday the certification of a November election result for one of its own seats so it can review legal arguments by a trailing candidate who contends over 60,000 ballots that were cast shouldn’t be counted. The decision by the Republican-dominated state Supreme Court to issue the temporary stay is a setback for Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs. Election results show Riggs ahead of GOP challenger Jefferson Griffin by just 734 votes from over 5.5 million ballots cast. Bryan Anderson, an independent journalist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developments in this ongoing saga.

Facebook and Instagram owner Meta says it’s scrapping its third-party fact-checking program and replacing it with “community notes” written by users similar to the model used by Elon Musk’s social platform X. Starting in the U.S., Meta will end its fact-checking program with independent third parties. The company said it decided to end the program because expert fact checkers had their own biases and too much content ended up being fact checked. The social media company also said plans to allow “more speech” by lifting some restrictions on some topics that are part of mainstream discussion in order to focus on illegal and “high severity violations” like terrorism, child sexual exploitation and drugs. Phil Napoli, Duke University Communications Research Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the change.

The fact that Shamsud-Din Jabbar and Matthew Livelsberger both served in the military shines a light on a growing mental health crisis, according to members of a North Carolina veterans group. Deb Elek served in the Marines. Since then, she started 22 Saves Hockey in Rolesville, named for a sobering statistic--the fact that an estimated 22 veterans are lost to suicide every day. The group works to prevent that by getting them involved in sports like hockey. Elek’s son has dealt with PTSD. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the mental health that veterans need.

It’s peak respiratory illness season in the Triangle, with hospitals facing a surge in COVID-19, RSV, and flu cases. Dr. David Weber reported an increase in both cases and emergency room visits, compounded by Duke University Hospital’s recent flooding, which redirected ambulance patients to UNC Health. Dr. Weber joined Gayle Hurd to discuss how healthcare teams are managing the crisis, including concerns for trauma patients and expanded resources to meet the demand.

Miles Wolff, who brought professional baseball back to Durham in 1980 for just $2,417, forever changed Minor League Baseball and made the Durham Bulls a beloved fixture of the Triangle sports scene. Beyond baseball, Wolff introduced hockey to Raleigh six years before the Carolina Hurricanes arrived and served as Commissioner of the independent American Association. Now set to be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, Wolff joined Jeff Hamlin to reflect on his legacy in sports, the Durham Bulls, and his role in bringing hockey to the region.

The involvement of two North Carolina men in separate terrorist attacks in Las Vegas and New Orleans has raised concerns among local veterans' groups. Holly Doggett, Executive Director of NAMI North Carolina, emphasized that loved ones are often the first to notice behavioral changes in veterans, who may otherwise remain silent. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the rising incidents of radicalization among veterans, as highlighted by a 2022 report showing extremist incidents involving military members have more than doubled since 2010, and the importance of mental health support for those who have served.

North Carolina basketball legend Lennie Rosenbluth is being inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City. Rosenbluth played a pivotal role in leading the Tar Heels to their 1957 National Championship, earning Most Outstanding Player honors after back-to-back triple-overtime victories against Michigan State and Kansas. Adam Lucas, writer for TarHeelBlue.com, joined Jeff Hamlin to reflect on Rosenbluth’s remarkable career, his enduring connection to North Carolina, and his legacy following his passing in Chapel Hill at age 89.

Tom Murry, Court of Appeals Judge & Steve Rao

Steve Rao joined Anthony on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss and give commentary on the political news of the day.

Steve Rao joined Bruce Ferrell on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss and give commentary on the political news of the day including Josh Stein's first act as Governor and what a second Trump term will look like.

The FBI now says that the pickup truck driver responsible for a deadly rampage in New Orleans acted alone. Officials said Wednesday that they were seeking additional potential suspects in an attack being investigated as an act of terrorism. But Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, said Thursday that the evidence now shows that Shamsud-Din Jabbar was solely responsible for the attack and professed allegiance to the Islamic State. Gina Stephens is the owner and publisher of Raleigh Magazine. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia who was in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what she learned about the attack and the atmosphere in the city afterwards.

The holidays are winding down. That means it's time to start worrying about how many extra calories you're ingesting and how to avoid those additional pounds for 2025. Luckily, there are lots of simple things you can do to keep active during the cold winter months to keep those extra pounds at bay. Whether you're in need of a few at-home exercises that you can do without a lot of equipment, or you're looking for something else that can feel like fun but is exercise in disguise. Richard Lykes, a Raleigh fitness instructor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how to get in shape for the new year.

The Raleigh Area Children’s Theater, an award-winning youth theatre program, is merging with Theatre Raleigh, the region's premier professional, nonprofit theatre company renown for showcasing Broadway talent in the Triangle. The merger marks a significant milestone by creating Raleigh’s only youth training program directly affiliated with a professional theater. Founded in 2012 by director Blaire Thompson, Raleigh ACT will gain a permanent home through this partnership and provide its students with access to Theatre Raleigh’s resources, expertise and opportunities to collaborate with industry professionals. Lauren Kennedy Brady, Executive Director of Theatre Raleigh, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the changes.

There are many unique New Year’s Eve celebrations going on across North Carolina. In Vance County, they started a new tradition on Tuesday. Vance County Tourism held a special New Year’s Eve celebration at Kerr Lake’s Satterwhite Point Park to “test the waters” for the inaugural Catfish Drop. The catfish was created by Rougemont artist Christy Stainback who joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about it.

The incoming Trump administration is grappling with the future of H1B visas, which are issued to highly skilled immigrant workers. While tech companies and big businesses back the program, some Trump supporters advocate for stricter immigration limits. North Carolina, particularly the Triangle, is a leading hub for these visas, attracting talent from countries like India and South Asia. Steve Rao of the Morrisville Town Council joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how potential changes could impact the region’s tech industry and economy.

Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao, who worked alongside Jimmy Carter at the Carter Center, reflected on the former president’s remarkable legacy following his passing at age 100. After leaving the White House in 1980, Carter dedicated decades to global humanitarian efforts, including leading a campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease, which afflicted 3.5 million of the world’s poorest people in 1986. Steve Rao joined Jeff Hamlin to share his experiences working with Carter and the impact of his tireless fight against this debilitating disease.

In 1976, Jimmy Carter faced intense media scrutiny as a devout Southern Baptist presidential candidate, which escalated when he candidly discussed sex and sin in Playboy magazine. Decades later, as Carter received hospice care at his south-Georgia home, his interviewer, Robert Scheer, reflected on how Carter's sincerity was overshadowed by the pressures of a contentious campaign. Duke University Political Science Professor Mac McCorkle joined Jeff Hamlin to explore Carter’s political legacy and the lasting impact of his candid approach to faith and leadership.

John Aldrich fondly recalls his 2014 trip to China with former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29 at age 100. As part of the Carter Center’s efforts to support fair elections in the communist nation, Aldrich witnessed Carter’s enduring commitment to democracy. To reflect on Carter’s legacy, including his time in office during an era marked by Watergate, Vietnam, and global tensions, Aldrich joined Jeff Hamlin to share his insights and memories of the 39th president.

Jeff and Steve chat with Raleigh City Council Member Jonathan Melton about the 2024 elections, Raleigh’s downtown projects, Bus Rapid Transit expansion, and plans to support housing, small businesses, and remote work opportunities in 2025.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association released the first draft of the 2025-29 conferences realignment on December 17. For the first time in its history, the NCHSAA will have eight classifications of member schools with the largest class, 8A, having the 32 largest schools in the state by population. The 1A though 7A classes will be evenly divided and have just under 60 schools apiece. The changes led to an end of an era at the State Football Championships last weekend. For the final time, only four state champions were crowned when Tarboro, Greensboro Grimsley, West Charlotte and Monroe all captured state championships. J. Mike Blake, writer for HighSchoolOT.com, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the complications with the changes.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah coincide on December 25, 2024. This unique overlap, known as Chrismukkah, celebrates shared values of light, love and unity as Raleigh's Jewish and Christian communities embrace interfaith traditions. Known as “Chrismukkah,” the fusion of Jewish and Christian holiday tradition dates back to 19th-century Germany, where some Jewish families began adopting Christmas customs in a secular way. Rabbi Mendy Wilschanski joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the unique crossover of the two holidays.

President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, reducing their punishments to life imprisonment. The move comes just weeks before Donald Trump, a vocal advocate for expanding capital punishment, takes office. Gretchen Engel, Executive Director of the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the significance of Biden’s decision and its implications for the future of capital punishment in the U.S.

Wake County and community leaders gathered Saturday night to honor over 40 individuals who lost their lives to homelessness in the past year. During the memorial, a rose, candle, and chair were placed for each of the 46 names read aloud — with one additional name added. Caroline Bond, an organizer of the event, reflected on its significance and joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how this annual tradition, held on the winter solstice, ensures these lives are remembered.

Did you know North Carolina has its own Christmas town, a 200-year-old Moravian bakery serving timeless gingerbread, and the state’s largest living Christmas tree? From festive flotillas on the Atlantic to traditional Appalachian celebrations, the state is rich with unique holiday customs spanning the mountains to the coast. Heather Leah, a historian and creator, joined Jeff Hamlin to share her insights into some of North Carolina’s most beloved holiday traditions.

The Durham Rescue Mission hosted its 47th annual Christmas community dinner and toy giveaway on Monday, spreading holiday cheer to families in need. Each child received three toys, while adults had the chance to win grand prizes like Smart TVs, Nintendo Switches, Chromebooks, and bicycles. Reverend Rob Tart, President of the Durham Rescue Mission, joined Jeff Hamlin to share more about this year’s festivities, which also included carnival games, bounce houses, and distributions of clothing and groceries.

Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao and NC Secretary of Technology Jim Weaver explore generative AI, cybersecurity advancements, and efforts to bridge the digital divide in North Carolina. Highlights include AI’s role in government, workforce training, broadband expansion, and Secretary Weaver’s reflections on his impactful tenure. Dive into the future of innovation in this thought-provoking discussion.

Morrisville Town Councilman and political commentator Steve Rao joins Anthony DeHart to break down key national political developments, including the potential government shutdown and what Trump 2.0 could mean for the economy, foreign policy, and everyday Americans. Rao also reflects on global shifts in leadership, the rise of populism, and the future of both major political parties. On a lighter note, he shares updates on Morrisville’s menorah lighting, festive holiday events, and exciting local developments.

Anthony DeHart hosts Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao to discuss Infosys’ failure to meet job creation targets in Wake County, the future of economic incentives, and how North Carolina can support startups and entrepreneurs.

What will the legacy of Governor Roy Cooper be as he prepares to leave office? Cooper dealt with House Bill 2 during the early days of his first term as governor. As he was running for re-election, he led North Carolina through the dark days of the pandemic, where Dr. Mandy Cohen rose from a statewide spokesperson to a national figure. After he won re-election, Cooper became a prominent figure in the Democratic party. He was even considered as a running mate for Kamala Harris on the Democratic party last summer. So what is his future? Brad Crone, a longtime political analyst and consultant, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what could be in Cooper’s future.

The holidays are here and that means decking the halls and branches of a North Carolina Fraser Fir. North Carolina is second in the nation in Christmas tree production, and that beautiful, Fraser Fir grows best in the southern Appalachian mountains. So what happens as our changing climate changes the climate in which our trees can thrive? Justin Whitehill is the Director of the Christmas Tree Genetic Program at N.C. State. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss a program that aims to help North Carolina Christmas trees for decades to come.

The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence recently issued its latest report card for gun safety law and gave North Carolina a C-minus. The report notes there was some progress. The Center is pushing for what's often known as a Red Flag Law to temporarily restrict someone's access to firearms, as well as investments in community intervention programs. Erin Earp, a Senior Policy Attorney at Giffords Law Center, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss North Carolina’s standing in regards to gun violence.

Governor Roy Cooper delivered his final speech as Governor in his home of Nash County Wednesday morning. Cooper first became governor in 2016 and is finishing his second term in office before Governor-elect Josh Stein takes over in January. In his address, Cooper recalled that he first took office during a time of strife in the state. He said he wanted to restore the people's faith in the government. Cooper has said his final months in office would be dedicated to Hurricane Helene relief for western North Carolina. Longtime North Carolina political analyst Tom Campbell discussed Cooper’s legacy with Jeff Hamlin.

It was a case that divided the Triangle area in 2006 I’m talking about the Duke Lacrosse case when a young exotic dancer said and college student a student alleged that she had been raped at the Durham residence of two of the team's captains, in March of 2006. Investigation and resolution of the case sparked public discussion of racism, sexual violence, media bias, and due process on campuses. The former lead prosecutor, Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, ultimately resigned in disgrace, and was disbarred and briefly imprisoned for violating ethics standards. The Attorney General at that time Roy Cooper declared the three players innocent. Recently , Mangum admitted to fabricating the assault. Author, radio talk show host and filmmaker Ed Clark joined Jon Champion on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about the case.

Jon Champion interviews Phillip Gibson, NC Radon Coordinator, to discuss radon, a radioactive gas that poses a significant lung cancer risk when concentrated in homes and buildings. They cover recent data revealing high radon levels in 77 NC counties, the importance of testing air and water for radon, and how North Carolinians can access free or affordable test kits during Radon Action Month in January.

Jeff Hamlin speaks with Steve Rao live from Nairobi, Kenya, where he reflects on his visit, the energy of Kenya’s Independence Day, and what North Carolina can learn from Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit and opportunities.

Jon Champion interviews Shelvia Dancy, a former reporter and current Professor of Digital Journalism and Media Law at UNC's Hussman School of Journalism. They discuss the challenges of covering the Duke Lacrosse case, the national media frenzy, and the ethical responsibilities of journalists in the digital age. Shelvia shares her reflections on Crystal Mangum’s recent apology and lessons learned from the case about forming opinions and respecting due process.

Jon Champion interviews Katarina DePasquale, host of Let's Talk with Kat, who recently secured an exclusive interview with Crystal Mangum. Mangum, known for falsely accusing Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006, confessed to lying about the allegations and issued a public apology through the podcast. DePasquale discusses the context of the interview, public reaction, and the importance of looking beyond media soundbites to understand the full story.

For the 10th year in a row, Durham teacher Turquoise LeJeune Parker is helping students who experience food insecurity. A nonprofit she founded, Mrs. Parker’s Professors Foodraiser, has packed over 4,800 bags of donated food, providing thousands of students with food over winter break. This biannual event happens during the spring and winter breaks for students. Parker joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the fundraiser.

‘Tis the season to travel, and AAA estimates 3.3 million North Carolinians will journey 50 miles or more away from home from December 23 to January 2. That’s an increase of 134,000 people over last year and a new record-high for the year-end holiday travel period in North Carolina since the pandemic. National travel figures are also stronger than 2021, yet slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels. An estimated 112.7 million Americans are forecast to travel during the year-end holidays. That’s an increase of 3.6 million people compared to last year and the third busiest since AAA began tracking in 2000. Tiffany Wright of AAA Carolinas discussed the holiday travel rush with Jeff Hamlin.

North Carolina Central University announced a $1 million grant from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research (IAIER). The Institute will serve as a first-of-its kind program for a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the nation. To celebrate Wednesday’s NCCU hosted an event on its campus, bringing together representatives from other grant recipients along with university and Google leaders, local elected officials and students. The support from Google.org for NCCU’s program is designed to enhance research and educational opportunities and position students and the state as leaders in AI innovation and equity, and workforce development. Dr. Siobahn Grady, an assistant professor at North Carolina Central, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the grant.