WPTF Afternoon News

The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees could hold an emergency meeting Wednesday, where the board is expected to discuss a contract for a new football coach, according to multiple news outlets, including two Raleigh area television stations. The school has offered legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick the job Board approval of a contract is a necessary step in the school's process of hiring a new football coach. Brett Friedlander, a columnist with Saturdaydownsouth.com, isn’t as enthusiastic about the move as some. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why.

North Carolina is working to trying to close a deal with Bill Belichick to make the six-time Super Bowl champion the Tar Heels' coach. There are still come details to iron out. Sources added that the "ball is in Belichick's court" and that North Carolina officials are onboard with him becoming the coach. A resolution is expected in the near future. Dave Glenn is with the North Carolina Sports Network who has followed the coaching search from the very beginning. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest.

‘Twas days and nights before Christmas and this Holiday Season, the Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina is rallying the community to bring joy to 1,000 foster children through the non-profit’s Holiday Hope Toy Drive. With more than 11,000 children in foster care throughout the state, this initiative aims to give every child a magical experience during the holidays, regardless of their circumstances, particularly out west for foster families who survived September’s Hurricane Helene and are still struggling without their homes and resources. Gaile Osborne, the Executive Director of the Foster Family Alliance, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their toy drive.

A young entrepreneur plans to give back to the community this holiday season. Reggie Sanders operates Lil’ Reggie’s Cookies. He opened it when he was a teenager. As his business flourishes, he remains grounded in the values of giving back that his parents instilled in him. So, the 18-year-old entrepreneur is working with a social media influencer, his parents, and others to host a toy drive and give more to those in need this season. Sanders joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his toy drive and the latest with his business.

The NCAA on Monday named Cary as the host site for future men’s and women’s College Cups through 2028. It also named the USA Baseball training complex as the host site for the Division II World Series, an event Cary has hosted in all but one year since 2009, making it the Omaha of Division II baseball. That agreement runs through 2038. In October, the NCAA awarded both the men’s and women’s College Cups to Cary in 2026 and 2027. Monday’s new agreement only extends that by a year, with WakeMed hosting one or both in 2028, but with the intention to extend that through 2038 as well. Scott DuPree, Executive Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the extension of the agreement.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges voted Tuesday to remove St. Augustine’s University from membership, which would cause the school to lose accreditation. The vote is not a final action. SAU will appeal the decision. SACSCOC did find that SAU resolved all previous issues that placed them on probation, except those related to finances. Since the university is appealing the decision, it will remain accredited until the final decision of the appeals committee. SAU's December 2024 and May 2025 graduates will receive accredited degrees. Ben Johnson is with Save St. Augustine’s University. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Association’s vote.

The potential downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad could pose both risks and opportunities for Israel. Israel is concerned that ongoing unrest in Syria might spill into its own territory, but it also sees the end of Assad’s regime as a chance to disrupt Iran’s weapons smuggling routes to Hezbollah. Abdallh Khadra, a Syrian native who celebrated recent developments in Moore Square in Raleigh, joined Jeff Hamlin to share his personal connection to these events.

While Syria’s prime minister claims most cabinet ministers remain in their positions after rebels ousted President Bashar Assad, many state workers have not returned to their jobs, and the public sector has largely ground to a standstill, according to a U.N. official. Meanwhile, streams of refugees are crossing back into Syria, seeking a peaceful future and hoping to reconnect with friends and relatives who disappeared during Assad’s reign. To analyze the impact of the end of the Assad regime, Jeff Hamlin spoke with Bruce Jentleson, a political science professor at Duke University.

A Manhattan jury has acquitted Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran who put an agitated subway rider in a chokehold, of criminally negligent homicide. The case, which stemmed from Jordan Neely’s death in May 2023, sparked a nationwide debate about public safety, vigilantism, and the role of everyday heroes. To explore the implications of this verdict, Jeff Hamlin spoke with Lee Turner, a former police officer turned defense attorney.

Bill Belichick, the former New England Patriots coach and six-time Super Bowl champion, revealed on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show that he's had "a couple of good conversations" with North Carolina Chancellor Lee Roberts about the Tar Heels’ head-coaching position. Belichick, who left the Patriots 11 months ago, mentioned he's been seriously considering a move to college coaching and gaining new insights along the way. To break down Belichick’s potential interest in UNC, Andrew Jones of TarHeelIllustrated.com joined Jeff Hamlin.

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 the impact that the cold can have on your body.

Diced, a locally-owned, woman-owned restaurant specializing in fresh, made-to-order salads, wraps and grain bowls, is excited to announce they will expand to Holly Springs in the spring of 2025. This will be the fifth location of Diced, which started in Cary in 2015. The 3,050-square-foot restaurant will be the restaurant group's first standalone location and will have seating for more than 30 inside plus additional seating outside. This fall, Diced opened its fourth location, expanding to downtown Raleigh at 121 Fayetteville St., Suite 108. Brandon Christy, Diced Vice President joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new location.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE… is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” . Created especially for families, ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE… features thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters - and a soundtrack including holiday classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil. Its starts tonight at the DPAC and runs through December 15th . Gayle Hurd spoke with the show's Senior Artistic Director , James Hadley, about how Cirque du Soleil "bends over backwards" to bring the holiday spirit to Durham..

The North Carolina Opera will present the Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater on December 13th, 14th and 15th. This gripping play with music sheds light on the incredible life of Mary Cardwell Dawson, a North Carolina-born trailblazer who defied barriers and broke new ground in the world of opera. As the founder of the National Negro Opera Company, Dawson’s vision and determination opened doors for countless African American artists and audiences, forever changing the landscape of American opera. Denyce Graves is in the starring role of Dawson and discussed how vital of an influence she was with Jeff Hamlin.

The Governor Morehead School’s women’s goalball team will represent North Carolina in the prestigious U.S. Youth National Goalball Tournament. Hosted in St. Augustine, Florida, the event will take place from Friday, December 6, 2024, to Sunday, December 8, 2024, bringing together the best youth Goalball teams from across the country. Goalball, a Paralympic sport designed for athletes with visual impairments, combines strategy, precision and teamwork. Shawn Whitney, the athletic director at the Governor Morehead School, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the team.

Some big changes are coming to law enforcement across the state, as House Bill 10 goes into effect this week. The new law means sheriffs in all 100 counties in North Carolina will have to cooperate with federal immigration authorities for people arrested for serious crimes. The law passed after the GOP-led General Assembly overrode the veto from Governor Roy Cooper. The new law means anyone arrested for certain crimes -- felonies like homicides, sex charges, and assault down to some misdemeanors like child abuse -- will have to verify their citizenship status with ICE and be held for 48 hours if they get an ICE detainer request. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead discussed how he’s conforming to the new law with Jeff Hamlin.

Hydroponic farming is making a splash in the agriculture world, especially in urban areas. Agriculture is the top industry in North Carolina, and a growing sector of it is hydroponics: farming without soil or sunlight. Instead, it relies on a water-based nutrient solution. Trevor Spear took up hydroponic farming as a hobby in retirement, and soon found an unexpected passion. Nanue’s Farm is a closed-loop system with nutrient-fed water running every 18 minutes for three-minute periods. Spear joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the advantages of hydroponic farming.

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site will reopen to the public on Tuesday, December 10, more than two months after the site was forced to close in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. A 120-year-old silver maple tree fell against the “Old Kentucky Home” during the storm, causing minor damage to the structure and cracking plaster inside the house. Once the tree was removed from the historic home, officials with State Historic Sites assessed the damage and made repairs. The house is now safe for visitors and has been cleared to reopen for tours. Kayla Seay, the Site Manager for the Wolfe Memorial, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the process of getting the site reopened.

The December deep freeze continues and its wreaking havoc across on heating systems across many Wake County schools. On Tuesday, students at seven different schools lost valuable instruction time because HVAC systems weren't properly working. The Wake County chapter of the North Carolina Association of Educators says it is planning to ask county commissioners for additional funding for HVAC maintenance and operations. District officials say they are dealing with staffing issues to help them address those necessary repairs. Christina Cole, the President of the Wake County chapter of the North Carolina Association of Educators, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what she’s hearing about the problems.

The North Carolina Museum of Arts’ Samurai: Making of a Warrior exhibit blends art, culture and religion. With artifacts sourced largely from the Triangle, the exhibit explores the samurai world. Caroline Rocheleau, NCMA director of research and curator of the exhibition says it is “quite special.” From storytelling to armor and combat weapons, it fully embodies the art and tradition of the samurai. Rocheleau joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the exhibit that’s now on display.

Billionaire Marc Lasry is no longer pursuing an acquisition of the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League. Lasry had previously offered to buy the team from Steve Malik at a roughly $108 million valuation. The two sides and the league, however, couldn’t agree on a deal structure that worked for everyone. The news comes at a time of struggles for the Courage both on and off the field. They finished last in attendance in the NWSL this season. The Courage haven’t won a game in the NWSL Cup playoffs in five years. Lauren Ohnesorge, a writer for the Triangle Business Journal, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest news with the Courage.

When it gets cold enough, officials declare a "White Flag Night," meaning emergency shelters open their doors to anyone who needs a warm place to sleep. Barriers that normally exist, like rules about pets or genders staying together, are dropped to make sure no one is left out in the cold. Pastor Vance Haywood, Senior Pastor for St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church, sees the issue of homelessness first-hand in the community and said one of the biggest challenges is the stigma others place around those experiencing it. Pastor Haywood joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how people are dealing with the cold weather.

As we head into the holiday season, many kids dream of a puppy beneath the tree, but local rescues want to remind people that a commitment to a pet lasts long beyond Christmas morning, and there are some things to keep in mind if you’re considering adoption. Animal shelters across central North Carolina are overwhelmed. There are hundreds of dogs without a home for the holidays. Local rescues are in similar situations. Nicole Kincaid is the founder of Perfectly Imperfect Pups in Wake County and says adopting a pet is a decision that should be made carefully. Kincaid joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss adopting a pet for the holidays.

The Salvation Army of Wake County has launched its annual Angel Tree warehouse activities, where volunteers will receive and sort gifts for children in need. This year, over 7,000 children, or "angels," are registered for the program, which fulfills Christmas wish lists for boys and girls under 13. Major Chuck Whiten of the Salvation Army of North Carolina joined Jeff Hamlin to share how the Angel Tree program helps families bring joy to their children during the holiday season.

The North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention has unveiled its first-ever three-year plan to address crime across the state. This initiative follows a national survey showing a decline in violent crime but highlighting an increase in homicides in Raleigh and Mecklenburg County. Acting Director Siarra Scott calls the plan a roadmap for combating crime and joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss its goals and implementation.

Appalachian State has parted ways with head football coach Shawn Clark following a loss to Georgia Southern that ended their bowl eligibility for the second time in three years. Clark, who led the Mountaineers to a Sun Belt East Division title in 2021, struggled this season as the team fell short of expectations, finishing 5-6 after being picked to win the division. Appalachian State alumnus and program analyst Thomas Sherrill joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Clark’s tenure and what lies ahead for the Mountaineers.

The Wake County Animal Center is grappling with the holiday season adding strain, and the center is kicking off the Home for the Holidays event. Megan Frost, the center’s community outreach manager, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the details, purpose, and importance of the event to the shelter this holiday season.

Host Anthony DeHart speaks with Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, about why video games are topping kids’ wish lists this holiday season. Pierre-Louis shares insights from the ESA’s recent survey on gaming trends, offers advice for parents on choosing age-appropriate games, and highlights tools like ESRB ratings and parental controls to foster safe and responsible gameplay. He emphasizes how video games can bring families together and discusses the evolving role of gaming in creating meaningful connections during the holidays.

Durham Rescue Mission CEO Rob Tart joins Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about the 50th Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. The event provides free meals, groceries, and activities for the homeless and needy in the Triangle.

Willie Parker, former UNC and Pittsburgh Steelers running back, joins Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about coaching the Oak Grove Pirates youth football team. After winning the state championship, the team faces the challenge of funding their trip to the AYF National Football Championship in Naples, Florida.

Bianca Howard, Outreach and Marketing Supervisor for Wake County Government, joins Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Feed the Bin. This program engages public and charter school students in recycling efforts, collecting paper, plastic bottles, and metal cans. With 203 schools participating during the 2023-2024 school year, Feed the Bin continues to foster environmental awareness and sustainability in Wake County.

Andrew Carter, Raleigh News and Observer writer, joins Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss Mack Brown’s legacy as the UNC football coach. Brown, fired earlier this week, will lead the Tar Heels one last time against N.C. State this Saturday. A storied career spanning two stints at UNC, Brown brought the program to the top of the ACC but could never surpass Florida State.

Political analyst Michal Brzezicki joined Steve Rao and Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss how a Trump administration might handle U.S. foreign policy, NATO relations, and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing geopolitical crisis.

Adriel Orozco joined Steve Rao and Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News

Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home. Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States. The American Red Cross North Carolina Region offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast. Laurie Hughes, Executive Director of the American Red Cross North Carolina Region, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how to safely cook for Thanksgiving.

On Monday, Mack Brown discussed his future and said he planned to return as UNC football coach. Now, the decision has been made for him. The Tar Heels have fired Brown after six years in his second stint as head coach. Brown is the winningest head coach in school history and took the Tar Heels to the ACC Championship game in 2022. This season included a 70-50 loss to James Madison, which led to a four-game losing streak. The Tar Heels rebounded to win three straight. Brown will coach against N.C. State this weekend, but it's unknown if he will coach in UNC's bowl game. Andrew Jones from Tar Heel Illustrated, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Brown’s departure.

Host Jeff Hamlin speaks with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall about the dramatic decline in charitable donations in North Carolina, as revealed in the 2023-2024 Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division Annual Report. Donations fell from $58 million to $27 million over the past year. Marshall discusses the report’s findings, its implications for charities, and the challenges facing organizations that rely on public contributions.

Host Jeff Hamlin talks with Raleigh News & Observer writer Jadyn Watson-Fisher about the potential renaming of Carter-Finley Stadium at North Carolina State University. With N.C. State Athletics partnering with Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) to explore naming rights opportunities, Watson-Fisher discusses the financial implications, the $2.8 billion court settlement influencing college athletics, and what this means for the future of the Wolfpack’s home field.

Host Jeff Hamlin speaks with Stephen Igoe of HoistTheColours.com about Blake Harrell’s promotion to permanent head coach of the East Carolina football team. Harrell, formerly the defensive coordinator, led the Pirates to four straight victories as interim coach, including a remarkable 21-point comeback against North Texas. Igoe shares insights into Harrell’s coaching style, his impact on the team, and what’s next for ECU football.

Host Gayle Hurd speaks with Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit North Carolina, about the state’s thriving winter sports season. Despite setbacks from Hurricane Helene, North Carolina’s six ski areas and other mountain attractions anticipate $240 million in spending this winter. Tuttell highlights new developments like Beech Mountain Resort’s renovated slope-top bar and the luxurious Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort at the former Wolf Ridge Ski Area, promising a revitalized experience for visitors.

Hosts Anthony DeHart and Steve Rao speak with Allen Thomas, Southeast Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), about the agency’s critical role in disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene and its ongoing support for North Carolina entrepreneurs. Thomas highlights $4 billion in SBA loans to N.C. small businesses over the past four years and discusses the rise of veteran, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. He also shares insights on how small businesses drive job growth and the importance of balancing incentives for large corporations with investments in local entrepreneurs.

Host Anthony DeHart speaks with Steve Rao and Phaedra Boinodiris about her role in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in North Carolina. Boinodiris discusses Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, the state of entrepreneurship in the region, and how the SBA is driving innovation with $4 billion in loans to N.C. businesses over the last four years. She highlights resources for entrepreneurs and the importance of small businesses in driving job growth and economic stability.

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams joins Steve Rao and Anthony DeHart on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss local and national politics, Durham’s initiatives to address crime, and the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Williams highlights public-private partnerships, Durham’s economic resilience, and the city’s strong local business environment rooted in the legacy of Black Wall Street.

Host Jeff Hamlin interviews Emil Runge from First Flight Venture Center during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Runge shares insights on how First Flight supports startups in biotech, clean tech, and ag tech through innovative programs and resources. Discover how the organization helps entrepreneurs navigate challenges, secure funding, and bring groundbreaking ideas to market, fostering job growth and innovation across North Carolina.

Host Jon Champion interviews Karla Crosswhite from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about the Anchor It campaign, which raises awareness about preventing furniture and appliance tip-overs in the home. Learn about the lifesaving resources available at AnchorIt.gov, the importance of anchoring furniture, and the recent STURDI Act that strengthens safety standards for clothing storage units. Crosswhite also shares practical tips for parents and caregivers to keep children safe.

To increase awareness about problem gambling and its effects on individuals, families and communities, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with East Carolina University to conduct vital research into the emerging trends and impact of problem gambling, as well as looking at historically marginalized and understudied populations in North Carolina. Kelly Crosbie, from the State Department of Health and Human Resources, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how they will offer an ear to those in need.

It is round two of veto override at the General Assembly. Republicans in the Senate have overridden Governor Cooper's veto of House Bill 10. The bill now becomes law. The GOP controlled State House voted to override it on Tuesday. HB10 includes the controversial bill that expands who qualifies for private school vouchers. Shanna Peele, President of the Buncombe County Association of Educators, feels that the money would be better spent on public education. Governor Cooper, back in September, called the bill a real threat to public schools and said the money would be better spent for providing retention bonuses for teachers. Independent journalist Bryan Anderson talked with Jeff Hamlin about a busy week in Raleigh just before Josh Stein becomes governor.

The National Weather Service forecasts an increased risk for cold and unsettled weather for much of the country during the busy Thanksgiving travel period. A broad area of low pressure in the mid-levels of the atmosphere is forecast to dominate most of the Lower 48 states during Thanksgiving week and into the ensuing weekend. Thanksgiving travelers are advised to keep a close watch on this evolving situation by monitoring the latest forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center, Weather Prediction Center, and your local National Weather Service forecast offices. Nick Pietro of the Raleigh office of the National Weather Service joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what to expect for Thanksgiving.

The former director of the Centers for Disease Control has made a direct accusation that COVID-19 was started in a lab at UNC-Chapel Hill by one of its researchers and not a lab in Wuhan, China. Dr. Robert Redfield made the claim on the Third Opinion Podcast late last week. He said the virus was ‘intentionally engineered as a part of a biodefense program’ and that the United States’ role in it was substantial. He went on to say that the ‘scientific mastermind behind the research’ is Dr. Ralph Baric at UNC-Chapel Hill, who he says was very involved in this research. Theresa Opeka, a reporter for the Carolina Journal, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the story.

Host Jeff Hamlin talks with J. Mike Blake, longtime high school sportswriter for HighSchoolOT.com, about the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s transition to eight classifications. This major shift will double the number of state champions, raising questions for athletic directors about conference alignments and the future of traditional rivalries. Blake shares his analysis of how these changes could shape high school sports across the state.