WPTF Afternoon News

How can social media spread your business? Michelle Doelfinger, the owner of Triangle Social Media, discussed the changing face of social media on Tuesday with Jeff Hamlin.

He's a Wake Forest resident and an East Carolina graduate. Now, Luke Reynolds is known as the Tik Tok Dad. He's spreading his music from coast-to-coast. Luke performed and spoke with Jeff Hamlin on Friday.

A UNC System Board of Governors committee this week will consider giving the system president and the board the power to prevent universities from changing athletic conferences, according to a meeting agenda. David Glenn from the North Carolina Sports Network joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how serious of a move this is.

Jeff Hamlin talked with Debra Clark-Jones, Associate Vice President for Community Health about a new partnership with Duke, Durham Public Schools and Durham Tech to direct students into health careers

Cold snaps – the number of consecutive days below average temperatures – are become shorter in recent years. Jeff Hamlin talked with Dr. Jack Scheff, an assistant professor in the department of Geography and Earth Sciences at UNC-Charlotte.

Jeff Hamlin talked with Patrick Gannon with the State Board of Elections about this year’s primaries.

The jobs of people who produce Sports Illustrated were in limbo after the company that paid to maintain the iconic brand’s print and digital products told staff that its license was revoked. Jeff Hamlin talked with UNC-Chapel Hill professor Tim Crouthers, who has written or magazine, about the publications role in the digital age

The use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy has declined in recent years, but the use of cannabis by expecting mothers has increased. A new study by Duke Health found prenatal cannabis use was associated with an increase of tumors of the central nervous system. Duke Associate Professor Dr. Kyle Walsh discussed the student with Jeff Hamlin on Thursday.

There are plenty of questions regarding retirement. There are also solutions about keeping your money safe. Financial adviser Arianna Lavallee from Frank Del Palazzo and Associates joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss her book "The Safe Money Book."

A partnership between Duke Health, Durham Technical Community College and Durham Public Schools has been awarded a transformative $29.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to establish an early college for high school students interested in pursuing health care careers upon graduation. Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton joined Jeff Hamlin on Wednesday to discuss the new program.

Durham mayor Leonardo Williams is in Washington, D.C. for a conference of mayors. It comes after he's been on the job for barely a month. Williams joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his priorities in his new role after spending so much of his life in Durham.

With the season’s most frigid temperatures on the way, AAA reminds homeowners and renters that preparing for inclement weather is essential to avoiding wintertime repairs. AAA Carolinas Tiffany Wright joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how homeowners can prepare to keep their houses warm.

Staying warm is the Number 1 thing on many people’s minds this week, with temperatures plummeting into the teens and single digits with even colder wind chills now through Sunday night. It is keeping HVAC companies busy with heating system going out. Derrick Bowen of Newcomb and Company joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how busy they are this week.

Voting rights advocates reflected on the legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr left behind when it comes to voting. On Monday, celebrations are happening amid ongoing voter litigation in North Carolina in response to the state's recently redrawn congressional maps. North Carolina Central law professor Irving Joyner joined Jeff Hamlin on Tuesday.

Former President Donald Trump scored the first victory of the 2024 presidential primary season Monday with a sweeping and broad-based win in the Iowa Republican caucuses. Judge Bob Orr joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the aftermath of the Iowa Caucus.

The University of North Carolina ice hockey team has played as a club squad for years. But could that be changing? UNC will build a new arena in Carraway Village, only about five miles away from campus. Could that lead to UNC become North Carolina's first Division I ice hockey program? UNC Ice Hockey President Greg Morey and administrator Richard Gurlitz joined Jeff Hamlin on Tuesday.

UNC sophomore came from behind in dramatic fashion to win on Jeopardy. It was Rotimi Kukoyi second time on Jeopardy. He was invited back to participate in a second chance tournament with other near winners. Kukoyi joined Jeff Hamlin on Thursday.

The Chinese Lantern Festival will end a couple days early this season due to weather damage from Tuesday's storms. The festival was supposed to end on Sunday, but festival organizers decided it best to close for the season on Thursday. William Lewis, Cary's Cultural Arts Manager, joined Jeff Hamlin on Thursday.

The final Republican presidential debate before the Iowa caucus featured plenty of barbs between Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley. Meanwhile, Donald Trump was on Fox News, a network that the former president has frequently criticized in recent years. Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest in the GOP Presidential race.

More than 23,000 people are enrolled in degree programs at Wake Tech Community College for spring 2024, a record. The school announced the start of the spring classes showed more than 10 percent more students than a year ago. Wake Tech President Scott Ralls joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the record enrollment.

The cleanup continues after the powerful storms on Tuesday. Three schools in Durham, including Southern Durham High School, were closed on Wednesday because there was no power. Now, there's concern about another possible severe storm on Friday. Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks talked with Jeff Hamlin about the storm cleanup and what's ahead.

Last night was the final Republican presidential debate before the Iowa Caucus....and once again Donald Trump was nowhere to be found. But former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has been climbing in the polls. Political analyst Michelle Woodhouse joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the state of the race for the Republican nomination.

The nation’s employers added a robust 216,000 jobs last month, the latest sign that the American labor market remains resilient even in the face of sharply higher interest rates. N.C. State professor emeritus Mike Walden discussed the report with Jeff Hamlin.

New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik referred to people arrested in the January 6th insurrection attempt as "hostages" during an appearance on Meet the Press on Sunday. Was it her attempt to jump to the front of the line to become Donald Trump's running mate? N.C. State political science professor Andy Taylor talked with Jeff Hamlin after Stefanik's chances.

The benefits of doing cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack might seem obvious, but studies have provided surprisingly underwhelming findings. Now an analysis from Duke Health offers definitive evidence for heart attack patients or those who have had procedures to clear blockages: Cardiac rehab saves lives and keeps people out of the hospital -- no matter their age, sex, or race. Brian Duscha, the lead author of the study, talked with Jeff Hamlin on Monday

Duke Energy crews on Monday are preparing for strong, damaging winds on Tuesday. The Triangle will be under a Level 2 risk on Tuesday, when severe storms are likely to begin in at around 6 or 7 PM. Jeff Brooks of Duke Energy talked with Jeff Hamlin on Monday.

CBS News Correspondent Scott MacFarlane joined Chris Edwards on Friday to talk about the latest with former President Donald Trump being left off the primary ballot in Colorado and Maine along with the latest on Congress and its efforts on impeachment of President Biden and what is the status of congressional aid to Israel and Ukraine.

North Carolina Bar's and Restaurants are facing new requirements after the removal of the "private bar" distinction, meaning all bars that serve food will face new health permit requirements if they serve food. Those changes will take place beginning in March and Lynn Minges of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association joined Chris Edwards to talk through these changes and what impacts it could have on your favorite establishment.

North Carolina is bracing for its first storm of the year that could bring winter weather to our state. While the event is expected to be mostly rain for the Triangle, parts north and west could see snow and ice this week. North Carolina Department of Transportation Spokesperson, Kim Deaner talked with Chris Edwards about the DOT is doing to prepare for this storm.

Opened for nearly 50 years, Linda's, a popular restaurant in Chapel Hill announced earlier this month that they would be closing their doors, but according to Kim Williams-Scott who founded the establishment, that is not the case, Williams-Scott and her mother plan to reopen the restaurant and continue this Chapel Hill staple. Williams-Scott spoke with Chris Edwards and Anthony DeHart to talk about the history of the restaurant and what the future looks like.

The Corinth Holders High School marching band just returned home from the trip of a lifetime -- they were selected to play and march in London's New Year's Day Parade. Olivia Spell is the Band Director at the Johnston County school and spoke with Chris Edwards about the opportunity, how it came about and how much band can impact a high school student.

Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids provides resources to more than 300 people in need each month. As it enters a new year, the nonprofit organization has one goal: Increasing volunteers. Union Mission Executive Director Sabina Lawson discuss the drop in volunteers with Jeff Hamlin

Berkeley Mall and Greenwood School in Goldsboro were on lockdown after a report of a shooting. No one was hurt and two people are in custody, according to police. Andrew Stevens of Goldsboro Daily News.com joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation.

It will be cold tonight. And tomorrow it will be cold and rainy. Once again, officials with several local organizations are helping the unsheltered and those lacking heat with white flag shelter programs. Pastor Vance Haywood of St. John's Metropolitan Church of Raleigh joined Jeff Hamlin on Thursday.

At almost 21 months old Owen Monroe is a medical miracle, born with a lethal heart condition. By taking part in a groundbreaking study led by Duke health physicians, Owen is thriving. The procedure happened nearly two years ago. Dr. Joseph Turek joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the procedure.

Former President Donald Trump has asked a Maine court to overturn the secretary of state’s decision to remove him from the 2024 primary ballot there because of his role in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol insurrection. A local political science professor says this is simply the work of officials ruling based on the constitution. Catawba College Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer joined Jeff Hamlin on Wednesday.

The top judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals lost her leadership position as the chief justice of the state Supreme Court replaced her with a colleague. Judge Donna Stroud, a Republican who has served as chief judge of the court since 2021, will be succeeded by Judge Chris Dillon. Political analyst Michele Woodhouse, the host of the Michele Woodhouse Show on WPTF, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the removal.

Harvard University president Claudine Gay announced her resignation Tuesday. Pressure on Gay to resign began after a December congressional hearing, during which Republican Representative Elise Stefanik questioned Gay and other university presidents - one of whom stepped down last month - about antisemitism on campus. Dr. Deborah Stroman is the Director of the Center for Civil Rights at UNC's Law School. She joined Jeff Hamlin on Wednesday.

A major change is taking place at Wake County's animal shelter. The Wake County shelter will no longer allow owners to surrender their pets at the shelter. Wake county Commissioner Vicki Adamson said they hope enacting the change will reduce the crowding and chance of having to make the decision to put healthy pets down for space. Jennifer Federico, the Executive Director of the Wake County Animal Shelter, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the changes.

The Wilson Tobs have played in the Coastal Plain League for 27 years. But now their future is in question after the Carolina Mudcats announced plans to move from Zebulon to Wilson. Greg Suire of the Wilson Tobs joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how they plan to survive beyond 2024.

The countdown to the launch of legal sports betting in North Carolina is on. Last week, an important milestone was reached in the rollout. Last Wednesday, companies wishing to launch betting services in the state had to file their applications. Brad Senkiw from Covers.com joined Jeff Hamlin about a timeline when legal sports betting could happen in North Carolina.

As we welcome a new year, real estate experts are breaking down what you can expect with the housing market in 2024. Interest rates are a big topic of conversation after sitting at roughly 8% a few months ago, they've now dropped below 7%, and many are forecasting them to dip even lower in 2024. Eric Maribojoc, a professor at the Kenan Flagler Business School, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the forecast for the 2024 housing market.

The new year is bringing new policies at several area hospitals. They are part of a new effort to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses. Starting on Tuesday, UNC Health and WakeMed started restricting young visitors from inpatient areas. Later today, a similar policy takes effect at Duke Health. UNC Health Doctor David Weber joined Jeff Hamlin on Tuesday to discuss the changes.

Are making a New Year's Eve resolution.. Cassandra Happe, an analyst from Wallet Hub talked to Anthony DeHart about Financial resolutions for 2024?

It was a record setting year at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro with more than one million visitors in one year for the first time. Zoo spokesperson Sarah Pack said they have surpassed last year's overall record.

Lynn Williams is the PR person at Mt. Olive pickle talking about the New Year's Eve celebration that involves the dropping of a big pickle.

Anthony Dehart talked with Stephanie Hawco with the Raleigh Durham International Airport, looking back on the major accomplishments at the airport in 2023

The Carolina Mudcats are making plans to move to Wilson from Five County Stadium in Zebulon. Chris Edwards talked with Tyler Barnes, Vice President of Communications and Affiliate Relations with the Mudcats owner, the Milwaukee Brewers.

North Carolina State Treasurer, Dale Folwell, announced Thursday an updated its list of companies subject to divestment and contract restrictions due to their boycott of Israel. Added to this year’s list is Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. This action includes affiliates of Ben & Jerry’s such as its parent company, Unilever PLC, and Unilever’s subsidiaries

Reaction to Florida State taking legal action which would lead to exiting the ACC. Chris Edwards talked longtime sportswriter and commentator David Glenn