WPTF Afternoon News

ShotSpotter has come to an end in Durham, after the City Council voted earlier this week to discontinue using the technology. Now, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead has expressing his disappointment. He talked with Chris Edwards

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley talked with Chris Edwards about gun modifications and other issues.

Campbell University Law professor Greg Wallace weighs in on the debate over disqualifying former President Donald Trump form the ballot, citing the “insurrection” clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame announced its 60th class this week. Chris Edwards finds out more from Hall director Tripp Durham

Crystal Feldman, spokesperson for Raleigh Durham International Airport spoke with WPTF's Chris Edwards about the upcoming holiday travel season and what you need to know before heading to the airport for your trip.

To celebrate the season of giving, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro announcing a December promotion to give back to the community: Jingle in the Jungle! Chris Edwards talked with Hanna Tullock

Chris Edwards talked with Jim Krasula about the major weather system that impacting our area over the weekend and is heading up the east coast.

Chris Edwards talks to sportswriter and broadcaster David Glenn. about the death of UNC Tar Heel basketball player Eric Montross. He was part of the Heels 1993 National Championship team and in recent years, was a familiar voice as color analyst on basketball broadcasts for the Tar Heel Sports Network.

The community is invited to gather and remember those who tragically died in 2023 without the comfort and warmth of a stable home. Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:15 p.m., South Wilmington Street Center Parking Lot. Chris Edwards spoke with the memorial’s organizer Caroline Bond.

The Wilson City Council unanimously approved $280 million investment which includes a new baseball stadium and mixed use site to bring the Carolina Mudcats to the city, in time for the 2026 season. But not everyone is a fan of this move - including the Wilson Tobs Baseball Club - a collegiate summer baseball which has called the city home since 1997 playing its home games in Historic Fleming Stadium. President of the Tobs, Greg Suire told Jeff Hamlin the city of Wilson kept the Tobs in the dark during the process.

Former State Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr talked to Jeff Hamlin about the end of Beth Wood’s career as state auditor and other political topics.

Technology specialist Abhi Muthiyan talked with Jeff Hamlin and Morrisville Town council member Steve Rao about how technology is being used to improve town services and facilities.

A new non-alcoholic bar will open on New Year’s eve. Jeff Hamlin talked to one of the owners of the umbrella dry bar, Meg Paradise.

Wake County is the first in the state to enforce the new voter ID law in North Carolina. Director of Elections for Wake County Jane Rae Fawcett spoke with Jeff Hamlin about the details.

Cal, Stanford, and SMU may join the ACC. Discussions are underway, and experts are looking into the finances of such a move in what has been a time of turmoil in college sports. Jeff Hamlin spoke with David Glenn from the North Carolina Sports Network about the latest talks.

Poll data shows that NC Lt. Governor Mark Robinson is in a dead heat with NC Attorney General Josh Stein for Governor. President of the John Locke foundation Donald Bryson spoke with Jeff Hamlin about the poll.

Photo Credit: Kati Saunders There's a local pet photographer who uses her work to help homeless animals. Joanne Wetzel is using her passion, not only to work full time, but to also help dogs at local animal shelters have a better chance at getting adopted. She spoke with Nate Saunders about what all she is doing in Wake County.

Major swaths of western Canada are engulfed in wildfires. Jeff Hamlin found out more by talking to Brent Livingston, who lives in British Columbia.

The Durham Rescue Mission just held its Back To School Party to help local children and families prepare for the new school year. Rescue Mission President Rob Tart shared with Nate Saunders how the day went.

Everyday we see more devastation from the fires in Hawaii. Lisa Schell, former WPTF employee and Raleigh resident, joined Nate Saunders to talk about how her town in Hawaii is doing.

Photo Credit: Charles Hadley Jesse Thomas, a retired health care executive and previously with the Forward Party, has announced his candidacy for NC Governor as a Republican. Nate Saunders and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao discussed statewide politics.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino There is still no North Carolina state budget... and it could be at least a month until one is signed off on. That's affecting things such as teacher pay and vacancy rates. Nate Saunders discussed those topics with Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao on Friday.

How is the relationship between North Carolina and India? There's no better person to ask than Swadesh Chatterjee, the Chair of the US-India Friendship Council and Cary resident. He spoke with Nate Saunders and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao on Friday.

I AM Outreach is a Christian organization that aims to help men who are suffering with alcohol or drug abuse. Brent Sellers, who started the organization, joined Nate Saunders to discuss what they do for men who are struggling in our area.

FayettevilleCon is this Saturday! It's a regional comic convention that is meeting in Fayetteville for the first time. Carmine De Santo, an organizer for the event, joined Nate Saunders to discuss what fans will see there.

There has been a landmark settlement to help preserve the North Carolina wild Red Wolf population. Ben Prater, the Southeast Program Director at Defenders of Wildlife joined Nate Saunders to discuss what's being done to preserve on of North Carolina's wild animals.

A Garner family is on vacation in Hawaii and found themselves in the middle of a wildfire situation that is making national headlines. Nate Saunders spoke with Andie Powers Jones, who has flown from Maui to a smaller island with her family.

A landmark vote in Ohio and more rumors swirling around Donald Trump's legal defense. Nate Saunders discussed these national topics with Duke University Political Science Professor David Schanzer.

The Orange County Animal Services is reporting that they are now low on space in the shelter. Before the issue turns dire, they are reaching out to the public, asking people to consider adopting a dog or cat. Nate Saunders spoke with Tenille Fox about the state of the shelter.

With no state budget expected to be enacted until at least September, leading Republicans say it’s unlikely they’ll move to approve pay raises for state workers and teachers before then. House Speaker Tim Moore said this week there’s “zero” chance of the budget being resolved this month. Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, described the situation as a “gut check” moment for the state. Watkins joined Nate Saunders to discuss the situation on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Kati Saunders Drivers in North Carolina will be paying higher rates for car insurance starting December 1. The increase is the result of a settlement reached between insurance companies and state regulators. Mike Causey, North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner, joined Nate Saunders to discuss how high the hikes will be.

Representative Dan Bishop, a vocal member of the Freedom Caucus that's become a foil to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has announced that he would run for state attorney general next year rather than seek to remain in Congress. Bishop joined Congress in 2019. He joined Nate Saunders to discuss his candidacy.

Author Brandon Williams has written a book about the colorful basketball figure LaVar Ball and his professional basketball league. Williams had an up close and personal experience with the Junior Basketball Association, a league that Ball operated for one year until shutting down just before the pandemic started. Williams joined Nate Saunders to discuss his book "The JBA League: A League of Our Own."

Brian Strong, a 23-year veteran of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, has been named director of the division by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Strong has been acting director of the division since early 2023 and has been a member of the state parks staff since 2000. Strong joined Nate Saunders to discuss his appointment on Tuesday.

Most of North Carolina is expecting an evening of severe thunderstorms and high winds... a recipe for power outages. Nate Saunders spoke with Jeff Brooks from Duke Energy about what they are doing to prepare for a potentially busy night.

The second half of summer brings a welcomed sense of familiarity for families across the country as back-to-school season approaches. The end of this summer, in particular, means that borrowers who are out of college will have to resume paying back their federal student loans after more than three years. For new and resuming college students, proper planning on how to pay for college is paramount. Brian Walsh, SoFi Manager of Financial Planning and a Student Loan Expert, joined Nate Saunders on Monday.

Wake County Public Libraries is expanding its Memory Care Kits program, which uses books and activities to spark memories, create conversations and provide positive, engaging interactions between people experiencing memory loss and their caregivers. Dayna Shields is with the library system and talked with Nate Saunders about the program.

As we fast approach the new school year, Durham Public Schools is preparing to debut the new Northern Durham High School. Nate Saunders spoke about the state of the art campus with Frederick Davis, the Executive Director of Building Services for Durham Public Schools.

The latest numbers on jobs are out and economists are assessing whether or not we will hit a recession. Nate Saunders discussed the latest data with UNC Chief Economist Gerald Cohen.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino Morrisville will change it's name (briefly) to S'Morrisville to celebrate a favorite treat, Donald Trump has been arraigned on his 3rd indictment, and cricket may return to Morrisville. Nate Saunders talked about all of these with Town Councilman Steve Rao.

Donald Trump has been arraigned on his third set of indictments in Washington D.C. Many questions surround the future of the trial. Campbell Law professor Greg Wallace spoke with Nate Saunders about the legal situation.

Florida State University has been vocal about their desire to leave the ACC. In recent months of changeups and turmoil for college athletic conferences, many people are wondering about the future of the ACC. David Glenn from the North Carolina Sports Network joined Nate Saunders to discuss what the future could hold.

A report from the CDC found that food allergies impact 1 out of every 13 U.S. children... and as we get into the new school year, parents need to make sure their children are safe while eating at school. Nate Saunders spoke with Kelly Cleary, Senior Director of Education & Support Programs for Food Allergy Research & Education, about practical things parents can do.

Photo Credit: Meagan Thomas For the first time in 7 years, the Wake County Animal Services is considering euthanizing animals as the shelter is at capacity. Nate Saunders spoke with Meagan Thomas about the situation.

Photo Credit: Ken Huth The Durham County Sheriff's Office has released numbers on firearms for the first half of 2023. The numbers are on par with 2022... but are dramatically higher than in 2020. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead joined Nate Saunders to talk about combating gun crime.

The WakeEd Partnership has kicked off its Tools4Schools event where Wake County teachers can "shop" for school supplies. According to the Partnership, the average teacher in the county spends over $900 every year to buy needed supplies for their classroom. Kim Absher, a 4th grade teacher at Vandora Springs Elementary School in Garner, talked with Nate Saunders about what teachers do to get ready for the new school year.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino Donald Trump has been indicted for a third time. He now faces 78 felony charges after being charged with working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. Political analyst and former North Carolina Congressional candidate Michele Woodhouse joined Nate Saunders to discuss how this impacts Trump politically.

For the third time, former President Donald Trump has been indicted. On Tuesday afternoon, Trump was indicted on felony charges for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. Western Carolina political science professor Chris Cooper joined Nate Saunders to discuss the implications of the indictment.

The 30th Infantry Division held its 77th annual reunion at the Ramada Inn in Raleigh over the weekend. The association consists of combat veterans from World War II and Iraq that served in the 30th Infantry Division in World World Two and the divisions historic trace unit. Charlie Noble of the Infantry Division joined Nate Saunders to discuss the reunion.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders A busy July is drawing to a close in Morrisville, including an event from Major League Cricket. Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao discussed cricket with Nate Saunders.