WPTF Afternoon News

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Researchers at North Carolina State University used a CRISPR gene-editing system to breed poplar trees with reduced levels of lignin, the major barrier to sustainable production of wood fibers, while improving their wood properties. Jack Wang and Rodolphe Barrangou from N.C. State joined Nate Saunders to discuss their research.

Bronny James, the son of NBA legend Lebron James, is out of the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest while playing basketball on Monday. It's one of several high-profile sports related cardiac arrests in recent years. Nate Saunders spoke with UNC Chapel Hill cardiologist Dr. Anil Gehi about the differences between cardiac arrests and heart attacks.

The debates haven't even started yet, but Ron DeSantis is facing adversity in the Republican presidential race. Earlier this week, more than one-third of DeSantis' campaign staff was laid off in order to address concerns about unsustainable spending. DeSantis remains a distant second behind Donald Trump in the Iowa primary polls. N.C. State political science professor Andy Taylor joined Nate Saunders to discuss the latest in the Republican Presidential nomination.

A Triangle favorite among connoisseurs and casual chocolate lovers alike has been voted one of the best places in the country to indulge in decadent treats. Videri Chocolate Factory, located in Raleigh’s Warehouse District, has made 10 best.com’s list of the top chocolate shops in the U.S. The artisan chocolatier comes in at No. 9 on the 2023 rankings. Sam Ratto, the owner of Videri Chocolate Factory, joined Nate Saunders and Gayle Hurd in studio on Thursday.

The U.S. economy surprisingly accelerated to a 2.4% annual growth rate from April through June, showing continued resilience in the face of steadily higher interest rates resulting from the Federal Reserve’s 16-month-long fight to bring down inflation. The gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — picked up from the 2% growth rate in the January-March quarter. N.C. State Economics Professor Emeritus Mike Walden joined Nate Saunders to discuss the numbers.

It's hot. Temperatures are setting records across the country and here in the Triangle. North Carolina Assistant State Climatologist Corey Davis and Nate Saunders talked about the heat.

It has now been a week since an EF3 tornado ripped through Nash County, destroying homes, downing trees, and damaging a vital Pfizer manufacturing facility. Norris Tolson, a former state official, is on scene helping with recovery efforts and discussed how things are with Nate Saunders.

More drama in the Hunter Biden situation as a plea deal falls through in court. CBS News Legal Analyst Thane Rosenbaum and Nate Saunders discussed the wide-ranging implications of Biden's tax and gun case going to trial.

It's almost time to take the kids to school... and some families do it at younger ages than others. Dennis Maple, Chairman and CEO at Goddard Systems and SVP Dr. Lauren Starnes talked with Nate Saunders about early child education.

On Monday, the Israeli Parliament approved a law severely limiting the Supreme Court's power over decisions made by the government. Duke University professor of public policy and political science Bruce Jentleson joined Nate Saunders to talk about the situation.

RDU is the fastest-growing airport in the country based on the year-over-year number of airline seats available to book. They also saw their busiest month so far this year with over 1,300,000 passengers flying through the airport in June. Nate Saunders discussed the busyness with spokesperson Stephanie Hawco.

Chris Edwards has been named the new play-by-play voice of the East Carolina Pirates. Edwards has served as the voice of the Duke women's basketball and baseball teams for the past eleven years. He talked with Nate Saunders on Tuesday afternoon.

The North Carolina Pet Expo is coming up at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Exposition Center on August 5th and 6th. It is the pet lovers place to be. Check out Main Stage Activities such as a Pet Costume Contest, demos and more! Lisa Hobbs of Curtis Media Group discussed the event with Nate Saunders.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Major League Cricket held it's first tournament in the United States with several matches held in Morrisville. Nate Saunders went to the game between MI New York and Washington Freedom on Sunday afternoon and met with some of the people who brought the event to town including Mayor Pro Tem Liz Johnson.

Months after his fiancé Mary Marshall died in the Hedingham mass shooting, Robert Steele is running for Raleigh City Council. He talked with Nate Saunders about his decision, what he would do if elected, and how he is doing now.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Cricket in Morrisville! During a game on Sunday, Nate Saunders found Morrisville Town Councilmen Steve Rao and Satish Garimella.

Donald Trump is facing more possible indictments. What does it mean for his campaign for President? Nate Saunders discussed the landscape with Duke University Political Science Professor Mac McCorkle.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders While attending the Major League Cricket match on Sunday between MI New York and Washington Freedom, Nate Saunders found Cary Town Council Candidate Sarika Bansal who was enjoying seeing a sport from her childhood.

With the hot weather comes the urge to cool off in the water. Nate Saunders spoke with UNC Professor of Exercise and Sport Science Claudio Battaglini about summer swimming safety... whether it's in the pool, the ocean, or in a river.

What does fast food do to your body? Nate Saunders posed that question to Dr. Julia Gatza with the Florida Wellness Institute.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Local business grants, what's going on in the world, and the importance of immigrants on the United States. Nate Saunders and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao discuss a number of topics on the WPTF Afternoon News.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders President Joe Biden is praising new commitments by Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and other companies that are leading the development of artificial intelligence technology to meet a set of AI safeguards brokered by his White House as an important step toward managing the “enormous” promise and risks posed by the technology. Nate Saunders talked about those developments with regular guest and Morrisville town council member Steve Rao.

There's another political party vying for attention... its called the Forward Party. Nate Saunders and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao talked with organizer Pat Newton.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders Major League Cricket in Morrisville! Nate Saunders and Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao discuss the significance of hosting the tournament.

Registration is now open for the annual Day of the Dead 5K, October 28 in downtown Raleigh. The event raised money for the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club. To find out more, Nate Saunders talked with organizer Angela Salamanca, who's organizing the event and owns the Centro Mexican Restaurant.

End of life planning is a subject many avoid, but the consequences of failing to plan can be major. To find out more, Nate Saunders talked to Daniel Sieberg co founder of GoodTrust.

Relief efforts are underway in Nash County after an EF-3 tornado ripped through on Wednesday. The Red Cross is on scene providing shelter and assistance. Communications director for Raleigh Cally Edwards spoke with Nate Saunders about what is currently being done.

Photo Credit: Kati SaundersIs there a demand for a third party presidential candidate? Nate Saunders talked with former western North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Michele Woodhouse.

Photo Credit: Kati Saunders One North Carolina city is considering a BAN on outdoor bird feeders. Nate Saunders talked with former western North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Michele Woodhouse about that idea in Asheville and other political hot topics.

Photo Credit: Peter Roberts While tonight's match at Kenan Stadium between Chelsea FC and Wrexham AFC got a lot of attention, soccer is growing in many ways around these parts, as Nate Saunders found out from Scott Spickard with NC Courage and NCFC.

We’re learning more now about the controversy involving the man hired as the next Wake Schools Superintendent. Earlier this year, Dr. Robert Taylor moved to his native Mississippi, to take the job of state schools superintendent, but after being on the job some three months, his appointment was rejected by lawmakers there. One of Taylor's jobs was a Deputy Assistant of Public Instruction. His former boss, Republican State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt talked with Nate Saunders about Dr Taylor's appointment.

Taking your pet on a trip? Nate Saunders gets some tips from Dr. Jose Arce with American Veterinary Medical Association.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino It was hot dog day at the Farmers Market in Raleigh, and our resident foodie Mike Davis was on the case -- and rubbed shoulders with a celebrity. Mike talked about it yesterday with Nate Saunders.

Is now a good time to buy a home in Raleigh? Nate Saunders gets some insight from Real Estate Agent Tammie Harris.

GalaxyCon returns to Raleigh the weekend of July 27. To find out more about what's in store this year, Nate Saunders talked to local organizer Mike Broder.

Nationwide lottery drawing are growing into big numbers, but what are your chances of winning if you buy a ticket? Nate Saunders talked with Jan Hannig, a statistics expert at UNC-Chapel Hill.

For the first time, international soccer is coming to Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. English Premier League's Chelsea will meet Welsh side and Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham in Chapel Hill on Wednesday. Aaron Nelson with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce spoke to Nate Saunders about the impact of the game on the area.

Inflation rates have cooled. Hitting 3% for the first time since 2021. Nate Saunders spoke with UNC Economist Gerald Cohen about what this means for the country, the possibility for a recession and rising interest rates.

Wake County will construct more diverging, diamond intersections. There's a list of six in the planning stages, including one on Western Boulevard as it passes under the beltline. WPTF traffic reporter Jason Rogers joined Nate Saunders to discuss why these intersections can be confusing for motorists.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore has confirmed that his record fifth two-year term presiding over the chamber will be his last. The Cleveland County Republican says colleagues have known about his decision going back a year. Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper joined Nate Saunders to discuss what Moore may do next.

Photo Credit: Kati Saunders New research from a Texas group called Zin Business shows 93% of Gen Zers have taken a step towards exploring business ownership. The survey, which questioned over 1,000 respondents aged 18-to-25, showed 84% of them selected entrepreneurship as the most exciting of career paths. Kati Saunders of Pulse FM, a sister station of WPTF, discussed the findings with her husband, Nate Saunders.

The gubernatorial election is financially heating up in North Carolina as Democrat Josh Stein has announced that he has already raised $6 million for his campaign. Catawba College Professor Michael Bitzer spoke with Nate Saunders about what to expect in this years election season.

Photo Credit: Nate Saunders It has been a record setting week across the country as temperatures nationwide have soared. Here in Raleigh, it hasn't been too hot, but it's always worth knowing how to stay safe from the heat. Nick Petro from the National Weather Service in Raleigh sat down with Nate Saunders to talk about living with the summer weather.

British soccer teams Chelsea Football Club and Wrexham Association Football Club are set to play a friendly match at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill on July 19. The game is sold out and the businesses of Chapel Hill are bracing for a big day. Andrew Young, owner of Blue's on Franklin, spoke with Nate Saunders about how they're preparing.

Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino The State Farmers market in Raleigh had a Peach Day on Thursday. One of the highlight events was a peach desert competition. Mike Davis and Rob Connett were two of the judges. WPTF Peach Pie Guru Mike Davis talked with Nate Saunders about the competition.

Xylazine is popping up across the country, primarily detected after being mixed with opioids like fentanyl. The drug is typically used as a tranquilizer or sedative for horses. Now, it's become a deadly combination for humans. Xylazine has been discovered in 18 counties across the state. Dr. Mark Papich of N.C. State University discuss Xylaxine with Nate Saunders.

There's a new candidate in the race for Durham's next mayor. Mike Woodard, a Democrat who has served in the state Senate for the past ten years, filed papers to make his candidacy official on Wednesday morning. Woodard joined Nate Saunders to discuss his candidacy on Wednesday.

North Carolina Wildlife is offering safety reminders in the wake of the deadly boating crash on Falls Lake this past weekend. The body of a 21-year old was recovered on Monday following a more-than 30-hour search. Nathan Green, an assistant training director and lieutenant with NC Wildlife, discussed water safety with Nate Saunders.

The Supplemental Security Income program provides monthly payments to adults with a disability or below specific financial limits. However, millions of Americans qualify for assistance but aren't aware of the program or that they are eligible. Abigail Zapote, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner of SSI, joined Nate Saunders on Wednesday.

The FDA will award up to $50 million over five years to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University to establish the Research Triangle Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation. The center will also involve collaborations with North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University. UNC Chapel Hill Dr. Paul Watkins joined Nate Saunders to discuss the grant.