WPTF Morning News

The Trump Administration has basically shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, this coming via an email from the newly installed White House Budget Director Russell Vought, who is also the acting director of the program. What does all this mean, Chris Edwards gets the latest from CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger.

There is much to discuss around North Carolina politics from the General Assembly to the ongoing State Supreme Court race and more - Chris Edwards gets the latest now from Meredith College Political Science Professor, David McLennen.

Following our latest bout of winter weather very cold temperature have followed with overnight lows in the teens and highs over the next couple of days only in the 40s. Those cold nights can be tough for anyone but in particular for the unsheltered. With Chris Edwards to talk about the work they are doing to help those who in tough spots is Reverend Vance Haywood who oversees Wake County's White Flag Shelters through St. John's Metropolitan Community Church.

We are finished with another round of winter weather and maybe a couple of icy spots could remain on the roads, in particular on those secondary roads that might not have seen the clearing as some of the major thoroughfares. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this and some other storm related matters is Sergeant Johnson with the Wake County Sheriffs Office.

Coming up in a couple of weeks a community event for a good cause - Ella's Race returns to North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh to honor the life and memory of Ella and also to help in the fight against Pediatric Brain Cancer. With Chris Edwards in studio to talk a little bit more about the race and the story behind it is Renee Newmiller, Ella's mom.

The back and forth continues about how to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as the US looks to find a way to end that conflict, more news out of Gaza where the bodies of more hostages were released this week. With us now to talk about all of this is CBS News Military Analyst, Jeff McCausland.

There is much to discuss when it comes to Capitol Hill where things are busy for the 119th congress. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective on a number of topics is North Carolina 9th District Congressman, Richard Hudson.

Another round of winter weather is approaching and will bring impacts to a large part of central North Carolina, Chris Edwards get the latest on the forecast from Nick Petro, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Another round of winter weather is approaching and will bring impacts to a large part of central North Carolina and with it there could be several impacts felt, in particular on the roads. With Chris Edwards is Kim Deaner with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Protect Our Care recently launched a multi-million dollar “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign. The goal is to block the Republican-led plan to slash Medicaid funding in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this is Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach.

Burke Brothers Hardware has everything you could ever need to help prepare yourself for the upcoming winter storm. Jeff Hamlin speaks with the owner of Burke Brothers Hardware, Jeff Hastings, about what you might need to prepare.

Jeff Brooks, the spokesperson for Duke Energy, joins Jeff Hamlin to talk about how you can be better prepared for the upcoming winter storm.

Jeff Hamlin speaks with Peter Greenburg to discuss the plane crash in Taranto that lead to the plane flipping over during landing.

The N.C. Division of Emergency Management has been steadily preparing for the upcoming winter weather. Jeff Hamlin talks with Justin Graney with the Division of Emergency Management about how they are making sure we are ready for the weather, and you can do yourself,

The Smith Center is receiving some much needed renovations in preparation for the expansion of the UNC basketball program. Jeff Hamlin speaks with Greg Barnes about what is expected with these renovations and what UNC has planned yet in their ongoing renovations.

Airlines will not be forced to make fees transparent, the NTSB provides a Friday update on the DC plane crash, and southwest might me looking into a merger. These story's and more as Jeff Hamlin talks with Jay Ratliff.

We wanted to take a few minutes to highlight some of the great things going on with our local communities as we look ahead to the spring months and in our Talk of the Town segment this morning, we visit with our friends in Garner and with Chris Edwards to talk about all the great things going on in their community is the Mayor of Gaerner, Buddy Gupton.

There is a lot of work that goes on each day on our roadways and much of that is in the purview of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and with Chris Edwards to talk more about the work the DOT is doing is Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.

On this Valentine's Day there are lots of ways to show the love and the Wake County Sheriff's office is hoping you will help show the love as they kickoff their Wake County Special Olympics Fundraising as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this and how you can help are Lt. Twitty and Deputy Doxsie of the Wake County Sheriff's Department.

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it seems the office is not off-limits to Cupid’s arrow. More than half of U.S. workers have been in or are currently involved in at least one workplace romance, according to new research the Society for Human Resource Management. The findings provide critical insights for organizations aiming to navigate these relationships effectively. With Chris Edwards to discuss further is Dr. James Atkinson, VP of Thought Leadership at the Society for Human Resource Management.

There are a number of topics that have made news recently around state government and much of that news centers around healthcare and the state health plan. With Chris Edwards to talk more about some of the recent news is the State Treasurer Brad Briner.

There is much to discuss as it relates to the General Assembly which remains in session in Raleigh. From Hurricane Helene recovery to new bills that have been introduced Chris Edwards gets perspective on this and other topics from Wake County Representative Erin Pare.

There is much to discuss when it comes to Capitol Hill where things are busy for the 119th congress. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective on a number of topics is North Carolina 13th District Congressman, Brad Knott.

In a new story written for The Assembly, Ren Larson chronicles the journey of new State Auditor Dave Bolick who after being elected to his post was given oversight of the State Board of Elections - that oversight set to begin in May pending the outcome of legal challenges. With Chris Edwards to discuss her story is Ren Larson writer for the Assembly.

In celebration of American Heart Month, Wake County Public Libraries announces a new partnership with the American Heart Association to make blood pressure monitors available for checkout at six local libraries. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this program and other things going on at the libraries across Wake County is the Deputy Library Director for Wake County Libraries Ann Burlingame.

Western North Carolina continues to feel the effects of Hurricane Helene and while some of the recent news like a section of I-40 in Haywood County reopening by March, there is still a lot of work to be done and FEMA remains on the ground providing assistance for those who have been impacted by this storm. With Chris Edwards to talk through some of the work they are doing in Western North Carolina is Sharon Karr with FEMA.

A new story out at the Assembly chronicles how the Board of Trustees at the University of North Carolina has lost the authority of the Athletics Department. This in the wake of the hiring of Bill Belicheck as the new football coach at North Carolina. With Chris Edwards to discuss this story and his reporting on it is Matt Hartman with The Assembly.

A bill introduced this week in the North Carolina House entitled the NC Digital Assets Investments Act would authorize the State Treasurer to diversify the states investment portfolio by incorporating digital assets such as Bitcoin into North Carolina's investment funds. What does all this mean, with Chris Edwards to shed some light on all of this is Dan Spuller, Co-Chair of the North Carolina Blockchain Initiative.

It seems like everyone has been getting sick and the numbers would back that up with flu cases on the rise in North Carolina we wanted to talk about this issue and find out why these cases are higher in our state and what we can do to prevent getting sick. So Chris Edwards turned to the expert Dr. Lauren Siewny, Doctor and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Duke University.

There is much to discuss as it relates to the General Assembly which remains in session in Raleigh. From Hurricane Helene recovery to new bills that have been introduced Chris Edwards get perspective on this and other topics from Wake County State Senator Jay Chaudhuri.

Despite the cold weather and dreary temperatures spring time and warmer weather are on the way soon and now is the perfect time to start planning that vacation for spring break or even look ahead to your summer vacation - and as you plan those trips North Carolina offers so many destination spots that you might not have considered. With Chris Edwards to talk about travel in the Old North State is Wit Tuttle, Executive Director of VisitNC.

There is much to talk about as it relates to Capitol Hill, from Cabinet Confirmations. Executive Orders and other items that need to be addressed by the 119th Congress. Chris Edwads get the latest on all of this from North Carolina Senator Ted Budd.

We wanted to take a few minutes to highlight some of the great things going on with our local communities as we look ahead to the spring months and in our Talk of the Town segment this morning, we visit with our friends at the Town of Holly Springs and with Chris Edwards to talk about all the great things going on in their community is the Mayor of Holly Springs Sean Mayefskie

The new members of the Council of State had their first meeting together last week that as these new members settle into their respective roles. With Chris Edwards for his monthly check-in to talk about that meeting and other things going on is North Carolina State Auditor Dave Bolick.

There is much to talk about as it relates to Capitol Hill, from Cabinet Confirmations. Executive Orders and other items that need to be addressed by the 119th Congress. We get the latest on all of this from North Carolina 5th District Congresswomen Dr. Virginia Foxx.

As we approach Valentine's Day we think about flowers, chocolates and all of the other things that come with the day of love, but as you are thinking about that special someone might be a good idea to also have that conversation about their money. With Chris Edwards to discuss is CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger.

There was a ruling on Friday in the ongoing battle for the seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court as a superior court judge ruled those some 60,000 ballots should not be thrown out, in a victory for sitting Justice Allison Riggs. With us now to discuss further is Meredith College Political Science Professor David McLennen.

Another deadly plane crash, top 25 airlines have been announced, and more as Chris Edwards has his weekly conversation with Jay Ratliff.

We wanted to take a few minutes to highlight some of the great things going on with our local communities as we look ahead to the spring months and in our Talk of the Town segment this morning, Chris Edwards visits with our friends at the Town of Wendell and with us now to talk about all the great things going on in their community is the Mayor of Wendell Virginia Gray.

The North Carolina AG Development Forum wrapped up yesterday at the State Fairgrounds. Among the highlights, Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler ceremonially sworn in for another term as well as other roundtable discussions. With Chris Edwards to break it down is Mike Davis of the Southern Farm Network.

Avian Influenza has been affecting more then just the egg prices, it has also been affecting the many backyard flocks of North Carolina. Joining Chris Edwards and Harrison Riddle to talk about what to look for in your flock and what to do should you suspect an outbreak of Avian Influenza is Dr. Maximilan Groteluzchen, Veterinarian at Kittrell Animal Hospital, with a Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

There are a number of AG related stories over the last couple of weeks from the bird flu and its impact on the price of eggs to tariffs that could impact the goods and services you buy at the grocery store, what do you need to know about these and other issues, Chris Edwards gets perspective now from Dr. Jeffrey Dorman, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at NC State University.

A popular Wake County program is back again this year as legal professionals will again be on hand to offer legal advice for families in Wake County. Entering its second year, the Lawyers in your Library Program is a collaboration between Wake County Public Libraries and the Wake County Legal Support Center. With Chris Edwards to discuss this program more in depth is Anh LyJordan, Director of the Wake County Legal Support Center.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners elected a new chair earlier this week as they voted Susan Evans the head of the board following the departure of Matt Calabria to join Governor Josh Stein's office. With Chris Edwards to talk about her new position is the Chair of the Wake County Commissioners Susan Evans.

The race for a seat on the North Carolina State Supreme Court continues after a legal challenge to the 4th Circuit by the challenger in the race Judge Jefferson Griffin who asked the court to throw out 60,000 ballots saying those were illegal. Sitting Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs currently leads by more than 700 votes in the race. Earlier this week the 4th Circuit of the US Court of Appeals made their ruling. So, what is next in this saga, Chris Edwards get the latest from Retired North Carolina State Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr.

Tulsi Gabbard was voted out of committee yesterday and now heads to the full senate for confirmation as the Director of National Intelligence this as Israel and Hamas enter into negations to further their ceasefire agreement and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump yesterday which provided several noteworthy topics. Chris Edwards get the latest on all of this from CBS News Military Analyst Jeff McCausland.

There has been much talk over the last week about public schools as the Trump Administration implemented polices aimed at immigration enforcement and many local schools systems have reacted and implemented policies on what they can and can not do if ICE agents show up at schools. With Chris Edwards to discuss this and other topics is Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools.

We wanted to take a few minutes to highlight some of the great things going on with our local communities as we look ahead to the spring months and in our Talk of the Town segment this morning, we visit with our friends at the Town of Wake Forest and with Chris Edwards to talk about all the great things going on in their community is the Mayor of Wake Forest Vivian Jones.

Last week three state Senators led by Senator Bobby Hanig filed a bill that would repeal Jim Crow-era literacy test requirements in the state Constitution that were used as a way to prevent African Americans from voting. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this bill he filed is Senator Bobby Hanig.

Now that the holidays are over and kids are back in school, the focus for many of those high school seniors is about their future and we know that parents have questions from college applications to financial aid and more it can all be overwhelming and we want to help. With Chris Edwards to help walk you through the process and give you some tips for managing it all is Kathy Hastings, Director of Outreach and Communications for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.