WPTF Morning News

With less than 50 days until election day races are heating up with candidates in all of the races jockeying for votes and today, September 17 is National Register to Vote Day as both parties hope to get out the vote and drive registration ahead of the November vote. With Chris Edwards now to offer perspective is State Auditor, Jessica Holmes.

Today is National Constitution Day and we celebrate the day by honoring the document that help lay the groundwork for our democracy. With Chris Edwards is Campbell University Professor Dr. Greg Wallace.

A Tropical System brought damaging rains and flooding to much of North Carolina yesterday, including at Carolina Beach who saw a record amount of rainfall. With Chris Edwards now to offer perspective to the impact this tropical system brought is Lynn Barbee, Mayor of Carolina Beach.

NIck Petro joins Chris Edwards to talk about the tropical system off the North Carolina/South Carolina coast.

Aviation Analyst Jay Ratliff joins Chris Edwards for their weekly chat.

We are now 50 days away from election day and the race has entered the home stretch with North Carolina firmly entrenched as a battle ground state. Both campaigns have made stops in North Carolina over the last week and will be back in the Old North State later this week to share their vision for the country with the people of our state. North Carolina Representative Zach Hawkins offers perspective with Chris Edwards

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and we want to help bring awareness to sickle cell disease and honor those who are living with that disease, which is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. Shelby Weeks, Infant and Community Health Branch Head for the Division of Public Health talks to Chris Edwards about this.

The FBI and Secret Service are investigating what "appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump." Officials say Secret Service agents engaged with a suspect pointing a high-powered rifle at the Florida golf course where Trump was golfing Sunday afternoon, though it was not clear if the suspect fired any shots. With us now to offer perspective on this event from a law enforcement standpoint is Steve Hauck, Retired NY Police Lieutenant.

As we look toward election day much of the focus has been on the races at the top of the ticket but there are several races that are on the ballot that could impact the Council of State. With us now to discuss their candidacy for Ag commissioner, Dr. Sarah Taber.

With less than 60 days until election day, we continue to highlight the races that will impact residents of North Carolina. There has been a lot of focus on races at the top of the top of the ballot but there are a number of other races that will have an impact on the council of state. One of those races is for the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture where Steve Troxler is running to keep his post. Commissioner Troxler joins Chris Edwards to discuss his candidacy.

The North Carolina Tar Heels coming off a 38-20 win over Charlotte in their home opener last week and now the Tar Heels continue their homestand this Saturday with another in-state battle against North Carolina Central - kickoff is set for 6:00 and you can hear coverage right here on WPTF. With us now to preview the game is the Voice of the Tar Heels Jones Angell.

Coming up tomorrow in Raleigh the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will host their annual BugFest with a number of exhibits, hands-on activities, interactions with entomologists and other scientists who can guide you through the world of bugs, there is also Café Insecta returning this year. WithChris Edwards to talk more about BugFest is Chris Smith, Coordinator of Current Science Programs for the Museum of National Sciences.

Earlier this week, the State House and Senate debated, voted and passed House Bill 10 that allows parents to basically chose public or private school for their children and provides funding to lessen the financial burden for parents if they chose private schools, the bill also requires local sheriffs to comply with ICE requests in certain situations. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is North Carolina Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue.

We are now 54 days away from Election Day and while the races at the top of the ballot have dominated the attention of many national and sate-wide pundits, there are also a number of local races that will be important to our local communities - one of those races is for the School Board in Johnston County and with Chris Edwards in studio to discuss his candidacy is David Spain.

Vice President Harris made a pair of stops in North Carolina on Thursday speaking at rallies in Charlotte and Greensboro. That visit comes as North Carolina remains one of the battleground states ahead of this years Presidential Election. With Chris Edwards now to offer perspective on what the Vice President had to say yesterday is State Representative Sarah Crawford.

As we look toward election day much of the focus has been on the races at the top of the ticket but there are several races that are on the ballot that could impact the Council of State. With Chris Edwards to discuss his candidacy for Insurance Commissioner is the current Commissioner of Insurance, Mike Causey.

With less than 60 days until election day, the race for the Presidency is now in full swing with the race continuing to be too close to call in many key states. North Carolina remains deeply entrenched as a battle ground state as Vice President Harris makes a pair of stops in our state today in Greensboro and in Charlotte. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective is Raleigh City Councilmen and Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Melton.

We are less than 60 days away from Election Day with the race for the White House still within the margin of error. That comes as some state-wide races are starting to see a bigger gap in the polls between the two candidates. With Chris Edwards to discuss this is Tom Jensen.

There is a pending shutdown at the ports along the North Carolina coast as unions prepare to strike. That is, if the two sides do not reach an agreement ports, including in North Carolina would shut down. With Chris Edwards to discuss further is Lauren Beagen the founder and CEO of Maritime Professor and a maritime attorney.

Vice President Harris and President Donald Trump had their first and perhaps only debate last night in Philadelphia and with now less than 60 days from election day it was a chance for both candidates to make their case to the American people. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective is Meredith College Political Science Professor David McLennen.

We are now less than 60 days away from election day and a number of races have drawn attention both across the country and here across North Carolina along with the first and perhaps only debate between President Trump and Vice President Harris. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective is Michael Whatley, Chairmen of the Republican National Committee.

Vice President Harris and President Donald Trump had their first and perhaps only debate last night in Philadelphia and with now less than 60 days from election day it was a chance for both candidates to make their case to the American people. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective North Carolina 13th District Congressman Wiley Nickel.

On Monday the North Carolina State Senate debated, voted and passed along party lines a bill on school vouchers which also ties immigration to the voucher program for opportunity scholarships in what is now known as House Bill 10 which passed. This bill calls for $248 million in nonrecurring funds for Opportunity scholarships for all students attending private schools while also adding another $215 million in recurring funds. In addition to school vouchers, this bill mandates local sheriffs to honor ICE detention requests in some situations. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is Rachel Brady a proponent of opportunity scholarships.

On this 23rd anniversary of September 11, Habitat for Humanity of Durham is hosting their 9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance beginning today and running through Saturday. With Chris Edwards to discuss this week of service is Kristen Ford, Supervisor of Volunteer Engagement for Habitat Durham.

The town of Clayton will host the Bands, Beer and Barbeque Cookoff in Downtown Clayton this weekend where over 20 teams from across North Carolina, Kansas and Missouri will come to town with their best flavors, patron can come to downtown to enjoy the food, sip on some drinks and enjoy some live music. With Chris Edwards to talk more about the event is Paul Auclair and Christy Thompson.

On Monday the North Carolina State Senate debated, voted and passed along party lines a bill on school vouchers which also ties immigration to the voucher program for opportunity scholarships in what is now known as House Bill 10 which passed. This bill calls for $248 million in nonrecurring funds for Opportunity scholarships for all students attending private schools while also adding another $215 million in recurring funds. In addition to school vouchers, this bill mandates local sheriffs to honor ICE detention requests in some situations. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri.

There is less then 60 days away from the presidential election and it seems to be almost neck and neck in the polls. Chris Edwards takes some time to speak with the son of former President Donald Trump, Eric Trump, about the message he intends to get by to all the undecided voters.

The first and perhaps only Presidential Debate is tonight in Philadelphia between Former President Trump and Vice President Harris. Our coverage of the debate on WPTF will start at 8:30 and with Chris Edwards to preview this debate is North Carolina 2nd District Congresswomen Deborah Ross.

There are a number of key issues that impact the lives of North Carolinians both at the national and state-wide level this comes under the backdrop of the race for the White House and a number of other state-wide races that will shape the council of state in North Carolina. With Chris Edwards to discuss a number of these topics is North Carolina Senator Ted Budd.

When the July jobs report was released, it sparked concern that the economy was heading towards a recession which caused a sell-off for many global stocks however in the weeks following that July report some of the confidence has improved but that only lasted until the first trading day after the Labor Day Holiday. With Chris Edwards to break it all down is CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger.

A new piece came out on Friday from NC State Professor Emeritus Dr. Mike Walden that asks the question, can the President Control the Economy? In the piece, Dr. Walden lays out how much the race for the White House in November will impact our day-to-day economy. Dr. Walden joins Chris Edwards to discuss further.

A lot of legal news coming out late last week that has caught the attention of the public as a Judge delayed the sentencing in Former President Donald Trump's hush money case until after the election and also last week Hunter Biden, Son of President Joe Biden announced a plea deal in a move that surprised many. With Chris Edwards to break it all down is CBS News Legal Analyst Thane Rosenbaum.

Support Animals roaming around airports becoming more common around the country and it isn't just dogs. A former American Airlines mechanic gets nine years in prison for smuggling, and airlines ending their post-Covid hiring spree, all these story's and more with Aviation Analyst Jay Ratliff.

The 2024 Election is rapidly approaching with election day now less than 60 days until voters go to the polls to decide who will be the next President and also select other leaders in North Carolina. With Chris Edwards to discuss the race and the issues is Sloan Duvall, President of the Young Democrats at the University of North Carolina.

Today is National Emergency Services Day and we wanted to take the time to honor those who protect and serve our communities each day. This morning we get perspective on Fire, EMS and Emergency Management in Wake County from all three agencies - with Chris Edwards from Wake County Emergency Management is Autumn Goheen, Greg Guillaume from Wake County EMS and Chief Ronny Mizell from the Wake/New Hope Fire Department.

The college football season marches into week two and there are a number of big time match-ups. Locally the North Carolina Tar Heels get set to open up the home portion of their schedule as Carolina welcomes Charlotte to Kenan Stadium Saturday afternoon in a game that you can hear on WPTF. With Chris Edwards to preview this weeks contest is the Voice of the Tar Heels Jones Angell.

The Wake County Public School System announced earlier this week their four-year graduation rates reached an all-time high and proficiency on standardized state test approached or exceeded pre-pandemic levels in many subjects, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is Brad McMillen, Assistant Superintendent for Data, Research and Accountability for Wake County Public School System.

This weekend marks the end of the Minor League Baseball season for many teams but for one team and one community in our state, it marks the end of an era. On Sunday the Down East Wood Ducks will play their final game of the Carolina League season but it will also be the final professional baseball game played in Kinston for the foreseeable future as the franchise will relocate. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this is a Kinston native and the author of the story that appears now on the Assembly, James Ryals.

We are less than 60 days away from the 2024 Election and a number of races will be on the ballot this fall from the Presidential Election to a number of Council of State races across the Old North State. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective on the race is Wake County Representative Maria Cervania.

With 60 days until election day, a number of political races are gaining attention with national and state-wide races across North Carolina with Chris Edwards to offer perspective on these races as well as preview the Presidential Debate is Catawba College Political Science Professor, Dr. Michael Bitzer.

A deadly school shooting in Winder, Georgia has left two students and two teacher dead with as many as nine others injured after, according to police a 14-year old student opened fire just after classes started. With us now to offer perspective is retired New York Police Lt. Steve Hauck.

There are just 60 days until election day in November and a number of races in our state are drawing lots of interest including the race for Governor where Attorney General Josh Stein (D) is facing off with Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R) in a race that is gaining national attention with North Carolina squarely listed as a battle ground state. Attorney General Stein joins Chris Edwards to discuss his campaign and other important topics.

There are just 60 days until the Presidential Election as North Carolina is positioned as a battleground state as the race for the White House heats up and both Presidential campaigns making their pitch to voters across the Old North State. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective is Tommy Pigott, Communications Director for the RNC.

Last night while speaking at Duke University in Durham, former Wyoming Congresswomen Liz Cheney said she was endorsing and would vote for Vice President Harris becoming the second former Republican member of congress to support the Vice President over Former President Donald Trump. With Chris Edwards to discuss this Scott Peoples.

We are about 60 days away from Election Day and a number of races across North Carolina are picking up steam and intensity. Meredith College Political Science Professor David McLennan joins Chris Edwards to discuss some of the key headlines in this post Labor Day sprint to the finish line.

Duke Energy customers might see an increase in their bill over the next couple of months before prices go back down after the first of the year. We get some of the key points as well as talk tips to keep those prices down as we approach the fall with Duke Energy Spokesperson Jeff Brooks.

An article that was released on Tuesday on the web site, The Assembly, which outlines a long relationship between Republican Gubentorial Candidate and current North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson and an adult store in Greensboro where the Lt. Governor was, according to the story, a regular customer. John Drescher, Senior Editor at The Assembly, joins Chris Edwards in studio to talk about this story, the reporting and the biggest take-a-ways.

As we march ahead toward Election Day, we continue to highlight the races that will appear on the ballot in November which include races for the White House, locally the council of state and a congressional race, too. With Chris Edwards to discuss his candidacy for Congress in North Carolina's 13th District is Frank Pierce.

On Tuesday Vice President Harris is set to unveil a wave of economic plans that would impact communities and small businesses in a speech today. That plan calls for expanding tax deduction and costs around starting a small business and removing some of those hurdles to get the business up and running. With Chris Edwards to discuss the plan is the Chair of the Wake County Commissioners Shinica Thomas.

We are 62 days away from Election Day and the race for the White House has kicked into high gear with both campaigns making their pitch to voters across our country. With Chris Edwards to offer perspective on their campaign is Wake County Representative Sarah Crawford.