WPTF Morning News

Juneteenth is celebrated across the country to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The Town of Apex will hold their Juneteenth Festival to celebrate this important day in history, and promote equity, respect, and understanding between people of all backgrounds and cultures. Chris Edwards speaks with Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert and one of the organizers, TJ Evans, about the event.

Earlier this week the US Congress hosted their annual congressional baseball game in our Nation’s Capitol. With Chris Edwards to discuss the game, as well as other topics of note Congressman Wiley Nickel.

Chris Edwards and Thom Tillis have their monthly conversation to talk about Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Hunter Biden case, and more.

We are just a couple of weeks removed from Memorial Day, just last week we remembered D-Day and the heroic actions of those who saw ashore at Normandy and with Flag Day coming up later this week as well as Women Veterans Day , it is a perfect time to remember our veterans and those who are currently serving our country. Chris Edwards discusses those things and talk about issues facing state government with North Carolina Senator Val Applewhite.

Sad news in the triangle and the ACC as a whole as Bob Harris the longtime Voice of the Blue Devils passed away at the age of 81. Chris Edwards talks about Bob’s life and career as well as offer some insight into the 124th US Open with Wes Durham of ESPN and the ACC Network.

Fans will be able to follow the U.S. Open like never before thanks to a comprehensive suite of digital offerings that will immerse audiences in the action at Pinehurst this week, with Chris Edwards to discuss more is Dave Giancola, Digital Strategy and Innovation Director for the USGA.

Vice President Kamila Harris was in Charlotte on Wednesday to highlight the work of the Biden campaign as we head toward the November election, here to discuss that and other key topics around the race for the White House is Tommy Pigott, Strategic Communications Director for the Republican National Committee.

Chris Edwards gets the chance to speak with Mike Sullivan, from Sully's Golf and Gather to talk about their gold simulator showcasing the bottom 9 of golf course number 2 and a number of other famous courses.

Reflecting an organizational commitment to advance more equitable and accessible opportunities for individuals interested in working in golf, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has identified 24 students from a wide range of backgrounds to participate in the Pathways Internship at the 2024 U.S. Open Championship. Joining Chris Edwards to talk about this is Kamille Ramos, the USGA Director of DEI, Culture and Community.

The Elias Sports Bureau has become the authority when it comes to sports statistics and looking in depth at trends and historical data, but how did the bureau become what it is today and what do the numbers tell us about this 124th US Open in Pinehurst? Chris Edwards gets those answers from Randel Robles from Elias Sports Bureau; he is with us now via telephone.

A native of Durham, Ward Clayton has become one of the authorities on the art of caddying and what caddies mean to the game of golf but has gone so far as to write numerous books about the men who made caddying what it is today. Ward will be in Pinehurst later today to sign copies of one of his new books and he joins Chris Edwards to talk more about this.

The Hispanic community make up a large portion of voters and have needs of their own. Maca Casado, Hispanic Media Director for the Biden Campaign has the chance to speak to Chris Edwards about the Hispanic community and what issues they feel needs attention this upcoming presidential election.

We are showing more and more job growth every time a new report comes out, Chris Edwards talks with Jill Schlesinger about it.

Chris Edwards get a moment to speak with Cindy Hudson of the Do it 4 W Foundation, an amazing group giving opportunities to those who may not have had them, by offering scholarships to many aspiring grads.

Michele Morrow, the Republican candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, joins Chris Edwards to discuss why she is running and to respond to some of the controversy she has been facing.

A new airline has started flights at RDU, United added in personalized ads to flyers, and a virial video of some flames coming out of an engine. All this and more in this weeks talk between Chris Edwards an Jay Ratliff

From an increase in high speed chances to crimes that impact Wake County and how the Sheriff's office combats that, all topics that are on the mind of Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe. Here is Chris Edwards conversation with the Sheriff.

Last week there were a number of topics that made headlines coming out of state government, from the State Health Plan losing nearly a quarter of a billion dollars, according to treasurer Dale Folwell to a mask bill that now has campaign funding attached prompting Democratic senators to walk out on the vote. Chris Edwards gets some insight from North Carolina Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue.

Chris Edwards continues to speak with the different mayoral candidates for Raleigh. Here is his conversation with Dr. Terrence Ruth.

The Salvation Amy celebrates National Donut Day, which they started 80 years ago, by giving out donuts to the first responders of Wake County. Chris Edwards gets to speak to Christine Rogers, form the Salvation Army of wake county about this give away.

Chris Edwards gets to speak to an aspiring young pilot who is going to spend her summer vacation at the Naval Flight Academy.

It is National Eyewear Day celebrating spectacles which have been around for about 7 centuries and today we celebrate that national holiday with Rick Hall, Owner of Rick Hall Eyewear.

In a phase 2 clinical trial, a new drug under development significantly reduced both the symptoms and disease process of a condition called Sjӧgren’s disease. The international study was led by E. William St. Clair, M.D., the W. Lester Brooks Jr. Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at Duke University School of Medicine. The results will appear June 5 in the journal Nature Medicine. Dr. St. Clair joins Chris Edwards.

State Treasure Dale Folwell said the State Health Plan could lose nearly a quarter of a billion dollars this year and premiums for Medicare Advantage could increase drastically. With Chris Edwards to talk more about these topics and others is the Treasure Dale Folwell.

Joro Spiders are literally flying across the eastern United States and harming local spider populations. Chris Edwards has the to speak with an Dr. David Coyle, an expert on invasive species from Clemson University.

Insurance rates are going to increase slightly, but far less then what insurance companies wanted. Commissioner of Insurance, Mike Causey, join Chris Edwards to talk about the negations and why we have this slight increase. As well as scams going around targeting the elderly.

PTSD affects about 1 in 10 people in the United states, and it isn't just veterans. Dr. Jim Baxendale, part of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress talks with Chris Edwards about PTSD, how it is treated and what you can do for loved ones with the condition.

We are in uncharted times in our nations history with one of the presumptive presidential nominees now a felon after Donald Trump was convicted on 34 counts in his hush money trial last week and the trial of President Biden's son, Hunter began earlier this week on gun charges. With Chris Edwards to discuss what we are seeing in our country as well as a look at the political landscape in our state is Bob Phillips of Common Cause North Carolina.

President Biden signed an executive order that will allow federal officials to deport most people who enter the US outside of an official port of entry without processing their asylum claims - any time a certain threshold is reached. Since that is currently the case, the new regulations take effect midnight Wednesday - and will last until the number of such crossings drops below a daily average of 1,500 per week. With Chris Edwards to discuss this is North Carolina 13th District Congressman, Wiley Nickel.

Wake County has just passed their new budget and most of it is going towards education. Shinica Thomas, Chair of Wake County Commissioners joins Chris Edwards to talk about this new budget and what other benefits it has for the people of Wake county.

Chris Edwards has on another Mayoral Candidate for Raleigh. Eugene Myrick, is one of those running for the officer. Here is the talk they had.

Donald Trumps guilty verdict has beckoned many mixed responses from voters on both sides of the isle. It upset many while bolstering some peoples views, people are wondering what the next move is for Donald Trump, post trial. Chris Edwards get the chance to speak to Danielle Alvarez, Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump, about what they have planned next and their thought on the trial.

Wake County Public Libraries and the Wake County Legal Support Center are bringing their Lawyers in Your Library program to Southeast Regional Library in Garner on Saturday, June 8. This is the second installment of this series, which provides free family law legal support and advice to residents who need it at locations across the county. With Chris Edwards to discuss is Anh LyJordan and Rachel Beard.

The town of Garner has a new Town Manager and she joins Chris Edwards to talk what she has planned for the town.

Housing has been a continuing issue around the country and the numbers are showing that. To talks about this and the spring housing season with Jill Schlesinger.

Chris Edwards has his weekly conversation with Jay Ratliff about a potential strike, and more about Boeing.

The bipartisan COVID Select Subcommittee will question Dr. Anthony Fauci, concerning the government's response to the pandemic. With Chris Edwards to discuss today's hearing is CBS News Correspondent, Scott MacFarlane.

Chris Edwards and Kody Kinsley talk more about mental health about the recourses available.

From Medicaid expansion to mental health awareness to many other jobs and hats being worn there are a lot of action items currently moving through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, with Chris Edwards to discuss all of these topics is the Secretary of the department, Kody Kinsley.

We are just a couple weeks away from the United States Open returning to the cradle of North American Golf, Pinehurst where the famed Pinehurst No. 2 will host the US Open for a fourth time. But also returning to Pinehurst is the World Golf Hall of Fame after its relocation from St. Augustine, Florida. The Hall of Fame also induct their newest class during the US Open. To discuss all of these topics and more Chris Edwards speaks with Greg McLaughlin, CEO of the World Golf Foundation.

The Atlantic Hurricane season gets underway tomorrow and in North Carolina we seem to always been impacted by storms both on the coast and close to home, here in the triangle. Chris Edwards speaks with Nick Petro, Warning Coordination Meteorologist from the National Weather Service, about the upcoming storm season.

The 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Summer Games, will be held this weekend as individuals from across the state competing in a number of sports. With Chris Edwards to discuss the Summer Games as well as Special Olympics as a whole is Madeline Safrit, Director of Communications for Special Olympics North Carolina.

The November election has a number of races that will shape the landscape nationally and across our state but a little closer to home, we have a number of municipal elections and one of the races that will be decided by voters this fall is the race for Raleigh Mayor after incumbent mayor, Mary Ann Baldwin announced she would not seek another term as the leader of the Capitol City. Janet Cowell being one of the candidates running for Raleigh Mayor. Here is the conversation she had with Chris Edwards.

On Thursday, a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his criminal election interference trial. The judge says he'll sentence Trump on July 11th, four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Chris Edwards speaks with is Michele Woodhouse, host of the Michele Woodhouse Show heard here on WPTF to discuss this.

Reps. Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Wiley Nickel (NC-13) will host a press conference with Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert and members of the Town Council, Representative Maria Cervania, Representative Julie Von Haefen, and Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings to celebrate $1.9 million in federal funding that they secured for the town to complete the Cash Corporate Center Sewer Interceptor (Middle Creek Outfall) Project. Congressman Nickel joins Chris Edwards now to talk about the conference.

We are just a couple of weeks away from the United States Open returning to Pinehurst for the fourth time for our National Championship and it was announced yesterday that the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Rail Division will have a special passenger rail service from Raleigh to the US Open in Pinehurst. Chris Edwards talks with Jason Orthner, Rail Division Director for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, about these topics.

The November election has a number of races that will shape the landscape nationally and across our state but a little closer to home, we have a number of municipal elections and one of the races that will be decided by voters this fall is the race for Raleigh Mayor after incumbent mayor, Mary Ann Baldwin announced she would not seek another term as the leader of the Capitol City. With Chris Edwards is one of those people running to take her spot, James Shaugnessy.

We continue to monitor events that are happening on Capitol Hill that impact North Carolinians here at home as well as nationally. With Chris Edwards for perspective on the state of things in congress is a member of house leadership, North Carolina 5th District Congresswomen Dr. Virginia Foxx.

It was recently announced that the charges against Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler were dropped following an incident at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky a couple weeks ago. With Chris Edwards to discuss this as well as other items of note from the world of golf is Alex Myers, Senior Writer for Golf Digest

Habitat for Humanity of Durham will host Community Day on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holton Career Center in Durham. Anyone who currently owns a home or is interested in becoming a homeowner is invited to attend and with Chris Edwards to talk about this event as well as Habitat for Humanity Durham is Eric Doll, Director of Homeowner Services for Habitat of Humanity Durham