WPTF Morning News

The State Senate has been trying to tackle a number of current issues, Chris Edwards speaks with North Carolina Senator Pro Temp Phil Berger about some of these issues that are coming into the general assembly.

Closing arguments begin today in the hush money trail for former President Donald Trump with both the prosecution and defense giving their final pitches to the journey. Joining Chris Edwards to discuss this further and what we can expect to hear today is CBS News Legal Analyst, Thane Rosenbaum.

The golfing community is in shock after the death of Grayson Murray, a Raleigh native who passed away on Saturday. Murray won two events on the PGA Tour. He started his career at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh and eventually played at Wake Forest and East Carolina. Murray was open about his struggles with alcohol addiction and mental illness. In January, Murray won the Sony Open in Hawaii and over the weekend he withdrew from a Tournament in Texas before taking his life. With Chris Edwards to discuss Murray's life and his amateur golf career is Brad Alford, Assistant Commissioner of Sports, Championships and Compliance for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

Summer in North Carolina often means extended stretches with temperatures in the 90s and 100s, yet hundreds of people in Wake County don’t have access to reliable cooling. Wake County’s Cool for Wake program provides relief to those who struggle to beat the heat. Each year from mid-May through mid-September, the Wake County community comes together by donating money, gently used air conditioning units, fans and time. This summer marks the 12th year that Wake County is partnering with the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors Giving Network to make the program possible. With Chris Edwards to discuss this project is Denise Kissel, the Project Administrator.

As we mentioned earlier the North Carolina Republican Party is holding their state convention in Greensboro this weekend where it will be highlighted by a number of keynote speakers including Lara and Eric Trump as well as Lt. Governor Mark Robinson. Chris Edwards talks about the Convention and express some of her concerns is North Carolina 2nd District Congresswoman, Deborah Ross.

On Thursday the UNC Board of Governors awarded the 2024 Oliver Max Gardner Award to Dr. Craig Yencho an NC State researcher who has cultivated community and economic stability through his groundbreaking research on sweet potatoes. The Gardner Award recognizes faculty who have made "the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race." Dr. Yencho is kind enough to speak with Chris Edwards about this award and his work with sweet potatoes.

More people are considering the switch to an electric vehicle, but still have questions about everything from battery care to charging ports. Derek Sequeria, Director of Energy at General Motors meets with Chris Edwards now to talk more about this

Millions of Americans will be traveling across the country for the unofficial start to summer. Those traveling will also take to the skies and Raleigh Durham International Airport is no exception. With Chris Edwards to discuss tips and other things you need to know before heading to the airport for your Memorial Day travel is Stephanie Hawco, Director of Media Relations for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority.

It is graduation season across our area and in Wake County high school graduations are already underway in Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center, Memorial Auditorium, Meymandi Hall and Reynolds Coliseum. With Chris Edwards to preview graduations and give some tips to those coming to Raleigh for the Graduations is Delynda Ramirez-Carter, Director of Co-Curricular programs for Wake County Schools.

On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives made a decision not to concur with the Senate regarding a bill known as "Unmasking Mobs and Criminals." This bill aimed to reinstate mask restrictions in North Carolina. However, it faced public criticism from some Republican members. Joining us to delve into the details of this bill and the subsequent steps is Wake County Representative Erin Paré, alongside Chris Edwards.

May is National Barbecue Month and in North Carolina we have some of the best BBQ around. With Chris Edwards now to talk more about BBQ and maybe some tips on making good BBQ is Michael Letchworth Operating Partner of Sam Jones Barbecue.

A recent report has named Raleigh the No. 2 Best Performing City in the country which is up one spot from last year's study - the survey said Raleigh is one of the top-20 best performing metro areas for the 12th consecutive year. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about why Raleigh is booming is Denny Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

May is national military appreciation month and you may not realize it but some scams try to target military families and personal, Josh Stein touches on and more with Chris Edwards in their monthly talk.

The Senate will once again bring to vote President Biden's Boarder Bill which would reform US asylum laws, hire thousands of boarder agents and help to slow down the amount of fentanyl that is brought into the United States. However Republican members of Congress have said this beat would be "Dead on Arrival" once it reaches the House of Representatives. To discuss this vote Chris Edwards talks to Kevin Munoz, National Spokesperson for the National Biden Campaign.

A National Team is coming to the triangle to help prepare for their upcoming competition as the Sri Lankan cricket team is visiting and training in Morrisville. With Chris Edwards to discuss is Morrisville Council Member, Steve Rao.

North Carolinians head to the poll in November to cast their votes for state-wide and national races and once again our state is targeted as one of the biggest battleground states in the country as many are still undecided on their vote. With Chris Edwards to discuss the political landscape in North Carolina is the former Governor Pat McCrory.

Chris Edwards spoke with Michael Easley, US Eastern District Attorney about violence toward our officers increasing, and other issues facing our community during their monthly visit.

143 years ago today Clara Barton established the American Red Cross. We honor her memory and celebrate all of the work that organization is doing. For more on the Red Cross, its history, mission and to talk about upcoming events we visit with Laurie Hughes, Executive Director of the Greater Triangle Area Chapter Red Cross North Carolina Region.

Fisher Houses are homes away from home for military and veteran families to stay at no cost while their loved ones receive care at military or VA hospitals. Chis Edwards is joined by, Dave Coker, President of Fisher House Foundation to talk about all they do for Americans.

Busting stereotypes in video games: new reports finds American across all demographics play video games, and there might actually have some benefits in playing them. Chris Edwards talks with Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of Entertainment Software Associations about this new report.

Representatives from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, North Carolina Turnpike Authority and surrounding communities gathered last week to break ground on Phase 2 of the Complete 540 Project. With us now to talk more about the 540 Project is Dennis Jernigan, Deputy Chief Engineer of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.

Inflation has been a concern for many in the past year and not many people have thought about how it is affecting the stock market and what is keeping inflation from going down as fast as it could be. Chris Edwards speaks with CBS business analyst Jill Schlesinger about these topics.

There are still several key issues that Americans consider important to them this election cycle, Chris Edwards to discuss these issues is Lynne Patton, Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump.

Update on the Boeing whistleblower, American Airlines facing some controversy, and the engineering union stepping in to potentially help whistleblowers. Jay Ratliff and Chris Edwards talk about all these story's and more.

Award-winning burger master Josh Capon talks with Chris Edwards and shares his tips for making the best burgers

A statue of the late Reverend Billy Graham has been unveiled at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. A ceremony was held on Thursday morning that included Governor Cooper, Senator Thom Tillis and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx. Chris Edwards talks to to David Bruce, Vice President of the Billy Graham Library discuss this statue, the legacy of Rev. Graham and more.

ALS is a terrible disease that effects more people then most realize, and research is always on going. Dave Shore, President and CEO of ALS North Carolina joins Chris Edwards to discuss recent developments and why we continue research.

There are a number of legislation's that have recently been proposed and passed in congress and one of our local lawmakers involved in a lot of those recent proposals are from the desk North Carolina 2nd District Congresswomen, Deborah Ross. The Congresswomen joins Chris Edwards to discuss those measures and other items of note from Congress.

Locals Seafood, is opening a new store here in Raleigh. Their grand opening is coming up and Chris Edwards talks to co-founder Ryan Speckman all about it, and what North Carolina seafood has to offer.

Solar installations across the United States grew by 400% in just 8 years, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA), reaching 5 million installations for homes and businesses nationwide. By 2050, solar is expected to be the largest source of electricity on the grid. The number of solar installations in the United States is projected to double to 10 million by 2030 and triple to 15 million by 2034. North Carolina ranks 4th nationally for total solar energy and have nearly 50,000 solar installations across our state. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about this is Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO of SEIA.

Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong has recently announced his retirement coming up in October, and many are wondering how this will affect the months leading up to his retirement. Chris Edwards speaks with Chief Armstrong about how the Apex Police is preparing for his retirement and what will happen after.

Rising maintenance cost are hitting homeowners hard this season, there are more options then people realize though. Chris Edwards speaks with Sarah Riley, the Director of On-Demand Services at Frontdoor about options that homeowners have to deal with this rising maintenance cost.

The UNC Health Championship returns to Raleigh Country Club in downtown in two weeks with the event running May 30 through June 2. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about the event is the Tournament Director of the UNC Health Championship Brian Krusoe.

The UNC Health Championship returns to Raleigh Country Club in downtown in two weeks with the event running May 30 through June 2. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about the event is the Tournament Director of the UNC Health Championship Brian Krusoe.

North Carolina held a second primary on Tuesday where several Republican races were decided both on the state-wide level and one for congress. With Chris Edwards to discuss is Michele Woodhouse, host of the Michele Woodhouse Show heard here on WPTF.

May is National Water Safety Month and Memorial Day signifies the official state of summer. Chris Edwards got the opportunity to speak to Eric Lupton, president of life saver pool fence, about how parents can better ensure water safety for their children.

Just in time for summer patio season, a new quarterly report from Square is examining the state of the restaurant industry with some surprising results. Chris Edwards speaks with Ming-Tai Huh, from Square about this report.

Both the Second Primary and Run off elections are taking place. Karen Benson Bell, with the NC Board of Elections talks to Chris Edwards about voting practical for these type of elections, and how you can get tout to vote.

Brad Knott and Chris Edwards talk about the upcoming run off election and why voters should consider him.

Hal Weatherman and Chris Edwards talk about the upcoming run off election and why voters should consider him.

Dave Boliek and Chris Edwards talk about the upcoming run off election and why voters should consider him.

Maurice Ashley, the first African American Grandmaster, discusses with Chris Edwards the future of American chess, today's rising stars and a commemorative congressional chess tournament.

As students start to graduate from high school and college they are starting to worry more about their financial situation. Jill Schlesinger talks with Chris Edwards about all the things new grads can do to prepare themselves for the future.

Latest on the bowing whistleblower, and a South west passenger laying in overhead storage. Jay Ratliff talks about these stories and more with Chris Edwards

As the Trump Trial continues he is still making his rounds and speaking on many topics. His visit to new Jersey making impacts there and in surrounding states. Chris Edwards speaks with Karoline Leavitt from the Trump Campaign about these topics and more.

Steve Rao talks with Chris Edwards about the upcoming AI fireside chat.

A Group of Veterinarians and volunteers are working to provide military veterans with service dogs. Jon Champion speaks with the Executive Director of Vets to Vets united.

Intersections of Our Lives, is a collaboration of three women of color, and has just released a poll about how the power of voting in the people of color community and where they stand on current issues, Jon Champion gets to talk with Regina Davis Moss, President & CEO of Interactions Our Own Voice, about this poll.

Government regulations are weakening doctor-patient relationships and creating disparities in access to quality healthcare. to talk about these issues, Jon Champion talks to President & CEO of AACOM Doctor Robert Cain.

Severe Weather will affect all of us in our lifetime, and severe weather preparedness is something we should all participate in, regularly. Jon Champion speaks with Nick Petro from the National Weather Service to give some tips about how we should prepare and look out for.