WPTF Morning News

In Today's Talk of the Town Segment we highlight one of our local towns - Smithfield - which has numerous events planned in the coming weeks and it all gets started tonight. Mayor of Smithfield Andy Moore joined the WPTF Morning Show.

The Presidential Election remains at the top of mind for many. Michael Whatley, Chairmen of the Republican National Committee joined the WPTF Morning Show

Note in the Pocket is a Wake and Durham County non-profit that provides clothing to school-age children in need. Sara Caldwell, the Development Director of Note in the Pocket joined the WPTF Morning Show to talk more about what they do.

Now’s the time for you to make a difference in the lives of kids in Durham and Orange County. Jon Champion chats with Jerome Levisy, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties.

Thursday, April 18 is National Lineworker Appreciation Day as we stop and say a note of thanks to those who work on the front lines each day to keep our power running, sometimes in less than ideal conditions. With us now to chat more about linemen and their importance is Jeff Brooks Spokesperson with Duke Energy.

In today's Talk of the Town segment, we highlight a spring time tradition in Raleigh, the Midtown Beach Music Series is back at North Hills Shopping Center and with us now to talk more about this series is Gary Gibson, the Owner of Loafers Beach Club.

Thursday is National Adult Autism Awareness Day, something that impacts millions of Americans and with us now to discuss this further is Dr. Elena Tenenbaum, professor at Duke University.

US Eastern District Attorney, Michael Easley joins Chris Edwards on the WPTF Morning Show for his monthly visit to talk about National Crime Victims Rights Week

In today's Talk of the Town segment we look at some of the events that are coming up throughout Johnston County soon. Ashby Brame from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau joined the WPTF Morning Show

If International travel plans are in your future, you will want to make sure you have your passports handy. The Wake County register of deeds is here to help with a Passport Fair that is coming up later this month Tammy Bruner from the Register of Deeds Office joined Chris Edwards on the WPTF Morning Show

Ford Mustang turns 60 on, Wednesday, April 17th. It was on this day the Mustang was introduced in 1965 at the New York’s World’s Fair. Here to tell us more about the car and its celebration is Joe Bellino, Brand Mgr. of the Ford Mustang.

Julie Ruditzky Loffredi discusses the details on the benefits of on-demand grocery delivery and how American families can save money on groceries.

Abby Emanuelson, Executive Director of Care4Carolina a nonpartisan coalition that has a grassroots campaign to help North Carolinians sign up for Medicaid..

Korena Keys is ECO of the digital marketing agency KeyMedia Solutions which she started from her home office in 2011. She wrote a book titled 'From Welfare to CEO' which documents her journey from a single mother on government benefits to the CEO of her own company.

Former President Donald Trump's hush money case got underway in New York on Monday as jury selection began. Joining us to talk more about this trial and what we could expect is CBS legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum.

New Federal Trade Commission data show consumers reported losing $10 billion to scams in 2023, marking the first time that fraud losses have reached that benchmark. The FTC received fraud reports from 2.6 million consumers last year, with the most commonly reported being imposter scams. With us now to talk more about this is Natalya Rice, Attorney with the FTC's Southeast Region.

The WNBA Draft was Monday night with Iowa's Caitlin Clark going first overall to the Indiana Fever, additionally there has been some coaching turnover in the ACC on the women's basketball front and today, April 16 marks 17 years since that deadly shooting on the Virginia Tech campus .... joining us to give perspective on all of these things is Evan Hughes, radio broadcaster on the Virginia Tech Sports Network.

Jackie Robinson Day is celebrate across baseball on the Anniversary of Mr. Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947. Joining us to talk more about this day as well as the Major League Baseball Season is Geoff Arnold, Radio Voice of the Baltimore Orioles.

A wide-range of issues have highlighted the political scene both locally and nationally, new polls were also released recently that show a clear favorite in the race for Governor, here to break all of that and more down for us in Meredith College Political Science Professor, David McLennen.

Chris Edwards talks with Jeff McCausland about the Iranian attack on Israel.

We continue on our journey to Election Day with several races on the minds of North Carolinians but nationally the race for the White House is top of mind - with us now to discuss some of those key issues in Lynne Patton, Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump.

Jon Champion speaks with a small business owner about upcoming events in downtown Oxford.

Dominant Championship Wrestling has been making some waves in the North Carolina Wresting scene and has some amazing events coming up for all to enjoy.

Some last minute tax tips for anyone who has yet to file this year. David Selig talks with Chris Edwards.

We continue to trend toward the November election season as races across our state continue to intensify, joining Chris Edwards to talk more about these races is the chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Anderson Clayton.

The vintage goods market in wake county is larger then people think, the Trunk Show is an amazing place to buy your antiques and vintage goods from local venders.

The first major the Golf season gets underway later today as the Augusta National Golf Club holds the 88th Masters Tournament. Joining Chris Edwards to preview this years tournament is Alex Myers, Senior Writer from Golf Digest.

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams gave his state of the city address earlier this week. The Mayor joins us now in today's Talk of the Town Segment to talk more about Durham on WPTF's Morning Show with Chris Edwards and Jon Champion.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein seeking to become North Carolina Governor after current Gov. Roy Cooper's term expires after eight years in the executive mansion. Joining The WPTF Morning Show talk more about his bid for the Governorship is Attorney General Josh Stein.

April is Parkinson's Awareness month.to help shed light on this disease is Dr. Burton Scott the from Duke University Department of Neurology.

The ongoing saga of the ACC and Florida State continues with some developments in the courtroom this week as FSU is suing the ACC in an attempt to get out of the league's grant of rights agreement. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about what is going on inside the courtroom is David Glenn from the North Carolina Sports Network.

On Tuesday, Congressman Wiley Nickel introduced the Fair and Impartial Redistricting for Meaningful and Accountable Political Systems (FAIR MAPS) Act. The FAIR MAPS Act would combat partisan gerrymandering by establishing independent, non-partisan redistricting commissions in every state. The Congressman joins Chris Edwards to talk more about this proposed legislation.

Many amazing events are coming up in Zebulon very soon. The Spring Concert Series will be drawing a lot of traffic into the area as well as the annual Spring Fest which is right around the corner. They are also bringing back the amazing community event "Cops & Bobbers". Chris Edwards talks to Kaleb Harmon about all these events and more in the WPTF Morning Show's Talk of the Town.

A judge denied a request to delay the start of his hush money trial. Many people are wondering whats next, or what happens if he is found guilty. Chis Edwards talks about this and more about Trumps legal battle with Thane Rosenbaum.

April is sexual assault awareness and prevention month. The US Department of Veterans Affairs highlights free recourses and support for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma.

Cities up and down the east coast experienced an earthquake with shocks felt as far south as Washington, DC and as far north as Maine. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about this event is Jonathan Lees, Professor at the University of North Carolina in the Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Science.

It is not too late to do your taxes, there are many resources to use if you have not filed yet and are not ready to file. You can ask for an extension or just send then something to hold them off for a little while before going into a proper payment plan. Jill Schlesinger joins Chris Edwards to talk about some tips and tricks when filing last minute or dealing with money you owe.

The 2024 Presidential Campaign continues to intensify as we head toward Election Day in and we do expect North Carolina to get a lot of attention this election cycle. Joining the WPTF Morning Show to talk more about one of the candidates running for office is Lynne Patton, Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump and his re-election campaign.

A plane flying too close to a tower, a Southwest airlines engine cover coming off during a flight, and more with our weekly conversation with Jay Ratliff.

The North Carolina State Games are coming up, where athletes across our state compete in a variety of events and with Chris Edwards to talk more about this event is Chip Hofler, Vice President of North Carolina Amateur Sports.

Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) is a chronic, and potentially life -threatening neutrophilic skin disease, distinct from plaque psoriasis and is chattacterized by the occurrence of flares - episodes of widespread outbreaks of painful, sterile pustules that can begin in a localized region of the body. Joining Chris Edwards to talk about this is Dr. Bruce Strober and Brandon, a patient dealing with GPP.

The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild will hold the inaugural NC Pint Day, a statewide celebration of North Carolina Craft Beer on Sunday, April 7. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about NC Pint Day is Lisa Parker, Executive Director of the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild.

Miles Frizzell who portrays Paul McCartney in 'The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute" speak to Jon Champion about the importance of The Beatles album "Rubber Soul" to the band's legacy.

The Wake County Animal Shelter is asking the community to help by adopting pets as the shelter has reached full capacity again. Joining Chris Edwards to talk more about the needs of the shelter and how you can bring your forever friend home is Meagan Frost, The Community Outreach Manager for Wake County.

The Presidential race is starting to heat up and North Carolina will once again be one of the key battleground states this November. Trump 2024 National Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt joined the WPTF Morning Show to talk about some of the issues at the heart of the 2024 election.

The Republican nominee for the 13th Congressional District has gone to a run-off to decide who will be the parties nominee in November's General Election. Brad Knott will face off against Kelly Daughtry in the Second Primary which will be held on May 14th. Brad Knott is joins Chris Edwards to talk more about this race.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following a crash from a ship. CBS Senior Transportation Correspondent, Kris Van Cleave joined Chris Edwards on the WPTF Morning Show to talk more about the impact of the crash.

As of April 1st popular weight loss drugs, like Wegovy and others are no longer offered to state employees through their health plan, joining Chris Edwards to talk more about this is State Treasurer, Dale Folwell.

NC State has one of the best seasons they have had in years for both the men and the women. With the Final 4 looming over them, a lot of people are wondering how the teams and their fans are taking it. Chris Edwards is joined by David Glenn to talk about it.

The people of Haiti continue to suffer, violence has reached the capitol and many are wondering how much longer this will last and will they will get a new Prime Minister. Jeff McCausland, CBS News Military Analyst joins Chris Edwards to discuses what's going on in Haiti.