WPTF Morning News

WPTF Morning Show host, Chris Edwards, talks with Michele Woodhouse of the Michele Woodhouse Show about Super Tuesday Elections along with their thoughts about the candidates running.

We have been talking about election day for a while and today is finally the day - Primary Day in our state as you head out to the polls to cast your vote, the Executive Director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Karen Brinson-Bell, joins The WPTF Morning Show to tell us everything you need to know before you cast that ballot.

A lot of people don't realize that we there is a Commissioner of Labor in North Carolina, let alone their job and how they function in the government. Josh Dobson, the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, joins the WPTF Morning Show to talk about what his role in North Carolina is.

Dave Boliek, candidate for state auditor calls to remind listeners why he is running for office.

North Carolina's rail system contributed over $20 billion into the state's economy and supports over 88,000 jobs across the state according to a recent report by the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Rail Division. Joining The WPTF Morning Shower to talk more about this is the Rail division Director, Jason Orthner.

Dale Folwell, candidate for North Carolina Governor calls into the WPTF Morning Show to go over one last time why he is running for Governor.

Brad Knott, a Congressional candidate, calls into the WPTF Morning show to give a final look at why he is running for congress.

Sandy Smith, Congressional candidate for the first district of North Carolina, calls into the WPTF Morning show to give a final look at why she is running for congress.

It is Primary Day in North Carolina with key races all across our state. To talk more about these races is North Carolina House Speaker, Tim Moore, on the WPTF Morning Show

Mike Causey, calls into the WPTF Morning Show to talk about why he is running for the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner.

Studies show that more now then ever adults from 18 to 34 are relying on their parents for financial support. To answer why this happens so often is Jill Schlesinger on the WPTF Morning Show.

United Airlines pilot locks the door to the first class lavatory, a Delta Airlines pilot retires in style, and a 41 year old who passed away on a flight. All these story's and more with Jay Ratliff and Chris Edwards.

Today the Colorado Supreme Court will come to a conclusion, to see Donald Trump will be allowed on the primary ballot, citing a law formed soon after the civil war stating you cannot hold office if you have been part of an insurrection. To discuss this and more Chris Edwards is joined by CBS News legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is a non-profit designed to support democracies and being awareness to situations that are trying to end them. Clifford May, founder and president, of the origination joins Chris Edwards to talk about what trying to achieve given the Russio-ukrainian war.

Brad Knott is a Republican running for the North Carolina's 13th congressional district. It has come that that he has recently voted in a different congressional district. He is here to shed light on the situation and to express what stand for and aims to achieve if if he is elected on the WPTF Morning Show.

Wilson "Stick" Moore recently passed away after a fentanyl overdose in Knightdale. Betsy Moore, Wilsons's mother, joins with Chris Edwards to raise awareness about fentanyl and drug use. Photo Credit: Amanda Daughtry

The play "Forged in Fire" will be debuting in Apex, North Carolina, in March. The play is about Apex, a small-town with a can-do spirit, recovering after a large fire, based on the award-winning book "Pluck, Perseverance and Paint: Apex, NC Beginnings to 1941" by Warren & Toby Holleman. The Playwright Warren Holleman join Chris Edwards to discuss the meaning and passion going on behind this project.

The Raleigh Police Department will soon hold the last of its three public meetings on their new ConnectRaleigh program. It will give police more streamlined access to security cameras at homes and businesses in an effort to keep the community safe. to talk more about it Raleigh Police Department lieutenant Jason Borneo is joined by Jon Champion. PLEASE NOTE: There is some distortion in this podcast.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the ongoing problem with opioid drugs like Fentanyl in our country in particular the use of those drugs by teenagers. The elimination of those drugs have been a priority by many lawmakers in our state and joining Chris Edwards in studio now to talk more about the impact of these drugs in our community is Mike Whelees from our sister station WQDR.

DUDE WIPES has partnered with Duke Athletics in a variety of ways and on Tuesday, Co-Founder Ryan Meegan was inside K-Ville to deliver some food to the Duke Students are are camping out in tents ahead of the Duke-North Carolina basketball game in a couple of weeks, Ryan Meegan talks with the WPTF Morning Show.

Cathrine Truitt, the North Carolina State Superintendent has called for changes in North Carolina schools in conversations with lawmakers earlier this week, Superintendent Truitt joins the WPTF Morning Show to talk more in depth about these changes.

The United States Open Returns to Pinehurst this summer where Pinehurst No. 2 will host the 124th US Open Championship. Marking the 4th time the course has hosted the event but the first since 2014. Joining us now to talk more about the preparations for the event is the Managing Director of the US Open, Reg Jones.

We are days away from a potential Government shutdown with the continuing resolution passed in November is set to expire on Friday, becoming the fourth deadline lawmakers have approached in recent months, a big part of these negotiations will the United States give aid to Ukraine and Israel in their ongoing war efforts. Joining the WPTF Morning Show to discuss this further is North Carolina Congressman Wiley Nickel.

As we get deeper into 2024 many people are still looking to get into shape or drop a few pounds. Joining Chris Edwards and Jon Champion to talk more about how to live a healthy lifestyle is Chris Mondragon of Personally Fit.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month and many organizations continue to fight that disease and look to help find a cure for cancer. One of those organizations in our backyard is the V Foundation and joining the WPTF Morning Show to talk more about the work of the group is Jeff Friday.

Have you ever sat so long in a doctor’s waiting room that you just got up and left? Or had to chase a doctor for test results? A new survey from MDVIP reveals how the quest for healthcare can turn into a journey of frustration. In fact, 1 in 3 Americans have reached “burnout” status – on the MDVIP survey’s Patient Frustration Index. Here to discuss the findings and what you can do to avoid “patient burnout” is Dr. Alan Reisinger, Medical Director of MDVIP.

Paragon Theaters was founded in 2009 by Michael Whalen and Michael Wilson, They have some ground-breaking concepts that improve the comfort of the viewer and an innovated rewards program. Michael Whatlen, the CEO of Paragon Theaters talks to Chris Edwards about what they have to offer.

Today is National Strawberry Day and North Carolina certainly has its share of great strawberries. Joining Chris Edwards and Jon Champion on WPTF Morning Show now to talk about the strawberry industry in our state is the Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler.

The State Archives hosted a virtual program on how labor from incarcerated men built the western NC railroads. Steve Little is the lead researcher on the program and the Mayor of Marion. He joins Chris Edwards to help bring light to these men that helped build this state.

Good news in the stock market lately, and people are wondering if these positive trends are going to continue. Jill Schlesinger discusses these trends with Chris Edwards nd provides some tips for new and old investors.

Jay Ratliff has this weeks aviation news.

Newpath Church will be hosting their first marriage conference presented by Steve and Lisa Goldberg. The goal of this conference is to encourage people to stay together after going though major issues with your spouse. Jim Angerole joins Chris Edwards to preview this conference.

Last Saturday the group 7 Directions of Service hosted a Water Walk in Eden to raise concerns over the use of Fossil Fuels and to protect sacred places. The Founder of 7 Directions of Service, Jason "Crazy-Bear" Kampos-Keck joins the WPTF morning show to discuss their concerns.

The play "Forged in Fire" will be debuting in Apex, North Carolina, in March. The play is about Apex, a small-town with a can-do spirit, recovering after a large fire, based on the award-winning book "Pluck, Perseverance and Paint: Apex, NC Beginnings to 1941" by Warren & Toby Holleman. The co-directors Kristin McCormick and Catherine Rodgers join Chris Edwards to discuss the meaning and passion going on behind this project.

Jon Champion, WPTF Morning Show host, was able to chat with Joseph B. Cutchins, Jr, owner of Cutchins Funeral Home in Franklinton, North Carolina. Cutchins Funeral Home shares a history with Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion. Mr. Johnson was killed just after an automobile accident in 1946 and Mr. Cutchins' father was the one who transported the legendary boxer to a black hospital, St. Agnes Hospital in Raleigh, because he wasn't allowed in a white hospital. Mr. Cutchins tells WPTF the whole story.

Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit Returns to Durham Convention Center Following Immense First-Year Impact. To talk about their plans for the future is Kaila'Shea Menendez & Lulu Black.

Visit Raleigh has released the year-end 2023 Wake County Tourism Industry Report and the overall numbers appear to be strong for the County. To discuss the numbers and what they mean in-depth is Visit Raleigh President and CEO Denny Edwards.

For UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has said she will remain in the race for the Republican Parties Nomination for President regardless of the outcome of the South Carolina Primary this weekend, Meredith College Political Science Professor, David McLennen is with Chris Edwards to discuss that as well as a quick preview of the North Carolina primary in a little over a week.

Early on Tuesday morning the Durham City Council passed a cease fire resolution calling for an end to the violence in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The measure passed by a 5-2 vote with Mayor Leonardo Williams and Mayor Pro-Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton voting against the resolution. Mayor Leonardo Williams talks with Chris Edwards.

Cami McCormick joins Chris Edwards and Jon Champion to talk about the recent updates with the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the death of activist Alexei Navalny that happened last week. Also a UN trial about the Israel Hamas war.

2024 has brought new investments in affordable housing in Wake County as Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $2.4 million loan to build more than 50 affordable homes in Wake County. Joining Chris Edwards and Jon Champion to talk more about this effort is Patarica Burch, CEO for Habitat for Humanity of Wake County.

The North Carolina State Capitol launched a new website "From Naming to Knowing: Uncovering Slavery at the North Carolina State Capitol" and joining us now to talk more about this web site is Terra Schramm, Site Administrator for the North Carolina State Capitol.

Two people alone on a southwest flight, and a mid air brawl. Chris Edwards talks to Jay Ratliff about all the top aviation story's from last week.

Julia McNeely, a 3rd grade teacher at Even Oaks Classical School and a gradate of Hillsdale College, talks with Jon Champion about the importance of learning cursive and focusing on beautiful handwriting.Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Elementary School February 2024 Photo provided by Hillsdale College

Steve Wade has just published a book about what it is like for the parents of kids who go though the Naval Academy. Seeing you children leave the nest in any capacity can be hard on anyone but seeing them depart for the Navy comes with unique experiences. Our very own Navy man, Jon Champion joins Steve Wade to talk all about his new book and to give some advice to parents going though the same thing.

It is National Shingles awareness week, and many people live with the virus inside of them and are yet to receive the vaccine. Many people don't realize that if you have ever had chicken pox the shingles virus stays dormant inside of your body for years or even decades until it decides to reactivate itself. Dr. Leah Smith, a Vaccine Educator and Laarni, a shingles survivor, join Jon Champion to talk about the virus.

Fuqua-Varina has more to offer then they ever have, a ton of new businesses are coming and they have been recently voted the safest small town town in America. To talk about what Fuqua has to offer and its plans for the future is Mayor Blake Massengill, joined by Jon Champion.

Retired Police Lieutenant Steve Hauck shares expert advice about how law enforcement and the media handled to a Valentine's Day shooting during the victory parade for the Kanas City Chiefs on February 14, 2024.

Love is in the air and scams are everywhere. Sweetheart scams are in season right now and the scammers are more persistent then ever. Michael Easley, the US Eastern District Attorney talks with Chris Edwards and Jon Champion about how you can protect yourself from these scams and many more.

Bill Graham joins Chris Edwards to talk about his campaign trail and what he plans on bringing to the table should he become the next Governor. He also makes a few comments on his opponents.