WPTF Morning News

The morning crew played a new game during the ROUNDTABLE today, as Rob puts everyone to "grocery list" test, to see if they know which item is more expensive.

Have you heard about the latest warning from the CDC? They're reminding Americans to stop kissing and cuddling turtles. Yes, you read that right. Rob and Harrison discussed this story on the WPTF Morning Show.

It's hard to believe, but we're nearing the end of the 2023 minor league baseball season! The Carolina Mudcats start a 12-day home stand tonight at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. Rob Connett talked with play-by-play broadcaster Greg Young to see how the team has been performing this summer.

Laura Smith, meteorologist from CBS17 has updates on all the Tropical storms she has been watching these past few days. Along with a new storm, tropical storm herald. Luckily none of these storms should get near us, Laura Smith has all the details.

Sunday was National Radio Day, and the WPTF Morning Show is celebrating with throwback photos of everyone from early in their careers (you can check them out on the WPTF Facebook page). On the Roundtable, the crew discussed what brought them into the radio industry in the first place.

We had a beautiful comfortable weekend, now we have another hot start to the week. But it isn't just us, the whole country is experiencing this heat and its going to last a little longer. CBS17 Meteorologist Laura Smith joins us for your daily forecast, and to recap tropical storm Hilary that hit the east coast over the weekend and the tropical storms that are being watched in the Atlantic right now.

Today is "National Black Cat Appreciation Day." But it's also a good time to be reminded about the importance of having your cat -- or any other pet -- spayed or neutered. Lawanna from "Purr Partners" joined Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show to discuss how they, and other area shelters, are still needing people to adopt animals.

The Salvation Army of Wake County is hosting its back-to-school bash today, helping students with supplies. WPTF's Kristine Bellino talked with Sharmaine Joyner about that, and other upcoming events the organization is putting on.

This Saturday, WakeMed Soccer Park is being converted into a football field, for the inaugural U.S. Army "Be All You Can Be" Clash. Rob Connett talked with Mike Waddell, the organizer of this new high school football event.

Have you heard of Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale? It's slowly killing some trees and plants in our area. Joey Plutro from Advance Tree and Shrub talked about with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

Many areas around the Triangle, especially Durham, are cleaning up from Tuesday's strong storms. CBS 17 Meteorologist Laura Smith recapped the severe weather with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

Many areas around the Triangle, especially Durham, are cleaning up from Tuesday's strong storms. Nick Petro with the National Weather Service recapped the severe weather with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

Claire Groves, founder of Creature Curiosities located here in the triangle. She is an expert in handling exotic animals, and focuses of helping teaching, kids as well as adults, proper animal husbandry. She even brought in a few friends of hers that we got to meet.

Yet another heat advisory today, with a heat index up to 115 most of the afternoon. It is crucial that you stay mindful and if you have to do anything outside please take breaks and stay hydrated, it is too humid for your sweat to evaporate and cool itself off. CBS17 Laura Smith has all the details what more of what you can do in order to combat this heat, and the upcoming storms.

Claire Groves, founder of Creature Curiosities located here in the triangle. She is an expert in handling exotic animals, and focuses of helping teaching, kids as well as adults, proper animal husbandry. She even brought in a few friends of hers that we got to meet.

Yet another hot day looking ahead for us with some storms. You may be wondering when will this heat end? CBS17 Meteorologist Laura Smith, is here with some good news about how it should start to finally start to cool a bit by the end of the week.

Over the weekend in Michigan, during an air show, two pilots had to eject from a plane right before it crashed. Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff discussed the details on that, and other airline headlines, this morning on WPTF.

If you have a child going off to college, it can be a big, different time of their lives -- and yours. And it can be challenging, even financially. CBS business expert Jill Schlesinger joined the WPTF Morning Show to share her tips and advice for college-bound kids and their families.

All this week has been national farmers market week. Monica Wood, manager of the state farmers market, joins us to discuss the importance of your local farmers market and how much more they have to offer other then fresh fruit and vegetables

NOAH, has released new data concerning this years hurricane season, and what we are going to expect in the next few months during these El Niño conditions we have been experiencing. CBS 17 meteorologist, Laura Smith, tells us what is expected this season.

Carl Wockner is a musician originally from Australia, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Recently, performance videos of the "one-man band" have gone viral, including his version of "Time After Time" getting more than five million views on TikTok. Rob got a chance to sit down with Wockner and talk about his music career and how he has perfected the art of "looping."

Carl Wockner is a musician originally from Australia, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Recently, performance videos of the "one-man band" have gone viral, including his version of "Time After Time" getting more than five million views on TikTok. Rob got a chance to sit down with Wockner and talk about his music career and how he has perfected the art of "looping."

Carl Wockner is a musician originally from Australia, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Recently, performance videos of the "one-man band" have gone viral, including his version of "Time After Time" getting more than five million views on TikTok. Rob got a chance to sit down with Wockner and talk about his music career and how he has perfected the art of "looping."

What is your all-time favorite North Carolina sports moment? That was today's topic on the WPTF Morning Show "ROUNDTABLE."

The executive director of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, Trip Durham, previews their 60th class induction, and the ceremony that is taking place outside of Raleigh for the first time.

The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is located in Raleigh, but they're looking to expand across the state. Their executive director, Trip Durham, joined the WPTF studio this morning to explain how.

If you drive the 540 toll road around the Triangle, or any other toll road in North Carolina, the NC Turnpike Authority has been making online changes to make things easier for you. Angela Queenland from the NCTA joined the WPTF Morning Show to discuss those changes -- and talk about their college internship program.

More storms on the horizon today, thankfully shouldn't be as bad as it was earlier this week. CBS17 Meteorologist Laura Smith joins the WPTF morning show and tells us when we should expect these storms to hit and how long they should last, and what we should expect coming up this weekend.

Comedian Andy Forrester returned to the WPTF studio, and shared his thoughts on the perfect time to eat dinner.

Comedian Andy Forrester returned to the WPTF Morning Show on Wednesday, and talked about his most recent show at a North Carolina casino, and how some scenarios -- like the average age of the audience -- can affect his stand-up routine.

Many people around the Triangle spent Monday night and Tuesday morning cleaning up from those strong storms that rolled through the area earlier this week -- including local comedian Andy Forrester. He was back in-studio this morning to share his experience.

CBS 17 Meteorologist Laura Smith gives details on today's forecast, and when we can expect the next round of rain and thunderstorms. And comedian Andy Forrester joins the conversation to ask Laura an important question.

It's back-to-school season...and two of the major stresses for families this time of the year include staying on budget, and keeping your kids safe. Award-winning consumer tech journalist Jennifer Jolly shared some gift ideas that could help, when she joined the WPTF Morning Show earlier today.

Last nights storm really did a number all along the east coast. Power outages all across the state, and some families have to deal with property damage. We are expecting another storm coming up late this week, Laura Smith tells you what you need to know.

You've probably noticed that you're paying more for gas today than you were a month ago. What's the main cause of that price jump? GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan answered that question on the WPTF Morning Show with Rob Connett.

Let's get to know the morning crew a little better, by playing a game called "Two Truths and a Lie."

CBS News Financial Expert Jill Schlesinger believes the Fed should pause on the interest rate hikes. She explained why in her Monday morning conversation with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

It's going to be very hot in the Triangle this afternoon, followed by the potential for some nasty storms tonight. CBS 17 Meteorologist Lance Blocker went through the timeline with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

If you have a flight planned in the next couple months, there is a possibility that it could be impacted -- in the form of delays -- because of engine inspections. Aviation Analyst Jay Ratliff explained the situation, when he joined the WPTF Morning Show with Rob Connett.

A little rain this weekend but more importantly, Today will be a nice cool temperature but up this weekend. Laura Smith had a more detailed forecast.

This time of the year can be exciting -- but stressful -- for teachers, who are preparing their classrooms for the new school year. There is a program in Wake County that allows teachers to get supplies for free. Rob Connett talked with Keith Poston from the Wake Ed Partnership about "Tools 4 Schools."

In the month of July, the Durham Fire Department dealt with seven arsons. Rob Connett talked with Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Wilcox about where the investigations stand, and if the fires are connected.

Zebulon is growing faster then any city in the triangle and have a lot of new things on the horizon. Kaleb Harmon joined our Kristine Bellino to tell us all about it.

The 21st annual "Kirby Derby" is coming up on August 19 in Dix Park in Raleigh. Rob Connett talked with the organizer, Chris Howell, about how the soapbox derby event got its start, the different themes they put on, and how you can sign up to participate.

Mirey Robotics U.S, Expansion Manager Lucy Bee discusses the launch and success of RoboPark in Raleigh, the genesis of the concept, and the event at Crabtree Valley Mall in North Carolina.

Temperatures continue to drop as we get further away from last week, and maybe some rain later this week. Laura Smith has more.

What is one fictitious place, from a TV show or movie, that you wish existed in real life? That was the topic today on the WPTF Morning Show "Roundtable."

Mirey Robotics U.S, Expansion Manager Lucy Bee discusses the launch and success of RoboPark in Raleigh, the genesis of the concept, and the event at Crabtree Valley Mall in North Carolina.

Cooler temperatures all around, a beautiful week ahead of us and we are enjoying it. Laura Smith has the details.

As parents get ready to send their children back to school soon, some might worry about the lack of teachers that is plaguing school systems all across the country. Waterford.org is an early learning program that is giving kids a research-based curriculum of learning. Senior Director of Curriculum Julie Christensen spoke with our own Jon Champion about their organization.