WPTF Morning News

Our aviation expert, Jay Ratliff, joined the the show this morning to talk about some top flight stories from around the country, including a man who brought his large emotional support animal on a plane.

There is a chance of severe weather in the Triangle this afternoon and evening. CBS 17 Meteorologist Laura Smith discusses the timing and the details of what can be expected with today's thunderstorms.

Melanated Wine is Durham's first black and female-owned winery. The owner, Lashonda Modest, joined the WPTF Morning Show and shared some of their most popular wines with the crew (...and turned Mike Davis into a changed man).

Melanated Wine is Durham's first black and female-owned winery. The owner, Lashonda Modest, joined the WPTF Morning Show to talk about how she started the company.

What was your wedding like? What did you love about it, and what would you have changed? That was the topic today on the WPTF Morning Show, and Mike Raley shared his answer with Rob Connett. He also previewed Saturday's "WPTF Weekend Gardener" show.

Have you ever seen an outrageous review of a business or restaurant and thought... That would be even more ridiculous if it was read as a "dramatic reading"? Well, that's what the WPTF Morning crew did with some crazy reviews they found online.

Today is another Air Quality Alert Day in the Triangle, and around the entire state of North Carolina. Nick Petro with the National Weather Service talked with us today about all the different categories of air quality and what it means that we're under a "Code Orange."

Mike McCauley, the athletic director at Orange High School in Hillsborough, passed away on Monday. Our very own Jeff Hamlin personally knew McCauley. He shared some of his memories with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and many people are trying to call for an end to the violence that is taking so many lives across the country. However, one local minister is calling for us to answer one controversial question: "Why are young Black men killing each other?" Durham Activist and Minister Paul Scott talked with Rob Connett today on the WPTF Morning Show.

Today is an Air Quality Alert Day around the Triangle, and the entire state of North Carolina. CBS 17 Meteorologist Laura Smith explained the difference between a "Code Red" alert and a "Code Orange" alert, and gave some tips on how to handle this unhealthy air caused by the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

The Apex High School softball team made history this past weekend, winning their first state title in program history -- in dramatic fashion. Rob Connett talked with Coach Adam Renzi and some of the senior members of the "Cardiac Cougars."

Ever wonder how neon signs are made? Danielle James, the owner of Hex Neon, talked with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show about how she makes them, how it works, and how the new signs you probably see in bars and restaurants aren't "real" neon.

Chris Thomas is a retired Marine. He's also the owner of Freedom Flags, where he makes American flags out of wood. He stopped by the WPTF studio to discuss the "why" in his hobby-turned-business.

It's Menopause Monday on the WPTF Morning Show! A real, serious thing that affects many people, but for some reason, not very many people want to talk about it. So we are! Rob, Sidekick Harrison, and Champ asked questions and got to learn all about menopause, from the expert, Dr. Beverly Goode.

It's Menopause Monday on the WPTF Morning Show! A real, serious thing that affects many people, but for some reason, not very many people want to talk about it. So we are! Rob, Sidekick Harrison, and Champ asked questions and got to learn all about menopause, from the expert, Dr. Beverly Goode.

It's Menopause Monday on the WPTF Morning Show! A real, serious thing that affects many people, but for some reason, not very many people want to talk about it. So we are! Rob, Sidekick Harrison, and Champ asked questions and got to learn all about menopause, from the expert, Dr. Beverly Goode.

The U.S. jobs report for the month of May shows numbers that were above what was expected. However, CBS News Business analyst Jill Schlesinger says the unemployment rate was also up a bit compared to the month of April. She joined the show to discuss the details, and give her outlook for the summer.

A plane went down in the mountains of Virginia after flying through a no-fly zone near the White House on Sunday. Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joined the show to talk about the details of the incident, which also involved an F-16 fighter jet.

Zack Medford and "Mega Mike" from Tap Yard -- one of Raleigh's newest bars -- joined the WPTF Morning Show in studio to talk about their upcoming events, and to make "Ranch Water" for the crew.

You don't see too many 142-year-old businesses still going strong. But Wyatt-Quarles Seed Company in Garner is! Salesman Gerald Storms joined Rob Connett and Mike Raley this morning to talk about how they've been succeeding for over a century.

Wondering where you can find some good local music in the Triangle tonight, or this weekend? Rob Connett talked with Lawrence Tibbetts with the Bands & Clubs of The Triangle, which is a big promoter of local musicians.

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Rob Connett talked with Tonya Oxendine, an Army veteran living with PTSD, and Dr. Erin Fletcher of the Wounded Warrior Project, about what they've recently been doing to help our veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Next week, one North Carolina company will be celebrating 75 years of business. Rob Connett got to talk with Jeff Rosenstock of "Devil Dog Dungarees" about the clothing they've been making since the late 1940s.

Max Trujillo from the North Carolina Food & Beverage Podcast stopped by the studio to talk about their upcoming "Bubbles & Brisket" event in Raleigh.

Max Trujillo from the North Carolina Food & Beverage Podcast stopped by the studio to talk about their upcoming "Bubbles & Brisket" event in Raleigh -- and brought some tasty examples for the morning crew to try.

If you have any outdoor plans for this holiday weekend, you might have to reconsider. CBS 17 Meteorologist Lance Blocker talked with Rob about the soggy details of the forecast in the Triangle, and for those planning on heading out to the coast.

The number of cats and kittens in animal shelters around the Triangle are increasing at an alarming rate. Lawanna Johnson with "Purr Partners" joined the WPTF Morning Show to discuss the struggles of trying to keep up.

The V Foundation held its annual "Victory Ride to Cure Cancer" event last weekend in Knightdale. The foundation's Rebecca Erquitt joined the WPTF Morning Show to go over details of the success, and how you can still help their cause in the next couple of weeks.

Today will be another comfortable day around the Triangle, but Memorial Day weekend is going to start out pretty soggy in North Carolina. Rob Connett talked with CBS 17 Meteorologist Lance Blocker to get the details of the forecast.

The Pacific island of Guam was hit hard by a powerful typhoon on Wednesday, which isn't rare. Our very own Jon Champion and Mike Davis both lived in Guam back in the day, and shared their stories and experiences with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

We're starting to see a trend where more millennials are switching careers. Sometimes, in order to do that, adults are having to go back to school. The College Foundation of North Carolina offers resources to help those find the right path. NCSEAA Associate Director for Outreach Kathy Hastings McDonald talked about the organization on today's WPTF Morning Show.

How do gas prices compare this Memorial Day weekend to last year's? GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan had the answer and shared it on the WPTF Morning Show.

What piece of advice would you give the Class of 2023? That was today's discussion on the WPTF Morning Show ROUNDTABLE.

If you have made plans, or are making plans, for a summer vacation, you need to make sure you're being smart with your money. Jason Gaughan, a financial expert with Bank of America, gave some tips and advice on the WPTF Morning Show.

The executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina is concerned about the proposed state budget and how it could impact state employees. Ardis Watkins joined Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show to talk about that, and the current vacancies for state positions.

Empathy in the workplace is the ability to be understanding towards colleagues and sensitive to their unique perspectives, work styles, and ideas. Our own Jon Champion talked with Nicole Ennen, an empathy expert, to find out why it's so important for American businesses.

NASCAR makes its return to North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend for the 2023 All-Star Race -- the first time the Cup Series will be at the North Carolina track since 1996. Rob talked with Adam Alexander, who covers NASCAR on FOX Sports, about how big of a deal this is for the sport and the community.

Comedian Brad Williams is in Raleigh this weekend, with stand-up shows at Goodnights this Friday and Saturday. He joined Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show.

This weekend in New Bern is the third annual Plein Air Art Festival. Rob got to talk with the organizer, Kippy Hammond, about what all goes into the festival.

Earlier this week, the North Carolina House and Senate voted to override Governor Cooper's veto of a new abortion bill, which means it will now become law on July 1. Attorney General Josh Stein joined the WPTF Morning Show to voice his opinions on the override. He also talked about the future of TikTok in North Carolina.

Andrea Lyle Peet, a native of the Triangle, has been living with ALS for nearly a decade. A documentary about her life and her story will be shown at the Carolina Theatre in Durham next month. Andrea, and her husband David, were in the WPTF studio this morning with Rob Connett.

Are you planning on traveling next weekend for Memorial Day? You won't be alone! Tiffany Wright with AAA Carolinas talked with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show with some tips and advice for the upcoming holiday.

Rob revealed something personal that's now making him start to wonder if he's a germaphobe.

Veterans Affairs has a program designed to assist female veterans with their mental health. Jennifer Strauss, the National Director for women and Gender-Related mental health for Veterans Affairs, joined Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show to detail how it works.

Thunderstorms are expected throughout North Carolina this evening. CBS 17 Meteorologist Laura Smith joined the WPTF Morning Show to talk about what we can expect with this risk of severe weather.

Veterans here in the Triangle have a few months remaining to sign up for benefits through the PACT Act. What is that? Terrence Hayes, Press Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, talked with Rob Connett on the WPTF Morning Show about the benefits for our vets.

Some of you might have been wondering where Mike Raley has been the last couple weeks. Well... he was on vacation! In Europe! He talked about his adventures this morning with Rob Connett.

CBS Business Analyst, and the host of the "Jill on Money" podcast, Jill Schlesinger stopped by the show to discuss a new poll that shows most Americans are "stressed" and "scared" about the security of their money -- and why they shouldn't be.

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joined the WPTF Morning Show to discuss the top aviation stories and headlines from over the weekend.

Will the rain hamper any Mother's Day plans in the Triangle? CBS 17 Meteorologist Laura Smith joined the WPTF Morning Show to go over the forecast for this weekend.