Category Archives: WPTF News

Is college worth the cost? Universities work to show the return on investment of a degree

Is college worth the cost? Universities work to show the return on investment of a degree

WASHINGTON (AP) — For many young Americans, deciding on college has become a complex choice. Increasingly, a main question is whether a degree is worth its cost. Confidence in higher education has dropped due to high tuition, student loans and a tough job market. Colleges are now trying to prove their value. New rankings and reports focus on the financial benefits of degrees. Research shows most bachelor’s degrees still pay off, but not all lead to good salaries. More students are choosing technical schools or trades over four-year universities to avoid debt. In response, colleges are working to align degrees with job market needs.… Continue Reading

North Carolina court: GOP can narrow governor’s appointment powers on some boards

North Carolina court: GOP can narrow governor’s appointment powers on some boards

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina appeals court has ruled that the Republican-controlled General Assembly can reduce the governor’s appointments to certain commissions. The court upheld the composition of four boards dealing with the environment, fishing, hunting, and building codes. However, it struck down changes to boards overseeing transportation, economic incentives and public health policies. This decision is part of a long-standing legal fight between Democratic governors and GOP lawmakers who have moved to limit gubernatorial powers.… Continue Reading

The government shutdown is putting a renewed spotlight on the cracks in the US aviation system

The government shutdown is putting a renewed spotlight on the cracks in the US aviation system

The U.S. government shutdown’s strain on the aviation system is starting to show. An air traffic control tower near Los Angeles closed for six hours less than a week into the shutdown because of a controller shortage. Since the shutdown began Oct. 1, the FAA has reported staffing issues in cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Houston. Flight delays have spread to airports in Nashville, Denver, Newark and more. Experts say cracks quickly emerged because the system already was stretched by chronic staffing shortages and aging equipment. They say air travel could face deeper problems if the shutdown continues.… Continue Reading

No. 6 Duke picked to win ACC again; NC State’s Darrion Williams named Preseason Player of the Year

No. 6 Duke picked to win ACC again; NC State’s Darrion Williams named Preseason Player of the Year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The No. 6 ranked Duke Blue Devils have been picked to repeat as Atlantic Coast Conference champions, despite losing Cooper Flagg and four other players to the NBA draft. Duke received 34 of 49 first-place votes from the media panel. Louisville, which lost to Duke in last season’s ACC championship game, received the other 15 first-place votes and was selected to finish second. N.C. State’s Darrion Williams has been named the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year. Williams was also named first-team All-ACC, along with Duke’s Cameron Boozer, who was named Preseason Rookie of the Year.… Continue Reading

Carrier, Robinson score late in 2nd period and Hurricanes beat Sharks 5-1 to improve to 3-0

Carrier, Robinson score late in 2nd period and Hurricanes beat Sharks 5-1 to improve to 3-0

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — William Carrier and Eric Robinson scored 4 1/2 minutes apart late in the second period, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the San Jose Sharks 5-1. Sean Walker Shayne Gostisbehere and Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes, who have won three straight to open the season. Logan Stankoven had two assists and Brandon Bussi stopped 16 shots in his NHL debut. William Eklund scored for San Jose, and Alex Nedeljkovic finished with 38 saves. San Jose had opened the season with two overtime losses. The Hurricanes topped 40 shots on goal for the second straight game, and held the Sharks without a shot in the third period. Sharks rookie center Michael Misa, the second overall pick in this year’s draft made his NHL debut.… Continue Reading

SpaceX launches the 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win

SpaceX launches the 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win

SpaceX has launched another of its mammoth Starship rockets on a test flight. The 403-foot Starship thundered into the evening sky Monday from Texas. The booster peeled away and made a controlled entry into the Gulf of Mexico as planned, with the spacecraft skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean. It’s similar to the previous test flight in August, which scored a success following a string of explosive failures. SpaceX’s Elon Musk intends to use Starship to send people to Mars. NASA cannot land astronauts on the moon by decade’s end without Starship.… Continue Reading

North Carolina GOP announce plans to vote on new House map amid nationwide redistricting battle

North Carolina GOP announce plans to vote on new House map amid nationwide redistricting battle

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders say they will vote next week on redrawing the state’s U.S. House district map, with the likely aim of securing another GOP seat within already right-leaning boundaries. The plan announced Monday comes amid an emerging mid-decade battle nationally between Republicans and Democrats seeking advantage in the way U.S. House districts are drawn in several states for the 2026 session. North Carolina Republicans already created a map in 2023 that resulted in GOP candidates winning 10 of the state’s 14 U.S. House seats in 2024. That division compared to the 7-7 seat split between Democrats and the GOP under the map.… Continue Reading

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has denied reports that he’s been seeking an exit strategy from his North Carolina coaching role. Belichick says “some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that, it’s just categorically false.” Belichick was making his first public comments since a blowout loss to Clemson. During the second of two off weeks in a three-week span, the subject of Belichick’s future with the Tar Heels was a hot topic, so much so that last Wednesday the university released brief statements from the coach and athletics director reaffirming commitments between Belichick and the school.… Continue Reading

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Officials say a North Carolina government initiative is eliminating over $6.5 billion in medical debt for more than 2.5 million residents. The totals released Monday exceed initial expectations for the effort announced last year. It offered hospitals extra Medicaid funds if they relieve patients’ debt and implement policies to prevent future liabilities. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said word of the debt relief is “life-changing news for so many families” struggling with the financial weight of unexpected medical crises. Hospitals are already letting many patients know about their debt relief. A nonprofit group helping in the project is sending more than 250,000 notices this week.… Continue Reading

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