WPTF News

Trump defends the prospect of Qatar gifting him a plane to use as Air Force One

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is ready to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar during his trip to the Middle East this coming week, and U.S. officials say it could be converted into a potential presidential aircraft. The Qatari government denied that a final decision had been made. Still, Trump defended the idea as a fiscally smart move for the country, while Democrats and others said it raised serious ethics concerns. ABC News reported that Trump will use the aircraft as his presidential plane until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his presidential library.… Continue Reading

Hurricanes’ Andersen, Oilers’ Skinner enter Monday’s playoff Game 4s on far different trajectories

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carolina’s Frederik Andersen and Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner enter Monday’s Game 4 playoff games on different trajectories in net. Andersen is coming off a shutout that helped the Hurricanes take a 2-1 series lead on the Washington Capitals. Skinner has lost all three of his playoff appearances for the Oilers. That includes a home loss in Saturday’s Game 3 to pull Vegas to within 2-1 in the series. Andersen has a 1.32 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage for the best among postseason goalies with multiple appearances. Skinner is last in that group with a 5.36 goals-against average and .817 save percentage.… Continue Reading

Book signing and historic pottery exhibit coming to Johnston County

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – The Johnston County Museum will host a one-day exhibit and book signing on May 17 featuring rare Smithfield Art Pottery from 1927–1942. Collector Stephen Compton will showcase his pieces and sign copies of his book, while museum staff highlight the pottery’s history and legacy in North Carolina.… Continue Reading

An Alaska Mother’s Day tradition: Mingling with ice age survivors on a farm

PALMER, Alaska (AP) — It is one of Alaska’s favorite Mother’s Day traditions, getting up close and personal with animals that have survived the ice age. All moms get a flower and free admission Sunday at the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, about an hour’s drive north of Anchorage. Once inside, they will have the chance to view more than 70 members of the musk ox herd, including babies who have just been born. Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year, attracting over 1,500 visitors. It is a tradition that now stretches over three generations. Executive director Mark Austin says there would be a riot if they ever didn’t have the traditional opening of the summer season on Mother’s Day.… Continue Reading

Svechnikov, Andersen lead Hurricanes past Capitals 4-0 in Game 3 of 2nd-round playoff series

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov pounced on a loose faceoff puck for his sixth postseason goal to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 4-0 on Saturday night for a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Frederik Andersen had 21 saves in the shutout. Jack Roslovic scored a power-play goal late in the second for Carolina, while Eric Robinson and Jackson Blake each had third-period goals. Logan Thompson finished with 24 saves for Washington. The Capitals managed just 10 shots through the final 39+ minutes of the game. Game 4 is Monday night in Raleigh.… Continue Reading

Hurricanes return home for Game 3 matchup with Capitals after splitting two road games

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes return home for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals having split the first two games on the road. The Hurricanes dominated play through the overtime win in Game 1. The Capitals were better in Game 2, though the Hurricanes kept the pressure on with a stream of shots fired at Logan Thompson in net. Coach Rod Brind’Amour says he likes the way Carolina has played through those two games. Saturday’s schedule also includes Edmonton returning home with a 2-0 series lead against Vegas.… Continue Reading

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican who became a liberal darling, dies at 85

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter has died at age 85. The ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican became a darling of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench. The court says Souter died Thursday at his home in New Hampshire. Souter retired from the court in June 2009, giving Democratic President Barack Obama his first Supreme Court vacancy to fill. Obama chose Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Latina justice. Souter was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1990. Souter was a reliably liberal vote on abortion, church-state relations, freedom of expression and the accessibility of federal courts.… Continue Reading

Leo XIV’s brother recalls feeling of ‘disbelief’ over his sibling becoming pope

NEW LENOX, Ill. (AP) — When white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel revealing that a new pope had been chosen, John Prevost turned on his television in Illinois and watched in awe as his brother’s name was announced. He said Thursday that he was in “disbelief” and then felt an incredible sense of pride that his brother, Cardinal Robert Prevost, had become the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV. That makes the Chicago-born missionary the first U.S. pope. John Prevost described his brother as being very concerned for the poor and those who don’t have a voice. He said he expects him to be a “second Pope Francis.”… Continue Reading

Robert Prevost, first American pope in history of the Catholic Church, will take the name Leo XIV

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Robert Prevost has been elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. The Chicago-born missionary took the name Leo XIV. In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, he emphasized peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. Prevost had been a leading candidate despite a long-standing taboo against a U.S. pope. But he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He was elevated to the senior ranks of cardinals in January. The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when his election was announced.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers focus on guns, immigration and parental rights ahead of a key deadline

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gun access, parental rights and responses to illegal immigration proved recurring topics in legislation approved by at least one North Carolina General Assembly chamber before a key deadline during the two-year session. Policy bills that didn’t pass one chamber by Thursday are considered dead through 2026 — or at least face long odds to advance. In contrast to chaotic activity before past “crossover deadlines,” the House and Senate managed to wrap up work this week on Wednesday. Next up at the General Assembly is passage of a budget package by the state House.… Continue Reading

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