WPTF News

It’s not a reprint. Why Sacred Harp singers are revamping an iconic pre-Civil War hymnal

BREMEN, Ga. (AP) — A new edition of “The Sacred Harp,” a Christian hymnal first published in 1844, is being released this year. It helps carry on the more than 180-year-old American folk singing tradition that is as much about the community as it is the music. The shape-note songbook with music notes that look like triangles, ovals, squares and diamonds is core to the a cappella group singing practice. Over time, groups of Sacred Harp singers have periodically worked together to revise the songbook, preserving its history and breathing new life into it. The book is precious to its singers. The nine-member revision committee working on the new book feels a tremendous responsibility to get it right.… Continue Reading

Chinese students anxious and angry after Rubio vows to revoke visas

HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese students in the U.S. are scrambling to figure out their futures after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday some students would have their visas revoked. Many reacted with anger. A Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University described it as a “new version of Chinese Exclusion Act.” Chinese students have seen rising rejection rates for visas in recent years amid strained U.S.-China relations. Hong Kong has said it would welcome students from all over who were impacted by the U.S.’ changing policies to study in the city… Continue Reading

Defending champion Panthers head back to Stanley Cup Final with 5-3 Game 5 win over Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carter Verhaeghe broke a tie off a feed from Aleksander Barkov with 7:39 left and the defending champion Florida Panthers advanced to their third straight Stanley Cup Final, beating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 on Wednesday night in Game 5. The Panthers beat the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final for the second time in three seasons. The Panthers will face the winner of the Western final between Dallas and Edmonton, with the Oilers up 3-1 to put them within a win of a rematch with Florida for the Cup. Sam Bennett added an empty-net goal with 54 seconds left by skating down a loose puck straight out of the penalty box after Florida had held up against a critical late power play for the Hurricanes.… Continue Reading

North Carolina revenue predictions fall with recession risk

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials have downgraded anticipated state revenue collections compared to their recent forecast. Wednesday’s adjustments agreed upon by economists working in Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s budget office and at the General Assembly are in large part the result of higher economic uncertainty and the risks of a recession. The changes from the February forecast keep front and center competing tax-cutting plans passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate. The updated forecast still envisions lower year-over-year revenues because of expected income tax rate reductions. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein wants to stop those rate cuts.… Continue Reading

Tiger’s son, Charlie Woods, wins Team TaylorMade Invitational in claiming 1st AJGA event

BOWLING GREEN, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods needs to make room on his trophy shelf for son Charlie. The 16-year-old finished with a three-round score of 15-under 201 at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in winning his first American Junior Golf Association event at the Streamsong Resort Black Course. Woods began the day tied at 9-under 135 and finished with a final round of 6-under 66 to top a 71-player field that included four of the top-five ranked AJGA’s players. Woods’ final round featured eight birdies and two bogeys, and he closed with four straight pars. He won the event by three strokes ahead of a three-way tie between fifth-ranked player Luke Colton, Willie Gordon and Phillip Dunham.… Continue Reading

Judge quickly rejects mistrial request at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has immediately rejected a defense request for a mistrial at the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. This was the first such request at Combs’ trial, which is in its third week of testimony in Manhattan. A defense lawyer said Wednesday that prosecutors posed questions to a Los Angeles Fire Department investigator which could imply to the jury that Combs interfered in the probe of another rapper’s firebombed luxury car. After a break, the judge instructed the jury to disregard questions related to destroyed fingerprint cards. Combs has pleaded not guilty to leading a racketeering conspiracy that relied on fear and violence to get what he wanted.… Continue Reading

High-end beef with local roots: NC ranchers raise Wagyu cattle

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — During North Carolina Beef Month, local ranchers like those at Wilder’s Wagyu are showcasing the genetics, health benefits, and flavor that make Wagyu beef stand out. Known for its intense marbling and rare breed origin, Wagyu continues to grow in popularity—and it’s being raised right here in North Carolina.… Continue Reading

Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival returns with music, food and community spirit

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — The 2025 Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival is set to return October 3-4, filling downtown with live music, art, food trucks, beer gardens, and family fun. Executive Director David Brower says the free event is a celebration of community, featuring genres like bluegrass, folk, gospel, and Americana—plus artists from hurricane-impacted counties.… Continue Reading

Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading effort to slash federal government

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk is criticizing the centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, saying he’s “disappointed” in what the president calls his “big beautiful bill.” Trump defended the measure by emphasizing the tax cut proposals and saying it’s the product of delicate negotiations. It’s a significant fracture in a partnership that was forged during last year’s campaign and was poised to reshape American politics and the federal government. Musk made his comments in an interview with CBS that came out Tuesday night. He said the legislation “undermines the work” of his Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. Republicans recently pushed the legislation through the House and are debating it in the Senate.… Continue Reading

Reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers get second shot at closing out Hurricanes in Eastern final

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Florida Panthers get their second chance to close out the Carolina Panthers in the Eastern Conference final on Wednesday night. The Panthers lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 entering their trip to Carolina for Game 5. Florida is just 4-7 in series-clinching games the past two seasons, including 1-2 in this postseason. Carolina’s 3-0 road win in Game 4 averted a second sweep in three years against the Panthers in the conference final. That win ended a 15-game losing streak in the conference final. Florida has won its past four road games and seven overall in this postseason.… Continue Reading

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