WPTF News

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

Trump administration sues North Carolina over its voter registration records

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Trump administration has accused North Carolina’s election board of violating federal law by failing to ensure that registration records of some applicants contained identifying numbers. It wants a judge to force board officials to create a prompt method to obtain such numbers. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division sued in federal court on Tuesday alleging violations of the Help America Vote Act. The lawsuit is about the collection of a registrant’s driver’s license number or partial Social Security number. The department says it’s carrying out a recent executive order from President Donald Trump on elections. Registrant records were also an issue in a state Supreme Court race last year.… Continue Reading

S&P 500 rallies 2% as Wall Street’s roller-coaster ride whips back upward after Trump delays tariffs

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rallied after President Donald Trump delayed a 50% tariff on goods coming from the European Union. The S&P 500 jumped 2% Tuesday. Its gains accelerated following a better-than-expected report on U.S. consumer confidence. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 740 points, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 2.5%. They more than recovered their losses from Friday, when Wall Street’s roller-coaster ride dropped after Trump announced the tariffs on the European Union. Nvidia was the strongest single force pushing the S&P 500 higher. Treasury yields eased in the bond market.… Continue Reading

US consumer confidence rebounds after five straight months of declines amid tariff anxiety

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ views of the economy improved in May after five straight months of declines sent consumer confidence to the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by anxiety over the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 12.3 points in May to 98, up from April’s 85.7, its lowest reading since May 2020. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market jumped 17.4 points to 72.8, but remained below 80, which can signal a recession ahead.… Continue Reading

Hurricanes get another home-ice shot at Panthers with Game 5 in Eastern final

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference final series. The Hurricanes extended their season with Monday’s road shutout after falling in a 3-0 series hole. Florida took the first two games in Raleigh to start this series. Carolina started 5-0 in the playoffs at home through two rounds. Florida is unsure of the status of Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola and A.J. Greer after they missed Game 4 with injuries. Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield hasn’t played in the series while fellow blue-liner Sean Walker has missed the past two games.… Continue Reading

Stars are out for the Memorial and US Women’s Open goes to Erin Hills

Scottie Scheffler and the best of the PGA Tour are headed to the tournament Jack Nicklaus built at the Memorial. Missing from this signature event is Masters champion Rory McIlroy. He’s skipping Nicklaus’ tournament for the first time since 2017. The biggest event in women’s golf heads to Erin Hills for the U.S. Women’s Open. It features a $12 million purse, the largest in women’s golf. Erin Hills hasn’t hosted a tournament this big since Brooks Koepka won his first U.S. Open in 2017. The Austrian Open is back on the European tour schedule for the first time since 2021.… Continue Reading

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