Category Archives: WPTF News

Bailey, Smothers lead N.C. State comeback against Virginia, 35-31

Bailey, Smothers lead N.C. State comeback against Virginia, 35-31

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CJ Bailey rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another as North Carolina State defeated visiting Virginia 35-31 in a non-league clash between the two Atlantic Coast Conference teams. Bailey completed 16-of-22 passes for 200 yards and rushed for 44 yards on six carries for the Wolfpack. N.C. State running back Hollywood Smothers added 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Virginia was powered by J’Mari Taylor’s 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. The Wolfpack outscored Virginia 21-7 in the third quarter after falling behind by 10 points in the first half.… Continue Reading

Trump executive order aims to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

Trump executive order aims to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War. He criticized the previous name as “woke” and said the new name is “more appropriate.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now referred to as the “secretary of war,” emphasized a shift to “maximum lethality.” The change requires congressional approval, but Trump plans limited rebranding efforts to save money. This move is part of a broader effort to reshape the U.S. military and challenge progressive ideology. Supporters in Congress are proposing legislation to formalize the name change.… Continue Reading

Duke University pilot project examining pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in college

Duke University pilot project examining pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in college

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke University in North Carolina has launched an initiative to examine the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence brings to student life. The campus will hold discussions on the use of AI tools and present recommendations at the end of this fall semester. Some professors are embracing AI while others have banned it and are concerned that AI may hurt students’ ability to think critically and solve problems. Professors who allow the use of AI caution students that they still need to understand the topic. Some are assigning in-class writing projects or oral presentations to ensure students understand the material.… Continue Reading

US hiring stalls with employers reluctant to expand in an economy grown increasingly erratic

US hiring stalls with employers reluctant to expand in an economy grown increasingly erratic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American job market, a pillar of U.S. economic strength since the pandemic, is crumbling under the weight of President Donald Trump’s erratic economic policies. Uncertain about where things are headed, companies are reluctant to hire, leaving agonized jobseekers unable to find work and worrying the consumers (70% of U.S. economic activity) whose spending has driven impressive growth for the world’s biggest economy since the COVID-19 disruptions of 2020. The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers — companies, government agencies and nonprofits — added just 22,000 jobs last month, down from a 79,000 in July and well below the 80,000 that economists had expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% last month, the highest since 2021.… Continue Reading

Joseph McNeil, who helped spark a protest movement at a North Carolina lunch counter, dies at 83

Joseph McNeil, who helped spark a protest movement at a North Carolina lunch counter, dies at 83

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Joseph McNeil, a key figure in the civil rights movement, has died at 83. McNeil was one of four students who staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960. This act sparked similar nonviolent protests across the South. McNeil later became a two-star general. North Carolina A&T State University and his family announced his death on Thursday. McNeil had faced recent health challenges. The university’s chancellor said McNeil and his classmates had inspired the nation with their courageous, peaceful protest. Only one of the four protesters is now alive.… Continue Reading

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is taking a more collaborative approach with Republican opponents in his first eight months in office despite disagreeing with them on many issues. Stein succeeded fellow Democrat Roy Cooper in January. He aims to work with the GOP-controlled General Assembly and has built dialogue with them. Stein’s approach contrasts with Democratic governors elsewhere who have taken more combative stances against President Donald Trump and the GOP. Republican leaders have said they appreciate the open lines of communication with Stein. Still, the new governor has vetoed 15 bills, with lawmakers so far overriding eight of them.… Continue Reading

Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough bipartisan questioning about his COVID-19 policies in a Senate committee hearing. On Thursday, Democratic senators clashed with Kennedy over his changes to vaccine recommendations, while some Republican senators also expressed concerns. Kennedy praised President Donald Trump for the Operation Warp Speed initiative but criticized the safety of mRNA vaccines. He defended the firing of the CDC director, claiming she was dishonest. Kennedy’s actions, including replacing a vaccine advisory panel with skeptics, have drawn criticism from medical groups. They warn his policies could increase vaccine-preventable diseases and have called for his resignation.… Continue Reading

Panthers and Jaguars expect improvements from revamped defenses in season opener

Panthers and Jaguars expect improvements from revamped defenses in season opener

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars expect to see defensive improvements in their season opener. The Panthers and Jaguars ranked 32nd and 31st, respectively, in total defense in 2024. Both teams responded by overhauling that side of the ball. Carolina added defensive end Tershawn Wharton, safety Tre’von Moehrig and linebacker Patrick Jones. Jacksonville, under first-time head coach Liam Coen, brought in cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray. Both teams expect the changes to lead to better results. The game also will feature quarterbacks Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence trying to show more consistency as well as the debut of two-way Jaguars player Travis Hunter.… Continue Reading

Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Boston has ordered the reversal of over $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard University. The ruling, issued Wednesday, marks a significant victory for Harvard in its legal battle with the Trump administration. Judge Allison Burroughs found the cuts were illegal retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to comply with White House demands on governance and policies. The administration had linked the funding freezes to antisemitism issues on campus, but the judge called this a smokescreen. The White House said the administration would appeal the decision, making it unlikely that researchers receive funding any time soon.… Continue Reading

Republican North Carolina state Sen. Bobby Hanig announces bid to unseat Democrat Don Davis in 2026

Republican North Carolina state Sen. Bobby Hanig announces bid to unseat Democrat Don Davis in 2026

POWELLS POINT, N.C. (AP) — Republican state Sen. Bobby Hanig has announced his bid for a U.S. House seat in North Carolina. The coastal legislator aims to unseat two-term Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Hanig plans to run for the 1st Congressional District, which is the state’s only swing district and spans 22 counties. Davis has already filed federal candidate paperwork for the 2026 race. Another Republican, Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson, has filed as well. The official election filing period is in December, with primaries in early March. Republicans currently hold 10 of North Carolina’s 14 U.S. House seats.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Powered By SoCast