WPTF News

House Republicans pass Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and program cuts after all-night session

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans stayed up all night to pass their multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package. Speaker Mike Johnson defied the skeptics within his ranks and muscled President Donald Trump’s priority bill to approval Thursday. Last-minute concessions and a stern warning from Trump appeared to win over the hold outs to salvage what he calls the “big, beautiful bill.” The outcome caps an intense time on Capitol Hill, with days of private negotiations and public committee hearings. Democrats, without the votes to stop Trump’s package, tried to stall it. The Congressional Budget Office says the tax provisions would add $3.8 trillion to federal deficits.… Continue Reading

United Way launches tools to help North Carolinians navigate financial uncertainty

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — A new United Way of North Carolina report is spotlighting the state’s growing ALICE population—working families earning above the poverty level yet struggling to cover basic needs. Through tools like 24/7 resource support and “My Friend Ben,” the organization aims to connect individuals to vital assistance.… Continue Reading

Taxes, salaries, vacancy cuts make plain differences over rival North Carolina GOP budgets

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina House’s state budget proposal makes plain differences on taxes, salaries and job cuts between Republicans who control both General Assembly chambers. The House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to its plan to spend $32.6 billion in the year beginning July 1 and $33.3 billion the next year. The Senate approved its two-year plan last month. The chambers are soon expected to start negotiating a final measure to present to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. The House plan appears more cautious on permitting future tax rate reductions compared to the Senate. One national conservative group warned of political consequences for House members who voted for the plan.… Continue Reading

Rapper Kid Cudi to testify at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial this week

NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper and actor Kid Cudi is expected to testify at the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial on Thursday. He’ll tell the jury about his brief relationship 14 years ago with Combs’ ex-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie. Cassie testified last week that Combs was enraged when she left him for a period of time in 2011 and began dating Cudi. Prosecutors say Combs was so upset that he arranged to have Cudi’s convertible firebombed. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he oversaw a racketeering enterprise that controlled Cassie and others through threats and violence. His lawyers say the evidence doesn’t amount to a criminal racket or sex trafficking.… Continue Reading

Reigning Stanley Cup champ Florida Panthers beat Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in Eastern final opener

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carter Verhaeghe and Aaron Ekblad scored two tone-setting first-period goals while Sergei Bobrovsky remained strong in net as the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in Tuesday night’s opener of their Eastern Conference final series. A.J. Greer added a goal by finishing off a perfect 2-on-1 transition chance in the second period for Florida. Sam Bennett and Eetu Luostarinen scored in the third period. Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake scored Carolina’s lone goals in the opener of a series that is a rematch of the 2023 Eastern final. Game 2 is Thursday night at Carolina.… Continue Reading

New salmonella outbreak tied to same Florida grower with tainted cucumbers last year

U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 500 illnesses last year. Cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales are linked to at least 26 illnesses in 15 states. Nine people have been hospitalized. The outbreak was detected as part of a follow-up inspection in April to a 2024 outbreak that ended in August. Investigators traced that outbreak to untreated canal water. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps.… Continue Reading

George Wendt, who played beloved barfly Norm on ‘Cheers’ and found another home onstage, dies at 76

NEW YORK (AP) — George Wendt, an actor with an Everyman charm who played the affable, beer-loving barfly Norm on the hit 1980s TV comedy “Cheers,” has died. He was 76. Wendt in later life crafted a stage career that took him to Broadway in “Art,” “Hairspray” and “Elf.” Despite a long career of roles onstage and on TV, it was as gentle and henpecked Norm Peterson on “Cheers” that he was most associated, earning six straight Emmy Award nominations for best supporting actor in a comedy series from 1984-89. The series was centered on lovable losers in a Boston bar and starred Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, Kirstie Alley and Woody Harrelson.… Continue Reading

Trump announces he’s selected final ‘Golden Dome’ space missile defenses that would cost billions

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the concept he wants for his future Golden Dome missile defense program — a multilayered system that for the first time will put U.S. weapons in space. Speaking Tuesday in the Oval Office, Trump said the system would cost $175 billion. He expects it will be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which ends in 2029, and have the capability of intercepting missiles “even if they are launched from space.” It’s likelier that the complex system may have some initial capability by that point, a U.S. official familiar with the program said.… Continue Reading

New NCInnovation grant supports breakthrough Alzheimer’s treatment development at UNC Pembroke

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A research grant awarded through NCInnovation could bring promising new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease closer to reality. UNC Pembroke’s Dr. Ben Bahr, a nationally recognized neuroscientist, is developing low-cost, oral drug compounds designed to clear toxic proteins from the brain—offering a simpler and more accessible alternative to current treatments. The research is part of a broader initiative by NCInnovation to bridge the gap between North Carolina’s universities and commercial industries.… Continue Reading

Orange High School Principal named 2025 N.C. Principal of the Year

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Jason Johnson, principal of Orange High School, has been named the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. Honored during a statewide ceremony in Cary, Johnson credited his students, staff, and the broader Orange County community, emphasizing that strong schools depend on strong partnerships between educators, parents, and students.… Continue Reading

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