WPTF Afternoon News

Some say laughter is the best medicine, and this guy’s bringing a full prescription. Comedian Jack Crissey, who’s performed everywhere from comedy clubs across the U.S. to stages overseas in Asia, sharing bills with names like Russell Peters and Dave Attell, joins Jon Champion to discuss a new show he's bringing to Raleigh where comics do more than perform.

Affordable housing continues to disappear across North Carolina — and for many families, the options are running out fast. As we recently reported here on WPTF, mobile home parks across the state are being sold off as rapid growth and rising land values reshape communities. Now, residents at Chatham Estates are facing a fast-approaching deadline to leave as the property’s owner prepares to sell the land to developers. More than a hundred people could be displaced. Freelance reporter Jasmine Gallup has spent months covering the human impact of this story for Indy Week and joins Jon Champion to describe the situation. If you are Interested in donating to the relocation fund, the link can be found here.

This Mother’s Day, a local author is encouraging young moms to prioritize their mental health and rediscover their sense of self, or, as she puts it, “get their pink back.” Author and former WPTF news anchor Malena Cahall Wilson joined Gayle Hurd to discuss her debut novel, Lady Luck Books, and the message behind helping mothers reclaim confidence, identity, and balance in their lives.

The Division I men's and women's basketball committees voted unanimously to expand the tournaments this afternoon. The changes are expected to go into effect next year. The men's tournament has had a 68-team field since 2011 with the First Four, held annually in Dayton, Ohio. The women's tournament went to a 68-team format in 2022. Dave Glenn of the North Carolina Sports Network joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the reasons for the expansion.

WakeEd Partnership is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing a new $20,000 matching grant from the 4 Others Foundation for its free classroom supply store for Wake County Public Schools teachers. The 4 Others Foundation will match any donation to WakeEd Partnership’s Tools 4 Schools through September 30 up to $20,000. Keith Poston of the WakeEd Partnership joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the grant.

Governor Josh Stein has announced that North Carolina set a record for tourist spending in 2025, with travelers spending more than $37.2 billion on trips to and within the state, surpassing the previous record of $36.7 billion set in 2024. Wit Tuttle, Executive Director for Visit NC, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new tourism numbers.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announced Thursday that she is resigning from office effective June 30. Lyles, who was first elected mayor in 2017, cited a desire to spend more time with her grandchildren and allow for new leadership. Joe Bruno, a reporter for WSOC-TV in Charlotte, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Lyles’ announcement.

CNN founder Ted Turner has died at age 87. His company Turner Enterprises says the television pioneer died Wednesday. Turner transformed an obscure Atlanta television station into the first satellite-based “superstation” and founded Cable News Network, the first 24-hour, all news TV network. Charlie Tuggle, a UNC-Chapel Hill Journalism Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Turner’s legacy.

It is National Nurses Week. The American Nurses Association has named this year's theme The Power of Nurses. Bonnie Meadows, the President of the North Carolina Nurses Association, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their focuses on National Nurses Week.

The primary election in Ohio has set up what is expected to be one of the most expensive races for U.S. Senate this year as Republicans try to hold on to the chamber, while biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will face a challenge from the state’s former health director as he seeks to keep the governor’s office in GOP hands. Zachary Donnini, Head of Data Science for Vote Hub, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the results from primary night in Ohio and Indiana.

There’s a new sports event for the summer calendar in the Triangle. The World Collegiate Baseball Championship will be held at the USA Baseball Complex in July of 2027 The United States, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan will participate in the event. Eric Campbell, General Manager of Collegiate and Professional National Teams for USA Baseball, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the World Collegiate Baseball Championship.

Natalie Brand from CBS News joined Jeff Hamlin to give him the latest on the war in Iran

A local nonprofit dog rescue is raising urgent concerns after spending thousands of dollars to save the lives of two critically injured puppies—while receiving only a small portion of those costs back in donations. Nicole Kincaid, the Founder of Perfectly Imperfect Pups, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the uncertainty surrounding her shelter.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is once again offering help to people who may struggle to stay cool during the hottest months of the year. Through Operation Fan Relief, the state's Division of Aging is partnering with area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans to eligible recipients from May 1 through Oct. 31. Tammy Kroger, with the Division of Aging, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the program.

Leaders of WakeMed and Atrium Healh of Charlotte are laying out their reasons for a combination, that some are calling a "takeover" of the Wake County based medical system. Speaking to reporters in Raleigh Tuesday, Steve Smoot with Atrium says the deal comes with major investment. Rose Hoban, the Editor of NC Health News, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential merger

This week marks National Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise awareness of the importance of mental wellness and the reality of mental illness for 1 in 4 North Carolinians. Rod Brooks, the Interim Executive Director for National Alliance on Mental Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss National Mental Health Awareness Month.

UNC-Chapel Hill Religious Studies Professor Dr. Evyatar Marienberg has written a book regarding the musician Sting. It focuses on Sting’s faith and how he relied on it to write two of his most popular albums following the deaths of his parents. Dr. Marienberg joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss “Sting and Religion.”

The war with Iran is in limbo as the Trump administration weighs a new Iranian proposal to drop restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for the world’s oil supply. In the United States, after a brief dip, gas prices are climbing again. In Wake and Durham Counties, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is over $4.00. Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis of GasBuddy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the surge in gas prices.

A burn ban was recently lifted in North Carolina. Even when we're not in a burn ban, some outdoor burning is prohibited, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality, which enforces the state’s open burning rules. Phillip Jackson, with the N.C. Forest Service, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what is allowed after the ban was lifted.

The Matthew Effect in education shows how early reading advantages grow while gaps widen. By third grade, kids are expected to read to learn—so those who haven’t mastered decoding often fall behind in ways that are hard to spot and even harder to fix. Educator and early literacy coach Leah Ruesink joins Jon Champion to break it down.

Americans are quietly overpaying for spring and summer travel—and many are skipping trips they think they can’t afford. But new research from AARP shows savvy travelers are using AI to find better deals and stretch their budgets. Steve Guilday, Director of Travel at AARP Services talks with Jon Champion.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing how content is created. It’s starting to change how people are represented. From fashion to entertainment, education and even a courtroom, AI avatars and digital doubles that can look and sound real are appearing in more places than ever before. At N.C. State, students are learning how to build them. Topher Maraffi, Assistant Professor in the College of Design at N.C. State, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the program.

The Supreme Court has weakened a landmark Civil Rights-era law that has increased minority representation in Congress and elsewhere. In a 6-3 ruling, the court's conservative majority on Wednesday struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. Professor Irving Joyner has followed the Voting Rights Act since its implementation. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Kimberly Jones North Carolina High School Teacher joins Jeff Hamlin to discusses the May Day march that educators will be taking part in on Friday

On Wednesday, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and advocates from across North Carolina gathered at the General Assembly to share personal stories and call on lawmakers to continue to protect Medicaid and other critical services that support people with individual developmental disabilities. Talley Wells, with the North Carolina Council for Developmental Disabilities, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their requests.

Xion Ferrara is a second-grade student at Pittsboro Elementary School in Chatham County. He wrote a book about losing his individualized educational plan at school. His mother, Hollee, encouraged him to write the book after a series of events at school. Hollee and Xion joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the book and what led to its creation.

After years of financial problems several announcements Tuesday from Saint Augustine's University. Court filings show that between $50 and $100 million is owed, including more than $14 million to the IRS. Leaders say the move allows the university to keep operating while restructuring its debt. Steve Williams, a member of Save St. Augustine’s University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his feelings about the move.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again, this time over a social media photo of seashells arranged on a beach that officials say constituted a threat against President Donald Trump. It’s the second criminal case the Justice Department has brought against the longtime Trump foe. Thane Rosenbaum, a CBS News Legal Analyst, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the fallout of the latest indictment.

Drivers across North Carolina received an unpleasant surprise when they arrived to the gas pump on Tuesday. The average price of a gallon of gas is now over $4 a gallon. At one station in Raleigh on Tuesday, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $4.19. On Monday, the price was $3.91. The higher gas prices are leading motorists to explore electric vehicles. Dave Erb, a member of the Blue Ridge EV Club, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the demand for electric vehicles

Newly released data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed that the infant mortality rate is at its lowest in state history. According to the data, North Carolina’s infant mortality rate declined 8.7 percent from 2023 to 2024, which is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Belina Pettiford, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section Chief in the N.C. Division of Public Health, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what has led to the drop.

Duke University has been awarded $12.9 million from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute for a new clinical trial aimed at improving the standard of care for autistic children with chronic digestive discomfort. The study will be co-led by researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill, underscoring the impact of the partnership between Duke Health and UNC Health. Dr. Bruno Chumpitazi, a Duke University Pediatric Gastroenterologist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the partnership.

Since President Donald Trump made comments opposing Pope Leo's opinion on the Iran war, some faith leaders have been vocal about where and when religion should participate when it comes to political issues. Dr. Evyatar Marienberg, UNC-Chapel Hill Religious Studies Professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the conflict between the Pope and the President.

Smart scientists can create breakthrough ideas. But turning that idea into a real, working lab or agtech facility is a completely different challenge, and most of them don’t know how to do that part. One of the things the Triangle does best is having people who do know how to make that leap, and actually care about whether these ideas succeed in the real world. Dave Fleming and Sam Cronin from Innovation Commercial joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how they’re working with companies.

In a historic achievement, North Carolina Central University has secured its first-ever national championship in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. An all-women team made waves with a thrilling comeback against Hampton University, claiming not only the title but also a $100,000 grant. Roni Butts, a member of the team, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss winning the elusive national championship.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affects affects millions of children, yet many go years without a diagnosis, missing the chance for early support that can change long-term outcomes even when early signs are present. In a new study, Duke Health researchers found that artificial intelligence tools can analyze routine electronic health records to accurately estimate a child’s risk of developing ADHD years before a typical diagnosis. Dr. Matthew Englehard, from Duke University’s Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, talked with Jeff Hamlin.

The North Carolina Association of Educators has released a report that shows teacher pay is lagging behind other states. The report shows North Carolina will rank 46th nationally in teacher pay. That's down three spots from last year and eight spots from where we were two years ago. Bryan Proffitt, the Vice President of the NCAE, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest report.

New reporting from the Athletic finds that administrators at UNC Chapel Hill planned to unveil plans for a new basketball arena at Carolina North back in the ball. But those plans were derailed after pushback from former Carolina coaches and players, most notably Roy Williams. The author of the report, Brendan Marks, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what happened and where things stand now.

There are explosive new developments in the ongoing situation involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, a former NFL reporter for the Athletic. On Thursday, the New York Post published photos of Russini and Vrabel kissing in 2020. Late Wednesday, Vrabel announced he would be away from the Patriots on the third day of the NFL Draft in order to undergo counseling. Demetri Ravanos is a Triangle-based writer who writes for Awful Announcing. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developments.

After his stunning primary loss, Senate President Phil Berger spoke with reporters on Wednesday. Berger said he’s mulling some changes to election laws as the General Assembly resumes work for the first time since the Republican state Senate leader lost his reelection bid. Bryan Anderson, a North Carolina politics writer for the Assembly, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Berger’s statements.

New CARFAX data shows used car prices are climbing sharply after hitting their lowest point in the past year. The average price of a used vehicle is now about $25,500 — up roughly $1,500 in just one month. North Carolina has among the highest increases in the country. Em Nguyen from CARFAX joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest figures.

Virginia voters have approved a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats in this year’s midterm elections. Voters passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the unusual mid-decade redistricting. Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina University political science professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest state to gerrymander its districts.

Paul T. O’Connor was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and spent his career covering politics for North Carolina newspapers, television and radio. He also spent 30 years as a part-time journalism professor at the University of North Carolina. He has released a new book called “The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and the Life She Missed.” It’s about his mother’s hidden past. Paul T. O’Connor joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss “The Missing Child.”

On Thursday, the Wake County SPCA will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new pet resource center. The 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art center will serve a new standard for animal welfare in North Carolina. Kim Janzen, President of the Wake County SPCA, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new center.

Jason Johnson, Orange High School principal and the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, was named the National Association of Secondary School Principals 2026 National High School Principal of the Year. He received the recognition at the National Education Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C. on April 17. Johnson joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the honor

A man who achieved global fame as a professional wrestler and movie star soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Andre the Giant will receive the honor. Before his death in 1993, Andre had an extensive history with North Carolina. Bruce Mitchell, a longtime pro wrestling historian and writer based out of Greensboro, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Andre the Giant’s ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.

Last-minute ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran look uncertain as a two-week truce is set to expire and both sides say they’re prepared to resume fighting. A White House official says Vice President JD Vance, who is expected to lead the U.S. delegation if talks resume in Pakistan, called off a trip to Pakistan. Linda Kenyon, a CBS News reporter, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss latest disruption in peace talks.

As many Americans anticipate larger refunds this season, former U.S. Senator out of Arkansas Blanche Lincoln has come out in support of a GOP-led bill that gives Working Families Tax Cuts. Lincoln argues that a more competitive business tax system can help power America’s next era of growth — driving job creation, boosting wages, and expanding opportunity and prosperity for millions of families. Lincoln joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the measure.

Three copies of the Declaration of Independence will be displayed in Durham later this year, offering the public an uncommon look at how the founding document was reproduced and circulated in the nation's early years. Deborah Rutter, Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the display.

This year’s Lyrid meteor shower is visible now. Lyrid is getting a boost thanks to a dim crescent moon. Skywatchers could see 10 to 20 shooting stars per hour across the spring sky, according to NASA, when the fiery display peaks Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Amy Elizabeth Sayle of the Morehead Planetarium joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Lyrid and the North Carolina Statewide Star Party, which will take place this weekend.

A berry big battle is underway in central North Carolina as strawberry harvest season kicks in — ripe, red strawberries vs. a stubborn stretch of dry weather. Every drop of water matters more than ever during this two-week dry spell and six-month-old drought. Jessica Jones is an operator at D.J.’s Berry Patch in Apex. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the impact has impacted them.