WPTF Morning News

Stephen Kates, certified financial planner and principal at Clocktower Financial Consulting, joins Lisa Price to discuss oil prices spiking above $90 a barrel last week amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions before pulling back on hopes of diplomacy, with North Carolina gas prices now averaging $3.80 a gallon. Kates also previews a packed economic week including the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh, Thursday's Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation report and first reading on second quarter GDP, and earnings from Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and other major companies that could make for a volatile week in the markets.

Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com, joins Lisa Price to discuss a significant shift in the housing market, with asking prices falling 2.5% in June, the biggest year-over-year drop since 2017, and more than 60% of the nation's largest markets now favoring buyers or balanced. Jones also introduces the new Realtor.com Market Clock, a tool that shows whether a local market favors buyers or sellers and which direction it is moving. For more information visit realtor.com/marketclock.

Medal of Honor recipient and former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha and Jim Lorraine, president and CEO of America's Warrior Partnership, join Lisa Price to discuss PureTalk's America250 campaign, which has committed to raising $250,000 for America's Warrior Partnership, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, military families and caregivers. For more information visit puretalk.com.

George Baker, global vehicle security lead at General Motors, joins Lisa Price to discuss the more than 20,000 vehicles stolen in North Carolina last year and practical steps drivers can take to protect themselves during National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, including how to safeguard key fobs, park smart and use OnStar's stolen vehicle assistance services, which are marking their 30th anniversary this year.

Kristin Smith, president of the Solana Policy Institute, joins Tony to break down what cryptocurrency is, why nearly 1 in 5 Americans now own digital assets and what Congress is considering with the CLARITY Act, which would establish the first federal framework for digital asset markets. Smith explains what clearer regulations could mean for everyday consumers and what anyone should know before investing in or using cryptocurrency.

Jeff Whitson, associate director of survivor services at InterAct, joins Tony to discuss domestic violence statistics in North Carolina and how the organization's Lethality Assessment Program trains sheriff's deputies, police officers, first responders and child protective services workers to use a screening tool when responding to domestic violence calls.

Dr. Macie Smith, gerontologist at SYNERGY HomeCare, joins Lisa Price to discuss the growing number of older adults aging without nearby family and the practical steps solo agers can take to plan for their long-term care needs, from working with a certified elder attorney and geriatric care manager to exploring continuing care retirement communities. For more information visit aginglifecare.com.

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Lisa Price to discuss June's Consumer Price Index report showing inflation cooled more than expected, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve ahead of its July meeting, though renewed Middle East tensions are already pushing oil prices higher. Kates also breaks down retail sales data showing consumers remain resilient despite financial stress, with annual sales growth of nearly 7%, and explains why second-quarter corporate earnings are beating expectations by more than twice the recent average with the broader market increasingly driving growth beyond the Magnificent 7.

Jeff Whitson of Interact joins Lisa to discuss how the organization is working to better equip first responders to identify and support victims of domestic violence when they respond to calls.

Brenda Berg, CEO of BEST NC, joins Lisa to discuss how the new North Carolina state budget raises average teacher pay by 8.5%, pushes starting teacher salaries to the highest in the region, expands the Advanced Teaching Roles initiative and launches TeachReadyNC, the nation's first state teacher apprenticeship program for alternatively licensed teachers.

State Sen. Woodson Bradley joins Lisa to discuss her proposal to create a domestic violence offender registry in North Carolina and how she believes a publicly accessible list of offenders could help protect victims and potential victims across the state.

Daniel Tenney, senior vice president of global strategy at Lockheed Martin, joins Lisa live from the Farnborough International Airshow in England to discuss the company's largest-ever presence at what is expected to be a record-breaking show, including displays of the F-35, Black Hawk helicopter, HIMARS rocket launcher and anti-drone systems. Tenney also discusses how AI and autonomous systems are transforming defense technology and highlights from Lockheed Martin's space division following the Artemis II success.

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joins Lisa Price to discuss the backlash over West Palm Beach Airport's renaming to Donald J. Trump International Airport, including conflicting reports about whether United Airlines was allowing passengers to switch to nearby airports without fees. Ratliff also addresses a viral video of a United ticket agent threatening to call ICE on an American citizen during a reservation dispute, and gives travelers a heads up that Minneapolis and New Orleans are the main delay concerns heading into the week.

State Rep. Zack Hawkins joins Lisa Price to discuss the newly passed North Carolina state budget and his concerns about insufficient funding for children with special needs and the families and programs that support them.

Drew Bent, education lead at Anthropic, joins Lisa to discuss the launch of Claude for Teachers, a free version of Claude Pro for K-12 teachers nationwide that is built on evidence-based curriculum, mapped to state teaching standards and includes the Cowork feature so teachers can set tasks overnight and wake up to completed results. The program is designed to give educators more time with their students by handling time-consuming tasks like lesson planning, study guides and differentiated instruction.

Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, joins Lisa to discuss the significant difference in what patients pay at WakeMed versus UNC Health and what it means for state employees who have established care relationships at WakeMed, as well as concerns about the potential impact of the WakeMed and Atrium Health merger on healthcare costs.

Dr. Chris Cooper, North Carolina advisory council member for Keep Our Republic, joins Lisa to discuss what the nonpartisan advocacy group is uncovering about election administration and the processes voters rarely see

Dr. Robert Shpiner, clinical professor of medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, joins Lisa to discuss the growing number of Cyclospora cases across the country and why the intestinal parasite is increasingly difficult for doctors to diagnose, particularly after the federal government downgraded active surveillance for the pathogen last year.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/16/diarrhea-outbreak-cyclospora-parasite-cdc

Marian Salzman, senior vice president of corporate development and senior advisor to the U.S. CEO at PMI U.S., joins Lisa to discuss a new Harris Poll survey finding that nearly 8 in 10 Americans believe the country is innovating in the wrong areas, with consumers more concerned about housing, grocery prices, healthcare and local jobs than headline-grabbing investments in AI and space exploration. Salzman explains what the findings reveal about the growing gap between corporate innovation rhetoric and real-world community needs.

Kevin O'Connell, executive director of the NACS Foundation, joins Lisa to discuss the First Responder of the Year Award and 24/7 Day, an annual initiative recognizing the essential role convenience stores play in supporting police, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders in communities across the country.

Comedian Zach Rushing joins Tony to discuss his Redneck Logic Tour and his performance tonight, July 16, at the Raleigh Improv.

Brad Lovin, executive director of the North Carolina Manufactured and Modular Homebuilders Association, joins Lisa to discuss the new Housing That Works NC campaign and how modern manufactured and modular homes could help address the state's growing housing shortage, with new research showing nearly 80% of North Carolinians believe housing costs are too high.

Stephen Perrine, executive editor of AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin, joins Tony to discuss the 17th annual "99 Great Ways to Save" cover story, including how to slash grocery bills, avoid overpaying while shopping online, cut driving and gas costs, and use AI tools to negotiate bills and plan budget-friendly trips. For more information visit aarp.org/99waystosave.

Mary Davis, marketing director of Big Charm Players, joins Tony to discuss the launch of East Wake County's newest community theatre, based at the historic Old Town Hall in Wendell, and its inaugural 2026-2027 season featuring four productions. Auditions for the season opener, "Sylvia," are scheduled for July 18-19. Tickets and information are available at bigcharmplayers.org.

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Lisa Price to preview the June Consumer Price Index report, which is expected to show inflation easing slightly to around 3.9% as lower gas prices provide some relief, though annual inflation remains well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Kates also raises concern about the personal savings rate falling to 3%, half its pre-pandemic average, warning that Americans are eroding the financial cushion they need at a time when it is taking longer than ever to find a new job after being laid off.

Dr. David McLennan, professor of political science and director of the Meredith Poll at Meredith College, joins Lisa Price to reflect on the life and legacy of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday. McLennan discusses Graham's evolution from a bipartisan dealmaker known as one of the Three Amigos alongside John McCain and Joe Lieberman to a loyal Trump ally, his consistent championing of a strong foreign policy and his work on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and what his death means for the race to fill his seat ahead of November.

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joins Lisa Price to discuss a terrifying incident aboard a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany, where an engine malfunction sent debris through the fuselage, blew out a cabin window and caused rapid depressurization that partially sucked a passenger out of the plane at 16,000 feet. Ratliff explains how the man survived because he was wearing his seatbelt, how fellow passengers and his wife held onto him until the crew could descend and equalize the cabin pressure, and what investigators will be looking at in the months ahead.

Zac Vakadewatabua, a former Operation Christmas Child shoebox recipient from Fiji, joins Lisa Price to share how receiving a shoebox gift at age 9 planted a seed of faith that shaped his life and his commitment to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others. He also discusses how he reconnected with Operation Christmas Child after coming to the United States. Listeners can pack a shoebox and drop it off during National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23, at nearly 5,000 locations nationwide. For more information visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Dr. Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, president of Strayer University, joins Tony to discuss how today's college students are increasingly working adults balancing jobs, children and careers who need practical skills and flexible pathways into high-demand industries. Farmer-Thompson explains why AI fluency has become a core literacy rather than a specialty credential, with 45% of global workers already regularly using AI on the job, and what working adults should look for when choosing an institution to help them stay competitive.

Renee Hill and Natalie Hill join Tony to discuss the 17th annual Wake Forest Purple Heart Banquet, set for Saturday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest. This year's event will feature a special America 250 tribute, a bagpiper, drummer and fife player, JROTC color guard and keynote speaker Clebe McClary, a Vietnam veteran who received three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. Tickets and information are available at wakeforestpurpleheartfoundation.org.

National Weather Service meteorologist Barrett Smith joins Tony to discuss an incoming cold front expected to bring a brief temperature drop to the mid-80s and low 90s over the weekend after two weeks of oppressive heat with temperatures regularly topping 100 degrees and heat index values reaching 105 to 110. Smith notes that while parts of the Triangle have received two to four inches of rain in recent days, drought conditions persist across much of the region, and temperatures are expected to rebound to the low 90s early next week with no significant tropical activity currently in the tropics.

Matt Poole, assistant town manager for the town of Garner, joins Tony to recap a successful July 3 celebration that drew approximately 10,000 attendees despite the heat and preview upcoming summer events including a free showing of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" on Aug. 14, Festival Latino on Sept. 12 and the Firefighters Festival in October. Poole also invites Garner residents to an informal strategic planning open house on July 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Garner Recreation Center, where community input will help shape the town's five-year plan. For more information visit garnernc.gov

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Lisa Price to review the first half of 2026, with the S&P 500 up nearly 10% for the year despite a recent pullback in technology and semiconductor stocks. Kates explains why inflation may have peaked in May but is still weighing on consumer confidence, how home prices in fast-growing Sunbelt markets like Raleigh are now declining year over year, and why the job market is improving in terms of raw numbers but workers still lack confidence.

Robyn Fehrman, executive director of Teach For America North Carolina, joins Lisa Price to discuss the wave of recent college graduates heading into North Carolina classrooms for the first time this fall, how new teachers are building relationships and setting strong expectations from day one, and why purpose-driven careers like teaching are drawing a growing share of Gen Z workers.

Brian Walsh, certified financial planner and head of advice and planning at SoFi, joins Lisa Price to break down the student loan reforms that took effect July 1 and what they mean for the more than 42 million Americans who collectively owe $1.87 trillion in federal student loan debt, including who will pay more under the new rules governing how students borrow and repay loans for higher education.

Dr. Larry Charleston IV, professor of neurology, founder of Charleston Health Neurology & Head Pain Consultants and adjunct faculty at the Jefferson Headache Center, joins Lisa Price to discuss the approximately 43 million Americans living with migraine and the roughly 1 in 1,000 people living with cluster headache, and why a lack of effective treatment options continues to drive emergency department visits for both conditions.

Josh McLeod, director of federal government relations at the National Federation of Independent Business, joins Lisa Price to discuss NFIB's new campaign urging Congress to permanently repeal the federal Beneficial Ownership Information reporting mandate, which the organization says could require more than 32 million small businesses to submit sensitive personal data and expose owners to criminal penalties if they fail to comply.

Mitch Kokai, senior political analyst at the John Locke Foundation, joins Lisa Price to break down the proposed North Carolina state budget, including what it gets right, where it falls short and what it means for residents across the state.

Logan Stewart, spokesperson for Duke Energy, joins Lisa Price to discuss how customers can reduce their electricity use and manage costs during the high demand period expected over the Fourth of July weekend.

Durham Fire Department Chief Robert Zoldos joins Tony Riggsbee to share fire safety tips for the Fourth of July weekend, including how to handle fireworks responsibly and reduce the risk of accidental fires during outdoor celebrations.

Former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr joins Lisa Price to break down the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling affirming that birthright citizenship cannot be eliminated by executive order, calling it consistent with roughly 150 years of legal precedent. Orr explains what the decision means for future legislative efforts to address the issue, why a constitutional amendment would face enormous hurdles, and how the ruling fits into a broader pattern of the court trimming presidential executive power.

Benjamin Cook, physician assistant and regional medical director for Duke Urgent Care Durham and Orange counties, joins Tony to discuss how to recognize and manage heat-related illness as a heat dome settles in over the region during the July 4th holiday weekend.

Secretary Pamela Brewington Cashwell of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources joins Tony to discuss Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest, a free all-day celebration of America's 250th birthday at the State Capitol building and grounds in Raleigh on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features live music from Tift Merritt and Rissi Palmer, living history exhibits, more than 50 vendors and food trucks, trolley tours of historic downtown Raleigh and a Hurricanes Kid Zone. For more information visit america250.nc.gov/capitol-250-north-carolina-freedom-fest.

National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Petro joins Tony to explain what a heat dome is, how it is affecting the Northeast, the extreme weather unfolding in the Rockies, and whether North Carolinians should expect more early and intense summer heat in the years ahead.

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Tony for his weekly segment to discuss the latest economic trends and practical personal finance guidance for listeners.

Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, joins Tony to discuss how to keep pets calm and safe during the loud fireworks and crowds expected around the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations, as well as tips for protecting animals from the summer heat.

Rosie Rios, chair of America250, joins Lisa Priced to discuss the Giving 4th initiative, a first-of-its-kind national effort encouraging Americans to pair their July 4th celebrations with a pledge to donate to a nonprofit of their choosing, turning Independence Day into an annual tradition of giving back.

Chris Edwards, play-by-play voice of the Wilson Warbirds, joins Tony in studio.

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joins Lisa Price to discuss an American Airlines jet that aborted its takeoff in Miami after a business jet mistakenly pulled onto the active runway, and a United Airlines flight that nearly struck a drone flying at 2,000 feet near Newark Liberty International Airport. Ratliff addresses the alarming frequency of runway incursions, what investigators look for when human error is suspected, and why drone operators flying in restricted airspace near airports pose a serious and growing threat to aviation safety.

Alex Jacquez, chief policy advocacy officer at Groundwork Collaborative, joins Tony to break down how the war in Iran is driving roughly 60% of May's inflation increase, with gas prices up more than 40% and airfares jumping 26% compared to last year. Jacquez explains why North Carolinians are spending an extra $1.1 billion on gas and diesel alone, how rising transportation costs ripple through grocery prices, and why consumer sentiment has fallen to levels lower than the Great Recession as wage growth fails to keep pace with inflation.