Category Archives: WPTF News

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Green Party will remain an official party in North Carolina, able to field candidates statewide through the 2028 elections. The Republican majority on the State Board of Elections voted Thursday to allow the North Carolina Green Party to be recognized again in the ninth-largest state. The party was at risk of joining four other small parties whose candidates for president or governor also failed to reach vote thresholds last year. But Green Party officials said they more than met another standard in state law because presidential candidate Jill Stein was on the 2024 ballot in at least 35 states.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed his first bills. On Friday he blocked for now Republican legislation that would let adults carry concealed handguns without a permit and make state agencies and local sheriffs more active in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The three vetoed measures now return to the legislature, where Republicans are one House seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority. Override votes could happen as soon as next week. Stein said the gun bill makes North Carolina residents less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership. One immigration bill would force some state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.… Continue Reading

Generational survey uncovers surprising insights on how Americans connect with the ocean

Generational survey uncovers surprising insights on how Americans connect with the ocean

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A new national survey from ocean research group DEEP reveals surprising generational gaps in how Americans view the ocean’s role in daily life. Released for World Oceans Day, the study found that while only 45% of respondents understood the ocean’s impact—from oxygen to infrastructure—interest in ocean exploration remains high, especially among younger people. DEEP’s Dr. Dawn Kernagis, a former NASA aquanaut, says the findings highlight both a lack of awareness and a growing fascination with underwater living. The survey aims to spark deeper conversations and inspire more people to protect our oceans through simple everyday actions.
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Wyndham Clark says he ‘deeply regrets’ damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open

Wyndham Clark says he ‘deeply regrets’ damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open

CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Wyndham Clark is apologizing for the damage done to the century-old locker he was using at Oakmont during the U.S. Open. It’s the second time this year Clark has caused damage out of anger during a major. He also slung his driver, which damaged a sign on the tee during the PGA Championship. Reports surfaced over the weekend of the damage to the Oakmont locker. Clark missed the cut by one shot at the U.S. Open. He says he deeply regrets the mistake. The former U.S. Open champion says he’s had highs and lows and certainly more lows this year.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have finalized a bill that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law. The state Senate voted Thursday to accept the House version that would repeal the requirement that electric regulators work to reduce carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law’s directive to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place. The bill’s Republican supporters say eliminating the interim mandate would benefit electric ratepayers and is more efficient for Duke Energy. The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who raised concerns about an earlier version of the bill.… Continue Reading

ICE raids and their uncertainty scare off workers and baffle businesses

ICE raids and their uncertainty scare off workers and baffle businesses

WASHINGTON (AP) — Farmers, cattle ranchers and hotel and restaurant managers breathed a sigh of relief last week when President Donald Trump ordered a pause to immigration raids that were disrupting those industries and scaring foreign-born workers off the job. But the respite didn’t last long. On Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin declared that worksite enforcement “remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability” and that there will be “no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals” or undermine enforcement efforts. The flipflop has baffled businesses trying to figure out the government’s actual policy.… Continue Reading

Fed leaves key rate unchanged as it awaits the impact of tariffs and Trump again scolds Powell

Fed leaves key rate unchanged as it awaits the impact of tariffs and Trump again scolds Powell

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday as it waits for additional information on how tariffs and other potential disruptions will affect the economy this year. The Fed’s policymakers signaled they still expect to cut rates twice this year, even as they also project that President Donald Trump’s import duties will push inflation higher. They also expect growth to slow and unemployment to edge up, according to their latest quarterly projections. Fed policymakers had cut their rate three times late last year but have since have been on hold.… Continue Reading

Juneteenth observed across NC as communities honor freedom and history

Juneteenth observed across NC as communities honor freedom and history

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., is being celebrated across North Carolina today with events highlighting freedom, history, and community. Adrienne Nirdé, Director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, says the holiday marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The Commission is hosting “Songs of Liberation” this Saturday in Raleigh’s Freedom Park, one of many events statewide honoring the continued journey toward equality.… Continue Reading

Buss family agrees to sell controlling stake of Lakers to Mark Walter for $10B, AP source says

Buss family agrees to sell controlling stake of Lakers to Mark Walter for $10B, AP source says

The Buss family has agreed to sell the controlling stake of the Los Angeles Lakers to TWG Global CEO Mark Walter, doing so with a franchise valuation of $10 billion — the most ever for a professional sports franchise, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday. As part of the deal, Jeanie Buss — whose family has had control of the Lakers since her father bought the team in 1979 — intends to remain as governor, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side immediately announced details.… Continue Reading

US unemployment ticked down, hovering at historically low levels

US unemployment ticked down, hovering at historically low levels

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dipped to 245,000 last week amid uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s trade policies. U.S. jobless claims ticked down from 250,000 the week before. Economists had forecast 250,000. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, rose to 245,500, the highest since August 2023. The number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits the week of June 7 slid to 1.95 million.… Continue Reading

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