A powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in rural Tennessee on Friday morning, rattling homes miles away and bringing emergency responders to the scene, authorities and residents said.… Continue Reading
Category Archives: WPTF News
Trump directs the Pentagon to use ‘all available funds’ to ensure troops are paid despite shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s directed the Defense Department to use “all available funds” to ensure that U.S. troops are paid on Wednesday despite the government shutdown. Trump said in a social media post Saturday that he was acting because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.” He said he was using his authority as commander in chief to direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to use all available funds” to pay the troops. They were in danger of not receiving their next paycheck on Wednesday after the government shut down on Oct. 1.… Continue Reading
Diane Keaton, Oscar-winning star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ dies at 79, reports say
Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning star known for films like “Annie Hall” and “The Godfather,” has died at 79. People Magazine reported her death on Saturday in California, citing a family spokesperson. No further details were immediately available. The news has shocked fans worldwide. Her unique style and depth made her a standout actor of her generation. She became iconic with roles like Annie Hall and Kay Adams. Her career spanned decades, charming audiences in films like “Baby Boom,” “Father of the Bride,” and “First Wives Club.” Keaton’s legacy in film remains timeless.… Continue Reading
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle says Cowboys’ 32nd-ranked defense better ‘buckle up’ on Sunday
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle has sent a strong message to his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, after rushing for a career-best 206 yards against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Dowdle, who spent five seasons with the Cowboys, said the upcoming game will be very physical and warned the Cowboys that they better buckle up. The Cowboys, who have the 32nd-ranked defense, insist they’ll be prepared. Dowdle’s performance came as he filled in for the injured Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard was ruled out for a second straight game on Friday after not practicing all week.… Continue Reading
Speaker Johnson keeps the House away as he fights to end the government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — House members’ absence during the government shutdown is creating a political dilemma for Republican Speaker Mike Johnson and is testing his leadership. The Louisiana congressman sent members home three weeks ago, and they haven’t been back in working session since. In the intervening weeks, the government has shut down. President Donald Trump threatened a mass firing of federal workers. And Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a special congressional election in Arizona but has not been sworn in. Johnson says the House already did its job, passing a bill to fund the government. Johnson blames Democrats in the Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans. Democrats want health care funds for insurance subsidies that are set to expire.… Continue Reading
Israeli military says ceasefire takes effect in Gaza, raising hopes for ending the war
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli military says a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has come into effect in Gaza. The announcement came Friday, hours after Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal to pause the fighting and exchange the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Tens of thousands of people who had gathered in central Gaza in the morning started walking north after the military’s announcement. Beforehand, Palestinians reported heavy shelling in parts of Gaza throughout Friday morning, but no significant bombardment was reported after. The ceasefire marks a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, reduced much of Gaza to rubble, and left dozens of hostages, living and dead, in the territory.… Continue Reading
High tides raise flood risk in Carolinas as tropical storms churn in Atlantic and Pacific
MIAMI (AP) — A storm without a name and unusual king tides were causing some flooding on the Carolina coast as tropical storms churned in the Atlantic and along Mexico’s Pacific coast. About a dozen streets were already flooded in Charleston, South Carolina, where a high tide of 8.5 feet was forecast Friday morning. The unnamed coastal storm and unusually high king tides threatened to bring days of heavy winds that could cause coastal flooding. Along the Outer Banks, forecasters said the worst weather should occur Friday through the weekend. Tropical Storms Priscilla and Raymond threatened heavy rain along the Mexican coast, and Priscilla could cause flash flooding across the U.S. Southwest through the weekend.… Continue Reading
Judge tosses out Drake’s defamation lawsuit against label over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has tossed out a defamation lawsuit Drake brought against Universal Music Group over a Kendrick Lamar dis track. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas rejected the lawsuit on Thursday in a written opinion, saying the purportedly libelous words were opinion. The January lawsuit alleged that UMG published and promoted Lamar’s dis track “Not Like Us” even though it included false pedophilia allegations against Drake and suggested listeners should resort to vigilante justice. Lamar was not named in the lawsuit. Universal Music Group is the parent record label for both artists. It denied the allegations.… Continue Reading
North Carolina state House member charged with sex crimes
HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina state House member has been charged with sex-related crimes involving a teenager. Court records show six-term Democratic Rep. Cecil Brockman was arrested Wednesday on charges of statutory sexual offense and taking indecent liberties with a child. The alleged crimes involve a 15-year-old. Brockman was jailed without bond. The North Carolina Democratic Party and top state House leaders have called on Brockman to resign immediately. An assistant for Brockman said the legislator didn’t have a comment Thursday morning. A voice message left on a phone number connected to Brockman wasn’t immediately returned. Electronic court records provided no information on an attorney.… Continue Reading
Bill Belichick’s 1st season at North Carolina has run into problems on and off the field
Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina has run into problems both on and off the field. The Tar Heels are 2-3 but have lost in lopsided fashion in all three of their games against power-conference opponents. A person with knowledge of the situation said the school has also suspended an assistant coach while it looks into potential NCAA rules violations tied to improper benefits. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school hasn’t publicly discussed the suspension. UNC is off this week and next plays at California on Oct. 17.… Continue Reading