Category Archives: WPTF News

US consumer confidence rebounds after five straight months of declines amid tariff anxiety

US consumer confidence rebounds after five straight months of declines amid tariff anxiety

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ views of the economy improved in May after five straight months of declines sent consumer confidence to the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by anxiety over the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 12.3 points in May to 98, up from April’s 85.7, its lowest reading since May 2020. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market jumped 17.4 points to 72.8, but remained below 80, which can signal a recession ahead.… Continue Reading

Hurricanes get another home-ice shot at Panthers with Game 5 in Eastern final

Hurricanes get another home-ice shot at Panthers with Game 5 in Eastern final

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference final series. The Hurricanes extended their season with Monday’s road shutout after falling in a 3-0 series hole. Florida took the first two games in Raleigh to start this series. Carolina started 5-0 in the playoffs at home through two rounds. Florida is unsure of the status of Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola and A.J. Greer after they missed Game 4 with injuries. Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield hasn’t played in the series while fellow blue-liner Sean Walker has missed the past two games.… Continue Reading

Stars are out for the Memorial and US Women’s Open goes to Erin Hills

Stars are out for the Memorial and US Women’s Open goes to Erin Hills

Scottie Scheffler and the best of the PGA Tour are headed to the tournament Jack Nicklaus built at the Memorial. Missing from this signature event is Masters champion Rory McIlroy. He’s skipping Nicklaus’ tournament for the first time since 2017. The biggest event in women’s golf heads to Erin Hills for the U.S. Women’s Open. It features a $12 million purse, the largest in women’s golf. Erin Hills hasn’t hosted a tournament this big since Brooks Koepka won his first U.S. Open in 2017. The Austrian Open is back on the European tour schedule for the first time since 2021.… Continue Reading

NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media

NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media

NEW YORK (AP) — National Public Radio and three local stations are suing President Donald Trump, arguing that an executive order aimed at cutting federal funding for the organization is illegal. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington by NPR, Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio and KUTE, Inc. It argues that Trump’s executive order to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR violates the First Amendment. Trump issued the executive order earlier this month that instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS” and requires that they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organizations.… Continue Reading

Trump administration moves to cut $100 million in federal contracts for Harvard

Trump administration moves to cut $100 million in federal contracts for Harvard

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is asking federal agencies to cancel contracts with Harvard University worth about $100 million. The move intensifies the president’s clash with the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university. The government already has canceled more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school, which has pushed back on the administration’s demands for changes to several of its policies. A letter sent Tuesday from the General Services Administration directed agencies to review contracts with the university and seek alternate vendors. President Donald Trump has railed against Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. The school filed a lawsuit over the administration’s calls for changes to the university.… Continue Reading

‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies

‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch and conservative cultural icon Phil Robertson dies

WEST MONROE, La. (AP) — Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” has died. He was 79. Robertson’s daughter-in-law announced his death Sunday on Facebook. They said in December he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Robertson turned his small duck calling interest in the sportsman’s paradise of northern Louisiana into a big business and conservative cultural phenomenon. “Duck Dynasty” followed Robertson, his brother and his sons in a reality show presented like a sitcom. They were immediately recognizable by their long beards and their conservative, Christian and family-oriented beliefs.… Continue Reading

The scars from Hurricane Helene are healing slowly in this Appalachian tourist town

The scars from Hurricane Helene are healing slowly in this Appalachian tourist town

CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE, N.C. (AP) — Despite being nearly wiped off the map by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, tiny Chimney Rock Village in North Carolina had optimistically predicted it would be open for business by Memorial Day. But in the days leading up to the holiday, a security guard at the town’s entrance still turns away all but locals and construction workers. Mayor Peter O’Leary admits Main Street likely won’t reopen until summer sometime. He said nearly a third of businesses were destroyed by last September’s flooding. While some are likely gone forever, there are signs of progress. Amish volunteers from Pennsylvania are rebuilding wrecked shops and inns. The state is close to finishing a temporary bridge for Chimney Rock State Park to reopen. O’Leary says the long rebuild will be worth it.… Continue Reading

King Charles to outline Canada’s priorities in Parliament amid Trump annexation threat

King Charles to outline Canada’s priorities in Parliament amid Trump annexation threat

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — King Charles III will outline new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government priorities in a speech in Parliament in what’s viewed as a show of support in the face of annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s repeated suggestion that the U.S. annex Canada prompted Prime Minister Carney to invite Charles to give the speech Tuesday from the throne. The king is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies. Carney says the visit speaks to the “vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our distinct identity.”… Continue Reading

Hurricanes’ 15-loss streak in East finals games is over. And Rod Brind’Amour is thrilled by that

Hurricanes’ 15-loss streak in East finals games is over. And Rod Brind’Amour is thrilled by that

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Go back to June 1, 2006. Rod Brind’Amour was a captain then; he’s a coach now. Logan Stankoven was 3 years old then; he’s a budding star now. And in those days, when people talked about Cam Ward, they meant the goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes, not the quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes. That was also the last day on which Carolina won an Eastern Conference finals game. Until Monday, that is. It’s over. Not the season. The streak. Carolina’s 15-game streak of consecutive losses in the East finals ended Monday night, with the Hurricanes beating the Florida Panthers 3-0 in Game 4 of their matchup.… Continue Reading

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