Category Archives: WPTF News

McNeese State’s Will Wade confirms he’s been in contact with NC State about its coaching job

McNeese State’s Will Wade confirms he’s been in contact with NC State about its coaching job

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — McNeese State coach Will Wade knows his name is in the mix during the college basketball coaching carousel. And unlike some coaches during this time of year, he’s not being coy talking about it. Asked Wednesday if he or his agent had been in contact with N.C. State about its opening, the second-year McNeese State coach confirmed that he had been. Though he didn’t elaborate on the extent of his contact with N.C. State, Wade name has since been linked to the Wolfpack job and other schools after finishing up his second straight 20-win season at McNeese that ended with an NCAA tourney berth.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers approve additional $528M for Hurricane Helene recovery

North Carolina lawmakers approve additional $528M for Hurricane Helene recovery

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers have agreed to spend another $528 million on still-pressing needs from Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding nearly six months ago. House and Senate Republicans worked out their differences in competing bills and voted for a compromise. The final vote came Wednesday. The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who requested double that amount last month. He’s still expected to sign the bill. More Helene aid is expected later this year. The latest package emphasizes home and private road repairs, agriculture and infrastructure to aid businesses. The money also located over $300 million to address the continued recovery from previous storms and disasters.… Continue Reading

New North Carolina governor seeks to freeze tax cuts, phase out school vouchers in budget

New North Carolina governor seeks to freeze tax cuts, phase out school vouchers in budget

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein wants Republicans in charge of the legislature to roll back upcoming income tax cuts and scale back private school vouchers that expanded dramatically recently. Stein had made the comments while releasing his first two-year state government budget proposal Wednesday. Stein wants to freeze the current individual and income tax rates. He says not doing so will lead to large revenue shortfalls soon. GOP legislators have embraced recurring tax cuts for all wage earners and taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 students. Republicans may have to consider Stein’s views more because they are one seat shy of a veto-proof majority.… Continue Reading

Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four

Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — RJ Davis scored 26 points and went 6 of 6 from 3-point range to help North Carolina silence some skeptics with a dominant 95-68 victory over San Diego State in a First Four matchup. Davis’ six 3-pointers tied Caleb Love’s program record for an NCAA Tournament game. Love had six against UCLA in 2022. Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis went 5 for 5 from deep against Eastern Michigan in 1991. The 14 made 3-pointers were the most for North Carolina in an NCAA Tournament game. The Tar Heels hit 13 against Marquette in 2022. Seth Trimble had 16 points for North Carolina in a matchups of No. 11 seeds. UNC advanced to face No. 6 seed Mississippi in a South Region game Friday in Milwaukee.… Continue Reading

Unredacted JFK assassination files released, sending history buffs hunting for new clues

Unredacted JFK assassination files released, sending history buffs hunting for new clues

DALLAS (AP) — Unredacted documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy have been released following an order by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. The documents were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration on Tuesday evening. The vast majority of the National Archives’ collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released.… Continue Reading

Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients

Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone. Beginning March 31st, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the Social Security Administration over the phone and those who cannot properly verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service, will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, agency leadership told reporters Tuesday.… Continue Reading

What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders

What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms since it was first detected in North America in late 2021. But what has been the toll on wild birds? While most wild birds are susceptible to the disease, some species like mallards are more likely to carry the virus without symptoms. Others like geese tend to die in large numbers. Songbirds have sometimes gotten sick and died, but there haven’t been mass die-offs. Experts recommend taking precautions around sick or dead wild birds. But you can keep your bird feeder up. Scientists say the threat to the general population is currently low.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s largest public university NC State names new chancellor

North Carolina’s largest public university NC State names new chancellor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors announced the next leader of North Carolina State University. Kevin Howell will be NC State’s next chancellor and will succeed Randy Woodson. Howell will become the first Black chancellor at NC State. He currently serves as chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. Woodson announced his retirement last year after serving as chancellor for nearly 15 years. There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes the chancellorship, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for universities’ research funding.… Continue Reading

March Madness tips off with First Four in Dayton

March Madness tips off with First Four in Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — March Madness tips off with the First Four in Dayton, with a mix of bubble teams who made the cut and smaller schools hoping to be this year’s Cinderella. North Carolina was a controversial selection, but the Tar Heels can silence some skeptics with a win over San Diego State on Tuesday night. Xavier and Texas meet for the fourth time in the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday night. Saint Francis of Pennsylvania, the 19th school to qualify with a losing record, faces Alabama State. Washington D.C. area schools American and Mount St. Mary’s will play for the 71st time.… Continue Reading

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. Retail sales rose just 0.2% in February, a small rebound after a sharp drop of 1.2% in January, the Commerce Department said Monday. Sales rose at grocery stores, home and garden stores, and online retailers. Sales fell at auto dealers, restaurants, and electronics stores. The small increase suggests Americans may be growing more wary about spending as the stock market has plunged and President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and government spending cuts have led to widespread uncertainty among consumers and businesses.… Continue Reading

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