Category Archives: WPTF News

NFL legend Bill Belichick is coaching practices again. Only now he’s a college rookie at UNC

NFL legend Bill Belichick is coaching practices again. Only now he’s a college rookie at UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick is back on the practice sidelines again, though now in college at North Carolina. The 72-year-old coach who won six Super Bowls with the NFL’s New England Patriots opened spring practices at UNC this week. He also held his first news conference on campus since his introductory one after his hiring in December. Belichick told reporters that players have responded well to the new staff. That comes as Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi have talked about building what amounts to a mini-NFL model in a college program. UNC’s spring practices run through April 12.… Continue Reading

Trump takes credit for ‘swift and unrelenting’ action in speech to Congress

Trump takes credit for ‘swift and unrelenting’ action in speech to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is taking credit for “swift and unrelenting action” in reorienting the nation’s economy, immigration and foreign policy as he updates Congress and the American people on his turbulent first few weeks in office. Democratic legislators have immediately registered their dissent with stone faces, placards calling out ’lies,” and one legislator’s ejection. The Republican-led House and Senate have done little to restrain the president as he and his allies work to slash the size of the federal government and remake America’s place in the world. Trump says he is working to “reclaim democracy from this unaccountable bureaucracy” and has threatened federal workers anew with firings if they resist his agenda.… Continue Reading

North Carolina rolls to season-high 6th straight win, beats Virginia Tech behind season-high 15 3s

North Carolina rolls to season-high 6th straight win, beats Virginia Tech behind season-high 15 3s

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Ven-Allen Lubin collected his first double-double as a Tar Heel and Ian Jackson hit five of North Carolina’s season-high 15 3-pointers while scoring 19 points in a 91-59 victory over Virginia Tech on Tuesday night. The Tar Heels (20-11, 13-6 ACC) extended their season-high win streak to six as they prepare to end the regular season at home against No. 2 Duke on Saturday. North Carolina won 20 games in a season for the 65th time. Lubin, whose previous stops were at Notre Dame and Vanderbilt, had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jaydon Young and Ben Burnham scored 12 points each for the Hokies.… Continue Reading

James Harrison, Australian blood donor whose ‘golden arm’ helped save 2.4 million babies, dies at 88

James Harrison, Australian blood donor whose ‘golden arm’ helped save 2.4 million babies, dies at 88

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — James Harrison, who was credited with saving 2.4 million babies through blood plasma donations over six decades, has died at 88. Harrison’s plasma contained an antibody that helped protect fetuses and newborns from a rare disease. Harrison made 1,173 donations from age 18 until he was forced to retire at age 81. His record was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2005 and stood until 2022. His grandson said Harrison died in a nursing home in Australia’s New South Wales state on Feb. 17. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service said Harrison was known as the “Man with the Golden Arm.”… Continue Reading

The Florida attorney general’s office is investigating Andrew and Tristan Tate

The Florida attorney general’s office is investigating Andrew and Tristan Tate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s attorney general says his office has opened a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania. The announcement Tuesday comes days after they returned to the U.S. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said on social media that he directed his office to work with law enforcement to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the Tate brothers. Uthmeier said he’s directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in what he calls “the now-active investigation into the Tate brothers.” During a Monday podcast appearance, Andrew Tate said he has broken no laws.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds

North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators appear to be closing in on legislation to provide more funds to help the mountains recover from Hurricane Helene. A measure advanced by Senate Republicans on Tuesday would spend another $533 million for Helene relief. The House passed a bill last week to spend $500 million. But the Senate measure provides even more funds to address lingering home construction projects from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, as well as relief from other disasters in 2024. House and Senate leaders say a final supplemental bill could reach Gov. Josh Stein’s desk very soon. Legislators already have appropriated $1.1 billion for Helene relief since October.… Continue Reading

Zelenskyy calls Oval Office spat with Trump ‘regrettable,’ says he’s ready to work for Ukraine peace

Zelenskyy calls Oval Office spat with Trump ‘regrettable,’ says he’s ready to work for Ukraine peace

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says last week’s Oval Office blowup with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump was “regrettable,” and he adds: “It is time to make things right.” His remarks came hours after the White House announced a pause on military aid to Ukraine. In a social media post on X, Zelenskyy said Friday’s White House meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be.” He added that ”it is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.” He said Ukraine is ready to sign a deal on its rare-earth minerals and security with Washington.… Continue Reading

Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina

Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Lighter winds in South Carolina and North Carolina are helping firefighters battle blazes that caused evacuations and threatened hundreds of homes over the weekend. Firefighters kept a large blaze near Myrtle Beach from destroying any homes despite social media videos of orange skies at night and flames engulfing pine trees just yards away. The danger wasn’t over Monday. South Carolina officials banned almost all outdoor fires, including burning yard debris and campfires. In western North Carolina, firefighters were setting blazes to burn fuel and contain a wildfire in Polk County.… Continue Reading

Senate confirms McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump pushes to shut it down

Senate confirms McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump pushes to shut it down

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is voting on whether to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s education chief, a role that would place her atop a department President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle. McMahon would face the competing tasks of winding down the Education Department while escalating efforts to achieve the Republican president’s agenda. Trump has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of diversity programs and accommodations for transgender students while calling for expanded school choice programs. Trump also has promised to shut down the Education Department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.” McMahon spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education.… Continue Reading

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