Category Archives: WPTF News

Don’t fret: Air guitar world title returns home to Finland after 25 years

Don’t fret: Air guitar world title returns home to Finland after 25 years

OULU, Finland (AP) — Finnish air guitarist Aapo “The Angus” Rautio has plucked victory from thin air, grabbing the world championship title for his homeland for the first time since 2000. This year’s Air Guitar World Championships reached the climax with a final on Friday evening on a square in the western city of Oulu. The three-day event held in Finland brings together competitors from 13 countries. Contestants are judged on the performance of two songs in two separate rounds, each lasting 60 seconds, with the singers pretending to play an imaginary guitar. Props and costumes are allowed, but backup bands and real instruments are off-limits.… Continue Reading

Ryan Blaney’s last-second surge at Daytona denies underdogs a Cinderella moment

Ryan Blaney’s last-second surge at Daytona denies underdogs a Cinderella moment

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Blaney wins a thrilling race at Daytona International Speedway, securing a spot in NASCAR’s playoffs and keeping Alex Bowman’s championship hopes alive. Blaney was 13th with two laps to go but surged ahead to win by a narrow margin. His victory denies other drivers a chance at the playoffs. The race was intense, with the first 19 cars finishing within half a second of Blaney. This win breaks an 11-race losing streak for Team Penske and Ford. The playoffs begin next Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.… Continue Reading

Federal officials to take over inspections when troubled Boar’s Head plant reopens

Federal officials to take over inspections when troubled Boar’s Head plant reopens

Federal inspectors will assume direct oversight of a Boar’s Head deli meat plant when it reopens after an deadly listeria outbreak. The plant in Jarratt, Virginia, is set to reopen in the coming months. It will face at least 90 days of heightened monitoring and testing. That work will be overseen by federal Food Safety and Inspection Service officials, rather than state inspectors who operated previously on behalf of the agency. The change underscores the severity of problems at the troubled plant. Boar’s Head officials say they are cooperating with state and federal agencies.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Supreme Court says bars’ COVID-19 lawsuits can continue

North Carolina Supreme Court says bars’ COVID-19 lawsuits can continue

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued favorable rulings for bars seeking compensation from the state for COVID-19 restrictions. On Friday, the court decided that two lawsuits filed by bars and their operators can continue. These lawsuits claim that through ordered closings they were treated unfairly compared to restaurants during the pandemic. The restrictions began in March 2020 under then-Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat. The court’s Republican justices agreed one lawsuit could proceed, rejecting state arguments to halt it. They ruled the other case also can return to a trial judge so evidence could be analyzed on the claim the owners’ rights to earn a living were violated.… Continue Reading

Powell signals Fed may cut rates soon even as inflation risks remain

Powell signals Fed may cut rates soon even as inflation risks remain

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday opened the door ever so slightly to lowering a key interest rate in the coming months but gave no hint on the timing of a move and suggested the central bank will proceed cautiously as it continues to evaluate the impact of tariffs and other policies on the economy. In a high-profile speech closely watched at the White House and on Wall Street, Powell said that there are risks of both rising unemployment and stubbornly higher inflation. Yet he suggested that with hiring sluggish, the job market could weaken further.… Continue Reading

Panthers re-sign longtime RT Taylor Moton to a 2-year, $44M extension, AP sources says

Panthers re-sign longtime RT Taylor Moton to a 2-year, $44M extension, AP sources says

CHARLOTTE N.C. (AP) — Taylor Moton is staying in Carolina. The Panthers announced Friday they’ve given their durable longtime right tackle a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2027 season. Moton will make $44 million over the next two years including $40 million in guaranteed money, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team typically does not release financial details of contracts. The deal means the Panthers have all five starting offensive linemen under contract at least through the 2026 season.… Continue Reading

Trump says he’ll keep extending TikTok shutdown deadline

Trump says he’ll keep extending TikTok shutdown deadline

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is calling national security and privacy concerns related to TikTok and its Chinese parent company highly overrated. He said he’ll keep extending the deadline for the popular video sharing platform until there’s a buyer. Congress approved a U.S. ban on TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sold its controlling stake. But Trump has so far extended the deadline three times during his second term. The next one is on Sept. 17. His comments follow the White House starting an TikTok account this week.… Continue Reading

Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series

Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — At least a couple of offshore bookmakers are offering odds on games at the Little League World Series. Team managers, and Little League itself, are not pleased. In news conferences throughout the Little League World Series, U.S. team managers have voiced their displeasure with gambling on their games — players at the tournament top out at 12 years old. Little League International also released a statement last week denouncing sports betting on youth competition.… Continue Reading

Steelers beat Panthers 19-10 in preseason finale, but lose 1st-round pick Harmon to knee injury

Steelers beat Panthers 19-10 in preseason finale, but lose 1st-round pick Harmon to knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Skylar Thompson shined in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 19-10 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. Thompson, a former Miami Dolphin, completed 11 of 13 passes for 152 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown to Lance McCutcheon. Rookie Ben Sauls kicked four field goals. The Steelers played some starters, while the Panthers rested theirs. Steelers defensive end Derrick Harmon left the game with a knee injury. Mason Rudolph started for the Steelers, finishing 6 of 8 with an interception. Jack Plummer threw a touchdown for the Panthers. Both teams open the season Sept. 7.… Continue Reading

Hurricane Erin still stirring up dangerous waves while it moves away from the East Coast

Hurricane Erin still stirring up dangerous waves while it moves away from the East Coast

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Erin has battered North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and waves that flooded part of the main highway and surged under beachfront homes. The unusually large hurricane slowly began to move away from the East Coast on Thursday. Erin is not forecast to make landfall. Forecasters say it will slowly weaken over the next few days while turning farther out to sea. The menacing waves have closed beaches from the Carolinas to New York City on Thursday. Along the North Carolina shoreline, the storm breached sand dunes on Hatteras Island and damaged one waterfront motel. Parts of the main route linking the Outer Banks remain closed.… Continue Reading

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