Category Archives: WPTF News

Trump says he will ‘liberate’ Los Angeles in speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army

Trump says he will ‘liberate’ Los Angeles in speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump called protesters in Los Angeles “animals” and “a foreign enemy” in a speech at Fort Bragg as he defended deploying the military on those protesting his immigration enforcement. Trump on Tuesday used a speech ostensibly supposed to be used to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army to denounce the protesters in Los Angeles while repeating his false statements about the 2020 election being rigged and attacking the previous commander-in-chief, former President Joe Biden. Trump has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the objections of California’s governor.… Continue Reading

Poll shows broad support for vaccines, rising concern over decline in childhood immunizations

Poll shows broad support for vaccines, rising concern over decline in childhood immunizations

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A new national poll from the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease reveals strong bipartisan support for FDA-approved vaccines, even as concerns grow over declining childhood immunization rates. Despite lingering mistrust fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans still trust their personal healthcare providers and back continued vaccine development. Experts like Candace DeMatteis say states like North Carolina play a key role in medical innovation—and maintaining public trust and access is essential to protecting public health.
… Continue Reading

Invasive Alabama bass threaten native fish and tournaments across North Carolina

Invasive Alabama bass threaten native fish and tournaments across North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — North Carolina wildlife officials are sounding the alarm about the rapid spread of Alabama bass, an invasive species now disrupting ecosystems and bass fishing tournaments across the state. First found near the Georgia border, the fish has since spread from Lake Norman to rivers and reservoirs statewide—often through illegal introductions by anglers. Biologists warn the species poses a serious threat to native largemouth and smallmouth bass populations, with potential economic impacts for competitive sport fishing. The Wildlife Resources Commission is urging the public not to move fish between lakes and to report sightings as they work to slow the invasion.… Continue Reading

Disney to pay almost $439 million to take full control of streaming service Hulu

Disney to pay almost $439 million to take full control of streaming service Hulu

Disney will pay Comcast’s NBCUniversal nearly $439 million for its stake in Hulu, taking full control of the streaming service. Disney said in 2023 that it was acquiring a 33% stake in Hulu from Comcast for at least $8.6 billion. That amount reflected Hulu’s guaranteed floor value of $27.5 billion, according to a regulatory filing. Disney said in the filing on Monday that its appraiser arrived at a valuation below the guaranteed floor value during the initial phase of the appraisal process, while NBCUniversal’s appraiser arrived at a valuation substantially in excess of the guaranteed floor value. A third appraiser was brought in and concluded that The Walt Disney Co. will pay $438.7 million for the Hulu stake.… Continue Reading

North Carolina auto insurance rates are going up 5% on average in settlement

North Carolina auto insurance rates are going up 5% on average in settlement

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina automobile insurance rates are poised to increase statewide this fall by a 5% average as part of an agreement reached between state regulators and the insurance industry. The settlement announced Monday by Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is lower than the average 22.6% rate increase for private passenger vehicles originally requested by the North Carolina Rate Bureau. A September public hearing on the request would have been held in September without the settlement. The changes take place Oct. 1 and includes an average 16.3% decrease on motorcycle liability insurance rates.… Continue Reading

Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni’s $400M lawsuit against ‘It Ends With Us’ costar Blake Lively

Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni’s $400M lawsuit against ‘It Ends With Us’ costar Blake Lively

A judge has dismissed the lawsuit that Justin Baldoni filed against his “It Ends With Us” costar Blake Lively after she sued him for sexual harassment. The ruling is the latest development in the bitter legal battle surrounding the film. Lively sued Baldoni in late December. Baldoni then sued Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The judge ruled that Baldoni can’t sue Lively for defamation over claims she made in her lawsuit, because allegations made in court are exempt from libel claims. And the judge ruled that Baldoni’s claims that Lively stole creative control of the film didn’t count as extortion under California law. Baldoni’s lawyers say they will amend the lawsuit.… Continue Reading

Dick Vitale has an extension with ESPN — and a college basketball event in his honor

Dick Vitale has an extension with ESPN — and a college basketball event in his honor

Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale is sticking around college basketball with a new contract extension and a new event named in his honor. ESPN announced Monday that Vitale has signed a contract through the 2027-28 season. In addition, ESPN Events is launching the Dick Vitale Invitational. The first matchup is a game between Duke and Texas on Nov. 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the opening days of the college basketball season. The announcement comes on Vitale’s 86th birthday and months after he returned to the airwaves after being gone for two years amid a fourth cancer battle.… Continue Reading

Sly Stone, leader of funk revolutionaries Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82

Sly Stone, leader of funk revolutionaries Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82

NEW YORK (AP) — Sly Stone, an electrifying musician, songwriter and showman whose Sly and the Family Stone transformed popular music in the 1960s and ’70s, has died. He was 82. His time on top was brief, from roughly 1969 to 1971, but his influence on music and culture lasted for decades after. No band better captured the gravity-defying euphoria of the Woodstock era or more bravely addressed the crash. From early hits as rousing as their titles —“I Want To Take You Higher,” “Stand!” — to the sober aftermath of “Family Affair” and “Runnin’ Away,” Sly and the Family Stone spoke for a generation whether or not it wanted to hear the message.… Continue Reading

US stocks drift higher as trade talks start with China in hopes of avoiding a recession

US stocks drift higher as trade talks start with China in hopes of avoiding a recession

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting higher as the world’s two largest economies begin talks on trade that could help avoid a recession. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 58 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.5%. Markets are waiting to hear what comes of trade talks between the United States and China taking place in London. Treasury yields eased in the bond market after a survey suggested consumers’ expectations for coming inflation eased a bit. Chinese stocks rose, while indexes were mixed amid mostly modest movements across the rest of Asia and Europe.… Continue Reading

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