Category Archives: WPTF News

Cracker Barrel suspends plans to remodel restaurants after logo blowup

Cracker Barrel suspends plans to remodel restaurants after logo blowup

Cracker Barrel said Tuesday it’s suspending remodels of its restaurants after criticism from many longtime fans. The announcement came two weeks after Cracker Barrel backtracked on a separate plan to modernize and simplify its logo. Fans of the chain had also loudly criticized that move. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel said Tuesday that just four of its 660 restaurants had been remodeled as part of a test for the brand. The remodels, which began last year, added more comfortable seating, brighter lights, lighter paint and a simplified assortment of antiques but kept signature elements like fireplaces.… Continue Reading

PBS, NPR stations struggle with Trump-fueled government funding cuts

PBS, NPR stations struggle with Trump-fueled government funding cuts

NEW YORK (AP) — A month after Congress voted to strip public media of public money, PBS and NPR stations are working to cope — and survive. More than 500 radio and television stations are affected, and while some have issues in common, most have problems and strategies unique to their own area. For example, the PBS station in Spokane, Washington, has turned to viewers for emergency donations, but a significant part of their membership is from Canada, and many are already angry with the U.S. because of President Donald Trump’s drive to make the country the 51st state. Many stations are heartened by the way viewers are responding, and different ideas to save money are emerging.… Continue Reading

Charlotte officials under fire after man with long criminal history kills Ukrainian woman on train

Charlotte officials under fire after man with long criminal history kills Ukrainian woman on train

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte, North Carolina, officials are facing criticism for failing to keep a man with a history of erratic behavior off the streets before he fatally stabbed a young Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train last month. Police say the 23-year-old woman who fled the war in Ukraine only to be killed in an apparently random attack in August was stabbed by a man with a long record of criminal charges and psychiatric crises. The suspect had served time in prison and been briefly committed for schizophrenia. The attack has emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over how cities are dealing with violent crime.… Continue Reading

Panthers’ disappointing start reminiscent of last year’s struggles on offense and defense

Panthers’ disappointing start reminiscent of last year’s struggles on offense and defense

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers started their season with a 26-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. This echoes their struggles last season, when they finished 5-12. Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, completed 18 of 35 passes for 154 yards and turned the ball over three times. The Panthers traded away Young’s favorite target, Adam Thielen, before the season. Rookie Tetairoa McMillan showed promise with five catches for 68 yards. The Panthers’ run defense remains a concern, allowing 200 yards rushing. Carolina faces Arizona next Sunday, hoping to improve its performance.… Continue Reading

Star Trek plans packed lineup for the franchise’s 60th anniversary, with Lego sets and YouTube show

Star Trek plans packed lineup for the franchise’s 60th anniversary, with Lego sets and YouTube show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Not many franchises have fueled society’s timeless fascination with the boundless possibilities of a utopian future like “Star Trek.” Come next year, the sprawling franchise will add more shows, Lego sets and even a Rose Parade Float in a yearlong celebration of its 60th anniversary. The franchise announced a hefty lineup of “fan-centric” celebrations on its 59th anniversary Monday, in anticipation of their six-decade run coming this time next year, with more to be announced at a later date. The sci-fi franchise began with the TV show created by Gene Roddenberry in 1966 and has since sprawled into a multi-billion dollar cultural phenomenon.… Continue Reading

Jury selection begins in the trial of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida

Jury selection begins in the trial of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the trial of Ryan Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon approved Routh’s request to represent himself but insisted on standby counsel. Jury selection started Monday, with three batches of 60 jurors arriving at the federal courtroom in Fort Pierce. Routh wanted to ask potential jurors about their views on the war in Gaza and the talk of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, but the judge said those questions were irrelevant. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations.… Continue Reading

Judge OKs settlement in North Carolina voter registration lawsuit by Justice Department

Judge OKs settlement in North Carolina voter registration lawsuit by Justice Department

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a settlement in a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department against North Carolina election officials. The lawsuit demanded officials collect missing identification numbers from what became more than 100,000 registered voters. U.S. District Judge Richard Myers signed the consent agreement Monday. The lawsuit accused the state board of violating the Help America Vote Act by not ensuring accurate registration records for federal elections. The state board had already started a project to address this issue in mid-July that included a public database and mailings. So far, more than 22,000 voter records have been successfully amended.… Continue Reading

Carlos Alcaraz beats rival Jannik Sinner at the U.S. Open for a 6th Slam title and the No. 1 ranking

Carlos Alcaraz beats rival Jannik Sinner at the U.S. Open for a 6th Slam title and the No. 1 ranking

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz has reasserted his superiority over Jannik Sinner with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory in the U.S. Open final. Sunday’s showdown was the third Grand Slam tournament in a row where these elite, young rivals met to decide the champion. Alcaraz claimed his second trophy at Flushing Meadows and sixth overall at a major. President Donald Trump sat in a sponsor’s suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium and received a mix of cheers and boos when he offered a wave beforehand and again when he was shown on videoboards after the first set. The match’s start was delayed by about a half-hour because of extra security.… Continue Reading

Denny Hamlin advances in NASCAR playoffs at Gateway with 200th Cup win for Toyota

Denny Hamlin advances in NASCAR playoffs at Gateway with 200th Cup win for Toyota

MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Denny Hamlin won from the pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway, playing the strategy perfectly to lead the final 25 laps in his series-high fifth victory this season. With his 59th career win, Hamlin advanced to the second round of the Cup Series playoffs and joined Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe, who finished second. Hamlin made his final stop with 44 laps remaining, and he cycled to the front on a caution 15 laps later. The Virginia native seized the lead from Brad Keselowski on the restart, delivering the 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series for Toyota.… Continue Reading

Denny Hamlin advances in NASCAR playoffs at Gateway with 200th Cup win for Toyota

Denny Hamlin advances in NASCAR playoffs at Gateway with 200th Cup win for Toyota

MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Denny Hamlin won from the pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway, playing the strategy perfectly to lead the final 25 laps in his series-high fifth victory this season. With his 59th career win, Hamlin advanced to the second round of the Cup Series playoffs and joined Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe, who finished second. Hamlin made his final stop with 44 laps remaining, and he cycled to the front on a caution 15 laps later. The Virginia native seized the lead from Brad Keselowski on the restart, delivering the 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series for Toyota.… Continue Reading

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