Category Archives: WPTF News

Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating

Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating

NEW YORK (AP) — After recovering from an initial jolt, U.S. stocks drifted through quiet trading following the latest reminder that the U.S government may be hurtling toward an unsustainable mountain of debt. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% Monday after Moody’s Ratings became the last of the three major credit-rating agencies to say the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier “Aaa” rating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq was little changed. In the bond market, the 30-year Treasury yield briefly jumped above 5% before calming. The issues Moody’s cited in its downgrade are all well known among investors.… Continue Reading

Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin immediately following call with Putin

Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin immediately following call with Putin

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations. Trump spoke Monday after separate calls with the leaders of both countries meant to spur progress toward ending the three-year war. The conversations did not appear to yield a major breakthrough. It was not clear when or where any talks might take place or who would participate. Trump made the announcement days after the first direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since 2022. Those negotiations Friday in Turkey brought about a limited exchange of prisoners but no pause in the fighting.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein made another request of state lawmakers to commit hundreds of millions more dollars to western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene last year. Stein’s proposal announced Monday totals $891 million. The governor says the money will go to addressing critical needs such as revitalizing local economies, repairing town infrastructure and providing housing assistance. The state legislature has already appropriated or made available more than $1 billion for Helene recovery since the storm ravaged the western part of the state in September. Stein also emphasized the need for state funds instead of waiting for “uncertain federal assistance.”… Continue Reading

Boeing seeks to reverse guilty plea as FAA struggles with aviation system failures

Boeing seeks to reverse guilty plea as FAA struggles with aviation system failures

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Newark Liberty International Airport is facing continued delays as the FAA announces incoming flight caps to ease pressure caused by aging technology and a shortage of air traffic controllers. Meanwhile, aviation analyst Jay Ratliff says Boeing’s attempt to walk back a guilty plea in connection to two fatal crashes is reigniting public outrage over accountability in the industry.… Continue Reading

Pence speaks in North Carolina against broad Trump tariffs and praises House on tax bill

Pence speaks in North Carolina against broad Trump tariffs and praises House on tax bill

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is praising congressional Republicans for pushing ahead with President Donald Trump’s bill of tax breaks and spending cuts. But Pence also had strong words on Monday in North Carolina against his former boss early in his second term for pursuing wide ranging tariffs that Pence believes will harm American consumers and workers. Pence’s Advancing American Freedom Foundation held a roundtable event in Raleigh with conservative business leaders. The event marked another step by Pence to try to distinguish himself among the small group of Republicans in Washington willing to publicly criticize policies sought by the second Trump administration.… Continue Reading

Great Scottie! Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title

Great Scottie! Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has won the PGA Championship for his third major title. He won by five shots but this one was a nail-biter until the final hour. Jon Rahm made a furious charge and tied Scheffler for the lead on the back nine. But then golf’s No. 1 player was mistake-free and left the blunders to everyone else. Scheffler shot a 71 and picked up the Wanamaker Trophy. That puts him halfway home to the career Grand Slam and leaves no doubt about his status in the game. Bryson DeChambeau was among three players who tied for second.… Continue Reading

The Carolina Hurricanes keep leaning on their penalty kill in another deep postseason push

The Carolina Hurricanes keep leaning on their penalty kill in another deep postseason push

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes continue to lean on a reliable penalty kill in their latest playoff run. The Hurricanes have been the No. 1 kill through the past seven regular seasons of coach Rod Brind’Amour’s tenure. That unit has stepped up to deny 28 of 30 power plays in two rounds this postseason. They also have a shorthanded goal. The Hurricanes are back in the Eastern Conference final for the second time in three seasons. They’ll face the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers… Continue Reading

Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden’s office says he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The finding came after the 82-year-old reported urinary symptoms, which led doctors to discover a nodule on his prostate. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday, with the cancer cells having spread to the bone. His office said Sunday this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, but the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.… Continue Reading

Trump’s big bill advances in rare weekend vote as conservative holdouts secure changes

Trump’s big bill advances in rare weekend vote as conservative holdouts secure changes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans advanced their massive tax cut and border security package out of a key House committee during a rare Sunday night vote. Deficit hawks who blocked the measure two days earlier reversed course after gaining commitments on the package’s spending cuts. Speaker Mike Johnson was determined to make Friday’s setback a short one. He met with Republican lawmakers shortly before the meeting, telling reporters that changes agreed to during weekend negotiations were “just some minor modifications.” The Republicans who have criticized the measure noted that the bill’s new spending and the tax cuts are front-loaded, while the measures to offset the cost are back-loaded.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Powered By SoCast