Category Archives: WPTF News

Joseph McNeil, who helped spark a protest movement at a North Carolina lunch counter, dies at 83

Joseph McNeil, who helped spark a protest movement at a North Carolina lunch counter, dies at 83

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Joseph McNeil, a key figure in the civil rights movement, has died at 83. McNeil was one of four students who staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960. This act sparked similar nonviolent protests across the South. McNeil later became a two-star general. North Carolina A&T State University and his family announced his death on Thursday. McNeil had faced recent health challenges. The university’s chancellor said McNeil and his classmates had inspired the nation with their courageous, peaceful protest. Only one of the four protesters is now alive.… Continue Reading

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is taking a more collaborative approach with Republican opponents in his first eight months in office despite disagreeing with them on many issues. Stein succeeded fellow Democrat Roy Cooper in January. He aims to work with the GOP-controlled General Assembly and has built dialogue with them. Stein’s approach contrasts with Democratic governors elsewhere who have taken more combative stances against President Donald Trump and the GOP. Republican leaders have said they appreciate the open lines of communication with Stein. Still, the new governor has vetoed 15 bills, with lawmakers so far overriding eight of them.… Continue Reading

Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough bipartisan questioning about his COVID-19 policies in a Senate committee hearing. On Thursday, Democratic senators clashed with Kennedy over his changes to vaccine recommendations, while some Republican senators also expressed concerns. Kennedy praised President Donald Trump for the Operation Warp Speed initiative but criticized the safety of mRNA vaccines. He defended the firing of the CDC director, claiming she was dishonest. Kennedy’s actions, including replacing a vaccine advisory panel with skeptics, have drawn criticism from medical groups. They warn his policies could increase vaccine-preventable diseases and have called for his resignation.… Continue Reading

Panthers and Jaguars expect improvements from revamped defenses in season opener

Panthers and Jaguars expect improvements from revamped defenses in season opener

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars expect to see defensive improvements in their season opener. The Panthers and Jaguars ranked 32nd and 31st, respectively, in total defense in 2024. Both teams responded by overhauling that side of the ball. Carolina added defensive end Tershawn Wharton, safety Tre’von Moehrig and linebacker Patrick Jones. Jacksonville, under first-time head coach Liam Coen, brought in cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray. Both teams expect the changes to lead to better results. The game also will feature quarterbacks Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence trying to show more consistency as well as the debut of two-way Jaguars player Travis Hunter.… Continue Reading

Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Boston has ordered the reversal of over $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard University. The ruling, issued Wednesday, marks a significant victory for Harvard in its legal battle with the Trump administration. Judge Allison Burroughs found the cuts were illegal retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to comply with White House demands on governance and policies. The administration had linked the funding freezes to antisemitism issues on campus, but the judge called this a smokescreen. The White House said the administration would appeal the decision, making it unlikely that researchers receive funding any time soon.… Continue Reading

Republican North Carolina state Sen. Bobby Hanig announces bid to unseat Democrat Don Davis in 2026

Republican North Carolina state Sen. Bobby Hanig announces bid to unseat Democrat Don Davis in 2026

POWELLS POINT, N.C. (AP) — Republican state Sen. Bobby Hanig has announced his bid for a U.S. House seat in North Carolina. The coastal legislator aims to unseat two-term Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Hanig plans to run for the 1st Congressional District, which is the state’s only swing district and spans 22 counties. Davis has already filed federal candidate paperwork for the 2026 race. Another Republican, Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson, has filed as well. The official election filing period is in December, with primaries in early March. Republicans currently hold 10 of North Carolina’s 14 U.S. House seats.… Continue Reading

Belichick’s Tar Heels get short turnaround for Charlotte after opening-night flop against TCU

Belichick’s Tar Heels get short turnaround for Charlotte after opening-night flop against TCU

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina coach Bill Belichick says his Tar Heels need to move past the TCU blowout loss “as fast as we can” entering a short turnaround before playing at Charlotte. The Horned Frogs beat the Tar Heels 48-14 on Labor Day in Belichick’s college debut. It marked the most points ever given up in an opener for UNC and more than any Belichick-coached team in the NFL ever allowed. The six-time Super Bowl winner as an NFL head coach says the Tar Heels “need to learn some lessons” from the loss but move on to Saturday’s game.… Continue Reading

Fayetteville State University sets record enrollment, retention gains

Fayetteville State University sets record enrollment, retention gains

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WPTF) – Fayetteville State University is experiencing another year of record enrollment while also posting some of the strongest academic gains in its history, school leaders announced Tuesday. For the fourth straight year, FSU reached an all-time high enrollment with 7,628 students, surpassing last year’s record of 7,100 by more than 500. The freshman class is the largest since 2007 with 820 students, who arrived with an average GPA of 3.32. The university also reported a 78% student retention rate, a 15-point increase since 2021.… Continue Reading

Podcasters and influencers: The unexpected jobs covered under Trump’s ‘no tax on tips’ plan

Podcasters and influencers: The unexpected jobs covered under Trump’s ‘no tax on tips’ plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department has released a preliminary list of jobs exempt from income tax on tips, including food service, concierge, and salon workers. Surprisingly, podcasters and digital content creators are also included. This move fulfills a campaign promise by President Donald Trump, part of a tax and spending law signed in July. The provision is temporary, expiring in 2028, and applies to those earning less than $160,000 in 2025. Only tips reported on a worker’s W-2 qualify. Analysts project the provision could increase the deficit by $40 billion through 2028. Public opinion on the law is mixed.… Continue Reading

OpenAI and Meta say they’re fixing AI chatbots to better respond to teens in distress

OpenAI and Meta say they’re fixing AI chatbots to better respond to teens in distress

OpenAI and Meta are adjusting how their chatbots respond to teenagers showing signs of distress. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, plans to introduce new controls for parents to link their accounts to their teen’s account. Parents can choose which features to disable and receive notifications if their teen is in distress. The company says ChatGPT will redirect distressing conversations to more capable AI models. An attorney for parents who sued OpenAI for the wrongful death of their teenager criticized the changes as insufficient. Meta also says it is blocking its chatbots from discussing self-harm and suicide with teens, directing them to expert resources.… Continue Reading

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