Category Archives: WPTF News

Wall Street drifts as stock markets worldwide take Trump’s new tariffs in stride

Wall Street drifts as stock markets worldwide take Trump’s new tariffs in stride

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on dozens of countries had only a muted effect on markets worldwide. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3% to a record. Worries are high that Trump’s tariffs are damaging the economy, particularly after last week’s worse-than-expected report on the job market. But hopes for coming cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and a torrent of stronger-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies are helping to offset the concerns, at least for now. Treasury yields ticked higher.… Continue Reading

Rushing floodwater from heavy rain kills 2 in North Carolina

Rushing floodwater from heavy rain kills 2 in North Carolina

SPRING HOPE, N.C. (AP) — Two people were found dead in central North Carolina after rushing floodwaters pulled them from their submerged car. Another cluster of storms was dumping rain on the region Thursday, the day after the two bodies were found. Authorities say a 24-year-old woman and 55-year-old man from Louisburg were swept away while attempting to escape their vehicle. Flooding had swept the vehicle from the road into a ditch in the town of Spring Hope. An officer who tried to save them was swept into the floodwaters too before escaping unharmed. The storm’s pathway follows Tropical Storm Chantal’s flooding in parts of the region last month.… Continue Reading

Dean Cain, former TV Superman, will be sworn in as honorary ICE officer

Dean Cain, former TV Superman, will be sworn in as honorary ICE officer

Dean Cain wants to join the U.S. and Immigration Customs Enforcement agency. In an interview with Fox News, Cain said he has already spoken to the agency responsible for President Donald Trump’s mass deportations agenda. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says Cain will be sworn in as an “honorary ICE Officer” in the coming month. McLaughlin referenced Cain’s 1990s role in “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” saying “Superman is encouraging Americans to become real-life superheroes.” Cain also posted a video encouraging others to join the agency. The 59-year-old been outspoken in his conservative viewpoints and endorsed Trump in three elections.… Continue Reading

FBI forces out more leaders, including ex-director who fought Trump demand for Jan. 6 agents’ names

FBI forces out more leaders, including ex-director who fought Trump demand for Jan. 6 agents’ names

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is forcing out more senior officials, including a former acting director who resisted Trump administration demands to turn over the names of agents who participated in Jan. 6 Capitol riot investigations and the head of the bureau’s Washington field office. That’s according to people familiar with the matter and internal communications seen by The Associated Press on Thursday. Brian Driscoll led the bureau in the weeks that followed President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January. Steven Jensen for months led the Washington office, one of the bureau’s largest and busiest. Driscoll and Jensen have sent farewell messages to colleagues.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed a stopgap spending measure as lawmakers remain stuck in a budget impasse. But he also vetoed a bill Wednesday that would otherwise sign off on state involvement in a federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options. Stein criticized the spending plan for not providing enough pay raises or covering increased Medicaid expenses. The new law includes funds for state construction projects and employee benefits. The tax-credit program bill approved by Republicans seeks to opt in to the financial benefits within President Donald Trump’s new law for donations to K-12 scholarship organizations.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed a stopgap spending measure as lawmakers remain stuck in a budget impasse. But he also vetoed a bill Wednesday that would otherwise sign off on state involvement in a federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options. Stein criticized the spending plan for not providing enough pay raises or covering increased Medicaid expenses. The new law includes funds for state construction projects and employee benefits. The tax-credit program bill approved by Republicans seeks to opt in to the financial benefits within President Donald Trump’s new law for donations to K-12 scholarship organizations.… Continue Reading

New study sheds light on ChatGPT’s alarming interactions with teens

New study sheds light on ChatGPT’s alarming interactions with teens

New research from a watchdog group reveals ChatGPT can provide harmful advice to teens. The Associated Press reviewed interactions where the chatbot gave detailed plans for drug use, eating disorders, and even suicide notes. The Center for Countering Digital Hate found that testing ChatGPT with harmful prompts led the chatbot to respond in dangerous ways more than half the time. The study highlights the risks as more people, particularly teens, turn to AI for companionship and advice. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, said after viewing the findings that its “work is ongoing” in refining “how models identify and respond appropriately in sensitive situations.”… Continue Reading

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn not seriously injured in car accident, is day to day with thumb injury

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn not seriously injured in car accident, is day to day with thumb injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn escaped serious injury after a car accident on Wednesday morning on the way to the team’s stadium. He injured his left thumb and missed a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns. Panthers coach Dave Canales says Horn will be evaluated daily. Horn will not play in Friday night’s preseason game against the Browns, but the team hopes he can play against Houston on August 16. Horn was alone in his car when the accident happened near the stadium. He was evaluated by team medical personnel and later seen joking with teammates on the sideline.… Continue Reading

Trump, Cook to announce Apple is investing another $100 billion in the U.S.

Trump, Cook to announce Apple is investing another $100 billion in the U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Apple CEO Tim Cook is joining President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to announce a commitment by the tech company to increase its investment in U.S. manufacturing by an additional $100 billion over the next four years. As part of the Apple announcement, the investments will be about bringing more of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the United States as part of an initiative called the American Manufacturing Program, but it is not a full commitment to build its popular iPhone device domestically.… Continue Reading

North Carolina residents can now seek state aid after Tropical Storm Chantal

North Carolina residents can now seek state aid after Tropical Storm Chantal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Residents in several central North Carolina counties affected by last month’s Tropical Storm Chantal can now apply for state-funded financial aid. This assistance follows a state disaster declaration issued Tuesday by Gov. Josh Stein. The storm brought several inches of rain, causing record-breaking river levels and significant damage. At least six storm-related deaths occurred. Stein has also requested a federal disaster declaration to speed up federal aid for rebuilding infrastructure. Public assistance damage estimates have exceeded $42 million. Residents can seek aid for housing, property replacement and medical expenses at local disaster recovery centers.… Continue Reading

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