Category Archives: WPTF News

Analyst Matthew Dowd loses his MSNBC job following his Charlie Kirk commentary

Analyst Matthew Dowd loses his MSNBC job following his Charlie Kirk commentary

Veteran political analyst Matthew Dowd is out of a job at MSNBC following some commentary regarding Charlie Kirk that drew a heated reaction. After a gunman killed the conservative activist Wednesday, Dowd said Kirk was a divisive figure and that “hateful words” can lead to “hateful actions.” MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler apologized for “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable” commentary. Dowd later apologized online, saying he did not intend for his comments to blame Kirk for the shooting. MSNBC later said Dowd “is no longer with the network.” The one-time aide to President George W. Bush and longtime ABC News analyst had been with MSNBC since 2022.… Continue Reading

Former NC A&T athlete among 13 former NCAA basketball players under investigation for sports betting violations

Former NC A&T athlete among 13 former NCAA basketball players under investigation for sports betting violations

The NCAA is investigating potential sports betting violations involving 13 former men’s basketball players from six schools. The schools themselves are not under investigation. The NCAA’s integrity program flagged unusual betting activities, including athletes betting on their own games and sharing information for betting purposes. The NCAA Committee on Infractions has resolved similar cases, permanently revoking the eligibility of three players from Fresno State and San Jose State for manipulating game outcomes. The NCAA will not name the athletes involved until the investigation concludes. NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the need for stricter regulations to address integrity risks.… Continue Reading

Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are marking 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims. At the World Trade Center site in New York City, the nearly 3,000 victims’ names were being read aloud Thursday. At the Pentagon in Virginia, a memorial service honored the 184 service members and civilians killed. And near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony honored the victims of Flight 93. The remembrances are being held during a time of increased political tensions. The 9/11 anniversary comes a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a college in Utah.… Continue Reading

Charlie Kirk’s killer blended in on Utah university campus, and a high-powered rifle is recovered

Charlie Kirk’s killer blended in on Utah university campus, and a high-powered rifle is recovered

OREM, Utah (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’ll posthumously award conservative activist and ally Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump said Thursday he remains shocked by the horror of Kirk’s assassination on a Utah university campus where he was speaking Wednesday. The Republican president praises Kirk’s impact on conservative politics, calling him “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration” to millions of people. Law enforcement officials say the sniper who assassinated Kirk has not been identified and is believed to have jumped off a roof and fled into a neighborhood after firing one shot. The FBI said Thursday officials have recovered a high-powered rifle from the scene.… Continue Reading

Panthers encouraged by rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan’s performance in season opener

Panthers encouraged by rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan’s performance in season opener

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have found promise in first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan. Coach Dave Canales said McMillan met expectations in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although McMillan caught six passes for 58 yards, his speed and handling of assignments impressed the team. He also drew a defensive pass interference, contributing to a 22-yard gain. Despite a missed one-handed catch in the end zone, McMillan remains confident. His performance reassured the Panthers about trading veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan returns to his college grounds on Sunday when the Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals, aiming to build on his debut.… Continue Reading

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot in act of ‘political assassination’ at Utah college

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot in act of ‘political assassination’ at Utah college

OREM, Utah (AP) — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, has been shot and killed at a Utah college event in an act that the state’s governor called a “political assassination.” A “person of interest” was in custody Wednesday evening, said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, though no charges were immediately announced. Utah authorities said the shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a roof on campus some distance away. The death was announced on social media by Trump, who praised the 31-year-old Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of the youth organization Turning Point USA, as “Great, and even Legendary.”… Continue Reading

Previous charges, delayed mental health evaluation were missed opportunities in Charlotte stabbing

Previous charges, delayed mental health evaluation were missed opportunities in Charlotte stabbing

After Decarlos Brown Jr. was arrested for the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee aboard a North Carolina commuter train, he was quickly sent to a state mental hospital for an evaluation. That’s a sharp contrast from a January arrest, where it took more than six months for a court to order a mental evaluation after Brown told officers that he had been given a human-made substance that controlled him. The January arrest was just one of the missed opportunities in Brown’s criminal history, according to experts. He had cycled through the criminal justice system for more than a decade. He now faces federal and state charges in the Aug. 22 killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska,… Continue Reading

Harris says leaving reelection decision to Biden was ‘recklessness,’ but she defends his abilities

Harris says leaving reelection decision to Biden was ‘recklessness,’ but she defends his abilities

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ex-Vice President Kamala Harris says it was reckless for Democrats to let President Joe Biden decide whether to seek reelection last year. But in an excerpt of Harris’ new book she defends Biden’s ability to do the job. In an excerpt of “107 Days” published Wednesday in The Atlantic, Harris writes it was “recklessness” that she and others left the decision about Biden continuing his campaign up to him and first lady Jill Biden. It’s the first time Harris has been publicly critical of Biden’s decision to run again. Biden eventually dropped out after a disastrous debate performance and was replaced by Harris, who lost to Republican Donald Trump. Biden’s office hasn’t commented.… Continue Reading

Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles secures Democratic nomination despite political fallout of train killing

Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles secures Democratic nomination despite political fallout of train killing

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Democratic mayor secured a comfortable win in a primary election despite days of intense backlash following the deadly stabbing of a young Ukrainian woman on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mayor Vi Lyles is seeking a fifth term but is coming under criticism after images of the attack sparked widespread outrage from President Donald Trump and others in the Make America Great Again movement. They say the killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska shows how Democrats are too soft on people with criminal records. Democrats who challenged her in the primary have also said the mayor’s response has been insufficient.… Continue Reading

Alex Jones asks US Supreme Court to hear appeal of $1.4 billion Sandy Hook judgment

Alex Jones asks US Supreme Court to hear appeal of $1.4 billion Sandy Hook judgment

Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his appeal of the $1.4 billion judgment a Connecticut jury and judge issued against him for calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting a hoax. The Infowars host argues in a filing to the court that the judgment for defamation and infliction of emotional distress violates his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and protections against excessive punishment. The shooting killed 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut. The legal judgment came in lawsuits filed by some of the shooting victims’ relatives, whose lawyers dispute Jones’ claims to the Supreme Court.… Continue Reading

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