Category Archives: WPTF News

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump brought insults and grievances to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. On Tuesday, he joked about sending the turkeys to a prison in El Salvador and suggested naming them after Democratic stalwarts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Trump also claimed that last year’s turkey pardons by President Joe Biden were invalid. The ceremony eventually proceeded with Trump pardoning a turkey named Gobble, although its companion, Waddle, was absent. Trump also used the event to claim that Thanksgiving meal prices are dropping, though some research suggests otherwise.… Continue Reading

Bryce Young passes for franchise-record 448 yards to lift Panthers to 30-27 win over Falcons in OT

Bryce Young passes for franchise-record 448 yards to lift Panthers to 30-27 win over Falcons in OT

ATLANTA (AP) — Bryce Young passed for a career-high and franchise-record 448 yards and Ryan Fitzgerald kicked a 28-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Carolina Panthers to a 30-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Young’s 54-yard pass to Tommy Tremble set up the winning kick for Carolina, which completed its sweep of NFC South-rival Atlanta. The Falcons suffered their fifth straight loss, including back-to-back overtime defeats. Young completed 31 of 45 passes with three touchdown. Zane Gonzalez kicked a 45-yard field goal for Atlanta with 16 seconds remaining to force overtime.… Continue Reading

Americana troubadour Todd Snider, alt-country singer-songwriter, dies at 59

Americana troubadour Todd Snider, alt-country singer-songwriter, dies at 59

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A beloved figure in American roots music, Todd Snider has died at 59. His record label announced Saturday that Snider died Friday. Known for his cosmic-stoner songwriting and freewheeling tunes, Snider’s career spanned three decades. He combined folk, rock, and country, creating songs recorded by artists like Jerry Jeff Walker and Tom Jones. Snider was diagnosed with pneumonia after a violent assault led to a canceled tour. He was later arrested in Salt Lake City for threatening hospital staff. Snider’s albums showcased his unique style and humor. His last album released in October.… Continue Reading

German Baumkuchen ‘tree cake’ survived a disaster and world wars to become a Japanese favorite

German Baumkuchen ‘tree cake’ survived a disaster and world wars to become a Japanese favorite

NINOSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Baumkuchen originated in Germany but has become a wildly popular sweet in Japan, where a prisoner of war on a small western island started making the treat that has thrived in its new homeland. Today, the confectionery known as tree cake because of the resemblance to a trunk with rings is considered a symbol of longevity and prosperity in Japan. Baumkuchen festivals are regularly held. At an outdoor welcome center on Ninoshima island near Hiroshima, visitors learn how prisoner of war Karl Juchheim baked the first batch of Baumkuchen more than a century ago.… Continue Reading

Pope Leo XIV celebrates cinema with Hollywood stars and urges inclusion of marginal voices

Pope Leo XIV celebrates cinema with Hollywood stars and urges inclusion of marginal voices

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has welcomed Spike Lee, Cate Blanchett, Greta Gerwig and dozens of other Hollywood luminaries to a special Vatican audience. Leo encouraged the filmmakers and celebrities gathered in a frescoed Vatican audience hall to use their art to include marginal voices. He called film “a popular art in the noblest sense, intended for and accessible to all.” The encounter was organized by the Vatican’s culture ministry and follows on similar audiences Pope Francis had in recent years with artists and comedians. But it also seemed to have particular meaning for history’s first American pope, who grew up in Chicago in the heyday of Hollywood.… Continue Reading

Draisaitl scores in OT to give Oilers 4-3 win against Hurricanes

Draisaitl scores in OT to give Oilers 4-3 win against Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Leon Draisaitl scored 19 seconds into overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 4-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Connor McDavid scored twice, Jack Roslovic added a goal and Draisaitl had two assists for the Oilers. Stuart Skinner stopped 33 shots in Edmonton’s third win in four games. Eric Robinson, Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Staal scored for the Hurricanes, who lost for only the second time in seven games. Frederik Andersen made 19 saves. Draisaitl scored on Edmonton’s first rush of the extra period. It was the Hurricanes’ first loss in five OT games this season.… Continue Reading

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

Wake Forest rides Carlos Hernandez’s big plays, defense past North Carolina 28-12

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez scored two touchdowns, including one by returning a teammate’s fumble, on plays that caught North Carolina off guard and the Demon Deacons didn’t allow a touchdown in a 28-12 victory. Hernandez racked up 100 receiving yards on six catches and Robby Ashford threw for a touchdown and ran for another for Wake Forest (7-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Demond Claiborne ran for 98 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown. North Carolina’s Rece Verhoff kicked four field goals, including a record-setting boot, but he had two other attempts blocked. The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) had a two-game winning streak snapped. They’ll have to win their final two games against in-state rivals to reach bowl eligibility in coach Bill Belichick’s first season as a college head coach.… Continue Reading

Federal officials confirm officers have begun Charlotte immigration enforcement

Federal officials confirm officers have begun Charlotte immigration enforcement

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Federal officials have started a surge of immigration enforcement in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents were seen making arrests on Saturday. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the move aims to ensure public safety. Local officials including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles are criticizing the arrests, saying they cause unnecessary fear. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden had said earlier this week that he had been told that federal agents would be coming to North Carolina’s largest city. Local residents report agents seeking to arrest people outside businesses and in front yards. Opponents have tried to inform immigrants of their rights and some are protesting.… Continue Reading

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the removal of U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and other commodities. This move comes amid pressure to address high consumer prices. Trump had focused on tariffs to boost domestic production and the U.S. economy. However, recent off-year elections showed economic concerns as a top issue, with Democrats gaining wins. Inflation remains a challenge despite Trump’s claims to have vanquished it. The administration insists tariffs weren’t a major factor in rising grocery prices. Democrats and industry groups argue this move acknowledges the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumers. “We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee,” Trump said later Friday night.… Continue Reading

Wilson leads No. 18 North Carolina past NC Central 97-53

Wilson leads No. 18 North Carolina past NC Central 97-53

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Freshman forward Caleb Wilson scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half and added 13 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double, leading No. 18 North Carolina past North Carolina Central 97-53. Henri Veesaar contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, and Luka Bogavac scored 13 for the undefeated Tar Heels. Zayden High had 11 points off the bench. Wilson blocked four shots and was 7 of 8 from the floor, with all but one of those attempts coming before halftime. He played only four minutes in the second half with the Tar Heels leading comfortably. Ramondo Battle II scored 14 points for NC Central, which shot only 24.2%.… Continue Reading

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