Category Archives: WPTF News

The Florida attorney general’s office is investigating Andrew and Tristan Tate

The Florida attorney general’s office is investigating Andrew and Tristan Tate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s attorney general says his office has opened a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania. The announcement Tuesday comes days after they returned to the U.S. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said on social media that he directed his office to work with law enforcement to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the Tate brothers. Uthmeier said he’s directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in what he calls “the now-active investigation into the Tate brothers.” During a Monday podcast appearance, Andrew Tate said he has broken no laws.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds

North Carolina lawmakers close in on another injection of Helene relief funds

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators appear to be closing in on legislation to provide more funds to help the mountains recover from Hurricane Helene. A measure advanced by Senate Republicans on Tuesday would spend another $533 million for Helene relief. The House passed a bill last week to spend $500 million. But the Senate measure provides even more funds to address lingering home construction projects from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, as well as relief from other disasters in 2024. House and Senate leaders say a final supplemental bill could reach Gov. Josh Stein’s desk very soon. Legislators already have appropriated $1.1 billion for Helene relief since October.… Continue Reading

Zelenskyy calls Oval Office spat with Trump ‘regrettable,’ says he’s ready to work for Ukraine peace

Zelenskyy calls Oval Office spat with Trump ‘regrettable,’ says he’s ready to work for Ukraine peace

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says last week’s Oval Office blowup with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump was “regrettable,” and he adds: “It is time to make things right.” His remarks came hours after the White House announced a pause on military aid to Ukraine. In a social media post on X, Zelenskyy said Friday’s White House meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be.” He added that ”it is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.” He said Ukraine is ready to sign a deal on its rare-earth minerals and security with Washington.… Continue Reading

Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina

Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Lighter winds in South Carolina and North Carolina are helping firefighters battle blazes that caused evacuations and threatened hundreds of homes over the weekend. Firefighters kept a large blaze near Myrtle Beach from destroying any homes despite social media videos of orange skies at night and flames engulfing pine trees just yards away. The danger wasn’t over Monday. South Carolina officials banned almost all outdoor fires, including burning yard debris and campfires. In western North Carolina, firefighters were setting blazes to burn fuel and contain a wildfire in Polk County.… Continue Reading

Senate confirms McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump pushes to shut it down

Senate confirms McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump pushes to shut it down

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is voting on whether to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s education chief, a role that would place her atop a department President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle. McMahon would face the competing tasks of winding down the Education Department while escalating efforts to achieve the Republican president’s agenda. Trump has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of diversity programs and accommodations for transgender students while calling for expanded school choice programs. Trump also has promised to shut down the Education Department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.” McMahon spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education.… Continue Reading

Trump hits ‘pause’ on US aid to Ukraine after Oval dustup, pressuring Zelenskyy on Russia talks

Trump hits ‘pause’ on US aid to Ukraine after Oval dustup, pressuring Zelenskyy on Russia talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed a “pause” to U.S. assistance to Ukraine after a disastrous Oval Office meeting as Trump seeks to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in peace talks with Russia.A White House official said Trump is focused on reaching a peace deal to end the more than three-year war sparked by Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, and wants Zelenskyy “committed” to that goal. The official added that the U.S. was “pausing and reviewing” its aid to “ensure that it is contributing to a solution.” The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the assistance.… Continue Reading

Trump says 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports will start Tuesday, with ‘no room’ for delay

Trump says 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports will start Tuesday, with ‘no room’ for delay

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada will start Tuesday, sparking renewed fears of a North American trade war. He announced the coming tariffs at the White House on Monday. He says the tariffs are to force the two U.S. neighbors to step up their fight against fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. Trump provided a one-month delay in February as both countries promised concessions. But Trump said Monday that there was “no room left for Mexico or for Canada” to avoid the steep new tariffs. U.S. stock markets moved sharply lower after Trump’s comments. Trump said he would also add on another 10% tariff on goods from China, on top of the initial 10% he put in place last month.… Continue Reading

ACC, FSU, Clemson reach proposed settlement to end legal fight, change money distribution: AP source

ACC, FSU, Clemson reach proposed settlement to end legal fight, change money distribution: AP source

A person familiar with the situation says the Atlantic Coast Conference, Clemson and Florida State have reached a proposed settlement that would end their legal fight and change the league’s revenue-distribution model. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because neither the league nor the schools have publicly addressed their settlement. The proposed agreement requires approval from the league and the schools. Trustees at the two schools have scheduled meetings for Tuesday. The ACC’s Board of Directors made up of university presidents and chancellors will also have a call Tuesday on the settlement.… Continue Reading

Oscar winners — and losers — laugh, drink and dance together at after-parties

Oscar winners — and losers — laugh, drink and dance together at after-parties

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Oscar winners and losers partied together at post-show galas across the Los Angeles area. The big winners from the night’s undisputed champion “Anora” were among those getting their Oscar statuettes engraved at the Governors Ball. They included director Sean Baker, who won a record-tying four. At the Vanity Fair party in Beverly Hills, Timothée Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, were surrounded by people coming to hug him after he lost best actor to Adrien Brody. And show host Conan O’Brien accepted compliments and congratulations. And singer Chappell Roan duetted with the host at Elton John’s annual Oscar party.… Continue Reading

FedEx cargo plane makes emergency landing following bird strike and engine fire

FedEx cargo plane makes emergency landing following bird strike and engine fire

A FedEx cargo plane had to make an emergency landing at a busy New Jersey airport after a bird strike caused an engine fire that could be seen in the morning sky. A spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says the plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport just after 8 a.m. on Saturday during the emergency. There were no reported injuries. The spokesperson says the emergency landing caused air traffic to be briefly halted as a precaution, and operations resumed shortly after.… Continue Reading

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