Category Archives: WPTF News

How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator’s vote against Trump’s tax bill

How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator’s vote against Trump’s tax bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — An empty hospital in Williamston, North Carolina, offers an evocative illustration of why Republican Sen. Thom Tillis would buck his party and its leaders to vote down President Trump’s signature domestic policy package. It’s one of a dozen hospitals that have closed in North Carolina over the last two decades. It’s a problem that hospital systems and health experts warn may only worsen if the “One Big Beautiful Act,” passes with its $1 trillion cuts to the Medicaid program and new restrictions on enrollment in the coverage. Across the country, 200 hospitals have shut down or reduced their services over the last two decades. Many of these closures occur in red states that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage, the health insurance program for the poorest Americans.… Continue Reading

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is denied bail after mixed verdict clears him of top charges in sex crimes case

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is denied bail after mixed verdict clears him of top charges in sex crimes case

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has declined to set Sean “Diddy” Combs free on bail to await sentencing in his sex crimes case. Combs was convicted Wednesday of federal prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The 55-year-old Combs has been behind bars since his September arrest. He stands convicted of two counts of a crime that carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. But the jury cleared him of charges that could have put him behind bars for life. The judge will decide Combs’ punishment and suggested Oct. 3 as a sentencing date. A virtual hearing is set for Tuesday on the defense’s request for an earlier date.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes bill repealing interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes bill repealing interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed a bill that would repeal an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate for power generation. Stein said Wednesday that the legislation would harm consumers and discourage clean energy. The bill would do away with a directive in a 2021 law for electric regulators to take “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. Republican supporters say the mandate is unnecessary and costly. They want to focus on a 2050 carbon neutrality goal that would remain in place. Environmentalists praised Stein’s veto of the bill. It would impact Duke Energy, the state’s dominant electric utility.… Continue Reading

Dallas Mavericks sign No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to rookie contract

Dallas Mavericks sign No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to rookie contract

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have signed No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg to his four-year rookie contract. Spotrac says the total value of the contract for the top pick on the 2025-26 rookie wage scale is in the range of $62.7 million. There are team options in the third and fourth seasons of rookie deals. Flagg has said he intends to play in the Summer League in Las Vegas later this month. The 18-year-old from Duke was taken with the top pick after Dallas converted just a 1.8% chance to win the draft lottery.… Continue Reading

US stocks hit another record as Tesla and Nike rally

US stocks hit another record as Tesla and Nike rally

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks ticked higher to hit another record. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Wednesday and set an all-time high for the third time in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down by less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.9%. Tesla rallied following its latest update on deliveries, while Nike and other companies that import a lot from Vietnam rose after President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the country. Shorter-term Treasury yields held steady ahead of a highly anticipated report coming on Thursday about the strength of the U.S job market.… Continue Reading

Raleigh’s Food Truck Rodeo serves up a feast for all ages this Fourth of July

Raleigh’s Food Truck Rodeo serves up a feast for all ages this Fourth of July

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – This Friday, the State Farmers Market in Raleigh is going all out for the Fourth of July with its annual Food Truck Rodeo from 4 to 9 p.m.—serving up a smorgasbord of sweet, savory, and spicy eats alongside music, line dancing, face painting and even a prize-filled scavenger hunt. With many farmers staying late and vendors offering tours, treats, and giveaways, it’s a hometown celebration that brings flavor, fun and family all to one place.
… Continue Reading

Durham’s Festival for the Eno returns with music, art and riverfront fun

Durham’s Festival for the Eno returns with music, art and riverfront fun

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – The Festival for the Eno is back for its 46th year, kicking off Friday with a packed lineup of local music, handmade art, and cool river escapes. Hosted at West Point on the Eno, the celebration highlights homegrown talent like Shirlette Ammons and Dom Flemons, plus nearly two dozen local food vendors and artists from across the region. With shaded trails, misting tents, and kayaking available, it’s a Fourth of July tradition that offers a beat you can dance to and a breeze you can wade into.… Continue Reading

K’Andre Miller is eager for his new start after trade from New York Rangers to Carolina Hurricanes

K’Andre Miller is eager for his new start after trade from New York Rangers to Carolina Hurricanes

K’Andre Miller is eager to start work with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes acquired the 25-year-old defenseman from the New York Rangers on Tuesday. They also signed him to a long-term deal. Carolina sees Miller as a strong fit for their aggressive, fast-paced system. The former first-round pick brings size and skating ability to the blue line. The Hurricanes are retooling the defense with veterans Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov likely departing. In a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday, Miller said Carolina is “a fun group to watch” and he’s eager to join the Hurricanes’ style.… Continue Reading

Tesla sales plunge again as anti-Musk boycott shows staying power and rivals pounce on the weakness

Tesla sales plunge again as anti-Musk boycott shows staying power and rivals pounce on the weakness

NEW YORK (AP) — Sales of Tesla electric cars fell sharply in the last three months as boycotts over Elon Musk’s political views continue to keep buyers away. Tesla is also facing stiff competition from other electric vehicle makers, especially in Europe where China’s BYD has taken a bite out of its market share. The 13% plunge in sales reported Wednesday adds to growing signs that Musk’s embrace of U.S. President Donald Trump and far-right politicians in Europe has had a deep and enduring impact to Tesla’s brand appeal. Sales fell to 384,122 in April through June, down from 443,956 in the same period last year.… Continue Reading

UPenn to update swimming records set by Lia Thomas, settling with feds on transgender athletes case

UPenn to update swimming records set by Lia Thomas, settling with feds on transgender athletes case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The University of Pennsylvania says it will update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. The college says it also will apologize to female athletes it says were “disadvantaged” by Thomas’ participation on the women’s swimming team. The moves were part of a resolution of a federal civil rights case that found the school violated the rights of female athletes. Thomas, a transgender swimmer who last competed for the Ivy League school in Philadelphia in 2022, was the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title.… Continue Reading

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