Category Archives: WPTF News

Trump says he’s placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard

Trump says he’s placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s placing the Washington, D.C., police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to make the nation’s capital safer. Trump has promised to address homelessness and crime. Trump posted online Monday the nation’s capital would be “LIBERATED” and he’d end the “days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people.” Last week, Trump directed an increased federal law enforcement presence in the city for seven days “with the option to extend as needed.” The Republican president’s claims are leading the city’s Democratic mayor to voice concerns about the potential use of the National Guard to patrol the streets.… Continue Reading

Judge denies request to unseal transcripts from grand jury that indicted Ghislaine Maxwell

Judge denies request to unseal transcripts from grand jury that indicted Ghislaine Maxwell

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York has ruled transcripts of secret grand jury testimony in the sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell won’t be released. Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued his written ruling on Monday. The judge says releasing the transcripts would risk unraveling the foundations of secrecy upon which the grand jury is premised. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term after her conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping procure girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse. Maxwell recently was interviewed by the Department of Justice and was moved from a prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas. Maxwell’s attorney says she testified truthfully.… Continue Reading

Walden: N.C. economy still strong despite national slowdown

Walden: N.C. economy still strong despite national slowdown

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — While the national economy shows signs of slowing, North Carolina remains in good shape, according to N.C. State University Economist Emeritus Dr. Mike Walden. Walden, the guest on this week’s Carolina Newsmakers, said tracking the effectiveness of tariffs is challenging and most economists did not expect the U.S. to be in its current position. He noted that President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a new approach to trade policy.… Continue Reading

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is on the defensive in Virginia’s race for governor

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is on the defensive in Virginia’s race for governor

HOPEWELL, Va. (AP) — Republican Winsome Earle-Sears says she’s running her campaign for Virginia governor like a military-style operation. And at this point, a few months away from the November election, it’s looking like a campaign on the defensive. The lieutenant governor is facing a Democratic Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has more campaign money and a unified party behind her. Earle-Sears has replaced a pastor with little political experience who had been her campaign manager. And her team has failed to gain traction with big money donors. An Earle-Sears victory would make her the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve as a governor.… Continue Reading

Jen Pawol breaks MLB’s gender barrier as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game

Jen Pawol breaks MLB’s gender barrier as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game

ATLANTA (AP) — Jen Pawol has made history as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game in the major leagues. Pawol worked as the first base umpire for Saturday’s first game of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. She made her first call in the third inning. Pawol worked third base in the second game of the doubleheader and will be in the spotlight when she calls pitches behind the plate in Sunday’s final game of the series. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and Braves bench coach Walt Weiss greeted Pawol when lineups were exchanged at home plate.… Continue Reading

CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police

CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police

ATLANTA (AP) — A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a Georgia man who opened fire Friday on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta had blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. The 30-year-old shooter tried to get into the CDC’s headquarters but was stopped by guards. He then drove to a pharmacy across the street and opened fire. The official spoke anonymously Saturday because they are not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. The official says the shooter was armed with at least five guns. DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was mortally wounded while responding.… Continue Reading

Trump has said abortion is a state issue. His judicial picks could shape it nationally for decades

Trump has said abortion is a state issue. His judicial picks could shape it nationally for decades

CHICAGO (AP) — Many of President Donald Trump’s picks to be federal judges have revealed anti-abortion views, been associated with anti-abortion groups or defended abortion restrictions. With Senate confirmation, they’d have lifetime appointments and be in position to roll back abortion access long after the Republican president leaves the White House. Of the 17 judicial nominees so far in Trump’s second term, an Associated Press review finds at least eight have argued in favor of abortion restrictions or against expanded abortion access. No such records could be found for the other nine, nor did the AP review find evidence that any nominees support increased access to abortion.… Continue Reading

Browns’ Shedeur Sanders impressive in NFL preseason debut, tosses 2 TD passes in win over Panthers

Browns’ Shedeur Sanders impressive in NFL preseason debut, tosses 2 TD passes in win over Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders impressed in his NFL preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers. On Friday night, Sanders threw two touchdown passes in the first half to Kaden Davis. His father and former college coach, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, celebrated on social media. Sanders finished the half with 103 passing yards and no turnovers and with the Browns leading 14-7. Carolina’s mistakes helped his performance, including a muffed punt leading to a touchdown. Sanders showed both promise and areas for improvement against the Panthers’ first-team defense. Injuries at quarterback give Sanders the opportunity to start, with Joe Flacco projected as the regular-season starter.… Continue Reading

Wall Street clocks another winning week

Wall Street clocks another winning week

Stocks rose on Wall Street, marking their third winning week in the last four. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% Friday, leaving the index just shy of the record it set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite added 1% to the record it set a day earlier. Expedia and Gilead Sciences rose sharply after reporting results that easily beat analysts’ forecasts. Both companies also raised their outlooks. Asian markets closed mostly lower except in Tokyo, where the Nikkei rose 1.9%. European markets were mixed. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.… Continue Reading

Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished

Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished

A beloved tourist attraction in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains will be demolished starting later this month. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge sustained severe damage from Hurricane Helene last year. It collapsed on one end and buckled in several other sections. The town says two engineering firms concluded the bridge was beyond repair. Demolition will begin Aug. 18. The Flowering Bridge was created in 2013 by a group of volunteers who sought to transform the historic bridge into something beautiful. The group says it will try to use pieces of the bridge in future gardens.… Continue Reading

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