Category Archives: WPTF News

Unredacted JFK assassination files released, sending history buffs hunting for new clues

Unredacted JFK assassination files released, sending history buffs hunting for new clues

DALLAS (AP) — Unredacted documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy have been released following an order by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. The documents were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration on Tuesday evening. The vast majority of the National Archives’ collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released.… Continue Reading

Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients

Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-proofing measures — which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone. Beginning March 31st, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the Social Security Administration over the phone and those who cannot properly verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service, will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, agency leadership told reporters Tuesday.… Continue Reading

What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders

What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms since it was first detected in North America in late 2021. But what has been the toll on wild birds? While most wild birds are susceptible to the disease, some species like mallards are more likely to carry the virus without symptoms. Others like geese tend to die in large numbers. Songbirds have sometimes gotten sick and died, but there haven’t been mass die-offs. Experts recommend taking precautions around sick or dead wild birds. But you can keep your bird feeder up. Scientists say the threat to the general population is currently low.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s largest public university NC State names new chancellor

North Carolina’s largest public university NC State names new chancellor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The University of North Carolina Board of Governors announced the next leader of North Carolina State University. Kevin Howell will be NC State’s next chancellor and will succeed Randy Woodson. Howell will become the first Black chancellor at NC State. He currently serves as chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health. Woodson announced his retirement last year after serving as chancellor for nearly 15 years. There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes the chancellorship, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for universities’ research funding.… Continue Reading

March Madness tips off with First Four in Dayton

March Madness tips off with First Four in Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — March Madness tips off with the First Four in Dayton, with a mix of bubble teams who made the cut and smaller schools hoping to be this year’s Cinderella. North Carolina was a controversial selection, but the Tar Heels can silence some skeptics with a win over San Diego State on Tuesday night. Xavier and Texas meet for the fourth time in the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday night. Saint Francis of Pennsylvania, the 19th school to qualify with a losing record, faces Alabama State. Washington D.C. area schools American and Mount St. Mary’s will play for the 71st time.… Continue Reading

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. Retail sales rose just 0.2% in February, a small rebound after a sharp drop of 1.2% in January, the Commerce Department said Monday. Sales rose at grocery stores, home and garden stores, and online retailers. Sales fell at auto dealers, restaurants, and electronics stores. The small increase suggests Americans may be growing more wary about spending as the stock market has plunged and President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and government spending cuts have led to widespread uncertainty among consumers and businesses.… Continue Reading

St. Patrick’s Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

St. Patrick’s Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

NEW YORK (AP) — St. Patrick’s Day is being marked in cities across the country with boisterous parades and celebrations. New York City hosts one of the largest and oldest parades in the U.S. The celebration stepped off Monday along Manhattan’s famed Fifth Avenue with some 150,000 participants. Major celebrations are also planned in Savannah, Georgia and other American communities. But some major cities have already held their parades. Chicago’s celebration was Saturday. Boston and Philadelphia marked the occasion Sunday. St. Patrick’s Day parades are meant to commemorate Ireland’s patron saint but have become a celebration of Irish heritage globally.… Continue Reading

March Madness brackets have Auburn as the overall No. 1 followed by Duke, Houston, Florida

March Madness brackets have Auburn as the overall No. 1 followed by Duke, Houston, Florida

Auburn is the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, with Duke, Houston and Florida joining the Tigers on the No. 1 line in the March Madness bracket. The NCAA selection committee favored the regular-season champs of the record-setting Southeastern Conference despite three losses in their last four games, along with a loss to Duke back in December. A record-setting 14 teams from the SEC made the tournament.… Continue Reading

Proctor, Knueppel carry No. 1 Duke past No. 13 Louisville 73-62 for 2nd ACC title in 3 years

Proctor, Knueppel carry No. 1 Duke past No. 13 Louisville 73-62 for 2nd ACC title in 3 years

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tyrese Proctor scored 19 points on six 3-pointers, Kon Knueppel added 18 points and No. 1 Duke defeated 13th-ranked Louisville 73-62 on Saturday night to clinch its second Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship in three seasons under Jon Scheyer. It was Duke’s 23rd ACC title overall, the most of any team in conference history. Sion James added 15 points for Duke, which played its final two tournament games without ACC player of the year Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown due to injuries. Terrence Edwards Jr. scored 29 points on five 3s for Louisville, which was playing in its first ACC final since joining the league in 2014.… Continue Reading

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen say a series of airstrikes have hit the capital, Sanaa, on Saturday evening. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a social media post, says he ordered the airstrikes. The Houthis say 13 civilians have been killed. The airstrikes come a few days after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing in waters off Yemen in response to Israel’s blockade on Gaza. There have been no Houthi attacks reported since then. Images circulating online show plumes of black smoke over the area of the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a sprawling military facility.… Continue Reading

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