Category Archives: WPTF News

From debate to dialogue: In a contentious era, ‘Ethics Bowl’ offers students a gentler alternative

From debate to dialogue: In a contentious era, ‘Ethics Bowl’ offers students a gentler alternative

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The National High School Ethics Bowl has just concluded its competition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Win or lose, many of the teenage participants say the experience helped them think more deeply about controversial topics. Unlike debate, Ethics Bowl teams are not assigned a specific position. Instead, team members make their own decisions about what they believe to be the true or best position. Scoring is based on how deeply they explore the issues, including other viewpoints. In a time when many are wondering whether it is still possible to have a principled, respectful disagreement over important issues, proponents of Ethics Bowl say it points the way.… Continue Reading

Hurricanes sign goaltender Frederik Andersen to a 1-year. $2.75M contract extension

Hurricanes sign goaltender Frederik Andersen to a 1-year. $2.75M contract extension

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season that is worth $2.75 million. Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference final next year. Extending Andersen could give the Hurricanes a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined. The 35-year-old from Denmark has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role at the beginning of the second round after getting injured in Carolina’s playoff-opening series against New Jersey.… Continue Reading

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, the sound coming from open car windows as residents gathered on a street at the top of a ridge trying to get cell service last fall was Blue Ridge Public Radio. And as they stood in line for water or food, the latest news they had heard on the station was a frequent topic of conversation. Now, public radio stations are being targeted for cuts by President Donald Trump, who this week signed an executive order aimed at slashing public subsidies to NPR and PBS, alleging “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.… Continue Reading

Sovereignty reigns in 151st Kentucky Derby, outdueling favorite Journalism in the slop

Sovereignty reigns in 151st Kentucky Derby, outdueling favorite Journalism in the slop

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby by 1 1/2 lengths in the slop. Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay. This time, he knew the result immediately. Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.… Continue Reading

As Trump sets his sights on public broadcasting, a decades-old institution frets about the future

As Trump sets his sights on public broadcasting, a decades-old institution frets about the future

It’s the decades-long home to Big Bird, Ken Burns documentaries and “All Things Considered.” Now the nation’s public broadcasting system faces the biggest crisis in its nearly 60-year history with President Donald Trump’s order to slash federal subsidies. A court fight seems inevitable, with the heads of PBS, NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting all suggesting that Trump’s order is illegal. The public broadcasting system dates back to the late 1960s, devised as an educational and public service-oriented alternative to commercial broadcasters available at the time. In his order, Trump said the system has become politically biased and time has passed it by.… Continue Reading

North Carolina auditor names elections board members after judges let law stand during appeal

North Carolina auditor names elections board members after judges let law stand during appeal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Republican state auditor has started making appointments to a new State Board of Elections because an appeals court said a law can still be enforced while it is challenged by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Auditor Dave Boliek announced on Thursday three Republicans to the five-member board. Democrats led by Stein oppose the law, which takes away the board appointment power that a governor has held under state law going back over a century. The state Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday the appointment switch enacted by Republicans could be carried out while broader legal questions are reviewed.… Continue Reading

Trump national security adviser Waltz is out in a major staff shake-up after his Signal chat blunder

Trump national security adviser Waltz is out in a major staff shake-up after his Signal chat blunder

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser Mike Waltz is leaving the Trump administration just weeks after it was revealed he added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter. Thursday’s development marks the first major staff shake-up of President Donald Trump’s second term. Waltz came under scrutiny in March after revelations he added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which was used to discuss planning for a March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. Waltz served in the House representing Florida for three terms before his elevation to the White House.… Continue Reading

UNC’s Belichick defends Hudson as ‘doing her job’ after interjecting during CBS interview

UNC’s Belichick defends Hudson as ‘doing her job’ after interjecting during CBS interview

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick has defended girlfriend Jordon Hudson for interjecting during a CBS interviewer’s questions about their relationship and said she was “simply doing her job.” The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach issued a statement through UNC on Wednesday. That followed an appearance on “CBS News Sunday Morning” to promote his upcoming book on his coaching life. In the interview, Hudson objected to a question about how the two had met. The 73-year-old Belichick said in his statement that the segment presents “selectively edited clips” to “suggest a false narrative” that the 24-year-old Hudson tried to control the interview.… Continue Reading

AAA highlights smartphone feature that could reduce distracted driving

AAA highlights smartphone feature that could reduce distracted driving

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Distracted driving remains a leading factor in crashes across the country, despite laws and awareness efforts aimed at reducing it.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 9% of fatal crashes involve distracted driving, though many researchers believe the actual number is even higher. Despite texting bans in nearly all 50 states, distraction behind the wheel remains a consistent issue – particularly among younger drivers.… Continue Reading

Longtime North Carolina House member Sarah Stevens plans to run for state Supreme Court

Longtime North Carolina House member Sarah Stevens plans to run for state Supreme Court

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (AP) — A veteran North Carolina Republican legislator says she will run next year for the state Supreme Court. Rep. Sarah Stevens of Surry County announced her decision on Wednesday. She plans to seek the seat currently held by Democratic Associate Justice Anita Earls, who is already preparing for a reelection bid. Stevens has served in the state House since 2009 and has become a leader on judicial matters. Earls is one of the two Democrats on the seven-member state Supreme Court. Stevens says if elected she would be “a conservative voice for justice and families” on the court.… Continue Reading

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