Category Archives: WPTF News

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has denied reports that he’s been seeking an exit strategy from his North Carolina coaching role. Belichick says “some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that, it’s just categorically false.” Belichick was making his first public comments since a blowout loss to Clemson. During the second of two off weeks in a three-week span, the subject of Belichick’s future with the Tar Heels was a hot topic, so much so that last Wednesday the university released brief statements from the coach and athletics director reaffirming commitments between Belichick and the school.… Continue Reading

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Officials say a North Carolina government initiative is eliminating over $6.5 billion in medical debt for more than 2.5 million residents. The totals released Monday exceed initial expectations for the effort announced last year. It offered hospitals extra Medicaid funds if they relieve patients’ debt and implement policies to prevent future liabilities. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said word of the debt relief is “life-changing news for so many families” struggling with the financial weight of unexpected medical crises. Hospitals are already letting many patients know about their debt relief. A nonprofit group helping in the project is sending more than 250,000 notices this week.… Continue Reading

Trump urges leaders to put ‘old feuds’ aside as he calls for a new era of harmony in the Middle East

Trump urges leaders to put ‘old feuds’ aside as he calls for a new era of harmony in the Middle East

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — President Donald Trump is calling for a new era of harmony in the Middle East. Trump spoke Monday during a global summit in Egypt on Gaza’s future, trying to advance broader peace in the region after visiting Israel to celebrate a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. Trump urges world leaders at the summit to put “the old feuds” to rest and seize momentum, calling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire the first steps to peace. The summit marks a fragile moment of hope for Middle East peace. Trump says there’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance “to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past.”… Continue Reading

Education Department layoffs hit offices that oversee special education and civil rights enforcement

Education Department layoffs hit offices that oversee special education and civil rights enforcement

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new round of layoffs at the Education Department is depleting an agency that was already hit hard in the Trump administration’s previous mass firings, threatening new disruption to the nation’s students and schools. The Trump administration started laying off 466 Education Department staffers on Friday amid mass firings across the government meant to pressure Democratic lawmakers over the federal shutdown. The layoffs would cut the agency’s workforce by nearly a fifth and leave it reduced by more than half its size when President Donald Trump took office. The cuts threaten disruption in areas from special education to civil rights enforcement and after-school programs.… Continue Reading

Living Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are freed as part of Gaza ceasefire

Living Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are freed as part of Gaza ceasefire

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — All 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza and scores of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have walked free as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war. The conflict decimated the Gaza Strip, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, triggered other conflicts in the Middle East, and had left scores of captives in militant hands. Speaking to parliament, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared he was “committed to this peace.” That raised hopes that the ruinous war might come to an end. But fundamental questions remain over when and how.… Continue Reading

Dowdle has 239 yards from scrimmage vs. former team as Panthers beat Cowboys on FG as time expires

Dowdle has 239 yards from scrimmage vs. former team as Panthers beat Cowboys on FG as time expires

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rico Dowdle went over 200 yards from scrimmage for the second straight week — this time against his former team — and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-27 in a wild back-and-forth game. Bryce Young completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and threw two of his three touchdown passes to rookie Tetairoa McMillan. The Panthers improved to 3-0 at home. Dowdle ran for 183 yards on 30 carries and caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, who beat the Cowboys for the first time in three years at home.… Continue Reading

Israel lays out plans for hostage release and prisoner swap expected on Monday

Israel lays out plans for hostage release and prisoner swap expected on Monday

CAIRO (AP) — Preparations are underway for aid to enter Gaza and for the release of hostages under a new ceasefire deal. The truce has brought cautious calm to the area. On Monday, all the living hostages among the 48 still held by Hamas are expected to be freed. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Israel to witness the release and will later attend a peace summit in Egypt. The release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel is also part of the deal. The United Nations has aid ready to enter Gaza once Israel approves. The war, which began in 2023, has caused significant destruction and loss of life.… Continue Reading

Jarvis scores winner late in OT as Hurricanes top Flyers 4-3

Jarvis scores winner late in OT as Hurricanes top Flyers 4-3

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seth Jarvis scored with 16.7 seconds left in overtime to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Jarvis also scored the go-ahead goal in Carolina’s season-opening win over New Jersey. Jarvis, who has three goals this season, is building off his 2024-25 season when he was the team’s leading goal scorer. Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal also scored for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen made 20 saves. Bobby Brink had a goal and an assist and Owen Tippett and Travis Sanheim also scored for the Flyers. Samuel Ersson stopped 35 shots.… Continue Reading

No. 16 Notre Dame pulls away from NC State in second half for fourth consecutive win

No. 16 Notre Dame pulls away from NC State in second half for fourth consecutive win

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — C.J. Carr passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns and No. 16 Notre Dame pulled away from N.C. State in the second half for a 36-7 victory. Carr connected on 19 of 31 passes, including TD tosses of 18 yards to K.K. Smith and 12 yards to Will Pauling in the third quarter. Jeremiyah Love rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns for Notre Dame (4-2), which has won four in a row. The Fighting Irish outscored the Wolfpack 26-0 in the second half. C.J. Bailey connected with Terrell Anderson on a 45-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter for the Wolfpack (4-3).… Continue Reading

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