WPTF Afternoon News

WPTF Afternoon News

por WPTF FM 92.9 AM 680

Wake Tech Community College President Scott Ralls discusses a new Wake Tech bond that would expand training for skilled trades and automotive careers

Wake Tech is spotlighting proposed investments in the hands-on training that helps students prepare for technical careers across Wake County. The $149.1 million Wake Tech Workforce Forward Bond, on the November 3 ballot, includes $12 million to expand skilled trades training at Southern Wake Campus. Wake Tech President Scott Ralls joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the bond would benefit the community college

N.C. State Professor Jeffrey Dorfman discusses the impact that the gas tax moratorium will have on gas prices

Gas prices are falling as North Carolina’s gas tax suspension takes effect. Governor Josh Stein signed the law Friday, cutting 41 cents per gallon in gas and diesel taxes. N.C. State professor Jeffrey Dorfman joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the impact the tax will have.

Former member of the Morrisville Town Council Steve Rao discusses the Trump administration freezing green cards for Microsoft and other IT outsources

The US suspended Microsoft, major IT outsourcers and software maker Adobe from a key green-card program on Thursday while opening probes into nine top universities, widening a crackdown it says targets fraud and protects American jobs. Steve Rao, a former member of the Morrisville Town Council, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation

Meteorologist for the National Weather Service Jonathan Blaes discusses the damage that Hurricane Isaias left behind

Cleanup crews are out in north Raleigh after tornados from Hurricane Isaias left behind toppled trees and debris throughout yards. On Sunday afternoon, the storm caused a tree to fall on someone's roof in the Raleigh neighborhood. The chainsaws are out and removal crews are working on clearing the streets and sidewalks. Jonathan Blaes from the National Weather Service joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the damage left behind.

Bone Health Discussion with Kyle Zagrodzky: Author of The Bone Betrayal: How Modern Life Dismantled the Human Skeleton and What Science Says We Can Do About It

Your bones could be getting weaker right now—and you might not know it until it's too late. What if the everyday habits you barely think about are putting your long-term health at risk? Jon Champion talks with Kyle Zagrodzky, author of The Bone Betrayal: How Modern Life Dismantled the Human Skeleton and What Science Says We Can Do About It. Drawing on more than 400 peer-reviewed studies, Kyle challenges what we think we know about our skeletons and reveals why bone health deserves far more attention.

Public Address Announcer for the Durham Bulls Tony Riggsbee discusses potential major changes that could be coming to Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is proposing major changes for the 2029 season. The regular season would be paired down to 154 games, but the Divisional Championship Series would expand to a best-of-seven. Plus, in the wildcard series, the divisional winner would get to choose its opponent. In the divisional series, the top-seed in each league would choose which wildcard winner to play in the divisional series. WPTF’s Tony Riggsbee, also the public address announcer for the Durham Bulls, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the potential changes.

Director of the North Carolina State Fair Kent Yelverton discusses the NC State Fair and the themed days that have been added

The N.C. State Fair will continue its tradition of offering special themed days in 2026. The days bring special programs, events and discounted or free admission to the fair, which runs Oct. 15-25 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Kent Ylverton, the Director of the North Carolina State Fair, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the themed days.

Chief Meteorologist for CBS17 Wes Hohenstein discusses Hurricane Isaias that is expected to strengthen as it barrels toward the US Gulf Coast

Isaias is surging toward the U.S. Gulf Coast as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Governors in Florida and Alabama declared a state of emergency for dozens of counties. Isaias is forecast to intensify rapidly and bring strong winds and a life-threatening storm surge to the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi. Wes Hohenstein, chief meteorologist for CBS17, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest with the storm.

Patrick De Haan with Gasbuddy.com discusses the impact a gas tax moratorium bill will have on gas prices

The North Carolina General Assembly during its one-day special session Wednesday passed a bill to pause the state gas tax for six weeks. The vote was nearly unanimous, with one House Democrat voting no. Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy(dot)com joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how much of an impact the gas tax pause will have.

Assistant Professor at High Point University School of Nursing Dr. Lorrie Davis-Dick discusses a new poll about Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A new High Point University Poll finds that most North Carolina adults are aware October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nearly three-quarters said they were aware of the observance. Dr. Lorrie Davis-Dick, Assistant Professor at High Point University, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the survey.
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