Category Archives: WPTF News

Inmate fatally shoots North Carolina officer before being caught in stolen vehicle, sheriff says

Inmate fatally shoots North Carolina officer before being caught in stolen vehicle, sheriff says

MURPHY, N.C. (AP) — Authorities in North Carolina say an escaped inmate fatally shot a detention officer with his own gun, then fled in a stolen vehicle before being captured in another county. The incident started Monday at a medical clinic in Murphy. Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith says 48-year-old inmate Kelvin Simmons will be charged with first-degree murder. Smith says Simmons was a federal inmate being held on bank robbery charges along with an October 2024 escape. Smith identified the officer as 56-year-old Francisco Paul Flattes. He was a four-year employee of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Smith says Flattes’ wife also works for the county detention center.… Continue Reading

Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh wins the Honda Cup, given to top female college athlete

Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh wins the Honda Cup, given to top female college athlete

NEW YORK (AP) — Virginia swimmer Gretchen Walsh has won the Honda Cup, given annually to the country’s top female college athlete. She’s the ninth swimmer to win the award and first since Simone Manuel in 2018. The other two finalists for the award were UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers and Texas Tech softball pitcher NiJaree Canady. Caitlin Clark won the award the previous two years. Walsh helped Virginia to its fourth straight NCAA team title. She won seven NCAA championships this year, including the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly… Continue Reading

No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial

No verdict on first day of jury deliberations at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Jury deliberations got underway in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial and quickly hit a snag. But, by end of day Monday, jurors indicated they were making progress weighing complex charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for life. The first day of deliberations saw several notes from the jury and Combs and his supporters bowing their heads in prayer in the courtroom — but no verdict. The jury of eight men and four women are sifting through sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the rap, fashion and reality TV impresario’s propensity for violence and his sexual predilections, including drug-fueled sex marathons dubbed “freak-offs.”… Continue Reading

Man shot Idaho firefighters who had asked him to move his vehicle, killing 2, sheriff says

Man shot Idaho firefighters who had asked him to move his vehicle, killing 2, sheriff says

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A sheriff says a man shot firefighters battling a blaze in northern Idaho after they asked him to move his vehicle, killing two of them and wounding a third. Authorities say the man had set a fire and the firefighters who rushed to put out the blaze instead found themselves under fire. They took cover behind fire trucks, but two died and a third was wounded during a barrage of gunfire over several hours, authorities said. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said it appears the man later killed himself.… Continue Reading

A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculation

A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculation

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis’ announcement over the weekend that he won’t seek reelection is heating up the campaign on both sides of the aisle. Tillis revealed his decision Sunday after clashing with President Donald Trump over his tax breaks and spending cuts bill. A Trump endorsement for the Republican nominee could heavily influence GOP primary. Potential GOP candidates include Lara Trump. Meanwhile, Democrats are urging former Gov. Roy Cooper to run. He’s been holding back for months on making a public decision. Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel launched his own Democratic nomination bid almost three months ago.… Continue Reading

US stocks add a bit more to their all-time high

US stocks add a bit more to their all-time high

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market added to its record as Wall Street closed out a second straight winning month. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Monday in its first trading after completing a stunning rebound from its springtime sell-off of roughly 20%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.5%. Oracle helped lead the way after saying it’s off to a strong start in its fiscal year. Banks were also solid in their first trading after the Federal Reserve said they’re financially strong enough to survive a downturn in the economy. Treasury yields eased in the bond market.… Continue Reading

Sen. Thom Tillis in stepping aside goes the way of other Republicans who have challenged Trump

Sen. Thom Tillis in stepping aside goes the way of other Republicans who have challenged Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeff Flake. Bob Corker. Mitt Romney. And now, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The roll call of Republican senators who have called it quits rather than endure a political career sideways with President Donald Trump is long and apparently, still growing. Tillis announced his decision not to seek reelection Sunday, a stunning moment given its timing. It arrived a day after Trump trashed Tillis online and threatened to campaign against him after the senator revealed he would oppose Trump’s big tax breaks bill because of its deep cuts to Medicaid. Tillis told The Associated Press and others at the Capitol that his “goal is not to undermine the president.”… Continue Reading

New x-ray tech could make airport security faster—and smarter

New x-ray tech could make airport security faster—and smarter

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A Duke University spinout called Quadridox is developing cutting-edge X-ray technology that could revolutionize airport security by identifying what objects are made of—potentially allowing travelers to keep their liquids and speed through checkpoints. The startup, led by former Duke professor Joel Greenberg, is currently focused on improving TSA efficiency with smarter screening of checked baggage, but the tech also has promising applications in medical imaging, including better cancer detection.… Continue Reading

Junk fees, subscriptions and overspending: why now is the time to audit your wallet

Junk fees, subscriptions and overspending: why now is the time to audit your wallet

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – With the year already halfway over, CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger is urging Americans to use this short holiday week to give their finances a mid-year checkup. From reviewing spending habits to ditching unwanted subscriptions and checking for junk fees, Schlesinger says now is the time to focus on what you can control—before small leaks turn into bigger money problems. … Continue Reading

Hailstorm and hackers disrupt southeast air travel ahead of Fourth of July

Hailstorm and hackers disrupt southeast air travel ahead of Fourth of July

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A powerful hailstorm wreaked havoc at Atlanta’s main travel hub, damaging 100 planes and diverting 90 flights, just as a notorious cybercriminal group ramps up attacks on U.S. airlines. Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff says the storm caused significant disruptions due to necessary safety inspections, while hackers like ScatteredSpider are compounding chaos during one of the busiest travel seasons. With outdated systems and high-value data, the airline industry is facing both natural and digital threats that could ripple through airports across the country. … Continue Reading

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