Category Archives: WPTF News

North Carolina Republicans push for tougher bail rules and potentially new execution methods

North Carolina Republicans push for tougher bail rules and potentially new execution methods

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators have introduced criminal justice measures to toughen bail rules and evaluate offenders for mental health issues. This follows the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte commuter train last month. The Senate approved the bill late Monday. It now heads to the House for debate. The bill aims to prohibit cashless bail for certain crimes and reduce magistrates’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. A late amendment could also open the door to new execution methods beyond lethal injection. One Democrat criticized the amendment as immoral.… Continue Reading

Trump administration suggests ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism

Trump administration suggests ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is using the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without giving new evidence. Speaking Monday from the White House, the president said women should not take acetaminophen, also known by the brand name Tylenol, “during the entire pregnancy.” He also raised unfounded concerns about vaccines. The Trump administration has been under immense pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s diverse Make America Healthy Again movement to provide answers on the causes of the marked increase in autism cases in the U.S. in recent years.… Continue Reading

ACC moving to 9-game football schedule starting next year, aligning with rest of Power Four peers

ACC moving to 9-game football schedule starting next year, aligning with rest of Power Four peers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is moving to a nine-game league schedule for football while having teams play at least 10 games against power-conference opponents, though there will be variables due to the league’s odd number of football-playing member schools. Going from an eight- to a nine-game model would align the ACC with its power-conference peers in the Big 12, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences. The ACC would join the SEC in playing 10 games against Power Four opponents. The SEC announced its plans for a nine-game schedule last month.… Continue Reading

ABC ends Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and his show will return Tuesday

ABC ends Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and his show will return Tuesday

NEW YORK (AP) — ABC will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after suspending it due to his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network announced Monday that the show would return on Tuesday. Kimmel faced backlash for his remarks, leading major affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair to pull his show. President Trump, a frequent target of Kimmel’s jokes, celebrated the suspension. Kimmel expressed concern about potential government crackdowns on comedians. His suspension comes amid a shifting late-night landscape and ongoing debates about media control and free speech.… Continue Reading

Kara Lawson is named head coach of the US women’s basketball team for the 2028 LA Olympics

Kara Lawson is named head coach of the US women’s basketball team for the 2028 LA Olympics

Kara Lawson helped the U.S. women’s basketball team win an Olympic gold medal as a player 17 years ago. Now she’ll have a chance to lead it to another as the coach in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Lawson was announced as the head coach for the women’s team for the next four years by USA Basketball on Monday. Naming Lawson as the coach was the first official move made by Sue Bird, who started as the U.S. national team director earlier this year. In the past, a committee would decide on the coach and roster. Lawson also coaches Duke’s women’s basketball team.… Continue Reading

Trump officials praise Charlie Kirk’s faith and his mark on the conservative movement

Trump officials praise Charlie Kirk’s faith and his mark on the conservative movement

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President Donald Trump and his supporters will pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose assassination has intensified political tensions in the U.S. The memorial service Sunday in Arizona is expected to draw a large crowd to hear from Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other prominent figures. Members of the public began lining up outside State Farm Stadium before dawn to secure a spot, several hours before the start of the service. Kirk was killed this month at a Utah college, and his assassination has sparked debates about violence and free speech. Kirk founded Turning Point, a group that played a significant role in Trump’s political success.… Continue Reading

Panthers dominate Falcons 30-0 for first win of the season

Panthers dominate Falcons 30-0 for first win of the season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have earned their first win of the season, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 30-0 on Sunday. Bryce Young ran for a touchdown, while Chau Smith-Wade returned an interception for a score. Rookie Ryan Fitzgerald contributed with three field goals. Young completed 16 of 24 passes for 121 yards, avoiding turnovers after struggling in previous games. The Panthers intercepted Michael Penix Jr. twice and forced three turnovers. The Falcons struggled offensively, with Bijan Robinson being the lone standout with 111 yards from scrimmage. It was Carolina’s first shutout since 2020.… Continue Reading

Airport cyberattack disrupts more flights across Europe

Airport cyberattack disrupts more flights across Europe

BRUSSELS (AP) — Fallout from a cyberattack that affected check-in systems at several European airports has extended into a second full day. Passengers are facing dozens of cancelled and delayed flights and airport teams are scrambling to limit the damage to travel plans. Starting late on Friday, key airports in Brussels, London and Berlin were hit by disruptions to electronic systems that snarled up check-in. Many other European airports were unaffected. The cyberattack affected systems of US-based Collins Aerospace that help passengers check in, print boarding passes and dispatch their luggage.… Continue Reading

Mensah, Castle lead Duke to comeback past N.C. State, 45-33

Mensah, Castle lead Duke to comeback past N.C. State, 45-33

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Darian Mensah threw three touchdown passes and Duke snapped a two-game losing streak, overcoming a 13-point deficit to beat N.C. State 45-33. The Blue Devils scored 21 points in a span of less than four minutes of game time spanning the two halves to surge into the lead. Anderson Castle added three rushing touchdowns, including a clinching 66-yard dash on third down with 2:19 remaining. CJ Bailey tossed two touchdowns passes to Terrell Anderson and was intercepted three times for N.C. State. Hollywood Smothers rushed for 123 yards and one touchdown and Will Wilson had two 1-yard TD runs. Anderson picked up 166 yards on six catches.… Continue Reading

White House says $100K H-1B visa fee won’t apply to existing holders as Trump move stirs anxiety

White House says $100K H-1B visa fee won’t apply to existing holders as Trump move stirs anxiety

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s latest plan to overhaul the American immigration system has left some immigrant workers confused. That left the White House on Saturday scrambling to clarify that its new $100,000 fee on visas for skilled tech workers that soon will go into effect only applies to new applicants and not to current visa holders. The president on Friday signed a proclamation that will require the fee for what are known as H-1B visas — meant for high-skilled jobs that tech companies find hard to fill.… Continue Reading

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