Category Archives: WPTF News

On ‘World Bee Day,’ the bees did not seem bothered. They should be

On ‘World Bee Day,’ the bees did not seem bothered. They should be

COLOGNE, Germany (AP) — Tuesday was the eighth annual “World Bee Day.” Bees and other pollinators have been on the decline for years. Experts blame a combination of factors. They include insecticides, parasites, disease, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply. A significant part of the human diet comes from plants pollinated by bees. And not just honeybees but hundreds of species of lesser-known wild bees. Many of them are endangered. The U.N. General Assembly sponsored the first “World Bee Day” in 2018 to bring attention to the bees’ plight. Steps as small as planting a pollinator garden or buying raw honey from local farmers were encouraged.… Continue Reading

Trump officials set new requirements for COVID vaccines in healthy adults and children

Trump officials set new requirements for COVID vaccines in healthy adults and children

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials will no longer routinely approve annual COVID-19 shots for younger adults and children who are healthy. Companies that want to market their vaccines to those Americans will need to conduct large, new studies, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. It’s a major shift in FDA’s approach to updating vaccines that protect against the virus. It comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and his appointees continue to scrutinize the use of vaccines for a number of diseases. The FDA said Tuesday annual COVID shots will still be regularly approved for seniors and younger people with increased health risks from the virus.… Continue Reading

Trump comes to the Capitol to try to persuade a divided GOP to unify around his big tax cuts bill

Trump comes to the Capitol to try to persuade a divided GOP to unify around his big tax cuts bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has arrived on Capitol Hill to try to seal the deal on what he calls his “big, beautiful bill.” He will try to unify divided House Republicans on the multitrillion-dollar package that is at risk of collapsing before planned votes this week. The president has implored GOP holdouts to “STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE.” But negotiations are slogging along. It’s not at all clear the package, with its sweeping tax breaks and cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy programs, has the support needed. With all Democrats opposed, the Republicans can handle only a few defections from their slim House majority.… Continue Reading

Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating

Stocks, bonds and the dollar drift after the latest downgrade to the US government’s credit rating

NEW YORK (AP) — After recovering from an initial jolt, U.S. stocks drifted through quiet trading following the latest reminder that the U.S government may be hurtling toward an unsustainable mountain of debt. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% Monday after Moody’s Ratings became the last of the three major credit-rating agencies to say the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier “Aaa” rating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq was little changed. In the bond market, the 30-year Treasury yield briefly jumped above 5% before calming. The issues Moody’s cited in its downgrade are all well known among investors.… Continue Reading

Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin immediately following call with Putin

Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin immediately following call with Putin

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations. Trump spoke Monday after separate calls with the leaders of both countries meant to spur progress toward ending the three-year war. The conversations did not appear to yield a major breakthrough. It was not clear when or where any talks might take place or who would participate. Trump made the announcement days after the first direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since 2022. Those negotiations Friday in Turkey brought about a limited exchange of prisoners but no pause in the fighting.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein made another request of state lawmakers to commit hundreds of millions more dollars to western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene last year. Stein’s proposal announced Monday totals $891 million. The governor says the money will go to addressing critical needs such as revitalizing local economies, repairing town infrastructure and providing housing assistance. The state legislature has already appropriated or made available more than $1 billion for Helene recovery since the storm ravaged the western part of the state in September. Stein also emphasized the need for state funds instead of waiting for “uncertain federal assistance.”… Continue Reading

Boeing seeks to reverse guilty plea as FAA struggles with aviation system failures

Boeing seeks to reverse guilty plea as FAA struggles with aviation system failures

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Newark Liberty International Airport is facing continued delays as the FAA announces incoming flight caps to ease pressure caused by aging technology and a shortage of air traffic controllers. Meanwhile, aviation analyst Jay Ratliff says Boeing’s attempt to walk back a guilty plea in connection to two fatal crashes is reigniting public outrage over accountability in the industry.… Continue Reading

Pence speaks in North Carolina against broad Trump tariffs and praises House on tax bill

Pence speaks in North Carolina against broad Trump tariffs and praises House on tax bill

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is praising congressional Republicans for pushing ahead with President Donald Trump’s bill of tax breaks and spending cuts. But Pence also had strong words on Monday in North Carolina against his former boss early in his second term for pursuing wide ranging tariffs that Pence believes will harm American consumers and workers. Pence’s Advancing American Freedom Foundation held a roundtable event in Raleigh with conservative business leaders. The event marked another step by Pence to try to distinguish himself among the small group of Republicans in Washington willing to publicly criticize policies sought by the second Trump administration.… Continue Reading

Great Scottie! Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title

Great Scottie! Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has won the PGA Championship for his third major title. He won by five shots but this one was a nail-biter until the final hour. Jon Rahm made a furious charge and tied Scheffler for the lead on the back nine. But then golf’s No. 1 player was mistake-free and left the blunders to everyone else. Scheffler shot a 71 and picked up the Wanamaker Trophy. That puts him halfway home to the career Grand Slam and leaves no doubt about his status in the game. Bryson DeChambeau was among three players who tied for second.… Continue Reading

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