Category Archives: WPTF News

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has hit southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing heavy flooding and wind damage. Melissa made landfall Tuesday in southwestern Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. Officials warned of devastating damage and urged residents to seek shelter as the hurricane crossed the island. Melissa’s winds tied records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall. The storm is expected to move toward Cuba, where authorities prepared for evacuations. The hurricane has already caused seven deaths in the Caribbean. Relief efforts are underway, with supplies and emergency services ready to assist.… Continue Reading

Trump praises Japan’s new prime minister, saying US is an ‘ally at the strongest level’

Trump praises Japan’s new prime minister, saying US is an ‘ally at the strongest level’

TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese prime minister. He plans to later speak to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingle with business leaders. Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister just days ago and aims to strengthen ties with Trump while defending Japan’s economic interests. Trump seeks $550 billion in Japanese investment to reduce U.S. tariffs. He arrived in Tokyo on Monday after attending a summit in Malaysia. There, he celebrated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Meanwhile, tensions between the U.S. and China appear to be cooling, with a trade deal possibly in the works. Trump plans to leave for South Korea on Wednesday.… Continue Reading

Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks

Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks

A shortage of air traffic controllers has caused more flight disruptions at airports across the country. On Monday, Los Angeles International Airport experienced brief delays, while Dallas and Austin airports saw delays averaging 20 and 40 minutes, respectively. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary ground stop in Austin earlier Monday for about an hour. The disruptions come as the federal government shutdown nears a month. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned last week of increased delays and cancellations as controllers work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports mandatory overtime and missed paychecks are adding stress to the job.… Continue Reading

Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on. The cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to some of the Americans most in need unless a resolution is found in just a few days. The notice comes after the Trump administration said it will not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the benefits flowing into November. The Trump administration blames Democrats, who say they won’t agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.… Continue Reading

Michael Brennan wins Utah Championship on an invitation and gets 2-year PGA Tour exemption

Michael Brennan wins Utah Championship on an invitation and gets 2-year PGA Tour exemption

IVINS, Utah (AP) — Michael Brennan was dominant on the PGA Tour Americas this summer and just as dominant at the Bank of Utah Championship. He shot a 66 on Sunday for a four-shot victory at Black Desert. Brennan was a sponsor exemption who earned a Korn Ferry Tour spot as the leader of PGA Tour Americas. Now he bypasses the Korn Ferry Tour and has a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour with his victory. He also gets in the PGA Championship and the $20 million RBC Heritage. He’s the first sponsor exemption to win since Nick Dunlap at The American Express last year.… Continue Reading

James Cook runs for 216 yards and 2 TDs, Allen accounts for 3 TDs as Bills rout Panthers 40-9

James Cook runs for 216 yards and 2 TDs, Allen accounts for 3 TDs as Bills rout Panthers 40-9

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — James Cook ran for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns, Josh Allen accounted for three touchdowns and the Buffalo Bills returned from their bye with a resounding 40-9 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Allen improved to 8-0 following the bye week and established an NFL record by becoming the first player to run and throw for a touchdown in 46 games, breaking the mark previously held by former Panthers QB Cam Newton. Allen’s 77 career rushing touchdowns (including playoff games) tied Newton for the most all-time. Cook had touchdown runs of 64 and 21 yards.… Continue Reading

Virginia gubernatorial candidates debate trans youth rights as LGBTQ+ voters weigh a fraught moment

Virginia gubernatorial candidates debate trans youth rights as LGBTQ+ voters weigh a fraught moment

SALEM, Va. (AP) — The rights of trans youth could be a factor Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election and legislative control in Richmond. Republican Winsome Earle-Sears opposes the rights of trans kids at school. Democrat Abigail Spanberger has largely avoided the subject. Each candidate is trying to cast the other as the extremist on the issue. LGBTQ+ Virginians have been grappling with what it means to be queer and trans in a moment where their identities are thrust into statewide and national politics. Other Virginians, meanwhile, worry about its impact on their children.… Continue Reading

Melissa strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane, threatening catastrophic flooding in Jamaica, Haiti

Melissa strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane, threatening catastrophic flooding in Jamaica, Haiti

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the possibility of intensifying to a Category 5 storm Sunday night, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica. Melissa became a hurricane on Saturday and then intensified rapidly into a major storm. Melissa — with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour — is expected to drop torrential rains of up to 30 inches on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola — Haiti and the Dominican Republic — according to the hurricane center. Some areas may see as much as 40 inches of rain.… Continue Reading

No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run

No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — J’Mari Taylor scored on a 1-yard run in overtime, lifting No. 16 Virginia to a 17-16 victory over North Carolina on Saturday. The Tar Heels answered with Davion Gause’s 9-yard touchdown grab, but Ben Hall was stopped just short of the end zone on the ensuing 2-point try. Chandler Morris threw for 200 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who are off to their best start since 2007. Gio Lopez finished with 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Tar Heels (2-5, 0-3), who lost their fourth straight.… Continue Reading

Black enrollment is waning at many elite colleges after affirmative action ban, AP analysis finds

Black enrollment is waning at many elite colleges after affirmative action ban, AP analysis finds

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions. New enrollment figures from 20 selective colleges provide mounting evidence of a backslide in Black enrollment. Many campuses have also seen decreases in Hispanic enrollment, though they have been more scattered and less pronounced. At Princeton and some others, the number of new Black students has fallen by nearly half. Some colleges attribute it to natural fluctuations. Some students say the changes are too big to ignore.… Continue Reading

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