Category Archives: WPTF News

Devils struggle on power play again, penalty-kill gives up 4th goal in Game 4 loss to Hurricanes

Devils struggle on power play again, penalty-kill gives up 4th goal in Game 4 loss to Hurricanes

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils had the top special teams units in the NHL this season. Things haven’t worked out so well in the playoffs, and they are now one loss away from elimination. The Devils were third on the power play at a franchise-record 28.2% during the regular season but went 0 for 2 in their 5-2 loss in Game 4 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday that dropped them to a 3-1 deficit in the first-round series. New Jersey is now 0 for 12 with the man-advantage against Carolina, which had the NHL’s top penalty-kill at 83.6%. New Jersey remained the only playoff team without a power-play goal.… Continue Reading

High-Profile sports events score big for Raleigh economy

High-Profile sports events score big for Raleigh economy

Raleigh’s spring sports season has delivered a wave of excitement and economic gain, as NCAA Tournament games, N.C. State women’s basketball, and the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff run drew thousands to local venues. With sold-out crowds at the Lenovo Center and glowing feedback from event organizers, the city continues to prove itself as a major destination for sports and entertainment.… Continue Reading

A massive explosion at an Iranian port linked to missile fuel shipment kills 18, injures some 800

A massive explosion at an Iranian port linked to missile fuel shipment kills 18, injures some 800

MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — A massive explosion and fire has rocked a port in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant. State media said the blast killed 18 people and injuring around 800 others. Helicopters and aircraft dumped water from the air on the raging fire through the night into Sunday morning at the Shahid Rajaei port. The explosion occurred just as Iran and the United States met Saturday in Oman for the third round of negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.… Continue Reading

New psychiatry residency program aims to strengthen mental health care in North Carolina

New psychiatry residency program aims to strengthen mental health care in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A new initiative is expanding mental health services in Eastern North Carolina, with a focus on supporting rural communities and military families. Led by a partnership between the UNC School of Medicine and Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, the program offers a four-year psychiatry residency that blends military, academic, and community healthcare training. As North Carolina continues to face a shortage of mental health providers, healthcare organizations like Novant Health are investing in workforce development and collaborative programs aimed at improving access to care across the state.… Continue Reading

Judges blocks Trump push to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs

Judges blocks Trump push to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s guidance forbidding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in K-12 public schools. The ruling Thursday came in a lawsuit brought by National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union. In February, the Education Department told schools and colleges they needed to end any practice that differentiates people based on their race or they were at risk of losing their federal funding. The department ordered states to gather signatures from local school systems certifying compliance with civil rights laws, including the rejection of what the federal government calls “illegal DEI practices.”… Continue Reading

Trump science cuts target bird feeder research, AI literacy work and more

Trump science cuts target bird feeder research, AI literacy work and more

Hundreds of university researchers in the U.S. have had their National Science Foundation funding abruptly canceled to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive to end support of research on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the study of misinformation. The loss of funding has roiled academic laboratories that rely on NSF grants to conduct basic research. While some expected the cuts after making it onto on Sen. Ted Cruz’s target list of “woke DEI” projects last year, others said their work was only tangentially related to misinformation or encouraging more diversity in the study of science and engineering.… Continue Reading

US election officials question agency about Trump’s order overhauling election operations

US election officials question agency about Trump’s order overhauling election operations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — State and local election officials from around the country in North Carolina have questioned the leaders of a federal agency tasked by President Donald Trump with implementing parts of his sweeping election overhaul executive order, with some expressing concerns about the consequences for voters and the people in charge of voting. Whether the Republican president can order an independent agency to act and whether the commission has the authority to do what Trump wants will likely be settled in court. The commission is an independent federal agency and is at the center of Trump’s March 25 order that directs the commission to update the national voter registration form to include a proof-of-citizenship requirement and revise guidelines for voting systems.… Continue Reading

Students and residents protest UNC’s coal plant over health and climate concerns

Students and residents protest UNC’s coal plant over health and climate concerns

Dozens of students and Chapel Hill residents rallied to demand that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stop using coal at its campus co-generation plant. Led by the Sunrise Movement at UNC, the protest spotlighted health concerns, environmental justice issues, and the university’s continued reliance on fossil fuels despite climate commitments. Student organizers say they’ve documented high pollution levels and dismissed community concerns, and they’re now working with allied groups to gather data and propose renewable energy alternatives.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges block GOP law to strip governor’s election board powers

North Carolina judges block GOP law to strip governor’s election board powers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges have struck down an attempt by Republican state lawmakers to shift power away from the governor to the state auditor. The change would have taken away Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s ability to appoint members of the State Board of Elections and pass that power to Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek. Two judges on the panel ruled in Stein’s favor and said the law was unconstitutional. The third judge dissented and said the law was within the legislature’s authority. The law finalized in December is the latest attempt by Republicans to move the state elections board appointment power away from the governor.… Continue Reading

Judge denies injunction for four players suing NCAA in North Carolina court

Judge denies injunction for four players suing NCAA in North Carolina court

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge denied a preliminary injunction Tuesday filed in lawsuits by four college football players seeking an additional season of eligibility. Former Duke football players Ryan Smith and Tre’Shon Devones filed complaints in Durham County Superior Court earlier this month. Former Duke player Cam Bergeron and ex-North Carolina player J.J. Jones had a similar suit. The players’ lawsuits had claimed their careers were derailed by injuries, ailments and personal difficulties. Smith and Devones had competed in five seasons. Bergeron and Jones participated in four seasons across a four-year period.… Continue Reading

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