WPTF Afternoon News

On Wednesday, Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls discussed the proposed Workforce Forward Bond, a $149.1 million bond referendum that would support workforce training capacity, public safety and health sciences education, skilled trades expansion, and critical campus modernization projects across Wake County. Dr. Ralls went into detail about the bond with Jeff Hamlin

Duke University has received a $24 million award from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Office to develop the foundational science required to engineer and build systems to counter unmanned aerial attacks. Dr. Miroslav Pajic, the director of the center, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why the center has been created.

Sunrise Movement, a social and justice organization at UNC-Chapel Hill, has organized a demonstration outside the G20 summit in Chapel Hill. On Wednesday, they marched from the Old Well to the sidewalk outside of the Carolina Inn, holding their banners and signs with their demands high. Izzy Lynn, a correspondent with the Sunrise Movement, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their demonstration.

The Veolia Pickleball National Championships are underway at Cary Tennis Park, bringing top-ranked professional players and thousands of expected spectators to the town for the first of four major tournaments on the PPA Tour. Brian Clark, Chief Tour Officer for the Professional Pickleball Association, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the event

World leaders, policy makers and technology executives are all in Chapel Hill. The town is hosting a G-20 event focused on innovation that will include discussions on the future of artificial intelligence. It happens as towns and cities across the Triangle are holding meetings to discuss whether data center construction should move forward. Former Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the conference.

A new month will bring a new heat wave. Tuesday begins several days in a row with highs in the upper 90s and heat index values well over 100 degrees. With high pressure overhead, we’ll also only see limited rain chances to help provide any relief. Wes Hohenstein, a meteorologist with CBS17 in Raleigh, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the hot opening week of September.

Get ready for a weekend focused on health, well-being, and connection at the upcoming Monumental Experience Wellness Weekend, scheduled for September 4 through September 6 in Raleigh. Charlie Williams, CEO of Monumental Lifestyle, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss this weekend’s event.

With an estimated 1,094,000 North Carolinians and 488,000 South Carolinians traveling 50 miles or more from home for one last vacation of the summer – a 5% increase from last year – AAA Carolinas is reminding everyone to be safe on the roads. Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson with AAA Carolinas, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss travel for the Labor Day weekend

Howard Baum, who for more than 50 years has been the Wolfpack’s official in-game broadcast statistician, has died, his family confirmed Thursday. He was 92. Tim Peeler joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Howard Baum’s keen eye during N.C. State games that helped their broadcasts sound so sharp

As Labor Day approaches, law enforcement agencies and traffic safety professionals across North Carolina are reminding drivers to celebrate responsibly and plan for a safe ride home. Lindsay Poe, from the N.C. Department of Transportation, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the “Booze It and Lose It” campaign.