WPTF Afternoon News

Drought conditions have continued to improve throughout the state, but farmers are still reeling from the impacts of the substantial lack of rain. Tobacco farmers are feeling the impact, in particular. Norman Harrell, the Wilson County Extension Director, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the dilemma farmers are facing as summer winds to a close.

To commemorate the 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, The League of Women Voters of Wake County will be taking democracy directly into neighborhoods on Friday through a coordinated countywide Day of Action. Gaye Williams, President of the Wake County chapter of the League of Women Voters, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Day of Action

Hemp business owners from across North Carolina gathered Monday in Raleigh to oppose House Bill 328, saying the proposed legislation would effectively ban many hemp products and devastate the industry. John Boccella, the co-owner of the Hemp Company, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his opposition to the bill.

July started with a series of 100-degree days. It ended with some much needed after central North Carolina spent months in extreme drought status. Wes Hohenstein, a meteorologist with CBS17, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how much rain fell in July and how hot it truly got.

With the midterms less than 70 days away, a new poll from High Point University took a look at approval ratings for Governor Josh Stein and President Donald Trump. High Point Poll Director Dr. Martin Kifer joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the results.

The House Ethics Committee recommended that North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards face censure. A months-long investigation concluded that Edwards engaged in unwelcome sexual advances and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers. Reuben Jones, Spectrum News Washington Correspondent, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what has been revealed.

CAM Raleigh, a contemporary art museum that opened in 2011 and became a long-standing presence in the city's Warehouse District, has closed its building to the public and placed the property up for sale. Charman Driver, the CEO of CAM Raleigh, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s next for the museum.

A federal court dealt a perhaps chaos-inducing blow to the NCAA’s new eligibility rule on Friday, when it ruled that all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted their fourth season of college eligibility this spring are eligible for a fifth season this school year. Mitchell Northam, Senior Reporter for USA Today, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the change.

The Little League Softball World Series is officially underway in Greenville. The opening ceremonies were held on Saturday. 12 teams from three different countries and Puerto Rico will compete for the World Championship, including a squad from Johnston County. Rachel Whitten, the President and CEO of Visit Greenville, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how much of an economic impact the event will have on Greenville.

Seniors on Medicare can expect changes coming to Medicare Part D, which helps pay for prescription drugs. It could also impact people who are on a bundled Medicare Advantage plan. Gina Upchurch is the executive director and founder of Senior PharmAssist. She joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how seniors across North Carolina will be impacted.