WPTF Afternoon News

It’s been one year since Tropical Depression Chantal brought devastating flooding to Orange County. After the storm, FEMA pledged more than $11 million to support recovery efforts across the state, but Orange County officials say those funds have yet to arrive. Kirby Saunders joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the status of recovery efforts and the challenges the county continues to face a year later.

Temperatures surpassed 100-degrees several times in central North Carolina during the holiday weekend. Meanwhile, drought conditions continue as North Carolina will need over a foot of rain to catch up on the deficit. Gary Stephenson, Chief Meteorologist for Spectrum News One, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the record-setting heat that closed June and started July.

The search continues for suspects connected to a violent 4th of July in Raleigh. The Raleigh Police Department says the violence stemmed from a teen takeover that started in Briar Creek, moved to Glenwood South, then to Capital Boulevard. Nine people were shot over the course of six hours starting late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. Gerald Givens, the founder of Raleigh Boots on the Ground, says it’s time for parents to step up. Givens joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss where he stands.

Downtown Raleigh business owners are demanding action following the violence on the 4th of July. Several business owners along Glenwood South say the scene has changed in recent years. Carey Kidd, the owner of Dirty V Restaurant, is among the people who feel frustrated over how gun violence has made its way into the area. Kidd joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the events from the holiday weekend.

Monday marked one year since Tropical Depression Chantal ravaged parts of the Triangle, including multiple neighborhoods in Durham. Holt Athletic Association President Don Daves says the storm left his nonprofit’s recreational sports complex in shambles. Daves joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how he has rebuilt since Chantal.

It's been one year since Tropical Storm Chantal devastated downtown Chapel Hill. Businesses at Eastgate Crossing had to close for months. Some longtime businesses never reopened. Mary Stowe, owner of Yarn, Etc, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the long road to building her business.

The heat indexes soared over 100 degrees across central North Carolina over the 4th of July weekend. Air conditioners were on full blast in millions of households. How does this impact North Carolina power grids? Is there a possibility of a power blackout? Jeff Brooks from Duke Energy joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the power grids are holding up.

After several years of bidding wars and record-fast sales, Raleigh’s housing market is settling into a more balanced phase just as the summer buying season ramps up. For buyers who sat out the frenzy, the shift is changing what this season looks like. James Flanagan of Tri-Point Homes of Raleigh joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Raleigh’s housing market.

Starting Thursday, most of North Carolina will be under a heat advisory. Wake County has opened more than a dozen cooling centers for anyone that needs to get out of the heat. Autumn Miller with Wake County Emergency Management joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the centers that are now open.

Schoor Johnson joined Jeff Hamlin to talk about the America 250 celebration planned for Saturday at the State Capital