WPTF Afternoon News

For many cancer survivors, finishing treatment is a major milestone, but it's often followed by a lingering question: Could the cancer come back? Researchers continue to study why some cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, recur and what can be done to help prevent recurrence. Jon Champion talks with Sylvie Beljanski, founder of the Beljanski Foundation. They discuss the latest research on cancer recurrence and preview the upcoming Integrative Cancer Conference.

The heat indexes for central North Carolina on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will climb above 100 degrees. It will add to the extreme drought conditions that has led to water restrictions across Durham and Wake Counties. Wes Hohenstein, CBS17 meteorologist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the heat wave and the drought

Researchers in North Carolina say a native beetle species is increasingly damaging blueberry crops in the southeastern part of the state, adding to challenges already posed by ongoing dry conditions. Kenneth Geisert, an N.C. State student researcher, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the threat that the Prionus beetle poses.

North Carolina is home to many ghost towns that each tell a different story of rise, decline and disappearance. Buffalo City, Brunswick Town, Cataloochee, Diamond City, Lost Cove and Henry River Mill Village are six examples that remain as reminders of what once existed across the state. Heather Leah, the author of Lost Towns of North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss various ghost towns across the state.

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5. This year’s domestic travel forecast surpasses last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers, but the increase is smaller than recent year-over-year gains. Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson for AAA Carolinas, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what Independence Day will bring.

As fireworks light up the skies, many pets panic—leading to a sharp uptick in runaways and emergency vet visits. PetSmart’s local veterinarian expert, Dr. Irena Perdew, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss tips for keeping your pets safe for the Fourth of July.

The kickoff of a "Stanley Cup Summer," as proclaimed by Governor Josh Stein, brought 180,000 people to downtown Raleigh over the weekend. Now, it has some people wondering what's next regarding North Carolina as a Major League sports city. The Hurricanes win in the Stanley Cup is the second Major Professional Sports Championship in North Carolina history. Loren Gold, Executive Vice President of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s next on the sports front.

The proximity of new data centers to utilities in Vance County has prompted local residents to inquire about their quality of life. Citizens in the area are seeking transparency from their local representatives, believing their research shows data centers are not beneficial to the community. Steph Gans, from Clean Water for North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss concerns about data centers.

Vice President JD Vance says his lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland created a good foundation for a final deal to end the Iran war. Vance made the comment Monday after initial talks with Iran’s parliamentary speaker. Bruce Jentleson, from the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the latest developments.

Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100. He died on Monday from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. That's according to his wife of 29 years, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell. N.C. State Economics Professor Emeritus Mike Walden joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Greenspan’s 18 years at the head of the Fed.