WPTF Afternoon News

Cory Lavalette has written about the Carolina Hurricanes throughout Rod Brind’Amour’s tenure as head coach. Now, he’s about to publish a book about the Canes Stanley Cup season called “Perfect Storm: The Hurricanes Commemorative Championship Book.” He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the atmosphere after the Canes won the Stanley Cup on Sunday.

As local governments continue to grapple with challenges like inflation and ongoing public safety concerns such as mass shootings, the personal-finance company WalletHub has released its report on 2026’s Best and Worst Run Cities in America. Chip Lupo, WalletHub writer, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their results.

The Rialto Theater was one of several venues to host a Stanley Cup Watch Party as the Carolina Hurricanes took the championship. At Glenwood South on Monday night, the Stanley Cup was in full display, along with many of the Hurricanes players. Hayes Permar, owner of the Rialto, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the atmosphere.

An initial agreement between the United States and Iran to extend their shaky ceasefire is inching toward a formal signing. That's despite questions Monday over the fate of Tehran’s nuclear program and an offensive by Israel in Lebanon that could prolong the fighting and scuttle the deal. Mac McCorkle, from the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the deal.

The Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup concluded what may have been the wildest spring in North Carolina Sports history. From the departures of two prominent college basketball coaches to memorable NCAA Tournament runs by the Duke men’s and women’s basketball teams, it was a time to remember. Brett Friedlander of Straight Up Sports.net joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss a memorable time.

Brian LeBlanc wrote and talked about the Carolina Hurricanes during times when the fates of the team weren’t as rich. He was there when the Canes played home games in half-empty buildings and commonly missed the playoffs. LeBlanc still is an avid Canes fan from his home in Florida. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Canes run to the Stanley Cup.

Even after winning the Stanley Cup, the Canes future is blindingly blight. Carolina has four first-round draft picks over the next three years. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Nikolaj Ehlers, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, Jaccob Slavin and K'Andre Miller are all signed until 2031, at least. Mike Solarte, Sports Anchor for Spectrum News One, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s ahead for the Canes.

This Saturday has officially been proclaimed Carolina Hurricanes Day by Raleigh mayor Janet Cowell. On Saturday morning, there will be a victory parade starting downtown after Carolina won the Stanley Cup. It's the second major professional sports championship in North Carolina history. Former Hurricanes forward Shane Willis, now Carolina’s Director of Youth Hockey & Community Outreach, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the Canes taking it all.

If you are a fan of the hit series "Bridgerton" Gayle Hurd has a treat for all of you in the "Ton"! A fundraiser with a regency twist from Pure Life Theatre!

Graham Platner won the Maine Democrat primary for U.S. Senate. channeling voter frustration over the high cost of living and overcoming revelations about his past to set up a high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina political science professor, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss this high-stakes matchup