WPTF Afternoon News

The Mallard Creek and Jordan men's track and field teams are now co-8A State Champions. The independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board overturned Mallard Creek's disqualification, which happened last month inside Truist Stadium at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. A Mallard Creek runner was disqualified in the 4x400 relay for raising his arm while approaching the finish line, which cost Mallard Creek the outright team state championship. Joel Bryant, the Managing Editor for HighSchoolOT.com, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation.

A new study is offering hopeful news in the fight against youth suicide, finding deaths among young people dropped nearly 11% nationwide after the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Isley Cotton, Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the hotline and how it has helped people.

Kristin Hiemstra is a first-time documentary filmmaker based in Chapel Hill and the founder of We the People Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to civic connection and collective possibility. She has developed and created a documentary regarding the town of Sparta called “The Town of Sparta.” It is available on YouTube. Hiemstra joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why she selected Sparta for the project.

Next week, more than 10,000 pounds of food will be packed and distributed to Raleigh children and families in need – and the effort will come together in a single afternoon. The NACS Foundation, Vontier and Convey of Hope are hosting a community packing event at Vontier’s Raleigh offices, bringing together over 40 volunteers. Kevin O’Connell, the Executive Director of the NACS Foundation, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the NACS Foundation’s Neighborhood Nourish program.

Secretary of State of North Carolina Elaine Marshall joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to talk about the possibility of counterfeit Carolina Hurricanes merchandise and tickets as the Canes make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since they won the Cup in 2006

Howard Neufeld has studied trees for many years. Known as the "Fall Color Guy," he has people around the world waiting for his fall color predictions, which lead to an influx of visitors in the High Country. He says after the moderate color season last year there is hope for this year to be better. Neufeld joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the drought in western North Carolina will impact leaf colors.

It's been almost one year since Tropical Storm Chantal flooded homes and local businesses, including Eastgate Shopping Center. Sean Scott acquired the Guglhupf Bakery & Restaurant, which was already established at the bustling shopping center, around three years ago. Scott joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how businesses around Eastgate have recovered since Chantal, and how they’re preparing for the possibility of more flooding

The Carolina Hurricanes return to the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. It's game one of the best-of-seven series between the Canes and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. The Canes won the Eastern Conference title, outscoring Montreal 16-5 in the last four games. After firing head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29, Vegas has gone 19-4-1 under John Tortorella. John Forslund, a longtime hockey play-by-play man, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the series.

The Stanley Cup Finals are less than 24 hours as the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights. The Canes are the first team in NHL history to reach the Stanley Cup Finals with a 12-1 playoff record. The matchup against Vegas is a study of contrasts. Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour is the third-longest tenured coach in the NHL in his eighth season. The Knights hired coach John Tortorella on May 29 after firing Bruce Cassidy. Mike Solarte has watched the growth of the Hurricanes since they arrived to North Carolina in 1997. He joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss their trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The White Oak Foundation is set to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed White Oak Foundation Townhomes—a milestone project bringing 30 new homes to Apex, including 15 affordable housing units. The Reverend Charles Tyner, the Executive Director of White Oak Foundation Townhomes, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the ceremony.