WPTF Afternoon News

A new High Point University Poll of North Carolina likely voters found that 50% said they would vote for Roy Cooper and 42% would vote for Michael Whatley in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. Dr. Martin Kifer from High Point University joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the survey.

Hatteras Island remains under a state of emergency. The highway is expected to reopen on Pea Island to northbound traffic Wednesday morning, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Sam Walker, from OBX News, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how the weekend nor’easter impacted the Outer Banks.

On the eve of the season opener and raising the Stanley Cup banner, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky met with the media at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Someone who will not be in uniform for the Canes against Florida on opening night will be defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who requested a trade this summer. Al Hood, writer for Canes Country, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the situation with Nikishin and the Canes opening night roster.

Two years after Hurricane Helene's remnants unleashed catastrophic flooding across western North Carolina, communities continue to rebuild while honoring the lives lost in one of the state's deadliest natural disasters. Kyle McCurry, Director of Public Affairs with Explore Asheville, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss how they’re encouraging people to visit western North Carolina now that fall is here.

North Carolina farms are preparing for pumpkin season as they get ready to welcome families to pumpkin patches, despite drought conditions that continue across much of the state, including the Triangle. Justin Page, Owner of Page Farms, discussed the challenges that the drought presented.

Teen moms in Wake County are receiving a little extra help as a new resource facility has opened their doors to provide young moms with assistance. Hope House Raleigh is designed to empower teen moms to strive for personal and economic self-sufficiency. Sara Landis, from Hope House Raleigh, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the facility

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill enrolled its largest first-year class in school history, a milestone that reflects record interest in a Carolina education. A total of 6,325 new students. James Orr, UNC-Chapel Hill’s Senior Vice Provost, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the new class

The North Carolina Department of Transportation closed a portion of N.C. 12 on the Outer Banks after high tide breached the dunes Thursday morning. The road is closed from Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe. Gary Stephenson, Chief Meteorologist for Spectrum News, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s causing the rough conditions by the coast.

INTRODUCTION of GUEST: On Monday, Wake County leaders voted to let a proposed merger between WakeMed and Atrium Health move forward after a tense moment with protesters who opposed the merger. Aliyah Manigault, with the North Carolina Black Alliance, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss her objections over the merger.

The new Indigo Hotel brings new life to a hotel that was a prominent part of downtown Raleigh for years. The Holiday Inn in Raleigh stood as a landmark in the City of Oaks. Heather Leah, Author of Lost Towns of North Carolina, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the legacy of the old Holiday Inn in downtown Raleigh.