WPTF Afternoon News

The Wake County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote Monday on proposed merger between WakeMed and Atrium Health. Some commissioners say they’re still skeptical about various aspects of the potential merger. Former Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss what’s he has heard from his constituents

More than 5,000 people have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in North Carolina so far this year, according to data from the Deportation Data Project. Trey DeBrine, an immigration law attorney with Sivaraman Immigration Law, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the amount of ICE arrests.

44 states have recorded record high diesel gas prices, including North Carolina. Patrick De Haan of Gasbuddies(dot)com joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the climbing gas prices across the country.

We haven't had a single hurricane so far this season. Since the Satellite Era began in 1966, we've never gone until September 12 without a hurricane in the Atlantic. Corey Davis, a state climatologist, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss why hurricane season has been so tame.

With just a month and a half left until Election Day, Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper has grown his lead in the US Senate race to 15.1 points over former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. That’s according to a new poll from the John Locke Foundation. Mitch Kokai, Director of Communications from the John Locke Foundation, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the survey.

The PGA Tour makes its return to Asheville for the Biltmore Championship this weekend. It's the first tour event in western North Carolina since 1942. Kyle McCurry, Director of Public Relations for Explore Asheville, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the tour returning to Asheville.

Wake County Public School System leaders say two newly released studies paint a clear picture of the challenges facing North Carolina's largest school district. Employee pay is falling behind competing employers, including other school districts, and many departments do not have enough staff to meet growing demands. Keith Poston, Executive Director of the WakeEd Partnership, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the studies.

For more than two decades, Dr. Chris DePerno has taught science at NC State University. Now, the wildlife management professor is using a longtime passion for barbecue to help support future students. Dr. Chris DePerno, the creator of N.C. State Slobberin’ Sauce, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss his creation.

President Trump will be in North Carolina this week to campaign for Republican Michael Whatley, who continues to trail Democrat Roy Cooper in the polls for the U.S. Senate race. Steven Greene, an N.C. State Political Science Reporter, joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss Trump’s appearance and the state of the race between Cooper and Whatley.

For decades, Tom Campbell was the host of N.C. Spin, the preeminent political talk show focusing on North Carolina politics. Now, Campell has announced plans to bring back N.C. Spin. Campbell joined Jeff Hamlin to discuss the show’s new beginning.