WPTF News Archives

New psychiatry residency program aims to strengthen mental health care in North Carolina

Author: WPTF Staff | Date: April 25, 2025, 5:38 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A new initiative is expanding mental health services in Eastern North Carolina, with a focus on supporting rural communities and military families. Led by a partnership between the UNC School of Medicine and Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, the program offers a four-year psychiatry residency that blends military, academic, and community healthcare training. As North Carolina continues to face a shortage of mental health providers, healthcare organizations like Novant Health are investing in workforce development and collaborative programs aimed at improving access to care across the state.… Read More

Judges blocks Trump push to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 24, 2025, 8:13 pm

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s guidance forbidding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in K-12 public schools. The ruling Thursday came in a lawsuit brought by National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union. In February, the Education Department told schools and colleges they needed to end any practice that differentiates people based on their race or they were at risk of losing their federal funding. The department ordered states to gather signatures from local school systems certifying compliance with civil rights laws, including the rejection of what the federal government calls “illegal DEI practices.”… Read More

Trump science cuts target bird feeder research, AI literacy work and more

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 24, 2025, 5:18 pm

Hundreds of university researchers in the U.S. have had their National Science Foundation funding abruptly canceled to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive to end support of research on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the study of misinformation. The loss of funding has roiled academic laboratories that rely on NSF grants to conduct basic research. While some expected the cuts after making it onto on Sen. Ted Cruz’s target list of “woke DEI” projects last year, others said their work was only tangentially related to misinformation or encouraging more diversity in the study of science and engineering.… Read More

US election officials question agency about Trump’s order overhauling election operations

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 24, 2025, 3:01 pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — State and local election officials from around the country in North Carolina have questioned the leaders of a federal agency tasked by President Donald Trump with implementing parts of his sweeping election overhaul executive order, with some expressing concerns about the consequences for voters and the people in charge of voting. Whether the Republican president can order an independent agency to act and whether the commission has the authority to do what Trump wants will likely be settled in court. The commission is an independent federal agency and is at the center of Trump’s March 25 order that directs the commission to update the national voter registration form to include a proof-of-citizenship requirement and revise guidelines for voting systems.… Read More

Students and residents protest UNC’s coal plant over health and climate concerns

Author: WPTF Staff | Date: April 24, 2025, 2:55 pm

Dozens of students and Chapel Hill residents rallied to demand that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stop using coal at its campus co-generation plant. Led by the Sunrise Movement at UNC, the protest spotlighted health concerns, environmental justice issues, and the university’s continued reliance on fossil fuels despite climate commitments. Student organizers say they’ve documented high pollution levels and dismissed community concerns, and they’re now working with allied groups to gather data and propose renewable energy alternatives.… Read More

North Carolina judges block GOP law to strip governor’s election board powers

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 24, 2025, 9:58 am

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges have struck down an attempt by Republican state lawmakers to shift power away from the governor to the state auditor. The change would have taken away Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s ability to appoint members of the State Board of Elections and pass that power to Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek. Two judges on the panel ruled in Stein’s favor and said the law was unconstitutional. The third judge dissented and said the law was within the legislature’s authority. The law finalized in December is the latest attempt by Republicans to move the state elections board appointment power away from the governor.… Read More

Judge denies injunction for four players suing NCAA in North Carolina court

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 22, 2025, 11:06 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge denied a preliminary injunction Tuesday filed in lawsuits by four college football players seeking an additional season of eligibility. Former Duke football players Ryan Smith and Tre’Shon Devones filed complaints in Durham County Superior Court earlier this month. Former Duke player Cam Bergeron and ex-North Carolina player J.J. Jones had a similar suit. The players’ lawsuits had claimed their careers were derailed by injuries, ailments and personal difficulties. Smith and Devones had competed in five seasons. Bergeron and Jones participated in four seasons across a four-year period.… Read More

Martinook, Andersen help Hurricanes push past Devils 3-1 for 2-0 lead in 1st-round playoff series

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 22, 2025, 10:23 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jordan Martinook scored a go-ahead shorthanded goal in the second period to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Frederik Andersen had a big night in net with 25 saves and several big stops. Shayne Gostisbehere also scored in the second period for Carolina, while Seth Jarvis added a clinching empty-net breakaway goal. Jesper Bratt had New Jersey’s lone goal in the opening minutes of the game. Jacob Markstrom had 25 saves for the Devils. Game 3 is in Newark on Friday.… Read More

Duke researchers investigate fungal growth after Hurricane Helene

Author: WPTF Staff | Date: April 22, 2025, 10:19 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Researchers from Duke University have launched a study in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to examine fungal growth in buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene. The team, called Climate and Fungi, is investigating how flood-related fungi form indoors, how they may be adapting to warmer temperatures, and what potential health risks they pose—particularly for people with respiratory conditions.… Read More

TCU and North Carolina will open ’26 in Ireland after Belichick’s debut this year at home vs. Frogs

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 22, 2025, 5:20 pm

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU and North Carolina will play their 2026 opener in Ireland. That will come a year after Bill Belichick’s debut as coach of the Tar Heels comes at home against the Horned Frogs. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Aug. 29, 2026. It will be the first game abroad for both TCU and North Carolina. Their season opener this year will be on Sept. 1, which is Labor Day. TCU will be the home team for the game in Ireland. The two teams were initially scheduled to open the 2026 season in Fort Worth, Texas.… Read More

Federal report due on Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s path to recognition as a tribal nation

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 22, 2025, 10:30 am

PEMBROKE, N.C. (AP) — Members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina are awaiting the release of a Department of the Interior report that could light a path for federal recognition as a tribal nation. President Donald Trump issued a memo in January directing the department to create a plan to “assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full Federal recognition through legislation or other available mechanisms, including the right to receive full Federal benefits.” The deadline for the plan is Wednesday. The Lumbee since the 1980s have had a difficult time convincing the federal government, members of Congress and some federally-recognized tribes that their claims to Native ancestry are legitimate.… Read More

Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says

Author: The Associated Press | Date: April 21, 2025, 5:27 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Department’s offset program, which withholds payments from the government, including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits, from people with past-due debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department will also begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default.… Read More