Category Archives: WPTF News
North Carolina's electoral future may hinge on rural Black voters who feel ignored by Democrats
By BILL BARROW and MAYA SWEEDLER Associated Press NASHVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Ricky Brinkley has lived in rural North Carolina nearly all of his 65 years, and he likes it "out in the county," past the stre...
Apr 1, 2026 Commerce Street, in the small rural community of Powellsville, N.C., in the majority Black Bertie County, seen in this March 12, 2026, photo, leads to the one downtown stoplight in Powellsville, N.C. Towns like this in eastern North Carolina add up at election time, and rural Black voters especially are critical to election outcomes in the state. (AP Photo/Bill Barrow)
Stocks rally worldwide as oil prices ease on hopes for a possible end to the Iran war
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks rushed higher worldwide, and oil prices eased Wednesday as hopes built that the war with Iran could end soon. That's even though some of the sign...
Apr 1, 2026 Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 31, 2026 in New York City. The Dow surged over 1000 points in trading on hopes that the conflict in Iran is winding down and that oil prices will begin to ease. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Coach John Andrzejek leaves Campbell basketball: 'The institution now has different priorities'
By MAURA CAREY AP Sports Writer John Andrzejek stepped down as Campbell's men's basketball coach on Wednesday, citing the school's shifted priorities in a post on social media. "Over the last 6 months...
Apr 1, 2026 FILE - Campbell head coach John Andrzejek watches the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga, Dec. 17, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Cooper leading Whatley in new poll
RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) - Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper is leading former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley by over a dozen points in the race for North Carolina's open U.S. Sen...
Apr 1, 2026 Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper, who is running for U.S. Senate, speaks to reporters after casting his ballot on the first day of in-person early voting in the state's primary election, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
Hershey says it will shift back to classic recipe for all Reese's products after criticism
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer Hershey said Wednesday it will use classic recipes for all Reese's products starting next year, a change that comes after the grandson of Reese's founder criticize...
Apr 1, 2026 FILE - These are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in Pittsburgh Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
A college instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work and teach life lessons
By JOCELYN GECKER AP Education Writer The scene is right out of the 1950s with students pecking away at manual typewriters, the machines dinging at the end of each line. Once each semester, Grit Matth...
Apr 1, 2026 An antique typewriter (Getty Images)
It's Official: Gainey to Coach Wolfpack
By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer N.C. State moved quickly to hire one of its own to lead the Wolfpack men's basketball program. The school announced the hiring of Tennessee assistant coach and form...
Mar 31, 2026 FILE - Mr. and Miss Wuf, the North Carolina State Wolfpack mascots, perforn during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at PNC Arena on January 14, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
NC Eggs roll their way to the White House
NASHVILLE, N.C. (NCN News) - Eggs from a North Carolina farm will have a starring role in this year's White House Easter Egg Roll. On Tuesday (March 30), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins t...
Mar 31, 2026 FILE - Children and their parents participate in the White House Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Artemis II mission set to launch, N.C. State grad to be aboard
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - After weeks of fuel leaks and other issues, NASA faced a trouble-free countdown Tuesday on the eve of astronauts' first trip to the moon in more than half a century. Offici...
Mar 31, 2026 N.C. State graduate Christina Koch is on the crew of the NASA Artemis II mission. (WPTF file photo)
Cigar ashes tied to McDowell County wildfire
MARION, N.C. (NCN News) - Ashes from a cigar are to blame for a wildfire burning in McDowell County Tuesday (March 31). The North Carolina Forest Service reports that the cause of the Jumping Branch f...
Mar 31, 2026