Category Archives: WPTF News
Cities around the world welcome 2026 with thunderous fireworks and heightened security
By ROD McGUIRK and SHEIKH SAALIQ Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) - From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or lig...
Dec 31, 2025 The Mayor of London's New Year's Eve Fireworks show is launched from the London Eye, with Queen Elizabeth Tower (commonly known as Big Ben) in the foreground, to mark the new year on January 1, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Mensah throws for 4 TDs and leads Duke to a 42-39 win over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl
By JOHN ERFORT Associated Press ELPASO, Texas (AP) - Darian Mensah threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns to lead Duke to a 42-39 victory over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl on Wednesday. Mensah, the ...
Dec 31, 2025 Tony The Tiger and defensive tackle Aaron Hall #99 of the Duke Blue Devils dump Kellogg's Frost Flakes on head coach Manny Diaz of the Duke Blue Devils after the Blue Devils defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 42-39 in the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 31, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
Chief Justice says Constitution remains 'firm and unshaken' with major Supreme Court rulings ahead
By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Chief Justice John Roberts said Wednesday that the Constitution remains a sturdy pillar for the country, a message that comes after a tumultuou...
Dec 31, 2025 Activists gather during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais, a major case concerning a congressional map that created a second majority-Black district in Louisiana. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Boozer's double-double helps No. 6 Duke hold off Georgia Tech 85-79 in ACC opener
By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Freshman Cameron Boozer had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help No. 6 Duke hold off Georgia Tech 85-79 on Wednesday to open Atlantic Coast Confere...
Dec 31, 2025 Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils blocks a shot by Mouhamed Sylla #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half of the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
These bipartisan bills were noncontroversial -- until Trump vetoed them
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and MEG KINNARD Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term on Tuesday, rejecting two low-profile bipartisan bills, a move...
Dec 31, 2025
Gospel singer Richard Smallwood dies at 77, leaving a legacy that inspired many in music
By JEFF MARTIN Associated Press Richard Smallwood, a gospel singer and recording artist nominated eight times for Grammy Awards, has died. He was 77. Smallwood died Tuesday of complications of kidney ...
Dec 31, 2025 Minister Richard Smallwood performs during an Evening with Richard Smallwood and Yolanda Adams benefiting The National Museum Of African American Music at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on September 17, 2017 in Whites Creek, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NMAAM)
From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact
By BERNARD McGHEE Associated Press The death of Pope Francis brought change to the Catholic Church, which counts 1.4 billion adherents and is now led - for the first time - by an American pope. The fa...
Dec 30, 2025 Charlie Kirk speaks onstage during Politicon 2018 at Los Angeles Convention Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Politicon)
What music and television to stream: A New Year's Eve tradition and a 'Stranger Things' sendoff
It's the end of the year and there are fewer new streaming options headed to a device near you. But it's a great time to catch up on some of best movies, television, music and video games of 2025. The...
Dec 30, 2025 (L-R) Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Bela Bajaria, CCO, Netflix, Shawn Levy, and Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix, speak during Netflix's "Stranger Things" Season 5 World Premiere at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on November 06, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Wilson's double-double helps No. 12 North Carolina beat Florida State 79-66 in ACC opener
By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Caleb Wilson had 22 points, 16 rebounds and six assists to help No. 12 North Carolina beat Florida State 79-66 on Tuesday night to open Atl...
Dec 30, 2025 North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) shoots against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Duke's unlikely ACC title season set to end against Arizona State in Sun Bowl
EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Duke's unlikely Atlantic Coast Conference title didn't get the Blue Devils anywhere close to the College Football Playoff berth that's supposed to go to every Power Four conferen...
Dec 30, 2025 Duke players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)