WPTF News Archives - Page 18 of 213

Lumbee leader to join North Carolina statehouse as tribe’s federal recognition push gains attention

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 11:19 pm

LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — The leader of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is set to join the state legislature. Robeson County Republican Party committee members unanimously recommended John Lowery on Tuesday to fill a state House seat most recently held by his brother. Jarrod Lowery resigned this week to take a job with the U.S. Interior Department. John Lowery has been Lumbee Tribe chairman since 2022 and plans to remain at that post as well. He’s been chairman during a period of both momentum and obstacles for the Lumbee Tribe in attaining full federal recognition, which could bring access to health care and grants.… Read More

Israel and Hamas agree to part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, will free hostages and prisoners

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 11:15 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first Phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote Wednesday. “All Parties will be treated fairly!” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Negotiators have been meeting in Egypt for days to hash out a Trump-backed peace plan that he hopes will ultimately result in a permanent end to the two-year war.… Read More

Wall Street gets back to rising as gold keeps setting records

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 5:14 pm

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is getting back to rising. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% Wednesday and is on track to top its all-time high, a day after breaking a seven-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 13 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.9%. Stocks benefiting from the artificial-intelligence boom continue to pull the market higher following a nearly relentless rise since April. Gold continued its stellar year and pushed further past $4,000 per ounce. Treasury yields eased in the bond market, while stock indexes rose in Europe following a weaker finish in Asia.… Read More

Dolly Parton responds to concerns about her health: ‘I’m not dying’

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 3:14 pm

NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton says not to worry, she “ain’t dead yet.” That’s what the country superstar shared in a video on social media Wednesday following public speculation about her health. Late last month Parton postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years, citing “health challenges.” She was scheduled to perform six shows in December. Her dates have been moved to next year, in Sept. 2026. She did not provide additional details. On Tuesday, a Facebook posted shared by her sister Freida Parton escalated concerns around Parton’s health when she wrote that she had been “up all night praying for my sister, Dolly.” Dolly Parton has clarified that her doctors say she is dealing with nothing major.… Read More

Duke researchers receive $15M federal grant to expand AI model designed to predict mental illness

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 2:57 pm

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Researchers at Duke University have received a $15 million federal grant to expand an artificial intelligence model designed to predict mental illness in adolescents. The Duke Predictive Model of Adolescent Mental Health is used to predict who is most likely to develop a mental illness within a year. It also identifies the key factors driving those predictions, creating the potential to offer preventive interventions. The model achieved 84% accuracy in identifying adolescents ranging in age from 10 to 15 who are at risk for future serious mental health issues. The new grant will fund a study of the tool in evaluating 2,000 adolescents in rural areas in North Carolina, Minnesota and North Dakota.… Read More

Federal government shutdown grinds into a second week, but quiet talks emerging

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 11:25 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight. No negotiations, at least publicly, are underway. But signs of political discomfort, and quiet talks, are emerging. The Republicans who have majority control in Congress believe they have the upper hand politically, as they fend off Democratic demands to quickly fund health insurance subsidies as part of any plan to end the shutdown. But Democrats are also dug in, convinced that Americans are on their side in the fight to prevent the looming health care price spikes. Meanwhile, certain lawmakers are discussing what it would take to reopen the government, starting with addressing the health care problem.… Read More

Comey pleads not guilty to Trump Justice Department case accusing him of lying to Congress

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 8, 2025, 11:19 am

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to lying to Congress five years ago. Comey is set to make his first court appearance Wednesday in a Justice Department criminal case accusing him of lying to Congress five years ago. The Comey case has amplified concerns President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of the Republican president’s political enemies. Comey is expected to plead not guilty. That will kick-start a process of legal wrangling in which defense lawyers will almost certainly move to get the indictment dismissed before trial, possibly by arguing the case amounts to a selective or vindictive prosecution.… Read More

Battleship North Carolina to honor U.S. Navy and Marine Corps anniversaries

Author: WPTF Staff | Date: October 7, 2025, 1:18 pm

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WPTF) — As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the Battleship North Carolina is inviting Americans to participate in a significant act of remembrance and gratitude. In honor of the 250th anniversaries, the Battleship will raise 250 American flags, each representing the generations who have served and sacrificed for the nation.

The ceremonial flag raisings are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13, coinciding with the Navy Anniversary, and Monday, Nov. 10, for the Marine Corps Anniversary. These events will take place aboard the historic ship in collaboration with the Friends of the Battleship North Carolina and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.… Read More

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has a new job: chief basketball officer for his former Duke program

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 7, 2025, 12:40 pm

Duke is getting help from former Blue Devils player and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. The school announced Tuesday that the six-time NBA all-star would serve in a volunteer advisory role for the program as “chief basketball officer.” Tatum is currently recovering from a ruptured right Achilles’ tendon suffered in May during the NBA playoffs. In its release, the school said Tatum’s tasks will include having in-person visits with the team to discuss development, professionalism and team culture. Tatum says the role will allow him to support “the next generation of Duke Basketball.”… Read More

At the center of shutdown fight, health care is one of the most intractable issues in Congress

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 7, 2025, 11:47 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats believe health care is an issue that resonates with a majority of Americans as they demand an extension of subsidies in exchange for their votes to reopen the shuttered U.S. government. But it is also one of the most intractable issues in Congress and a real compromise is not likely to be easy. There are some Republicans in Congress who want to extend the higher subsidies, which were first put in place in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. But many GOP lawmakers are firmly opposed to any extension. The government shutdown is in its seventh day and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are going unpaid.… Read More

Bari Weiss is the new editor-in-chief of CBS News after Paramount buys her website

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 6, 2025, 5:50 pm

NEW YORK (AP) — Paramount is buying the successful news commentary website The Free Press and installed its founder, Bari Weiss, as editor-in-chief of CBS News. The move, while anticipated, is a bold one for David Ellison, new corporate leader of Paramount and CBS. Weiss will report directly to Ellison and be responsible for shaping editorial priorities and driving innovation at CBS News. Ellison said he believes the majority of the country wants news that is balanced and fact-based, and he wants CBS to be their home. Some at CBS News have expressed worry that the move will be seen as friendly to President Donald Trump.… Read More

Rush announce reunion tour five years after the death of drummer Neil Peart

Author: The Associated Press | Date: October 6, 2025, 3:48 pm

NEW YORK (AP) — Five years after their influential drummer Neil Peart died of glioblastoma, the Canadian band Rush have announced a reunion tour Monday. Rush co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson revealed a 12-date, seven city tour is scheduled for summer 2026. It will kick off in June at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. That’s where the band played their final show in 2015. The reunion tour will end in Cleveland and they’ll also hit Mexico City; Fort Worth, Texas; Chicago; New York and Toronto. Taking Peart’s place is award-winning German composer and producer Anika Nilles. She has previously toured with Jeff Beck.… Read More