WPTF News Archives - Page 29 of 213

Denny Hamlin advances in NASCAR playoffs at Gateway with 200th Cup win for Toyota

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 7, 2025, 7:00 pm

MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Denny Hamlin won from the pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway, playing the strategy perfectly to lead the final 25 laps in his series-high fifth victory this season. With his 59th career win, Hamlin advanced to the second round of the Cup Series playoffs and joined Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe, who finished second. Hamlin made his final stop with 44 laps remaining, and he cycled to the front on a caution 15 laps later. The Virginia native seized the lead from Brad Keselowski on the restart, delivering the 200th win in NASCAR’s premier series for Toyota.… Read More

Lawrence and Etienne deliver as Jaguars open new regime with a 26-10 victory over the Panthers

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 7, 2025, 5:58 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence threw a touchdown pass, Travis Etienne ran for 143 yards and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Carolina Panthers 26-10 to give their new regime a debut victory. Brian Thomas Jr. also ran for a score for Jacksonville, which controlled both lines of scrimmage and kept Lawrence upright all afternoon. The game was delayed 1 hour, 16 minutes because of nearby lightning strikes. Bryce Young turned in another season-opening stinker. He had a TD pass to Chuba Hubbard, two interceptions and a fumble. He also made a head-scratching throw out of the back of the end zone on a fourth-down play.… Read More

Mahjong nights draw young crowds to San Francisco bars and restaurants

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 7, 2025, 8:40 am

San Francisco (AP) — Ryan Lee has turned his love of mahjong into a thriving social scene in San Francisco. After getting hooked on the classic Chinese tile game two years ago, he started hosting mahjong nights in his apartment. These gatherings grew into the YLL Mahjong Club, which now hosts bimonthly events with up to 200 guests. The club attracts a diverse crowd with its nightclub atmosphere, live DJs and custom cocktails. Mahjong is gaining popularity as people desire more opportunities to socialize offline. Eventbrite reports a 179% increase in U.S. mahjong events from 2023 to 2024. Lee plans to expand the club to other U.S. cities.… Read More

Belichick on Patriots: ‘I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours’

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 7, 2025, 8:32 am

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has started a new chapter as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. After leaving the New England Patriots in January 2024, his relationship with the team has soured. Reports say he banned a Patriots scout from attending practices, Belichick confirmed that on Saturday, stating: “It’s clear I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours.” Belichick won his first game with the Tar Heels on Saturday, beating Charlotte 20-3. Despite the win, Belichick deflected praise, emphasizing the team effort. His debut game on Monday ended in a loss to TCU, drawing criticism from detractors.… Read More

Bill Belichick earns first win as college head coach as North Carolina defeats Charlotte 20-3

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 6, 2025, 10:55 pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has secured his first win as a college head coach. North Carolina defeated Charlotte 20-3 on a rainy Saturday. Gio Lopez threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Culliver on the first possession. Davion Gause added a 12-yard rushing score. North Carolina’s defense held Charlotte to 271 yards and forced two turnovers. This victory comes after a tough debut loss to TCU, where North Carolina allowed 48 points. Despite early questions about Belichick’s ability to win at this level, the Tar Heels responded with a solid performance. North Carolina will host Richmond next, while Charlotte will face Monmouth.… Read More

RFK. Jr’s family members say he is a ‘threat’ to Americans’ health and call for his resignation

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 6, 2025, 8:57 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family are calling for him to step down as health secretary. This follows a contentious congressional hearing this past week, when the Trump Cabinet official faced bipartisan questioning about his tumultuous leadership of federal health agencies. Kennedy’s sister, Kerry Kennedy, and his nephew, Joseph P. Kennedy III, have issued scathing statements on social media, saying their relative is a “threat to the health and wellbeing of every American.” Several of Kennedy’s family members also had objected to his presidential run in the last campaign. Others wrote to senators earlier this year calling for them to reject his nomination to lead Health and Human Services.… Read More

Bailey, Smothers lead N.C. State comeback against Virginia, 35-31

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 6, 2025, 7:55 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CJ Bailey rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another as North Carolina State defeated visiting Virginia 35-31 in a non-league clash between the two Atlantic Coast Conference teams. Bailey completed 16-of-22 passes for 200 yards and rushed for 44 yards on six carries for the Wolfpack. N.C. State running back Hollywood Smothers added 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Virginia was powered by J’Mari Taylor’s 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. The Wolfpack outscored Virginia 21-7 in the third quarter after falling behind by 10 points in the first half.… Read More

Trump executive order aims to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 5, 2025, 11:26 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War. He criticized the previous name as “woke” and said the new name is “more appropriate.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now referred to as the “secretary of war,” emphasized a shift to “maximum lethality.” The change requires congressional approval, but Trump plans limited rebranding efforts to save money. This move is part of a broader effort to reshape the U.S. military and challenge progressive ideology. Supporters in Congress are proposing legislation to formalize the name change.… Read More

Duke University pilot project examining pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in college

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 5, 2025, 10:42 pm

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke University in North Carolina has launched an initiative to examine the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence brings to student life. The campus will hold discussions on the use of AI tools and present recommendations at the end of this fall semester. Some professors are embracing AI while others have banned it and are concerned that AI may hurt students’ ability to think critically and solve problems. Professors who allow the use of AI caution students that they still need to understand the topic. Some are assigning in-class writing projects or oral presentations to ensure students understand the material.… Read More

US hiring stalls with employers reluctant to expand in an economy grown increasingly erratic

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 5, 2025, 2:35 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American job market, a pillar of U.S. economic strength since the pandemic, is crumbling under the weight of President Donald Trump’s erratic economic policies. Uncertain about where things are headed, companies are reluctant to hire, leaving agonized jobseekers unable to find work and worrying the consumers (70% of U.S. economic activity) whose spending has driven impressive growth for the world’s biggest economy since the COVID-19 disruptions of 2020. The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers — companies, government agencies and nonprofits — added just 22,000 jobs last month, down from a 79,000 in July and well below the 80,000 that economists had expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% last month, the highest since 2021.… Read More

Joseph McNeil, who helped spark a protest movement at a North Carolina lunch counter, dies at 83

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 5, 2025, 12:24 am

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Joseph McNeil, a key figure in the civil rights movement, has died at 83. McNeil was one of four students who staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960. This act sparked similar nonviolent protests across the South. McNeil later became a two-star general. North Carolina A&T State University and his family announced his death on Thursday. McNeil had faced recent health challenges. The university’s chancellor said McNeil and his classmates had inspired the nation with their courageous, peaceful protest. Only one of the four protesters is now alive.… Read More

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

Author: The Associated Press | Date: September 4, 2025, 11:17 pm

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is taking a more collaborative approach with Republican opponents in his first eight months in office despite disagreeing with them on many issues. Stein succeeded fellow Democrat Roy Cooper in January. He aims to work with the GOP-controlled General Assembly and has built dialogue with them. Stein’s approach contrasts with Democratic governors elsewhere who have taken more combative stances against President Donald Trump and the GOP. Republican leaders have said they appreciate the open lines of communication with Stein. Still, the new governor has vetoed 15 bills, with lawmakers so far overriding eight of them.… Read More