WPTF Morning News

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and General Motors (GM) is calling attention to one of the most dangerous driving habits of our time: distracted driving. It’s not just a U.S. problem—it’s a global issue that continues to claim thousands of lives each year. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this is Dan Glaser, General Motors Safety Engineer.

The United States Senate will be up for grabs in 2026 with several key races on the ballot but the one that might get the most attention will be here in North Carolina where the seat, currently held by Thom Tillis will be up for grabs. Former North Carolina 13th District Congressman Wiley Nickel formally announcing his candidacy and the congressman joins us now.

The 89th Masters Tournament is underway this morning at Augusta National Golf Club where Rory McIllory is looking to complete the career grand slam while Scottie Schleffler tries to defend his green jacket. With Chris Edwards now to break down the Tournament is Alex Myers, Senior Writer for Golf Digest.

There have been a flurry of litigation filed both by and against the Trump Administration from deportation lawsuits to the Associated Press and much more. With Chris Edwards to discuss all these lawsuits is CBS News Legal Analyst Thane Rosenbaum.

A bill introduced in the General Assembly recently would eliminate class size-limits, making them suggestions only and also reduce the number of licensed teachers in the schools. This news comes after a report from DPI recently that says teacher turnover in our state is at 9.9% which is down from the previous year. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is one of the co-sponsors of the bill Union County Representative David Willis.

The tariffs that have been implemented by the Trump Administration is having impacts on a number of industries and some economist say could result in higher prices in our day-to-day lives. With Chris Edwards to talk about how these tariffs are impacting the hospitality industry and what the state of the industry is in North Carolina is Lynn Minges President and CEO of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association.

There is much to discuss in politics both in North Carolina and at the national level, from tariffs, to the ongoing State Supreme Court race to more news from the General Assembly with Chris Edwards to offer perspective on all of this is Catawba College Political Science Professor Dr. Michael Bitzer.

There is much to discuss when it comes to things that are going on with the City of Raleigh. From a new music festival to high rise buildings, work around the Lenovo Center and more. With Chris Edwards now for our Talk of the Town segment today is Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell.

It was another day on Wall Street Monday with stocks continuing to be in flux with the recent tariffs announced by the Trump administration and perhaps more of those tariffs on the way this week. But we want to focus on what you should be doing with your stocks and other investments and with Chris Edwards now to discuss all of this is Rick McElory from Glenwood Financial Partners.

A great event for a great cause comes to Rocky Mount next month. The Tackle the Tar Race will be held May 17 at Bishop Stadium on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan College and with Chris Edwards now to talk more the race is the President of North Carolina Wesleyan Dr. Evan Duff.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared April 2025 Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, emphasizing the urgent threat of invasive pests and what Americans can do to help stop their spread. Invasive plant pests and diseases cost the U.S. an estimated $40 billion annually in damages. Many of these pests spread through human activity—on vehicles, outdoor equipment, firewood, and even in online purchases of agricultural products from overseas. With Chris Edwards to discuss this further is USDA Agriculturist Kathryn Bronsky.

There is much to discuss when it comes to Capitol Hill and Washington as a whole, this morning Chris Edwards check-in with North Carolina Senator Ted Budd for our monthly conversation.

Airline Stock prices taking a hit, American Airlines to discontinue airport self-serve kiosks, and more. In Chris Edwards's weekly conversation with aviation analyst Jay Ratliff

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction last week release new data that shows data on teacher turnover in our state which sits at 9.9% from last year, an improvement from the 11.5% turnover rate from the previous year. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this is Dr. Tom Tomberlin, with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Tariffs from the Trump administration continue to be the dominate headline as the stock market continues to take a hit leaving many with uncertainty about their investments. With Chris Edwards to talk more about this and to also talk about what is going on with TikTok is CBS News White House Reporter Olivia Rinaldi.

President Trump implemented new tariffs this week during what he called Liberation Day and those tariffs have had impacts on many industries but some of the biggest impacts thus far have been on farmers. With Chris Edwards to talk about the impact these tariffs have had on those farmers across our state is Mike Davis with the Southern Farm Network.

There are a lot of things coming up at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh over the next several weeks and months and the fairgrounds have made some news this week with the announcement of a new structure that is hopefully in place in time for next year's State Fair. With Chris Edwards to discuss all of this further is Kent Yelverton.

Three is much to discuss when it comes to things that are going on with the City of Raleigh. From a new music festival to high rise buildings, work around the Lenovo Center and more. With Chris Edwards for our Talk of the Town segment today is Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Stormie Forte.

Today is Opening Day for the Carolina Mudcats who begin their 35th season in Zebulon at Five County Stadium. This also marks the final year for the club in Zebulon before they move to Wilson next year. With Chris Edwards to talk about Opening Day and what to expect over this 35th Anniversary season is the General Manager of the Carolina Mudcats, David Lawrence.

We continue to monitor the impact of wildfires in Western North Carolina and in particular Haywood County where crews are still working to get this fire under control. With Chris Edwards to provide an update on where things stand with those wildfires is Allison Richmond, Public Information Officer for Haywood County.