Triangle/Local
Duke researchers investigate fungal growth after Hurricane Helene
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Researchers from Duke University have launched a study in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to examine fungal growth in buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene. The team, called Climate and Fungi, is investigating how flood-related fungi form indoors, how they may be adapting to warmer temperatures, and what potential health risks they pose—particularly for people with respiratory conditions.
Statewide tributes pour in as North Carolinians mourn Pope Francis
North Carolinians are joining the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. Political leaders, religious figures, and local communities across the state have shared messages of remembrance, highlighting the pope’s legacy of compassion, humility, and service. Catholic churches in Raleigh, Charlotte, and beyond are holding prayer services, while leaders from both government and faith organizations reflect on the pope’s influence both globally and locally.
Teeing off for a cause: NCFC raises over $45k at 20th annual golf tournament to support youth soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – The North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) announced the group’s annual golf tournament generated more than $45,000 to expand opportunities for youth soccer. NCFC spokesperson Katherine Eberhardt says the tournament offered people a chance to showcase their swing while also supporting the club’s mission to grow the game of soccer across North Carolina. “The event has grown over the years, it was our 20th annual event, and we’ve now taken over all three courses at Preston Wood which is a fantastic venue to host golfers. We raised more than $45,000 and had more than 281 golfers on the course. And all those funds are going to go right back into our community,” said Eberhardt.
North Carolina budget plan advances as Senate Republicans double down on tax cuts
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Senate Republicans have advanced a two-year budget for the ninth-largest state. The proposal that received initial Senate approval on Wednesday spends less than what the new Democratic governor requested and doubles down on already enacted income tax cuts. Gov. Josh Stein’s budget pitch sought to spend roughly $1 billion more each year than what the Senate decided in part by halting broad tax rate cuts. But GOP senators are content with their spending, taxes and cost-cutting. The Senate bill locates another $1.3 billion for Hurricane Helene aid and seeks to eliminate hundreds of vacant state positions. The House will soon pass a competing measure.
Raj Mehta Day of Good returns for 5th year, encouraging kindness across NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – April 15 may be known as Tax Day, but for many in the Triangle and beyond-it has become a day dedicated to kindness, connection and community. The Raj Mehta Day of Good is held annually on April 15 in memory of Raj Mehta, organized by his sister, Pooja Mehta, to honor what would have been his birthday. Raj Mehta died of suicide in March 2020. He was an engineering student at Duke University who, according to his loved ones, left a lasting impact on the people around him. In the years since his passing, Pooja Mehta has led the effort to transform the day into one of positivity and action.
State/Regional
Federal report due on Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s path to recognition as a tribal nation
PEMBROKE, N.C. (AP) — Members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina are awaiting the release of a Department of the Interior report that could light a path for federal recognition as a tribal nation. President Donald Trump issued a memo in January directing the department to create a plan to “assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full Federal recognition through legislation or other available mechanisms, including the right to receive full Federal benefits.” The deadline for the plan is Wednesday. The Lumbee since the 1980s have had a difficult time convincing the federal government, members of Congress and some federally-recognized tribes that their claims to Native ancestry are legitimate.
Unsettled North Carolina election could be determined by which ballots are subject to court orders
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Supreme Court decided recently that ballots from two categories should have been left out of the tally of an unresolved November election for a seat on the court. But there’s still legal friction about the number of ballots that must be scrutinized by election officials tasked with removing them from the count and giving voters the chance to provide information so their race choices can remain. The number is critical since Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs leads Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by just 734 votes. Griffin hopes enough ballots are removed to flip the result. Riggs says federal law prevents these ballots from being removed.
North Carolina advances bill on book bans in public schools
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House Republicans have advanced a bill that would create advisory committees to approve and remove books from libraries in public and charter schools. The legislation quickly moved through the House and passed Wednesday. It now moves to the Senate. The legislation outlines that advisory committees would be made up of parents and school employees. Those committees would then make recommendations to their school boards on what library material can be allowed. Supporters say the bill would protect students from explicit material. Opponents say the bill creates unnecessary censorship in schools.
NC health officials relaunch ‘Fight the Bite’ campaign as tick and mosquito season begins
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, public health officials are reminding North Carolinians to be cautious about ticks and mosquitos. In 2024 alone, the state has already reported more than 900 cases of illnesses tied to these pesky biters. To help curb the spread, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services is relaunching its “Fight the Bite” campaign to raise awareness and promote prevention. April has been declared by the governor as “tick and mosquito” awareness month. If you start to feel symptoms after being bit by a tick or mosquito you should make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
North Carolina judges weigh GOP law shifting election board control away from Democratic governor
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges will soon rule if legislative Republicans’ latest method to attempt to wrest control of the State Board of Elections from a Democratic governor is lawful. A three-judge panel listened to arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed by Gov. Josh Stein against GOP lawmakers. A law approved last year and taking effect soon would give board appointments to the state auditor. Republican Dave Boliek is now the auditor. The legislature has sought to erode or eliminate a governor’s authority to appoint the board for nearly a decade. At least four laws have been blocked and a constitutional amendment was defeated. Any ruling will assuredly be appealed.
World/National
Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Department’s offset program, which withholds payments from the government, including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits, from people with past-due debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department will also begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default.
Wall Street and the dollar tumble as investors retreat further from the United States
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street weakened as investors worldwide get more skeptical about U.S. investments because of President Donald Trump’s trade war and his criticism of the Federal Reserve, which are shaking the traditional order. The S&P 500 fell 2.4% Monday to drop 16% below its record set two months ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 2.5%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 2.6%. Big Tech stocks led the way lower ahead of earnings reports coming this week from Tesla and others. Perhaps of more concern, prices also sank for longer-term U.S. government bonds, while the value of the U.S. dollar slid against the euro and other currencies.
What to know about the death of Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Francis’ death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. The Irish-born Vatican camerlengo’s position will be important in the election of the next pope. Francis made his final public appearance a day earlier on Easter Sunday. Francis’ death now sets off the process of allowing the faithful to pay their final respects. That will be followed by a funeral to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals and a conclave to elect a new pope.
Alito’s dissent in deportation case says court rushed to block Trump with middle-of-the night order
WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Samuel Alito has written a sharp dissent that castigates the seven-member majority for blocking the Trump administration from deporting any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th-century wartime law. The dissent was released Saturday night, hours after the court’s intervention against the Republican administration. Alito says the Supreme Court acted “literally in the middle of the night” and without sufficient explanation. Alito says there was “dubious factual support” for granting the request in an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union. That group contends that immigration authorities appeared to be moving to restart such removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
Judge pauses Trump administration’s plans for mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire nearly everyone at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been paused by a federal judge, who says she’s “deeply concerned” about the plan. Friday’s decision leaves in limbo a bureau created after the Great Recession to safeguard against fraud, abuse and deceptive practices. Trump administration officials argue the bureau oversteps its authority. The Republican administration Thursday moved to fire 1,500 people, leaving 200. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson says she’s worried the layoffs would violate her earlier order stopping the administration from shutting the bureau. The judge is considering a lawsuit filed by an employee union that wants to preserve the bureau. There’s a hearing April 28.
Entertainment
Go inside the factory where Peeps are made
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Love them or hate them, marshmallow Peeps are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions of the brightly-colored candies are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections. The family-owned candy manufacturer also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. Peeps is the company’s most recognizable brand. It also evokes strong reactions — good and bad. Some say an Easter basket isn’t complete without the multi-flavored Peeps, while others deride them as being indestructible. On average, about 5.5 million are made each day. That adds up to 2 billion Peeps a year.
Wink Martindale, the genial game show host and an early TV interviewer of Elvis Presley, dies at 91
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wink Martindale, the genial host of such hit game shows as “Gambit” and “Tic-Tac-Dough,” has died. He was 91. Martindale began his career in radio and was did one of the first recorded television interviews with a young Elvis Presley before scoring hits as a game show host. “Gambit” started in 1976 but within a few short years was overtaken by “Wheel of Fortune” and other shows, but he bounced back in 1978 with “Tic-Tac-Dough,” which aired until 1985. Publicist Brian Mayes says Martindale died Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage after battling lymphoma for a year.
Millions tune in for 24-hour live coverage of Sweden’s epic moose migration
Swedish slow TV hit “The Great Moose Migration” has become a phenomenon. The livestream began airing Tuesday, a week ahead of schedule. National broadcaster SVT shows the annual migration 24 hours a day for 20 days. Not much happens for hours at a time, and fans say that’s the beauty of it. The production hit 9 million viewers last year. Remote cameras capture dozens of moose as they swim across a river toward summer grazing pastures. An expert and fan calls the show “gripping because nothing catastrophic is happening.” Even the production crew says their stress eases.
Blue Origin launches an all-female celebrity crew with Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez
Blue Origin has launched Jeff Bezos’ fiancee Lauren Sanchez into space with an all-female celebrity crew that included Katy Perry and Gayle King. The New Shepard rocket blasted off Monday from West Texas. Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, invited the others along for the 10-minute, fully automated ride. Besides Sanchez, Perry and King, the crew included a film producer, a former NASA engineer who started her own companies to promote science education, and a scientist who now advocates for sexual violence survivors. Moved by the views of Earth below, Perry couldn’t resist singing “What a Wonderful World” in space.
So your home’s not social-media perfect? How to get over ‘house shame’ and invite people in
NEW YORK (AP) — Is your house something less than Pinterest perfect? Whose isn’t. Social media has fed a phenomenon called house shame. It’s that anxiety and dread that sets in when you think people coming over to your house will judge how it looks. It can also be internal — a self-shaming that sets in when you can’t achieve the perfection you see on Instagram. Home organizers and interior designers have suggestions on how to get over house shame. First, remember there’s no such thing as perfect. A space that’s cared for is more important. Light a candle and place some flowers to make the front hall welcoming. Use a rolling rack for coats if closets are crammed. And if someone does house shame you, don’t invite them back.
Sports
Judge denies injunction for four players suing NCAA in North Carolina court
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge denied a preliminary injunction Tuesday filed in lawsuits by four college football players seeking an additional season of eligibility. Former Duke football players Ryan Smith and Tre’Shon Devones filed complaints in Durham County Superior Court earlier this month. Former Duke player Cam Bergeron and ex-North Carolina player J.J. Jones had a similar suit. The players’ lawsuits had claimed their careers were derailed by injuries, ailments and personal difficulties. Smith and Devones had competed in five seasons. Bergeron and Jones participated in four seasons across a four-year period.
Martinook, Andersen help Hurricanes push past Devils 3-1 for 2-0 lead in 1st-round playoff series
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jordan Martinook scored a go-ahead shorthanded goal in the second period to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Frederik Andersen had a big night in net with 25 saves and several big stops. Shayne Gostisbehere also scored in the second period for Carolina, while Seth Jarvis added a clinching empty-net breakaway goal. Jesper Bratt had New Jersey’s lone goal in the opening minutes of the game. Jacob Markstrom had 25 saves for the Devils. Game 3 is in Newark on Friday.
TCU and North Carolina will open ’26 in Ireland after Belichick’s debut this year at home vs. Frogs
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU and North Carolina will play their 2026 opener in Ireland. That will come a year after Bill Belichick’s debut as coach of the Tar Heels comes at home against the Horned Frogs. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Aug. 29, 2026. It will be the first game abroad for both TCU and North Carolina. Their season opener this year will be on Sept. 1, which is Labor Day. TCU will be the home team for the game in Ireland. The two teams were initially scheduled to open the 2026 season in Fort Worth, Texas.
Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is headed to the NBA as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall draft pick
Duke star Cooper Flagg is headed to the NBA as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall draft pick. The program announced Flagg’s move in a social media post Monday. That came after a lone college season that saw the 18-year-old become only the fourth freshman named as The Associated Press national player of the year while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward from Newport, Maine, averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals to lead Duke in each category.
Stankoven strikes twice in playoff debut with Carolina as Hurricanes beat Devils
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Logan Stankoven provided an immediate jolt in his first playoff game with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old forward scored twice in the second period Sunday to help the Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 in the opener of their first-round playoff series. It was part of a strong debut that included his work on the Hurricanes’ top defensive forward line with captain Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook. Stankoven’s second goal came on the power play and gave Carolina a 3-0 lead.
