WPTF Morning News

Amit Savak, CEO of Educational Testing Service, on preparing students for the future workforce

Amit Savak, CEO of Educational Testing Service, joins Tony to discuss how America's education system is falling short of preparing students for tomorrow's jobs, with only about half of students entering middle and high school proficient in math or reading. Savak explains why human skills like communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence are becoming as important as technical training, and why AI literacy needs guardrails to prevent it from replacing critical thinking in the classroom.

Dr. Chris Cooper, political scientist at Western Carolina University, on the race to fill the 11th Congressional District seat

Dr. Chris Cooper, political scientist at Western Carolina University, joins Tony to discuss the Republican executive committee vote to fill the 11th Congressional District seat, with state Rep. Jennifer Balkam of Henderson County emerging as a leading contender after Tim Moffat and Jake Johnson both withdrew. Cooper explains how the 61-member committee process works, why the race will be expensive given the district's sprawling geography and multiple media markets, and why Democratic candidate Jamie Ager's $2 million head start puts the eventual Republican nominee at a significant disadvantage.

Jay Ratliff, aviation analyst, on a toddler who canceled a flight and American Airlines offering unpaid leave to flight attendants

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joins Tony to discuss a Canadian flight that was canceled after a toddler refused to sit down during taxi, causing the aircraft to miss the airport's midnight curfew. Ratliff also explains American Airlines' offer to give 1,200 flight attendants an unpaid month off in September as the airline looks to cut costs amid reduced demand and rising fuel prices.

Dr. Chris Cooper, political scientist at Western Carolina University, on the race to fill the 11th Congressional District seat

Dr. Chris Cooper, political scientist at Western Carolina University, joins Tony to discuss the Republican executive committee vote to fill the 11th Congressional District seat left vacant after Rep. Chuck Edwards' resignation, with state Rep. Jennifer Balkam of Henderson County emerging as a leading contender after Tim Moffat and Jake Johnson both withdrew. Cooper explains how the 61-member committee process works, why the race will be expensive given the district's sprawling geography and multiple media markets, and why Democratic candidate Jamie Ager's $2 million head start puts the eventual Republican nominee at a significant disadvantage

Felton Foushee and Kara Deadmon on a new civil rights exhibit opening Aug. 11 at the North Carolina State Capitol

Felton Foushee, site manager at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, and Kara Deadmon, site administrator at the North Carolina State Capitol, join Tony to discuss a new exhibit opening Aug. 11 that tells the stories of seven everyday North Carolinians who made extraordinary contributions to the civil rights movement.