WPTF Morning News

Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs at AARP, on Social Security's 91st anniversary and what you should know

Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs at AARP, joins Tony to mark the 91st anniversary of the Social Security Act and explain what the 2.3 million North Carolinians receiving benefits should know, including the financial impact of claiming at 62 versus waiting until 70, how to use the online tools at ssa.gov [http://ssa.gov] and what the projected 2032 trust fund shortfall actually means for future recipients.

Raul Andrews Jr., executive director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, on the mental health toll on family caregivers

Raul Andrews Jr., executive director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, joins Tony to discuss the more than 63 million unpaid family caregivers across the country, the warning signs of caregiver burnout including mood swings, sleep disruption and social isolation, and why the sandwich generation caring for both aging parents and young children is under particular strain. Resources for caregivers are available at mentalhealthcareworks.org [http://mentalhealthcareworks.org].

April Wood, downtown and economic development administrator for the town of Garner, on summer events and a new Main Street accreditation

April Wood, downtown and economic development administrator for the town of Garner, joins Tony to discuss upcoming events including Disney's Aladdin Junior, Friday Family Flicks and a Groovin' in Garner free concert, a Rand Mill Street streetscape project adding 48 parking spaces to downtown, and the Downtown Garner Association earning its North Carolina Main Street accreditation. For more information visit downtowngarner.com [http://downtowngarner.com].

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

Amit Sevak, 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. Sevak 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.