WPTF Morning News

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, on cooling inflation, resilient retail sales and a strong earnings season

Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate and certified financial planner, joins Lisa Price to discuss June's Consumer Price Index report showing inflation cooled more than expected, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve ahead of its July meeting, though renewed Middle East tensions are already pushing oil prices higher. Kates also breaks down retail sales data showing consumers remain resilient despite financial stress, with annual sales growth of nearly 7%, and explains why second-quarter corporate earnings are beating expectations by more than twice the recent average with the broader market increasingly driving growth beyond the Magnificent 7.

Jeff Whitson, Interact Center to Prevent Domestic Violence, on training first responders to help victims

Jeff Whitson of Interact joins Lisa to discuss how the organization is working to better equip first responders to identify and support victims of domestic violence when they respond to calls.

Brenda Berg, CEO of BEST NC, on North Carolina's new teacher pay raises and first-in-the-nation education programs

Brenda Berg, CEO of BEST NC, joins Lisa to discuss how the new North Carolina state budget raises average teacher pay by 8.5%, pushes starting teacher salaries to the highest in the region, expands the Advanced Teaching Roles initiative and launches TeachReadyNC, the nation's first state teacher apprenticeship program for alternatively licensed teachers.

State Sen. Woodson Bradley on her proposal for a domestic violence offender registry in North Carolina

State Sen. Woodson Bradley joins Lisa to discuss her proposal to create a domestic violence offender registry in North Carolina and how she believes a publicly accessible list of offenders could help protect victims and potential victims across the state.

Daniel Tenney, senior vice president of global strategy at Lockheed Martin, on major announcements from the Farnborough International Airshow

Daniel Tenney, senior vice president of global strategy at Lockheed Martin, joins Lisa live from the Farnborough International Airshow in England to discuss the company's largest-ever presence at what is expected to be a record-breaking show, including displays of the F-35, Black Hawk helicopter, HIMARS rocket launcher and anti-drone systems. Tenney also discusses how AI and autonomous systems are transforming defense technology and highlights from Lockheed Martin's space division following the Artemis II success.