WPTF Morning News

Stephen Kates, certified financial planner and principal at Clocktower Financial Consulting, on oil prices, the Federal Reserve and a busy week for markets

Stephen Kates, certified financial planner and principal at Clocktower Financial Consulting, joins Lisa Price to discuss oil prices spiking above $90 a barrel last week amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions before pulling back on hopes of diplomacy, with North Carolina gas prices now averaging $3.80 a gallon. Kates also previews a packed economic week including the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh, Thursday's Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation report and first reading on second quarter GDP, and earnings from Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and other major companies that could make for a volatile week in the markets.

Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com, on the new Market Clock and why buyers finally have the upper hand

Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com [http://Realtor.com], joins Lisa Price to discuss a significant shift in the housing market, with asking prices falling 2.5% in June, the biggest year-over-year drop since 2017, and more than 60% of the nation's largest markets now favoring buyers or balanced. Jones also introduces the new Realtor.com [http://Realtor.com] Market Clock, a tool that shows whether a local market favors buyers or sellers and which direction it is moving. For more information visit realtor.com/marketclock.

Clint Romesha and Jim Lorraine on the America250 campaign and supporting veterans in your community

Medal of Honor recipient and former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha and Jim Lorraine, president and CEO of America's Warrior Partnership, join Lisa Price to discuss PureTalk's America250 campaign, which has committed to raising $250,000 for America's Warrior Partnership, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, military families and caregivers. For more information visit puretalk.com [http://puretalk.com].

George Baker, GM's global vehicle security lead, on protecting your vehicle during National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

George Baker, global vehicle security lead at General Motors, joins Lisa Price to discuss the more than 20,000 vehicles stolen in North Carolina last year and practical steps drivers can take to protect themselves during National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, including how to safeguard key fobs, park smart and use OnStar's stolen vehicle assistance services, which are marking their 30th anniversary this year.

Kristin Smith, president of the Solana Policy Institute, on cryptocurrency regulation and what consumers should know

Kristin Smith, president of the Solana Policy Institute, joins Tony to break down what cryptocurrency is, why nearly 1 in 5 Americans now own digital assets and what Congress is considering with the CLARITY Act, which would establish the first federal framework for digital asset markets. Smith explains what clearer regulations could mean for everyday consumers and what anyone should know before investing in or using cryptocurrency.