Mitch Kokai, senior political analyst at the John Locke Foundation, on the state budget

Jay Ratliff, aviation analyst, on a passenger partially sucked out of a Ryanair flight after an engine failure

Aviation analyst Jay Ratliff joins Lisa Price to discuss a terrifying incident aboard a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany, where an engine malfunction sent debris through the fuselage, blew out a cabin window and caused rapid depressurization that partially sucked a passenger out of the plane at 16,000 feet. Ratliff explains how the man survived because he was wearing his seatbelt, how fellow passengers and his wife held onto him until the crew could descend and equalize the cabin pressure, and what investigators will be looking at in the months ahead.

Zac Vakadewatabua, Operation Christmas Child shoebox recipient from Fiji, on how a simple gift changed his life

Zac Vakadewatabua, a former Operation Christmas Child shoebox recipient from Fiji, joins Lisa Price to share how receiving a shoebox gift at age 9 planted a seed of faith that shaped his life and his commitment to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others. He also discusses how he reconnected with Operation Christmas Child after coming to the United States. Listeners can pack a shoebox and drop it off during National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23, at nearly 5,000 locations nationwide. For more information visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Dr. Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, president of Strayer University, on the changing face of higher education and AI fluency

Dr. Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, president of Strayer University, joins Tony to discuss how today's college students are increasingly working adults balancing jobs, children and careers who need practical skills and flexible pathways into high-demand industries. Farmer-Thompson explains why AI fluency has become a core literacy rather than a specialty credential, with 45% of global workers already regularly using AI on the job, and what working adults should look for when choosing an institution to help them stay competitive.

Renee Hill and Natalie Hill on the 17th annual Wake Forest Purple Heart Banquet

Renee Hill and Natalie Hill join Tony to discuss the 17th annual Wake Forest Purple Heart Banquet, set for Saturday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest. This year's event will feature a special America 250 tribute, a bagpiper, drummer and fife player, JROTC color guard and keynote speaker Clebe McClary, a Vietnam veteran who received three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. Tickets and information are available at wakeforestpurpleheartfoundation.org [http://wakeforestpurpleheartfoundation.org].

Barrett Smith, National Weather Service meteorologist, on a brief break in the heat wave and ongoing drought concerns

National Weather Service meteorologist Barrett Smith joins Tony to discuss an incoming cold front expected to bring a brief temperature drop to the mid-80s and low 90s over the weekend after two weeks of oppressive heat with temperatures regularly topping 100 degrees and heat index values reaching 105 to 110. Smith notes that while parts of the Triangle have received two to four inches of rain in recent days, drought conditions persist across much of the region, and temperatures are expected to rebound to the low 90s early next week with no significant tropical activity currently in the tropics.