Featured
The Carpenters Songbook Brings Quiet Power to Wilmington’s Wilson Center
The Carpenters Songbook brings a full band and familiar songs to Wilmington’s Wilson Center on Oct. 21, inviting listeners to hear the catalog with older ears.
DeFlockILM Calls for New Hanover Commissioners to Hold Public Vote on Flock Cameras
DeFlockILM is asking New Hanover County commissioners to pause nationwide data sharing, review the county’s Flock camera program and hold its first public hearing and recorded vote.
“Trust Us” Isn’t Oversight: What Happens When Police Have Unrestricted Flock Access?
Bob Sklar discovered that Indiana law-enforcement officers searched his license plate 63 times through Flock. His case shows why internal audit logs cannot replace enforceable limits and independent oversight.
Local & state news roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
NC Budget Includes $5 Million Digital Credential Project Tied to Specific Vendor
North Carolina’s budget sets aside $5 million for a digital credentialing system and related services linked to a particular technology provider, with procurement language raising questions about vendor select… From ncnewsline.com
NC Inches Closer to Resuming Executions After 20-Year Moratorium
Legal actions advancing the execution timeline involve state attorneys and the Department of Public Safety as officials continue preparations tied to lethal injection procedures. From wral.com
Raleigh Is Largest City in North Carolina Without a Data Center Moratorium
Local leaders in Raleigh weigh whether to pause new data centers while neighboring jurisdictions consider moratoriums, focusing on how traffic, water, and power capacity could be affected. From wral.com
WMPO Presents Alternative Funding Options for Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement
The Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization laid out financing options for replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, combining federal, state, and local roles to keep the project schedule on track. From wwaytv3.com
Carolina Beach Board Approves Upzoning Proposal Along Cape Fear Boulevard
Carolina Beach approved zoning boundary and district changes along Cape Fear Boulevard intended to support higher-density development, setting new rules that will guide future building permits. From portcitydaily.com
Wilmington to Name MLK Center Gyms After Two Local Coaches
Wilmington plans to rename specific gym spaces at the MLK Center after two Wilmington-area coaches as part of a municipal effort to recognize contributions tied to youth athletics programming. From portcitydaily.com
New Light Rail Stop, People Mover Aim to Expand Charlotte Airport Access
Charlotte-area transit plans include a light rail stop and a people mover designed to connect riders to the airport, with route design and station locations affecting when travelers can use the connections. From spectrumlocalnews.com
New Hanover County Residents Protest Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras
New Hanover County residents gathered to challenge Flock camera deployment in local communities, calling for changes to how the devices operate and appear in neighborhood areas. From portcitydaily.com
Pender County Commissioner Defends Flock Cameras Amid Nationwide Scrutiny
A Pender County commissioner said the county uses Flock cameras differently than critics describe nationally, describing how authorities plan to employ the equipment locally. From wwaytv3.com
Novant Applies for Standalone Emergency Department in Hampstead
Novant Health submitted an application to create a standalone emergency department in Hampstead, with the facility planned to route patients without being tied to a full hospital campus. From portcitydaily.com
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Flock CEO’s Bold Changes Expose Local Leaders as Slow Learners, but Is Flock’s Move Too Little, Too Late?
Garrett Langley is tightening Flock’s surveillance guardrails while local officials continue to lag behind.
Fortuna Cucina Italiana Is Wilmington’s Hottest Table
Fortuna brings Wilmington the high-end Italian experience it has lacked, from seasonal pasta and confident bar service to a dining room suited for an occasion.
How Did New Hanover County Buy Flock’s Human-Tracking Camera System Without Informing the Public About Its Full Capabilities?
New Hanover County’s Flock system extends beyond license-plate readers. Contracts and public records reveal people-search capabilities, outside access and serious unresolved questions about authorization and oversight.
national/international News Roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
Tupac Murder Trial Faces Testimony Credibility Fight Over Makaveli Era Recordings
Prosecutors weigh testimony tied to Tupac Shakur’s 1996 “Makaveli” era recordings, while the defense disputes whether witness accounts can be corroborated by contemporaneous materials. From foxnews.com
Trial Starts In Case Alleging Ex-Wife Orchestrated Microsoft Exec’s Murder
Florida prosecutors contend former spouse Kirsten Bridegan orchestrated a plan leading to Microsoft manager Jared Bridegan’s death, as jurors begin hearing testimony tied to the claimed plot. From cbsnews.com
Meta’s Federal Trial Begins Over Claims That It Drove Child Social Media Addiction
Attorneys present evidence aimed at Meta’s recommendation systems and product design choices, arguing they intensified compulsive engagement by youth during periods of increased minor-protection demands. From cbsnews.com
Abbott Moves To Restrict Foreign Influence In Texas Classrooms And Limit H-1B School Workers
Texas officials under Gov. Greg Abbott moved to tighten requirements for certain staff and school-linked relationships and also sought to restrict H-1B work in schools. From dailysignal.com
Trump Pauses 50% Tariffs On Canada For Three-Day Negotiation Window
The pause halts planned 50% tariff measures for a three-day window, suspending increased duties on Canadian imports while negotiations with Canadian counterparts continue. From thehill.com
Socialist-Backed Candidates Win Major Florida Races As Trump-Backed Primary Bets Struggle
Florida results showed socialist-backed candidates winning at least one major race, prompting GOP strategists to reassess candidate recruitment and messaging after mixed outcomes for Trump-endorsed contenders. From foxnews.com
California Showdown Looms After Swalwell Exit As Democrats Prepare For Replacement Vote
The replacement process for Rep. Eric Swalwell’s seat sets up competing Democratic prospects in a high-profile district, with voters weighing platforms as campaigning intensifies. From foxnews.com
Trump Links Gaza Policy Leverage To Netanyahu Endorsement In Pressure Campaign
The pressure campaign described ties Gaza policy leverage to political endorsements, with U.S. engagement aimed at influencing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position during the ongoing conflict. From thehill.com
Critics Say Threats Of An Oman Naval Blockade Mask Frustration Over Iran
Coverage centers on claims that U.S. officials threatened a naval blockade involving Oman to increase pressure tied to Iran-related concerns, with critics calling it frustration rather than pure deterrence. From thehill.com
Tensions Drove South Korea Alliance Shift From Promises Of A New Era To Military Pullback
The reporting traces discord over alliance management, including timing and scale of U.S. posture changes on the Korean Peninsula, with follow-on talks described as the next step. From foxnews.com
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Flock Safeguards Keep Failing to Prevent Police Misuse
Six Savannah police employees face investigation after an audit found alleged misuse of Flock license-plate data. The case joins a growing pattern across Georgia and the U.S.
From Heartbreakers Architect to Frontman, Mike Campbell Heads to Wilmington
From “Refugee” to “The Boys of Summer,” Mike Campbell’s guitar work has traveled far. Now The Dirty Knobs bring his next chapter to Wilmington.
Business News Roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
The developer updated Hilton Bluffs plans to use one access point and sought a fire-code exception, linking the request to revised site access and circulation for hotel entry and safety design. From portcitydaily.com The board approved upzoning along Cape Fear Boulevard, adjusting which building types and densities can be used on affected parcels and enabling future commercial and residential intensification on the corrido… From portcitydaily.com UNC Health renamed its venture unit as part of how the system organizes commercial partnerships and investments, signaling a branding change tied to its approach for developing new healthcare opportunities. From businessnc.com UNC Health and Wilmington Health reported progress on a Wilmington cancer center plan, with coordinated planning steps aimed at expanding cancer care capacity and guiding next execution tasks. From wilmingtonbiz.com Novant filed an application to add a standalone emergency department in Hampstead, proposing a new urgent-care-style facility concept and location to change patient routing away From portcitydaily.com HomeTrust is buying a troubled Virginia bank for $448 million, a deal that shifts growth through acquisition and moves the acquired bank’s operations into HomeTrust’s banking structure. From businessnc.com Bank of America revised its hybrid schedule expectations, increasing how often employees are required in the office, which can affect commuting patterns, office utilization, and internal workforce planning. From charlotteobserver.com NC State and Gaston College are leading a $480 million defense textile hub aimed at building defense textile manufacturing capability, connecting classroom and workforce training with a commercial production m… From businessnc.com The North Carolina food bank received the first delivery tied to a $3 million egg antitrust settlement, supporting distribution of the settlement goods to recipients through settlement administration. From ncnewsline.com A lawmaker argued that shoplifting for a claimed “biological need” should not be illegal, framing the debate around policy and enforcement rather than any change to corporate pricing or hiring. From zerohedge.comHilton Bluffs Developer Updates Plans With One Access Point
Cape Fear Boulevard Upzoning Clears Way for Higher-Density Development
UNC Health Renames Venture Unit
Wilmington Health Advances Cancer Center Plans
Novant Applies for Standalone Emergency Department in Hampstead
HomeTrust to Buy Troubled Virginia Bank for $448 Million
Bank of America Tightens Hybrid Work Policy
NC State and Gaston College Lead $480 Million Defense Textile Hub
NC Food Bank Receives First Delivery From 3 Million Egg Settlement
DSA Lawmaker Says Shoplifting for “Biological Need” Shouldn’t Be Illegal
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Are More Innocent Residents Being Abused? Mooresville’s Flock Safeguards Failed
One officer faces charges and at least 10 others face scrutiny, raising questions about leadership, supervision and police surveillance.
Angie’s Fresh Produce Offers Visitors a Taste of Southport, North Carolina
Angie’s Fresh Produce gives Southport visitors a hands-on taste of local food, whether they are visiting for the day or cooking in a vacation rental.
Carolina Beach PD Faces Many Flock Safety Irregularities: Missing Records, Blanket Redactions and 3 Million Flock Searches Demand Answers
Carolina Beach wants public trust in its Flock cameras, but millions of searches, broad data sharing and unanswered legal questions demand scrutiny.
Jensen Huang’s Open-Weight Push Shifts Power Toward AI Customers
Nvidia’s open-weight models and new AI-ready computers could give businesses more options for running AI on local, company-controlled hardware.
Flock Has Created a New Type of Police Abuse; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Arrested
Police asked the public to trust them with Flock’s surveillance power. Repeated cases of unauthorized access show why that trust is broken.
ELO Tribute Experience Brings Wilmington Symphony Strings to the Stage
Evil Woman brings its ELO tribute production to Wilmington on Nov. 6 with string musicians from the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra.
Mayor Saffo’s Brother Won a $2.45 Million Contract. Why Didn’t the Lowest Bidder Get the Contract?
Mayor Bill Saffo recused himself before Wilmington awarded his brother’s company a $2.45 million bridge contract. Correspondence obtained by WHQR raises new questions about what happened to the lower bidder before it withdrew.
North Carolina Targets Foreign-Controlled Land Purchases With Sweeping New Law
North Carolina’s new law restricts certain foreign-controlled purchases of farmland and property near military sites. The real test will be whether state agencies can trace hidden ownership and enforce the rules.
Proposed North Carolina K-12 School-Grading Index Raises Transparency Questions
North Carolina may replace its school proficiency measure with a weighted index. The change could artificially lift public school grades, raising questions for parents and homebuyers.
Little River Band Returns to Wilmington With Decades of Classic Hits
Classic rock fans can relive the soundtrack of the ’70s and ’80s when Little River Band performs in Wilmington, celebrating timeless songs that continue to connect with audiences.
Trump Releases Declassified Election Intelligence, Raising New Questions
Declassified election intelligence has reopened debate over foreign cyber operations, government transparency, and what officials knew before the 2020 election. The newly released records answer some questions while raising many more.
Flock Surveillance Raises Questions About Tracking People in Public
Flock sells subscription access to cameras, cloud storage, and searchable surveillance recordings to police departments and private customers. As its intelligence network expands rapidly across the U.S., residents are asking whether state laws offer enough protection.
Raleigh Just Changed the LifeWise Debate in New Hanover County Schools
North Carolina’s new budget law shifts the LifeWise debate from local control to state mandate, requiring schools to excuse students for religious instruction. What does this mean for NHCS?
Is 78 Degrees Really the Right Thermostat Setting in the Summer?
The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during the summer to save energy. But the realities of daily life often lead homeowners to a different answer.
North Carolina’s Legislature Advances AI Education Plan for Public Schools
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of North Carolina classrooms, and lawmakers want statewide standards to guide its use. New legislation would expand teacher training, create model policies, and reshape how districts prepare students for AI.
Video: Trump Warns Against Communism in Mount Rushmore Speech
Trump’s Independence Day-eve remarks at Mount Rushmore included patriotic themes, a warning about communism and a push for the SAVE America Act.
Worth the Detour: Bald Head Coffee Serves an Iced Coffee You’ll Remember Long After the Beach
Skip the familiar drive-thru before your next beach day. Bald Head Coffee combines small-batch roasting with an iced coffee that’s worth a special stop.
New Shake Shack Raises Questions About Wilmington’s List of Best Burgers
The first Shake Shack in Wilmington brings nationally known smash burgers to the Landfall area. Does it deserve a place among the city’s best burger joints?
AI Is Coming to the Classroom. The Evidence Isn’t Keeping Up.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of classroom instruction, even though researchers have yet to show it produces lasting gains in student learning. Should schools invest more taxpayer funds when there’s little proof AI improves student learning?
Fleetwood Mac Fell Apart. The Songs Never Did.
Long after the band faded, the songs remained. A Wilmington performance by Tell Me Lies offers a reminder of why Fleetwood Mac’s music still finds new audiences decades later.
Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Automatic Gun Ban for Marijuana User
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that federal prosecutors cannot rely on marijuana use alone to strip someone of Second Amendment protections, narrowing a longstanding federal gun restriction.
VIDEO: Spencer Pratt Says His Fight Against Los Angeles Politics Is Just Beginning
Prat’s campaign may be ending, but he says a new phase is just beginning. Spencer Pratt’s latest video includes claims of recordings, corruption, and future disclosures that have yet to be made public.
The White House Turned Off Fable 5, Who’s Really in Control of America’s AI?
The White House and Anthropic are negotiating, but Fable 5 remains unavailable. What triggered the shutdown and what happens next?
Beach Bagels & Subs: The Best Bagels in New Hanover County, Even With a Few Missed Details
Not new, just the best. Beach Bagels & Subs sets the standard for bagels in Wilmington, with four locations and a reputation built over years.
ZZ Top Brings Texas Blues Rock to Wilmington’s Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Songs like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man” have crossed generations. Now ZZ Top will bring more than five decades of blues rock to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington.
Amanecer Serves Wilmington’s Best Mexican Breakfast by Focusing on the Food
Looking for the best Mexican breakfast in Wilmington? Amanecer offers authentic flavors, strong coffee, and two convenient locations.
Is There an International Meatpacking Cartel Influencing U.S. Beef Prices?
Most U.S. beef processing is controlled by four companies. USDA’s new strategy aims to expand competition and strengthen food security through small processors.
Jakob Dylan to Bring The Wallflowers to Wilmington This August
Jakob Dylan brings The Wallflowers to Greenfield Lake with a catalog that outlived the rock-radio era and still feels rooted in ordinary American life.
NVIDIA’s CEO Announces AI Servers Built Right Into Consumer PCs
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang unveiled AI-powered PCs designed to run AI locally, bringing artificial intelligence from the cloud into homes.
The Endowment’s Conditional Grant for Schools & One Big Question: Why is a Non-profit Telling the County What They Can Do with Taxpayer Money?
Public officials are highlighting a $116 million grant tied to New Hanover County’s school bond, but the bond would still raise taxes if approved by voters.
Two Chances to Hear The Marshall Tucker Band in Southeastern North Carolina
The Marshall Tucker Band’s Carolina roots still run deep as the Southern rock group returns for two summer concerts near the Cape Fear region.
Tesla-SpaceX Merger Rumors Point To Something Larger Than a Business Deal
Tesla and SpaceX already operate like connected parts of a larger industrial system. The merger rumors raise questions about infrastructure, power, and Musk’s long-term Mars vision.
New Hanover Democrats Distance Themselves From Convicted Stalker, Wendy Dale, But She’s Staying in the School Board Race
Wendy Dale remains in the NHCS School Board race after past criminal convictions surfaced, raising questions about candidate vetting, transparency and whether elected school officials should face the same background checks as school employees.
Anthropic’s SpaceX Data Center Deal Shows How Compute Became the New AI Bottleneck
The SpaceX-Anthropic partnership shows the AI race is no longer just about better models. It is also about who can secure enough compute.
LifeWise in New Hanover Public Schools: Some Look to Limit Parental Choice
LifeWise Academy’s proposed role in New Hanover County Schools raises a practical question: should families who decline a voluntary Bible-based class also be able to block others from choosing it?
Spencer Pratt’s Wild Campaign Reflects LA Frustration
Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles with AI-generated campaign videos and messaging chaos. Beneath the spectacle sits real frustration over housing, wildfire rebuilding, homelessness, and trust in city government.
New Hanover’s Republican-led School Board Approves Mandatory Technology Tax on Kids for 2026-27 School Year
NHCS approved a mandatory $25 technology fee for students beginning in 2026-27, raising questions about public education, school funding, and device-based learning.
Fed Chair Change Puts Borrowing Costs on Kitchen Tables
The Fed chair change could shape homebuying, business loans, credit card costs and the monthly pressure families feel.
UNC Health’s Wilmington Hospital Proposal Puts Pressure on Novant
UNC Health makes plans for a new hospital in Wilmington as Novant faces questions over Leapfrog safety grades.
Graham Nash to Bring Old Songs and Reflection to Wilmington
A Graham Nash concert at the Wilson Center promises more than nostalgia. It’s a night shaped by Laurel Canyon harmonies, memory and time.
AI Job Apocalypse Fears Fuel Debate Over Employment as Layoffs Continue
Meta layoffs and Nvidia hiring reveal two competing visions of AI’s future. Will automation erase jobs or create new opportunities?
New Hanover County’s $320.5 Million School Bond Tests Voter Trust and Property Tax Fatigue
A $320.5 million school bond heads toward New Hanover voters with real building needs, rising tax concerns and questions about what the plan leaves out.
May Day Teacher Walkout Raises Legal and Academic Questions Across North Carolina
North Carolina’s May Day teacher walkout closed schools, disrupted families and raised legal questions about public employee strikes, student proficiency and accountability.
North Carolina Voter Roll Review Finds 34,000 Deceased Registrants, Routine Cleanup or Cause for Concern?
NC election officials identified 34,000 deceased names on voter rolls. The finding raises questions about timing, accuracy, and public trust, even as officials stress routine maintenance.
Republican Members of the New Hanover School Board Look Unserious About Solving Teacher Pay Deficiencies
As North Carolina teachers rally over pay, New Hanover County’s school board fight shows how a teacher-retention committee became a political battleground.
Dram Tree Tavern: Backyard Pub with Burgers, Dogs, Kids and Jazz-Rock Sundays
Dram Tree Tavern gives Wilmington locals a fenced-in backyard hangout with local beer, pub grub, dogs, kids, and Sunday jazz-rock.
Gunfire at White House Correspondents’ Dinner Sends Trump, Guests Scrambling at Washington Hilton
Trump was rushed from the Washington Hilton after gunfire broke out near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, rattling one of Washington’s biggest events.
New Hanover School Board Rejected NCAE Political Action, Big Questions Remain
The New Hanover County school board rejected a proposal to move a teacher workday to May 1, refusing to make it easier for staff to attend an NCAE-backed rally in Raleigh. The vote opens a larger fight over public employee strikes and political activity during work hours.
‘The Runarounds’ Cancellation Fuels Disappointment as Amazon Tightens Strategy
The Runarounds disappears from Amazon Prime as streaming priorities shift. The cancellation may frustrate viewers, but continuing tour dates give fans a way to stay connected.
North Carolina’s Cell Phone Crackdown in Schools Nears a Moment of Truth
North Carolina schools are nearing the end of a rollout year for cell phone free classrooms. Districts will soon be reviewing whether new rules, including Yondr pouches, improved student behavior, focus, and academic performance.
Bald Head Island Approves Arcade, Raising Community Concern
Bald Head Island approved its first arcade, but the decision stirred pushback from residents who fear noise, crowds, and a shift in the island’s quiet character.
Tommy James & The Shondells Coming to Wilmington’s Wilson Center on June 27
Tommy James & The Shondells are scheduled for Wilmington’s Wilson Center, offering a rare chance to hear the original versions of enduring rock classics live.
Six Years After “30 Days to Slow the Spread,” the Political Class Is Still Entrenched and the Public Is Still Paying
The ’30 days to Slow the Spread’ never really ended. It morphed into a lasting culture of distrust, compliance, and managed dissent, with many of the same officials still in power and the public still paying the price.
Anthropic Halts Mythos Release as AI Crosses a Dangerous Threshold
Anthropic is limiting access to Mythos Preview after internal tests showed the model could develop advanced software exploits with alarming success. At the same time, the company launched Project Glasswing, an effort to find and patch vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure before malicious actors can use them.
Coming Cheap Trick Concert Sparks Nostalgia, Raises Buzz in Wilmington
Cheap Trick heads to Wilmington’s Wilson Center June 7, bringing classic hits and drawing fans downtown for a full night of music and local energy.
Property Tax Increases Across North Carolina Is Pricing Some Homeowners Out of Their Homes
New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick homeowners face mounting property tax increases as reassessments outpace incomes and infrastructure lags behind growth.
The RINO Trojan Horse Hypothesis Shapes New Hanover GOP Divide
Trojan Horse hypothesis fuels RINO debate in New Hanover GOP, raising concerns about leadership, loyalty, and November turnout.
David Lee Roth’s Upcoming Concert Sparks ’80s Rock Nostalgia
David Lee Roth heads to Wilmington’s Wilson Center on May 12. The Van Halen frontman could give fans one last shot at a true 1980s rock experience.
Data Center Power Costs in NC: Will Households Pay More?
North Carolina’s data center boom is forcing a blunt question: who pays to expand Duke Energy’s grid? From Raleigh to Brunswick County, residents fear higher bills while companies promise they’ll cover costs.
Terafab Could Disrupt AI Chip Supply, Musk Announces Big Plans in TX
Elon Musk’s Terafab aims to solve an expected AI chip shortage with massive fabs in Texas. Here’s how it could reshape the chip industry and the future.