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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.
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.
Local & state news roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
Concerns Over Flock Cameras Grow As New Hanover County Protest Planned
New Hanover County residents plan a protest tied to Flock automated license plate reader cameras, with organizers urging attendees to speak during a public discussion on how data may be collected and used. From wwaytv3.com
Three Face Charges After Alleged Whiteville Shooting
Prosecutors filed charges against three people in Whiteville, alleging they committed shootings, and the case documents specify the accused conduct tied to the incident. From wwaytv3.com
Wilmington Parkinson’s Support Group Helps Members Stay Active, Connected
The Wilmington-based Parkinson’s support group runs organized meetings and activities that help members stay active and maintain peer support between doctor visits while sharing Parkinson’s resources. From wwaytv3.com
Local Veterans Weigh In As USS Abraham Lincoln Continues Lengthy Deployment
Wilmington-area veterans discussed long-duration carrier deployments aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, including how crews sustain readiness over extended time at sea and the effect on families. From wwaytv3.com
Possible WakeMed-Atrium Merger: Wake County Holding Public Meeting To Take Questions
Wake County scheduled a public meeting so residents can ask questions about a possible WakeMed–Atrium Health merger before any final steps, with time set aside for comments on effects for local patients. From wral.com
Privacy Concerns: Moore County Holding Special Meeting On Flock Surveillance Cameras
Moore County will hold a special meeting focused on Flock license plate reader cameras, and residents are expected to ask how the program will be governed and what limits or oversight apply to collected data. From wral.com
NCDOT Three-Bridge Construction In Wrightsville Beach Fast-Tracked By 2 Years
The NCDOT plan advances replacement work on three Wrightsville Beach bridges and aims to shorten the overall timeline by about two years by changing construction phasing and associated traffic impacts. From portcitydaily.com
Brunswick County To Break Ground On $100M Health, Emergency Services Hub
Brunswick County plans to start construction on a $100 million health and emergency services hub designed to consolidate medical response and emergency operations in one facility for future regional demand. From portcitydaily.com
CFCC To Host Part-Time Career Fair Toward End Of Month
Cape Fear Community College will host a part-time career fair where employers can connect with job seekers, directing attendees to talk with organizations recruiting for part-time roles. From portcitydaily.com
ILM Noise Study: Possible Mitigation Techniques Recommended For 14 Homes
An ILM noise study tied to aircraft activity identified 14 nearby homes where mitigation techniques could be applied, mapping residences that may need targeted solutions to reduce noise exposure. From portcitydaily.com
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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.
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.
national/international News Roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
Tropical Storm Lala Drenches Hawaii, Flash Flooding Sweeps Away Big Island Homes
Hawaii County crews said floodwaters swept away homes in parts of the Big Island, and officials warned residents to avoid fast-moving water and damaged roads as rainfall bands continued. From cbsnews.com
Majority of Americans Not Satisfied With US Economy, CBS News Poll Finds
The CBS News poll found respondents judged their personal finances as worsening or unchanged, and it showed large party gaps in how Democrats, Republicans, and independents viewed economic trends. From cbsnews.com
Navy Considers Aircraft Carrier Island Revamp to Alter Appearance and Flight Deck Performance
The Navy reviewed design options for the aircraft carrier island, evaluating changes that could affect airflow and operational characteristics for flight deck and radar systems while keeping combat systems req… From thehill.com
Russell Fry Endorses Darline Graham After Failing to Advance to Special GOP US Senate Runoff
Russell Fry said he would back Darline Graham after his special GOP Senate primary loss, and Graham’s campaign said the endorsement aims to consolidate turnout and messaging heading into the runoff. From foxnews.com
Massachusetts Teen Accused of Killing Mom and Brother After Alleged ChatGPT Searches
Prosecutors allege the teen searched or interacted with ChatGPT before a fatal attack, and district attorney filings tie the case to the deaths of the teen’s mother and brother in an affluent community. From foxnews.com
Questions About Schumer’s Future Grow as Democratic Candidates Call for Leadership Change
Democratic lawmakers and challengers pressed for leadership change by linking their campaigns to concerns about Chuck Schumer’s role, while arguing over tactics for bills and party messaging. From thehill.com
Ossoff Says It Is ‘Uniquely Despicable’ to Lie a Nation Into War Over Iran
Jon Ossoff criticized U.S. decisions connected to Iran, tying his remarks to how the administration’s communications affected public trust and international conflict amid debate over war authorization. From thehill.com
Australia Sets Launch for Sweeping Gun Buyback After Bondi Beach Terror Attack
Australian authorities said a national gun buyback will move forward as part of public-safety reforms after the Bondi Beach terror attack, including timelines and rules for participating owners. From foxnews.com
UN Secretary-General Election Heats Up as Security Council Weighs Candidates
The U.N. Security Council is using ballots and negotiations to select the next secretary-general, with candidate positioning tied to support among permanent and non-permanent members. From thehill.com
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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.
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.
Business News Roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
Brunswick County is preparing to begin construction on a $100M health and emergency services hub, aiming to expand local capacity for urgent care, EMS response, and coordinated public safety operations. From portcitydaily.com A federal fiscal responsibility group says the Pell Grant system is running short of money, raising the risk that federal aid levels could fall and college budgets in the region may tighten. From spectrumlocalnews.com Cape Fear Community College will host a part-time career fair focused on connecting students and jobseekers with employers offering flexible schedules, supporting hiring and workforce training planning. From portcitydaily.com Raleigh city leaders will weigh whether to adopt a teen curfew following Fourth of July violence, a decision that could affect local public safety staffing and how youth programs operate. From wral.com As more states install speed cameras, drivers are reporting backlash that targets ticketing practices, pushing local officials and courts to address disputes, appeals, and enforcement procedures. From news.google.com Chinese AI developers say they are not prepared to switch away From zerohedge.com Lumentum posted a $7.16 billion quarterly loss after paying down debt early, a move that can affect how the telecom-parts maker plans future spending on operations and technology development. From charlotteobserver.com Tokenization proposals tied to the global water supply focus on turning access into tradable assets, raising questions for consumers and small businesses about pricing, market access, and regulatory oversight. From news.google.comBrunswick County Plans Groundbreaking for $100M Health and Emergency Services Hub
Pell Grant Program Faces Funding Shortfall, Group Warns
Cape Fear Community College Schedules Part-Time Career Fair
Raleigh Leaders Consider Teen Curfew After Fourth of July Violence
Speed Cameras Spread to More States, Drivers Push Back
Beijing Presses to Remove Nvidia, China’s AI Developers Say They Are Not Ready
Lumentum Reports $7.16 Billion Quarterly Loss After Early Debt Payoff
Noah’s Water Trading Plan Follows Tokenization Pitch for Global Supply
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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.
‘RJ Decker’ Brings ABC to Wilmington With a Quirky New Crime Drama
Scott Speedman stars in ‘RJ Decker,’ ABC’s new Wilmington, NC-filmed crime drama. Read about the roots of the show and it’s initial reception.