Featured
Mannheim Steamroller Brings Its Christmas Sound Back to Wilmington
Mannheim Steamroller returns to Wilmington for two Nov. 20 performances, bringing their unique Christmas sound that became a holiday tradition.
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.
Local & state news roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
Wilmington Man Dies Days After Wife Is Found Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide Attempt
Wilmington Police said they began investigating after officers found evidence at a home suggesting a possible murder-suicide attempt, and the man later died at a hospital while investigators continued the homi… From wwaytv3.com
Wilmington City Councilmember Voices Frustration About Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Funding Options
During a City Council discussion on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement timeline, the councilmember pressed for clarity on which funding path would move forward and what steps city staff would take next. From wwaytv3.com
UNCW Students Report Housing Concerns as University Welcomes New Year Start
As classes began, students and families described trouble securing off-campus rentals near UNCW, and university officials and student support staff discussed resources for students who could not sign leases be… From wwaytv3.com
Pender Unity Resource Expo to Offer Free Health Screenings and Community Assistance
Organizers in Pender County said the expo will feature free on-site health screenings by participating providers and include community resource signups for attendees seeking local assistance programs. From wwaytv3.com
Island Arts Council’s Art in the Yard Returns to Pleasure Island
Island Arts Council said participating artists will display work at homes and outdoor spaces across the Pleasure Island area, with a set visiting window and route guiding attendees to yards and meeting artists. From wwaytv3.com
New Hanover County Commissioners Approve Instacart Partnership, Open Applications
New Hanover County commissioners approved an Instacart partnership and opened applications for a county-supported grocery delivery access program, with officials outlining the eligibility requirements and the… From portcitydaily.com
Brunswick Commissioners Hold First Special Use Permit Hearing After Power Transfer, Question TIA Rule
Brunswick County commissioners questioned how the new transportation impact authorization rule will apply during their first special use permit hearing since a change in board power dynamics, directing attenti… From portcitydaily.com
Report Finds NC School Rooftops Could Generate Solar Power for 150,000 Homes
A report estimates that solar capacity on North Carolina school rooftops could match demand for tens of thousands of households and notes barriers such as financing and installation logistics that could affect… From wral.com
Dozens Face More Than 130 Felony Charges After Raleigh Moore Square Summer Operation
Law enforcement said the Moore Square summer initiative in Raleigh led to arrests tied to over 130 felony counts, and prosecutors indicated cases would move forward after defendants were booked and charged. From wral.com
Driver Crashes Into Raleigh Days Inn; DWI Expected, Police Say
Police said officers and emergency crews responded after a driver crashed into the Raleigh Days Inn property, and investigators indicated they would pursue a DWI charge based on impairment and circumstances le… From wral.com
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“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.
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.
national/international News Roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
Pilot Killed as Small Plane and Pennsylvania State Police Helicopter Collide
Pennsylvania State Police said a helicopter was airborne during the collision near Carlisle and investigators coordinated with federal aviation officials at the crash site while determining how both aircraft e… From cbsnews.com
Biden Administration Released Accused Illegal Immigrant After Fairfax County Stabbing
Investigators in Fairfax County, Virginia, alleged an accused person stabbed a mother and was later charged after immigration processing, with the release linked to the Biden administration’s handling of the c… From foxnews.com
NYC Suburb Race Could Decide House Control
The contest centers on a New York suburban district where party leaders view turnout and independent or third-party performance as potential swing factors in determining the next House balance. From foxnews.com
Texas Mom Backs Ten Commandments Displays in Classrooms as Case Reaches Supreme Court
The dispute focuses on whether public schools may display the Ten Commandments alongside other classroom materials, and Supreme Court review is expected to shape how Texas districts handle religious displays. From foxnews.com
GOP Trails Democrats by 8 Points on Congressional Ballot, New Poll Shows
The poll reports Democrats leading by about eight points on the congressional ballot, with voters also weighing party favorability and issue ownership as campaign teams assess which races remain competitive. From thehill.com
Army Weighs Higher ROTC Cadet Academic Standards After Rescinding Memo
After the Army rescinded a memo on ROTC academic standards, service officials debated how schools and cadets would be judged for eligibility while planning future guidance to tighten expectations. From thehill.com
Bond Market Stress Prompts Controversial Treasury Buyback Plan
The coverage describes an emergency-style buyback intended to stabilize bond market functioning amid rising yields and stress in parts of the market, while critics warn it could disrupt Treasury issuance mecha… From thehill.com
5 Americans Among 7 Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash
Kenyan authorities said the crash killed seven people, including five Americans connected to journalism, and investigators are determining whether maintenance, flight conditions, or air-traffic factors contrib… From cbsnews.com
Trump Reveals Exact Number of North Korea Nuclear Weapons
The report says President Trump provided a specific count of North Korea’s nuclear weapons during remarks, affecting debate as South Korea and US policymakers evaluate deterrence and denuclearization scenarios. From foxnews.com
Investigator Says Princess Diana Could Have Survived Paris Crash With One Choice
The account reviews how investigators assessed speed, route choices, and crash circumstances on the night of the 1997 accident, revisiting the travel decisions tied to the outcome. From foxnews.com
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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.
Business News Roundup
Updated twice daily, mornings and evenings.
The credit union posted $437 million in profit for the past year, up 54%, and credited the rise to deposit and lending activity that supported higher earnings across its core banking operations. From businessnc.com Plans for “RJ Decker” Season 2 call for filming at Eden Village in Wilmington, creating a working set for the next block and influencing local staffing and vendor demand during the season. From wwaytv3.com A Wilmington steakhouse opened with Italian-influenced concepts tied to a restaurateur’s plans, with specific menu and brand choices designed to draw diners looking for that cuisine mix. From portcitydaily.com UNC Health and Wilmington Health advanced planning for a Wilmington-area cancer center, targeting additional care capacity and shaping how patients and referring clinicians access services when it opens. From wilmingtonbiz.com A report evaluated bridge replacement options and how they could change operational impacts for regional travel tied to commerce, including timing and routing considerations during construction phases. From wilmingtonbiz.com Halliburton shares rose during the trading session covered and outperformed peers based on that day’s market performance, offering investors a relative momentum snapshot without citing new company news. From marketwatch.com Mettler-Toledo International shares performed better than competitors during the covered session, with the comparison centered on day-to-day stock results rather than on new products, contracts, or labor chang… From marketwatch.com Vici Properties climbed on Wednesday and beat the market on that day, with the coverage focused on trading direction and relative outperformance rather than financing, acquisitions, or lease updates. From marketwatch.com Coty announced a new chief financial officer, appointing an executive with tobacco and alcohol experience, a leadership change that affects how the cosmetics company staffs finance going forward. From marketwatch.com Las Vegas Sands shares rose during the Wednesday session covered and outperformed the broader market on that day, with the report relying on comparative trading results instead of new operational developments. From marketwatch.comSECU Reports 54% Profit Gain to $437 Million
RJ Decker Season 2 Filming Planned at Wilmington’s Eden Village
New Wilmington Steakhouse Brings Italian Roots to Menu
UNC Health and Wilmington Health Move Forward on Cancer Center Plans
Report Assesses Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Alternatives
Halliburton Stock Outperforms Competitors on Strong Trading Day
Mettler-Toledo Stock Outperforms Competitors on Strong Trading Day
Vici Properties Stock Rises Wednesday, Outperforms Market
Coty Names Former Tobacco and Alcohol Executive as CFO
Las Vegas Sands Stock Rises Wednesday, Outperforms Market
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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.
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.