Wilmington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

After nearly 30 years of supporting African American students at UNCW, a family is ending new scholarship funding due to UNC System policy changes on diversity and inclusion — but they vow to honor Dr. Leroy W. Upperman’s legacy by relocating the endowment to Howard University, ensuring future generations still benefit from his vision. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://sol...

Southport’s Fourth of July parade is in chaos after vandals destroyed 240 chairs, tents, and personal belongings set up by parade-goers—police are hunting two suspects and asking the community for help. Damage was spotted early July 3rd, sparking a flood of reports as locals realized their saved spots were ruined. Authorities have released photos of suspects and urge anyone with info—photos, video...

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is closed for a major upgrade—but don’t worry, they’ve launched a free pop-up called Discovery Bay at Independence Mall in Wilmington. It’s a mini-aquarium with hands-on exhibits and a gift shop, designed to keep marine life magic alive while the main facility gets a multi-year facelift. The team’s using this temporary setup to test new programs and reach mor...

A Houston man with 35 years of legal work in the U.S., no criminal record, and three American-born sons — all now in college — was fatally shot by an ICE officer while heading to his construction job. Federal officials say he rammed their vehicle and ignored commands, justifying the officer’s actions as self-defense. But his family and lawmakers demand an independent investigation, citing past dis...

New Hanover County Schools braces for a $2 million pay gap as state funding covers only state-funded staff, forcing the district to foot the rest — including bonuses up to $1,750 — to ensure fair pay across all employees. Superintendent Dr. Barnes hopes to cover most of the shortfall with last year’s budget savings, though he’s awaiting final payroll data. Teachers see average 8% raises, with new...

Cash App users who fell victim to fraud are in luck: North Carolina’s Attorney General has announced a major settlement with Block, the company behind Cash App, potentially returning millions to victims across 46 states. Block is on the hook for $75–$120 million, including nearly $1 million for North Carolina alone, after allegedly failing to protect users from scams—including leaving out a custom...

New Hanover County’s big July 13 meeting packs major decisions: $4 million for workforce housing—$2 million for new townhomes on Blue Clay Road targeting essential workers, with a 5% return in 10 years, plus $2 million reserve; a $6.6M contract for a 320-acre business park near Holly Shelter Road, dubbed “I-40 Coastal Commerce Park”; and a public hearing to approve standalone crematoriums in indus...

Pender County Schools just smashed a major milestone, serving over 107,000 summer meals to kids and families — proving how vital this program is when school’s out. With distribution sites across the county, it’s keeping children fed and families supported. Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove praised his nutrition team and community partners for their relentless effort, and the program isn’t slowing...

Cape Fear’s water supply is under serious strain due to a severe drought, prompting a community-wide call to action: cut back on outdoor water use starting Thursday, July 9th. With demand soaring—especially for lawn watering—the utility is urging residents to prioritize essential uses like firefighting and hospitals. Outdoor watering is now scheduled by house number: odd-numbered homes water on Tu...

Jordan Henderson’s World Cup dream took a brutal turn when a celebratory hop over advertising boards ended in a broken wrist, forcing emergency surgery in Kansas City and sidelining him for the rest of the tournament. The ironic twist? It happened right after securing their spot in the next round — a high that quickly turned to heartbreak. While the procedure went smoothly, his World Cup is now ov...

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is urging residents to voluntarily cut back on water use starting July 9th due to a severe, long-term drought affecting much of its service area—especially New Hanover County, where some zones are in extreme drought. With lawns and gardens demanding more water, conservation is critical to ensure enough supply for fire suppression and medical services. Residents c...

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s blockbuster wedding at Madison Square Garden has ignited fierce backlash from socialist commentators, who decry it as a glaring symbol of billionaire excess during a chaotic holiday weekend. Twitch host Hasan Piker slammed the event as a “dramatic misuse of public resources,” calling it a tacky flex that highlights the widening gap between the ultra-rich and everyda...

Trump’s skepticism over Iran talks boils down to one big problem: no one in Tehran seems to be in charge. With Ayatollah Khamenei gone, power’s fragmented among military and civilian leaders, making any deal untrustworthy. Washington’s stuck trying to negotiate with a shadow government where factions might not even agree on basic terms — like whether Iran controls shipping through the Strait of Ho...

Alyssa Farah Griffin blasts the Democratic Party for a disastrous vetting process that allowed Graham Platner—a Maine Senate candidate facing serious sexual abuse allegations—to run, despite six years to uncover red flags. She accuses campaign insiders, possibly including consultants with financial stakes, of ignoring troubling whispers about Platner’s behavior with women. The hosts argue that whi...

Two hundred fifty years after the Declaration of Independence, Congress buried a time capsule near Independence Hall, set to open in 2276 to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. Each state and territory contributed unique artifacts — from letters by congressional leaders and messages from sports commissioners like Adam Silver and Rob Manfred (whose note remains a future mystery) to symbolic items...

Trump’s new Air Force One isn’t headed to the White House just yet—instead, it’s on a patriotic tour to military bases in Europe, including Mildenhall in the UK, where troops will be the first to see the “truly magnificent” aircraft. He’s flying home on the older plane, emphasizing this isn’t about security but about honoring the military. Trump also dropped a bombshell: he’s number one on Iran’s...

Jordan Henderson’s World Cup dreams just shattered — literally. After celebrating England’s thrilling win over Mexico with a risky hop over advertising boards, he fractured his wrist and needed surgery in Kansas City. Now sidelined for the rest of the tournament, the injury is a brutal twist for a player riding high on victory. A moment of pure joy turned into a season-ending setback — a reminder...

Mike Rowe’s latest podcast episode dives into national pride, history, and the future of work—perfect timing as America celebrates its 250th anniversary. He argues that if Americans aren’t feeling proud, they might need a deeper dive into the Founding Fathers’ sacrifices or a trip abroad to appreciate what’s uniquely American. Rowe highlights how the U.S. was built on a radical dream in 1775—and h...

Egypt’s World Cup dreams ended in heartbreak after a stunning 3-2 comeback by Argentina, but the drama didn’t stop there. Head coach Hossam Hassan erupted in anger as he left the field, confronting fans over an Israeli flag — a moment that reignited global debate about political symbols at the tournament. Hassan, a vocal advocate for Palestine who’s waved the flag and dedicated wins to the Palesti...

Bobby Pulido, a Democratic congressional candidate in South Texas, is under fire for past social media rants slamming police, calling half officers “abusive a–holes” and alleging they pulled guns during traffic stops to search for cash. His campaign has dismissed these as “desperate attacks,” while the GOP labels him a “rotten” figure for smearing law enforcement and associating with convicted cri...

Ohio’s Republican senators are demanding Homeland Security collect $67 billion in unpaid tariffs from Chinese solar panel makers, arguing a Biden-era pause on duties was legally invalid and allowed companies to dodge payments. The pause, meant to keep solar projects moving while an investigation unfolded, was struck down by a trade court for lacking authority. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno...

Dive into the unexpected: a full-scale aquarium now thrives inside a mall in Wilmington, NC, keeping marine magic alive while the Fort Fisher location gets a 50th-anniversary renovation. Featuring ambassador animals, educational exhibits, and a gift shop, Discovery Bay is a temporary but dazzling hub for ocean lovers—perfectly placed between two major stores and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting by...

Dive into wonder right in the heart of Wilmington—Discovery Bay, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s new mini-aquarium, just opened at Independence Mall on July 8, 2026. Featuring interactive exhibits, a gift shop, and big community support (including the mayor!), it’s a splashy new way for families to explore marine life—convenient, educational, and full of ocean magic. Listen in comfort...

Airlie Gardens is throwing a family-friendly after-hours bash on July 18th, featuring live music by Mr. Scooter, fun activities, and a chance to meet Reilly the goose dog—all for just $15 per carload. Perfect for creating summer memories with the kids, this relaxed evening lets you explore the gardens in a new, playful way. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/...

Pender County’s getting a major boost with $620,000 from the new state budget—$350K for park upgrades including new playgrounds in Maple Hill and Long Creek, $200K in grants for local nonprofits, and $70K for emergency services to install a new breathing apparatus fill station, empowering first responders on the west side. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/d...