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

New Hanover County Schools dodged a financial bullet—no county bailout needed—after a surprise $2 million state budget hit, thanks to smart cost-cutting moves. The real pain? A steep jump in the state’s retirement contribution rate to 26.10%, busting their planned 25.67%. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes says they’re ready. And hey, there’s a silver lining: an $885,495 boost for Pre-K will he...

Ms. Rachel’s latest comments have ignited a firestorm after she praised kindergarteners wearing hijabs at graduation, calling it beautiful and urging kids to wear what matters to them — whether that’s a kippah, cross, or nothing at all. Her subtle jab at Trump, wrapped in a message about words not diminishing worth, has drawn both praise and backlash. With over 20 million YouTube subscribers, her...

Lawmakers, led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, demand the WNBA take stronger action to protect star player Caitlin Clark from escalating on-court aggression and trash talk, citing a recent hard foul and lenient suspension as evidence of systemic failure. They argue the league’s reluctance to enforce discipline undermines player safety and could violate civil rights laws, urging federal agencies to invest...

Teachers reveal the school supplies that actually get used — ditch the flashy, go for the durable. Backpacks like JanSport, color-coded Mead notebooks, sturdy Amazon Basics folders, and reliable BIC pencils and Pilot G2 pens are top picks. Even small wins matter: Crayola pencils, YETI tumblers, and Elmer’s purple glue sticks earn teacher seals of approval. The goal? Gear that supports learning wit...

Costco’s bagel shift sparks debate—some cheer the waste-cutting move, others worry it’s costing them value. Meanwhile, a new survey reveals higher-income shoppers are flocking to Costco for bulk deals, embracing its value-driven model despite the membership fee. Wealthier households, with more mouths to feed, find Costco’s scale and frugality irresistible. Walmart still dominates for middle- and l...

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is escalating diplomatic and legal pressure on the U.S. after a Mexican citizen, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was fatally shot by ICE agents in Texas — a case that’s igniting outrage over U.S. immigration enforcement. Sheinbaum vows “significant legal measures,” not just diplomatic notes, as Mexico demands criminal charges for 17 other Mexican nationals who died in...

Iran’s alleged plot to assassinate President Trump is heating up, with reports of death banners at recent funerals and the White House still negotiating despite escalating tensions. Trump claims he’s prepared to strike back hard if attacked, echoing the fallout from the 2020 Soleimani strike that ignited this cycle of hostility. After Iran reportedly fired on ships, Trump canceled a ceasefire — si...

A Yale student faces serious charges after an alleged subway assault in Manhattan, sparking renewed debate over NYC transit safety as the city grapples with rising crime fears and public unease. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report...

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is urging a clean break from the Maine Senate race controversy, calling for voters to decide the future without revisiting past scandals. Though he previously pushed candidate Graham Platner to withdraw, Mamdani now declines to comment on whether Platner’s exit reflects deeper issues in the progressive movement. Complicating matters, Mamdani’s top advisor once wo...

Brush fires are blazing in Shallotte near Shallotte Point and Green Swamp Road, with Civietown Fire and Rescue on the scene—smoke’s normal, but stay alert. Another wildfire’s burning 89 acres in Bladen County north of Kelly, 20% contained as of Friday. Dry conditions fuel fast spread—don’t panic over smoke, but keep an eye out and heed fire crews’ updates. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a So...

Twenty-seven-year-old entrepreneur Brittany Boltinhouse, crowned Miss North Carolina USA 2026, turned five business failures into fuel for success—running two thriving companies while battling discrimination rooted in her Latina heritage. After leaving college to chase her dreams, she trained for six months to win the crown, embracing the challenge with the fearless mindset: “Why not me?” Heading...

A UNC Wilmington basketball coach narrowly escaped death after being pulled from a rip current while trying to save her nephew—thanks to the heroic, split-second actions of bystanders, rescuers, and first responders. The Cape Fear Rotary Club honored these unsung heroes, including Ryan Gillespie, who dove in without hesitation, and Ocean Rescue Director Sam Proffit, who relied on training to save...

New Hanover County’s 2026 property tax bills are rolling out this summer—due Sept 1 but with a grace period until Jan 5, 2027, to avoid penalties. If you’re in escrow, your lender should notify you, but double-check anyway. The base county rate is 30.6 cents per $100 of assessed value, plus 7.25 cents for fire services outside urban centers and stormwater fees. Residents in Wilmington, Carolina Be...

Wilmington’s firefighters are braving record-breaking heat this summer, adapting their routines to stay safe and effective—working early mornings, pausing non-essential training, and rotating crews every 15 minutes to cool off and rehydrate. With strict monitoring and a year-round prep for extreme weather, they’re ensuring every call is answered without risking their health, all while keeping the...

Southport is poised to become the first city in the region to allow data centers — but with ironclad rules. The Planning Board is set to vote on strict guidelines that limit facilities to specific commercial zones, require individual approvals, and enforce distance from homes, schools, and farmland. Noise caps, generator testing restrictions, and mandatory solar coverage (50-80% of rooftops) are j...

Brunswick County’s hit Stage Three water restrictions—no sprinklers, pools, car washes, or power washing—because 30% of the area is in exceptional drought. Violators face fines up to $600 and possible water cutoffs. You can still hand-water gardens between 8 PM and 4 AM, with limited exceptions for health or commercial needs. Stage Four looms if conditions worsen. Not everyone’s affected—H2GO user...

A tiny miracle named Josie, born with a heart defect and Down syndrome, defied doctors’ odds and touched countless lives before her passing at six months. Her mother, Sarah Spahic, turned grief into purpose, co-founding The Threefold Cord Project to send comfort boxes to NICU and cardiac ICU families — each containing hope, resources, and a candle to honor the baby’s light. Josie’s legacy also liv...

A security guard was seriously injured during a chaotic fight at the Country Club of Landfall’s Fourth of July fireworks show—likely involving drunk guests at a private event. This isn’t the first time the club’s popular display has spiraled into disorder, with past incidents including massive crowds blocking emergency access. The club and local council issued a statement acknowledging the violenc...

Brunswick County’s in a full-blown water emergency—Stage Three restrictions are now mandatory for everyone. With one-third of the county in exceptional drought, officials have shut down automatic sprinklers and are demanding drastic conservation. This isn’t optional anymore; it’s survival mode. Stay updated at BrunswickCountyNC.gov/WaterWise. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: htt...

Manatees are making their seasonal migration up the Carolina coast, and researchers are watching closely as these gentle giants seek warmer waters for feeding. But boaters need to be extra cautious—propellers can cause serious harm, and cold water below 68°F can trigger deadly cold shock. Dr. Michael Tift urges everyone to admire from afar, never feed them, and report sightings safely via the UNCW...

Two suspects are still on the loose after a brazen act of vandalism just before the Fourth of July parade—surveillance footage shows them slashing chairs, tents, and parade gear near North Howe Street, leaving hundreds of revelers scrambling. Police are urgently seeking witnesses or tips to identify the pair behind this deliberate disruption and are promising to follow every lead. Listen in comfor...

Wildfire Near White Hall Plantation | Wilmington News

North Carolina just released its first financial literacy scorecard—and it’s a wake-up call: residents, especially women, are falling short in understanding investing and compound interest. Experts and community workers like Joaquin Rivas in Wilmington are pushing for change, urging people to track every dollar to see where it goes—and admitting that change is hard but necessary. The state’s Finan...

White-collar dads are turning their lawns into personal masterpieces — a modern status symbol as potent as a luxury car. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s a sanctioned creative outlet for men who might not see themselves as artists, rooted in psychology dating back to 2011. The scent of freshly cut grass? It’s basically nature’s stress reliever, even sparking a spray marketed for calm. This obs...

A traffic stop in Columbus County turned into a major bust when deputies found a firearm and suspected drugs in a car driven by Chad Dwight Beasley — who later tried to fake his identity — while passenger Ronald Ray Beasley, a convicted felon, was also behind the wheel. Both men now face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges as law enforcement continues to dismantle illegal activity on the stree...