Good morning Wilmington!

It’s almost the weekend, and Wilmington’s already turning up the volume. Carolina Beach Boardwalk’s blasting off tonight with rockers Machine Gun and fireworks, and The Bend is throwing a two-day celebration you won’t want to miss featuring Oc3ans and The Hatch Brothers.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• NHCS Votes to Keep “Stamped” Out of Curriculum

• Brace for Impact: Surf City Approves Property Tax Hike

NHCS Votes Along Party Lines to Keep “Stamped” Out of Curriculum

[WHQR] Despite unanimous support from a curriculum committee of educators and staff, the New Hanover County School Board voted 5-1 to ban Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You from classroom use. While the book remains available in school libraries, it can no longer be taught, particularly in AP English classes. The decision split along political lines, with Republicans citing concerns over federal funding and “anti-white” content. Teachers and committee members defended the book’s role in fostering critical thinking through rhetorical analysis of current issues.

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Brace for Impact: Surf City Approves First Property Tax Hike in Over a Decade

[WECT] After holding the line for more than a decade, Surf City is raising its property tax rate by approximately 30%, jumping from $0.41 to $0.53 per $100 of assessed property value. Town officials say the increase is necessary to support infrastructure and service demands, but homeowners may feel the financial strain—especially with insurance costs already rising along the coast.

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News Roundup

Local News

• Fran’s Fans has collected over 2,900 fans for seniors across the Cape Fear region, helping vulnerable residents stay cool during hot summer months. Distribution events continue across multiple counties.
  WECT

• nCino’s Chief Marketing Officer has been indicted for allegedly embezzling $6 million from a former employer, a luxury car dealership in Georgia, where he served as CFO before joining the Wilmington-based fintech company.
  WECT

• Surf City has launched a new online platform for residents to report issues like potholes, stormwater concerns, and property maintenance problems. The tool allows real-time tracking and photo uploads.
  WECT

What You Should Know

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was hospitalized for dehydration after feeling lightheaded, but aides say he’s in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery.
  New York Post

• A massive multi-agency federal operation is unfolding in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where agents from ICE, FBI, ATF & DEA have surrounded a fire equipment manufacturer
  Queens City news

What Might Surprise You

• RFK Jr. proposes equipping all Americans with health-tracking wearables like Apple Watches or Oura Rings within the next four years, calling them essential to his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda.
  Daily Mail

• A Frontier Airlines flight returned to Las Vegas shortly after takeoff due to engine trouble, with passengers reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the plane
  Las Vegas Review-Journal

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy broke from wartime tradition and wore a classic black suit to the NATO summit—a rare departure from his usual military-style attire. The wardrobe shift is seen as a symbolic gesture ahead of a key meeting with Donald Trump, amid hopes of restoring U.S. military support.
  Counter Offensive

National News

• Disney may be planning a brand new theme park at its Florida resort, according to land use documents from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The proposal outlines 400–500 acres set aside for construction, with space for two additional water park-style attractions and underground cast member tunnels.
  The Sun

Thursday

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Saturday