We hosted company this weekend — my best friend from all the way back in elementary school. It’s always nice to play tour guide when there’s so much going on around town. In just three days we:

• Stocked up on oysters and shrimp from Eagle Island

• Had a smashburger and played some pickleball at Bowstrings

• Handed out candy on Halloween

• Hit a costume party at Seven Mile Post

• Went to Surf City for Oysterpalooza, with music at the Crab Pot where we met some new friends

• Enjoyed breakfast from Coastal Bagels at Johnny Mercer’s Pier

• Scored treasures at an estate sale

• Ate spot fish and bought honey from Free Bees Apiary at the NC Spot Festival

• Celebrated a friend’s birthday with those fresh Eagle Island oysters

All that — and we still missed the Polish Festival, a Latin Festival, the 100^th anniversary of Greenfield Lake, and Airlie Gardens’ free day for residents.

How did I know about all of these events? Because I read Port City Pulse!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Wilmington Hosts Advance Screening of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution”

• Wilmington AI Company Vantaca to Expand with $300M Investment

Wilmington Hosts Advance Screening of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution”

Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts - Thalian Hall, in partnership with PBS North Carolina and the Burgwin-Wright House, will host a free advance screening of Ken Burns’ new documentary, ‘The American Revolution,’ on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The event will feature segments from the 12-hour film and a panel discussion with representatives from local Revolutionary-era historic sites, offering Wilmington audiences an early look at the highly anticipated documentary.

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Wilmington AI Company Vantaca to Expand with $300M Investment

WWAY News - Wilmington-based AI company Vantaca is set to expand after receiving over $300 million in private equity funding. The company, which provides AI software to manage homeowner and community associations nationwide, plans to create more local jobs and invest in Wilmington talent. CEO Ben Currin emphasized choosing Wilmington over larger tech hubs due to the city’s growing business environment and local opportunities. Vantaca’s platform helps associations handle invoices, vendor payments, and homeowner requests efficiently, marking the company as a growing player in the AI tech space.

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News Roundup

Local News

Driver’s license tests have been temporarily halted across North Carolina due to a software malfunction affecting DMV offices statewide. NCDOT officials said the issue originated from a vendor system error, and IT teams are working to restore testing services as soon as possible. WECT

What You Should Know

Flight delays are mounting nationwide as a government shutdown enters its second month, causing severe air traffic controller shortages. Major airports including Newark, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Chicago O’Hare have reported hours-long delays and cancellations, with over 4,000 flights affected Sunday. AP News

What Might Surprise You

A Baltimore Police officer has been suspended after a viral video appeared to show him attempting to run over a civilian. The department, along with the State’s Attorney’s Office, has launched investigations into the incident as city officials called the footage “deeply concerning” and pledged full accountability. FOX Baltimore

Donald Trump’s threat of possible U.S. military action in Nigeria has sparked confusion and alarm across the country. Trump accused Nigeria’s government of allowing the killing of Christians, while Nigerian officials dismissed his claims as exaggerated and framed the remarks as a possible negotiating tactic. MSN News

Today

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