Good morning Wilmington!

If you’re looking for a calm, meaningful way to spend your Sunday, CAM’s Floating Lantern Ceremony returns this weekend with live music, glowing lanterns, and space to reflect on the year behind — and the one ahead.If you’re looking for a calm, meaningful way to spend your Sunday, CAM’s Floating Lantern Ceremony returns this weekend with live music, glowing lanterns, and space to reflect on the year behind — and the one ahead.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Feds Threaten to Pull $50M From NC

• More Than 100 Trees to Be Planted in Wilmington

U.S. DOT Says Majority of NC Commercial Licenses Issued Illegally to Foreign Drivers

WECT Federal transportation officials are threatening to withhold nearly $50 million from North Carolina unless the state revokes thousands of trucking licenses they say were issued illegally. The U.S. Department of Transportation claims 54% of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in the state violate federal rules and has ordered an immediate pause, audits, and revocations. State leaders are now under pressure to comply as part of a broader nationwide crackdown on CDL oversight and trucking safety.

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More Than 100 Trees to Be Planted in Wilmington’s Northside to Boost Shade and Health

WECT Volunteers and local organizations will come together tomorrow to plant more than 100 trees in Wilmington’s Northside neighborhood, an area long affected by reduced tree cover and higher heat exposure. Led by the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, the project focuses on improving air quality, reducing urban heat, and strengthening long-term climate resilience. Organizers say the effort also addresses inequities in access to green space while enhancing public health, neighborhood beauty, and quality of life through a growing urban tree canopy.

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News Roundup

Local News

North Carolina air travelers without a REAL ID will be charged a $45 fee starting Feb. 1 when flying from state airports. The fee pays for TSA’s new ConfirmID identity verification system, which covers a 10-day travel period, and officials plan to highlight the change during a joint TSA–DMV press conference at RDU on Jan. 12. WECT

James Beard–nominated chef Keith Rhodes has opened a new downtown Wilmington bistro called Voyce, bringing a twist on coastal Caribbean cuisine to Market Street. The restaurant, named after his grandparents, follows the recent closure of Rhodes’ longtime restaurant Catch as he plans its future relocation. WWAY

What You Should Know

The U.S. Postal Service warns that some mail may no longer receive a same-day postmark due to transportation cost-cutting changes. The shift could affect time-sensitive items like tax payments, bills, and ballots, though customers can request a manual postmark at a post office counter to ensure a specific date. WWAY

What Might Surprise You

Protesters at a New York City rally were filmed chanting violent threats against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a fatal ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis. Video from the protest shows demonstrators waving anti-ICE signs and calling for violence against federal officials, as broader tensions continue nationwide over recent enforcement actions and shootings involving federal agents. Breitbart

Friday

Saturday

Sunday