Good morning Wilmington!

We started watching The Waterfront on Netflix this weekend. It’s a fast-paced drama that and it picks up from the get-go. Southport or Wrightsville Beach, you’ll spot some familiar backdrops. If your’re looking for something entertaining that reels you in, Waterfront is worth a watch!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Southport Eyes Filming Fee Hike

• Stein Vetoes

Southport Eyes Filming Fee Hike Amid Growing Hollywood Interest

[WECT] Southport, long a favorite filming location for hits like Safe Haven and The Summer I Turned Pretty, is considering doubling its filming permit fees. The proposed hike would raise the daily rate to $500 for shooting, with additional costs for equipment, pre/post production, and road closures. City officials say the move is aimed at easing the burden on residents and services. But film producers warn the higher costs could drive productions elsewhere, threatening local tourism and jobs tied to the film industry. A final decision is expected by July 1.

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Immigration Holds, Permitless Carry Bills Face Uphill Battle After Stein Vetoes

[WUNC] Gov. Josh Stein issued his first vetoes as North Carolina’s governor, rejecting two immigration bills and a concealed carry bill. He argues the immigration measures would lead to unconstitutional detentions and the gun bill endangers public safety. Republicans have a chance to override the veto on H.B. 318, which would expand ICE cooperation rules for local sheriffs. But other bills — like permitless concealed carry for those 18 and older — are likely dead. The vetoes set up a heated clash as GOP leaders push for overrides and Stein courts support from Democrats and immigrant advocacy groups.

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News Roundup

Local News

• A cyclist died during a bike ride event at the North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw. Emergency crews responded to a call just before 9 a.m. Saturday, but the rider could not be revived. Organizers said the rider was experienced and had participated in the event before.
  WECT

• Pender County officials are considering eliminating their tourism department as part of a proposed budget cut. County leaders say the department's responsibilities could be absorbed by other agencies, but local business owners worry it could hurt the area’s visibility and economy.
  WECT

What You Should Know

• President Trump Addresses Nation on Attacks on Iranian Nuclear Sites. President Trump addressed the nation after the U.S. bombed three nuclear sites in Iran.
  C-Span

• A civil rights attorney has been elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The vote marks a strategic shift for the party as it focuses on voter outreach and legal challenges heading into the 2026 election cycle.
  The Hill

• A Chinese military lab has reportedly created mosquito-sized spy drones. The tiny devices are allegedly capable of surveillance, data collection, and possibly administering poison, raising global concerns about future applications in espionage and warfare.
  Breitbart

What Might Surprise You

• Doctors in the U.S. performed a robotic surgery on a patient in Africa from thousands of miles away. The procedure was hailed as a technological and medical breakthrough in remote healthcare and surgical robotics.
  Africanews

• A Russian tech billionaire claims to have fathered over 100 children. The man, a vocal supporter of population growth, is using surrogates and fertility clinics to fulfill what he calls a “moral and demographic mission.”
  The Telegraph

• A turtle on a North Carolina runway reportedly caused a plane crash that killed two people. Officials say the small aircraft struck the turtle during landing, veered off course, and burst into flames.
  MSN

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