Good morning Wilmington!

From mysterious drone sightings in Wyoming to a massive LEGO takeover headed for Wilmington, today’s Port City Pulse covers the curious, the creative, and the community-focused.

wIn today’s Port City Pulse:

• North Carolina Craft Breweries Brace as Federal Hemp Ban Looms

• Wilmington Builds Big With Its First-Ever LEGO Convention

North Carolina Craft Breweries Brace as Federal Hemp Ban Looms

WUNC — North Carolina craft breweries have leaned on hemp-infused beverages to offset declining alcohol sales, but a federal ban on intoxicating hemp products starting November 2026 threatens this lifeline. Breweries like Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem, which produce THC seltzers and other hemp drinks, now face an uncertain future as industry leaders seek clarity on regulations, safety standards, and how to sustain this $28 billion national market.

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Wilmington Builds Big With Its First-Ever LEGO Convention

WWAY Wilmington is getting its first-ever LEGO Convention when the Wilmington Brick Convention arrives at the Wilmington Convention Center on September 12–13. The family-friendly event will feature professional LEGO artists from across the country, life-sized LEGO models, and hands-on build zones with thousands of bricks. Attendees can explore themed areas like the Star Wars Zone, Castle Build Zone, Brick Pits, and Fan Zone, along with LEGO merchandise for sale and artist meet-and-greets.

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News Roundup

Local News

New Hanover County School Board member Tim Merrick has officially entered the race for North Carolina House District 20, setting up a contest against Republican Dane Scalise after longtime Rep. Ted Davis announced he will not seek reelection. Merrick, a Wilmington Democrat, says he is running to bring an independent voice to Raleigh, with priorities including public school funding, support for small businesses, and lowering the cost of living. WECT

Oak Island’s $33 million beach renourishment project is about one-third complete, with crews rebuilding the shoreline using more than 1.6 million cubic yards of sand. The effort began in November, includes multiple project sections along the island, and is being supplemented by sand dredged from Wilmington Harbor by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. WECT

What You Should Know

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced he will resign from his role in January, less than a year after joining the Trump administration. President Trump confirmed the departure, suggesting Bongino plans to return to media work, following months of speculation and reports of internal tensions during his tenure. New York Post

President Trump used a brief White House address marking his first year back in office to deliver a familiar, campaign-style speech emphasizing immigration enforcement, culture-war themes, and blaming Democrats for affordability issues, while unveiling a surprise holiday bonus for U.S. troops. The address included no major foreign policy announcements. The Hill

What Might Surprise You

Authorities in Sweetwater County, Wyoming say they remain unable to identify drone-like flying objects repeatedly spotted for more than a year near a power plant and surrounding desert. The county sheriff has acknowledged the sightings, which locals have grown accustomed to, while officials say the objects appear high in the sky, pose no known threat, and have not been explained despite outreach to multiple agencies. Daily Mail

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