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PCP Tue Jun 10: US Army’s 250th, Trump’s Parade, and Nationwide Protests

June 14 is shaping up to be a day of big displays — from military parades in D.C. to protests nationwide

Good morning Wilmington!

The weekend of June 14 is loaded with significance — from Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary to protests challenging the status quo. President Trump’s planned military celebration in D.C. promises grandeur, while “No Kings” rallies bring a tense contrast nationwide. Wherever you stand, let’s focus on safety and civility in Wilmington and beyond.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

  • Protestors Pressure New Hanover County Over Avelo’s ICE Deportation Contract

  • Fort Bragg Hosts Trump for Army’s 250th: Readiness Demos, Paratroopers, and Parade Plans

Protestors Pressure New Hanover County Over Avelo’s ICE Deportation Contract

[Port City Daily] Protestors in Wilmington are demanding transparency from New Hanover County and assurances that local tax dollars are not indirectly supporting Avelo Airlines, which recently signed a $151-million deportation flight contract with ICE. While the contract only applies to Phoenix operations, activists are urging ILM and the county to confirm no such flights will originate locally. ILM Director and Avelo reps insist that deportation operations will remain separate from Wilmington routes, but concerns persist due to the airline’s growing footprint at ILM and ties to publicly funded infrastructure improvements.

Fort Bragg Hosts Trump for Army’s 250th: Readiness Demos, Paratroopers, and Parade Plans

[ABC 11] President Donald Trump will visit Fort Bragg today to launch celebrations for the U.S. Army's 250th birthday—his second official trip to North Carolina in his second term. All units on post will perform a readiness demonstration for the president, underscoring his administration’s stated commitment to military investment. The anniversary will culminate in a massive parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, with tanks, aircraft, and over 6,600 soldiers participating—hundreds from Fort Bragg. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced jump pay increases for paratroopers during All American Week at the base.

News Roundup

Local News

  • The Women’s Impact Network awarded $71,000 in grants to local arts and culture nonprofits, supporting creative initiatives that benefit the community’s cultural landscape.
    WWAY TV3

  • Carolina Beach Police Department received over $11,000 in grant funding aimed at enhancing community safety and resources.
    WECT

  • Weekend storms caused significant damage across the Cape Fear region, including downed trees and power outages affecting residents.
    WECT

What You Should Know

  • A Chinese PhD student from Wuhan was arrested for smuggling biological materials and deleting electronic evidence, raising national security concerns.
    Fox News

  • Donald Trump is being sued over his role with the National Guard in Los Angeles, challenging the legality of his actions amid political tensions.
    CNBC

  • Trump officially launched Trump Savings Accounts, which include $1,000 'baby bonuses' designed to attract new users to his financial platform.
    Forbes

What Might Surprise You

  • U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly fired entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel in a stunning clean sweep.
    The Gateway Pundit

National News

  • Legendary R&B musician Sly Stone, influential to artists like Prince, passed away at age 82.
    Showbiz411

Don’t Miss

Community Blood Drive

TUE JUN 10: 9AM - 1PM @ YMCA - ILM
Did you know that just one unit of blood can save up to three lives? That's right, one person's simple act of donating blood can save up to 3 lives.

NC Works Job Fair

TUE JUN 10: 10AM - 2PM @ NC Career Center - ILM
Come join us on June 10, 2025, at the New Hanover NCWorks Career Center for a job fair. Meet employers who are eager to interview and hire potential job seekers for many employment opportunities.

Fermental Bike & Brew

WED JUN 11: 6PM @ Fermental - ILM
Join us for our Fermental Bike & Brew Ride, where we bike a small section of the River to Sea Trail then loop around UNCW’s Chancelors Walk. This 10-11 mile, no-drop ride will end back at Fermental Beer & Wine for some friendly chit-chat and a beverage!

Public LAB Day with Public Archaeology Corps

FRI JUN 13: 9AM - 3PM @ F27 N. ront St - ILM
Come help us clean artifacts in the PAC Lab and experience Wilmington's rich history up close!�🗓 When: Wednesday | 🕘 Time: 9 AM – 3 PM�📍 Where: PAC Lab, entrance is to the right of The Gourmet Market on Front Street.

Live Music

Weather

Tue Jun 10: ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms | 83° / 73° | 99% | SW 17 mph
Wed Jun 11: 🌥️ Partly Cloudy | 82° / 73° | 24% | SSW 12 mph
Thu Jun 12: 🌥️ Partly Cloudy | 83° / 74° | 24% | SSW 11 mph

I aim to keep Port City Pulse fair and unbiased while giving the info you need to stay informed — if you think I’m hitting the mark or have ideas on how to improve, I’d love to hear from you. And if you know someone who might appreciate staying in the loop with Wilmington news and events, please share PCP with them!

-Jason