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Vinton Smith’s “Blood Across America” tour stopped in Wilmington this week, highlighting the urgent need for platelet donors. Platelets are essential for patients fighting cancer, recovering from transplants, or surviving traumatic injuries — and they only last five days, so the need is constant. Donating takes about three hours, but in that time you can help up to three patients while relaxing, watching a movie, or listening to music. Learn more about donating platelets and schedule a donation!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• “Blood Across America” Tour Stops in Wilmington

• London Filmmaker Shines a Light on the Vanishing Venus Flytrap Habita

“Blood Across America” Tour Stops in Wilmington as Donor Aims to Inspire Others

WECT
Vinton Smith is on a mission to donate platelets in all 50 states — and this week, he checked North Carolina off the list with a stop at Wilmington’s American Red Cross Donation Center. Smith, who works full-time while traveling with his family, hopes his “Blood Across America” journey inspires others to give. Platelet donations are critical for patients battling cancer, undergoing transplants, or living with blood disorders. As Smith puts it, “If you give a few moments of your life, you will restore a lifetime of moments for others.”

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Young Aspiring Climbers now booking for fall!

This 6-week course will teach your child the basics of climbing, with plenty of climbing time, climbing games, and personal coaching from our highly-trained and enthusiastic staff.

YAC classes for youth between the ages of 6-9 are offered on Monday evenings with two different time slots available. Classes for ages 10 to 13 are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Learn More »

London Filmmaker Shines a Light on the Vanishing Venus Flytrap Habitat in Brunswick County

WWAY London-based filmmaker Robert Ford, a two-time Emmy Award winner, is producing Flytrap Town, a feature-length documentary focused on protecting North Carolina’s iconic Venus flytrap. The film centers on Boiling Spring Lakes in Brunswick County, one of the few natural habitats where the carnivorous plant still thrives. With rapid development threatening the species, local conservationists are racing to relocate plants to safe areas. Ford’s project celebrates these grassroots efforts and calls for more responsible development to preserve one of the state’s most unique natural treasures.

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News Roundup

Local News

Rae Hunter-Havens, New Hanover County Elections Director, has announced her immediate retirement citing health reasons, just days before early voting for the municipal elections begins on Oct. 16. The Board of Elections assures voters that operations will continue smoothly, and Hunter-Havens will provide consultative support through April 2026. WECT

What You Should Know

Flights into major U.S. airports, including those in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, were delayed Monday night due to air traffic controller shortages worsened by the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA used ground delay programs to manage traffic as officials warned that continued staffing issues could further disrupt air travel nationwide. The New York Times

What Might Surprise You

In a posthumous Netflix interview, Jane Goodall joked that she’d like to “blast” Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Xi Jinping into space — with Musk as the host — saying they could all go to the planet he’s “sure he’s going to discover.” Despite the humor, she ended on a hopeful note, describing her legacy as giving people hope “in dark times.” MovieMaker

A controversial new study claims that aliens may have inserted foreign DNA into human genes, suggesting some people could be “alien hybrids,” though experts stress there’s no conclusive evidence. New York Postz

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