Let's kick off the week with something guaranteed to make you smile.

A golden retriever named Barley had lost her spark after beginning epilepsy treatment—until a four-day-old duckling named Louie waddled into her life. The two quickly became inseparable, spending their days playing, following each other around, and reminding everyone that friendship doesn't have to make sense to be real. In a world filled with heavy headlines, sometimes a story about a dog and a duck is exactly what we need to start the week.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Thalian Hall to honor Wilmington's Margaret Kerry

• Wilmywood gets a boost!

Thalian Hall to honor Wilmington's Margaret Kerry with free screenings of Disney's Peter Pan

WWAY

Wilmington resident Margaret Kerry — the woman who served as the live-action model for Tinker Bell in Disney's 1953 animated "Peter Pan" — passed away on June 11 at the age of 97. Now Thalian Hall is honoring her legacy with something fitting: free screenings of the film itself, on July 18 at 1 p.m. and July 19 at 7 p.m. Before each showing, audiences will see a previously unreleased video of Kerry introducing the film for a Thalian Hall audience — believed to be the last time she appeared on camera. Tickets are free but required, and available through Thalian Hall's website and box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Thalian Hall is also commissioning a portrait of Kerry to be displayed in the new Wilde Cat Club.

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NC's new budget dramatically expands film incentives — and Wilmington stands to benefit most

WWAY Gov. Josh Stein's new state budget raises the max film production grant from $7M to $20M per feature and from $15M to $25M per TV season. A new micro-budget program ($1.2M annually) supports NC-based projects budgeted between $50K and $1.5M. Local filmmakers say the expanded incentives make NC more competitive against other states.

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News Roundup

Local News

A brush fire near Shallotte has grown to 300 acres, destroyed two non-residential structures, and prompted evacuations — though all orders have since been lifted. The fire, which broke out Friday near Old Georgetown Road and Hale Swamp Road, was 50% contained as of Sunday. A burn ban remains in effect. One firefighter was treated for minor injuries. The NC Forest Service is investigating the cause; a second wildfire was also burning in Bladen County. WECT

New Hanover County has begun mailing 2026 property tax bills, with the county's rate set at 30.6 cents per $100 of assessed value. Bills are expected by mid-August. Taxes are due Sept. 1 and can be paid without interest through Jan. 5, 2027. Each bill includes four payment coupons for installments. Residents can pay in person, online, by phone, or by mail. WWAY

The Country Club of Landfall and the Landfall Council of Associations say those involved in the July 3 assault on security guard Russell James were intoxicated — and that overflow crowds have been a problem before. A joint statement referenced a similar incident in 2025 when parking overflow blocked emergency vehicle access. Officials note the fireworks event is not open to the public, suggesting those involved may have been guests of members. A GoFundMe has been set up for Russell James. WWAY

National News

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday at age 71 from an aortic dissection — a tear in the body's main artery — due to underlying cardiovascular disease. Graham had just returned from Ukraine with no reported illness, illustrating how suddenly the condition can strike. Aortic dissections most commonly affect men in their 60s and 70s and are often unsurvivable even with immediate care. His father also died of a heart attack in his late 60s. The Hill

Sen. Mitch McConnell, 84, broke weeks of silence Sunday to reveal that a fall last month left him briefly unconscious and sent him to the hospital, where he also developed a mild case of pneumonia. McConnell said doctors confirmed he suffered no broken bones, no concussion, no heart attack or stroke, and no tumors or hemorrhages. He has since moved to a rehabilitation center. He attributed the fall to his post-polio condition and said he has "experienced several falls through the year." CNN

CENTCOM has deployed more than 20 U.S. warships — including two aircraft carriers — toward Iran as President Trump threatens to reinstate a naval blockade. The USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush were spotted entering the Gulf of Oman, within range of Iranian missiles. The move follows U.S. strikes after Iran attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. A renewed blockade could choke off Iranian oil exports. CENTCOM declined to comment on operational details. NY Post

What You Should Know

A tourist was seriously injured at Yellowstone's Bridge Bay Campground Friday after an agitated bull bison hooked him with its horn and launched him 8 feet into the air. The man was walking with his grandson at a safe distance when the bison — described as "angry, agitated, and charging anything and everything" — suddenly turned and chased them. The grandson escaped; the grandfather landed hard and suffered significant hip and leg injuries. A combat photographer who witnessed the incident ran at the bison to drive it off. This is Yellowstone's second bison-human incident of 2026. Cowboy State Daily

National News

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films, died Sunday in Sydney at age 78. His death was sudden and unexpected; his family noted he had remained cancer-free after battling a rare blood cancer. Beyond Jurassic Park, Neill starred in The Piano and Peaky Blinders, was knighted by New Zealand in 2022, and founded his own pinot noir winery, Two Paddocks. The Guardian

Conor McGregor's long-awaited UFC comeback lasted just 1 minute, 9 seconds Saturday night before a leg injury ended his fight against Max Holloway. McGregor attempted a flying roundhouse kick on the first exchange and landed awkwardly on his right knee. UFC CEO Dana White said the team is "assuming a blown ACL," though some doctors believe it may be a meniscus injury. It was McGregor's first fight in more than five years. He described the moment as "beyond dark." USA Today

A homeless encampment stretching 12 city blocks near the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan has drawn complaints from residents and tourists over open drug use and prostitution. The encampment runs from 34th to 46th Street along 11th Avenue. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has halted the systematic encampment sweeps that defined the Adams administration — the city clears trash but does not break up camps. NY Post

World News

England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time Saturday to advance to the World Cup semifinals, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals including a 93rd-minute winner. Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead in the 36th minute; Bellingham equalized just before halftime and then struck again in extra time to send England through in the quarterfinals. The Athletic