- Port City Pulse
- Posts
- PCP Thu Oct 23: NC Redistricting Shake-Up + Stein vs. GOP Budget Battle
PCP Thu Oct 23: NC Redistricting Shake-Up + Stein vs. GOP Budget Battle
New NC maps, budget delays, and partisan clashes—get the local impact before the weekend.
Jason @ Port City Pulse
October 23, 2025
In partnership with
Good morning Wilmington!
North Carolina politics are in the spotlight this week. Republicans unveiled a new congressional map designed to add a GOP seat, sparking concerns over fair representation, while Gov. Stein criticizes the legislature for stalling on Medicaid, mental health, and public safety funding. Here’s the latest on how the GOP-led legislature and Gov. Stein are clashing this week.
In today’s Port City Pulse:
NC Redistricting Plan Aims to Add Republican Seat
Gov. Stein Criticizes GOP
Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
Controversial NC Redistricting Plan Aims to Add Republican Seat
WWAY - North Carolina Republicans have completed a new congressional map designed to add a Republican seat, putting Democratic Rep. Don Davis’ reelection at risk. The GOP-led General Assembly swapped several counties in Davis’ district, aiming to increase their U.S. House representation from 10 to 11 seats. Critics call the map a racial gerrymander that could dilute Black votes, while Republicans argue it’s legal political strategy. With litigation expected, Democrats warn this move threatens fair representation and voter rights in one of the state’s historically majority-Black districts.
Gov. Stein Criticizes GOP Over Medicaid, Public Safety, and Redistricting Inaction
Carolina Journal - Gov. Josh Stein is pressing North Carolina’s Republican-led General Assembly to take action on Medicaid funding, mental health, public safety, and redistricting. Stein criticized the legislature for failing to pass a full budget, delaying Medicaid rebase funding, and proposing congressional maps that he says favor partisan advantage. House Speaker Destin Hall countered, calling Stein’s warnings a “manufactured crisis” and noting prior appropriations. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote on additional Medicaid funds. Stein warned that budget inaction and partisan map changes could harm North Carolinians and undermine democratic representation.
News Roundup
Local News
Former UNCW basketball player Addison Spruill has launched the Dreams Success Athletics Foundation to support underprivileged young athletes in North Carolina. The nonprofit offers free or affordable basketball training, tutoring, and mental health support to help kids grow on and off the court. WECT
The Cape Fear Garden Club distributed nearly $70,000 to New Hanover County non-profits to support local beautification, conservation, and education efforts. Grants, funded by the Azalea Garden Tour, will help organizations like the North Carolina Coastal Federation plant native species and implement green infrastructure projects. WWAY-TV
What You Should Know
Tropical Storm Melissa is intensifying in the Caribbean and is expected to become a major hurricane, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and mudslide risks. Hurricane watches are in effect for parts of Haiti, with tropical storm watches for Jamaica, and while a direct U.S. hit is currently unlikely, Florida’s Peninsula and Keys remain under observation. AccuWeather
Major corporations including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta are among donors funding President Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom amid East Wing demolition. The donor list, which also includes wealthy individuals, was confirmed by the White House as the project faces criticism from historians and preservationists. The Hill
What Might Surprise You
Director Francis Ford Coppola is auctioning seven luxury watches, including a $1 million piece, to raise funds amid financial struggles. Despite past successes and a reputation as a collector of high-end timepieces and wineries, Coppola cited the need for cash to “keep the ship afloat.” The New York Times
National News
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups have been charged in separate schemes involving illegal gambling. Rozier faces allegations related to insider NBA sports betting, while Billups is charged in a Mafia-backed underground poker rigging case, part of broader federal investigations into sports and gambling corruption. AP News
Don’t Miss
 Barrels, Bottles & BrewsTHURS OCT 23: 5:30-7:30 PM @ Reel Café - DT How it works: 1. We meet on the third Thursday of the month at a new, local restaurant/bar. This helps foster the idea of doing what we can to come together as a community and support locally. 2. Bring business cards to pass out and put one in the fishbowl for a chance to win a gift card! 3. Each month, there is a sponsorship opportunity. The business that chooses to sponsor will purchase 2-$25 gift cards to the hosting venue to be used in two separate drawings throughout the evening. The sponsor will be given a few minutes to talk about their business and then draw a name for the prize-creating a captive audience and some fun! |  Blackout SkateFRI OCT 24: 7-10 Pm @ Scooter’s - ILM For one night only, we’re turning off the lights and filling the rink with lasers, glow effects, and spooky vibes that will keep you rolling all night long. 🎟 Admission: $10 🛼 Skate Rental: $4 (skates and blades only; no scooters or skate trainers permitted) ✨ Bonus: Every skater receives a free light-up toy with admission! |
 OystoberfestSUN OCT 26: Noon - 6PM @ Wrightsville Beach Brewery - WB |  Pup-O-WeenSUN OCT 26; 3-6PM @ Hi-Wire - SPD |
Weather
Thu Oct 23: ☀️ Sunny | 76°F / 49°F | 0% | ESE 4 mph
Fri Oct 24: ☀️ Sunny | 71°F / 52°F | 2% | ENE 5 mph
Sat Oct 25: ☀️ Sunny | 70°F / 46°F | 1% | E 7 mph
Live Music
Today
6:00 PM @ Wrightsville Beach Brewery - WB | |
7:00 PM @ The Eagle's Dare - DT | |
9:00 PM @ Katy's Grill & Bar- ILM |
Friday
7:00 PM @ Ogden Tap Room - OGD | |
7:00 PM @ Fermental - CD | |
9:00 PM @ Underfront Bar and Lounge - DT |
Saturday
06:00 PM @ Cloud 9 - ILM | |
08:00 PM @ The Eagle's Dare - DT | |
8:00 PM @ The Rusty Nail - D |
From Ferris wheels to foot-long hot dogs, the North Carolina State Fair has been delighting visitors for 172 years. Our State put together a fantastic timeline of the fair’s history—from its first exhibits in 1853 near New Bern Avenue to the modern midway and food traditions that continue today. If you want to dive into the full story and see how the fair evolved over nearly two centuries, check it out here: A Brief History of the North Carolina State Fair |  |
Enjoy this issue? |