Good morning Wilmington!

Got a 4x4? Make the most of beach season in 2026 by grabbing your Freeman Park pass before January 1 and save over 50%! Even with beach renourishment ongoing, safe access and beach driving are still available.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Carolina Beach Urges Residents to Grab Discounted Freeman Park Passes

• Former Gov. Roy Cooper Officially Launches Senate Bid

Carolina Beach Urges Residents to Grab Discounted Freeman Park Passes Before Prices Double

WWAY Carolina Beach urges residents to secure Freeman Park pass discounts amid ongoing nourishment work) Carolina Beach is reminding residents to secure discounted Freeman Park parking passes—currently $110 until the end of December before rising to $225 on Jan. 1—even as a major beach nourishment project continues inside the park. Construction equipment and pipelines will remain on-site through spring, but officials say the park will stay open with safe crossovers in place for visitors. A future phase of nourishment specific to Freeman Park is planned, though details are not yet finalized.
Read More >>

Former Gov. Roy Cooper Officially Launches Senate Bid

WECT Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has officially filed to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, announcing his campaign on X. Cooper says he wants to bring an “independent voice” to Washington and focus on issues like affordable healthcare, lowering costs for working families, and creating more good-paying jobs across the state.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local News

The holiday drone show scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Wilmington has been canceled due to weather concerns. Other shows on Dec. 13, 20, and 27 are still planned to go on as scheduled at 7:30 p.m. WECT

The Trump administration says it will begin withholding SNAP benefits from most Democrat-led states next week unless they provide detailed data on aid recipients. Officials say requested information includes names and immigration status, while states have pushed back on the federal demands. WRAL

What You Should Know

The FBI has made its first arrest in the nearly five-year investigation into the pipe bombs placed in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. A male suspect was taken into custody in Virginia, though officials have not yet released his identity or the charges as the case remains sealed. AP News

Navy Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley is set to brief lawmakers on the Trump administration’s controversial Sept. 2 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, which are under scrutiny after reports claimed a second strike was ordered to ensure no survivors remained. The White House disputes allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed forces to “kill everybody,” while lawmakers from both parties are demanding more transparency, including access to the operation’s livestream footage. The Hill

An Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 crashed during a training mission in the California desert on Wednesday, but the pilot safely ejected and sustained only non–life-threatening injuries. The crash near Trona is under investigation, with officials releasing no additional details yet about what caused the aircraft to go down. Military Times

President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative, aiming to reset fuel economy standards and eliminate what they call an illegal EV mandate under the Biden-Buttigieg administration. The proposal seeks to save American families $109 billion over five years, lower vehicle costs, enhance safety, and allow automakers to produce cars more aligned with consumer demand while gradually raising fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks through 2031. U.S. Department of Transportation

Thursday

Friday

Saturday