TOGETHER WITH

We caught Dear MariBella & the Pigkickers last night, and they didn’t just play bluegrass—they brought a piece of the mountains right to the coast. Hailing from Scott’s Hill Loop, this hometown family band blends fiddle, banjo, and sibling harmonies into pure Carolina magic. Follow at dear.maribella on Instagram.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Nonprofit Ends Campaign to Protect Sledge Forest

• ‘Governor Josh Stein signed Iryna’s Law

Nonprofit Ends Campaign to Protect 1,160 Acres Along Cape Fear River

WWAY — Unique Places to Save has ended its effort to preserve Sledge Forest, a 1,160-acre ecologically rich property along the Northeast Cape Fear River, after its application for funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund was denied. The area features tidal marshes, swamp wetlands, and rare species habitats. While stepping back, the nonprofit urged others to continue the fight to protect what it calls a “unique and irreplaceable natural resource.” The setback marks a major pause in the region’s ongoing conservation efforts, but advocates say the push to safeguard Sledge Forest isn’t over.

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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 timeslots available. Classes for ages 10 to 13 are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Learn More »

North Carolina Adopts New Bail and Death Penalty Measures After Charlotte Train Killing

WECT — Governor Josh Stein has signed a sweeping criminal justice bill prompted by the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte commuter train. The new law restricts cashless bail for violent and repeat offenders, increases judicial oversight before bail is granted, and aims to restart executions in North Carolina—potentially allowing alternative methods if lethal injection is unavailable. Stein said the bill improves risk awareness but criticized it as “lacking ambition,” noting it omits funding for law enforcement and mental health services. The legislation received bipartisan support amid heated debate over public safety and political blame.

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News Roundup

Local News

The City of Southport has released the names of the three people killed and six injured in last weekend’s mass shooting at the American Fish Company, as the community continues to grieve and recover from the tragedy. All six injured victims have been released from the hospital, and officials are urging the public to respect the privacy of those affected. WECT

What You Should Know

Israel and Hamas are set to hold indirect peace talks in Egypt to discuss a U.S.-mediated plan that includes a prisoner and hostage exchange, but key issues such as Hamas’s disarmament and role in Gaza remain unresolved. The New York Times

Federal agents shot a woman in Chicago after she allegedly tried to run them over and was reportedly armed with a semi-automatic weapon during an ICE operation that saw agents rammed and boxed in by multiple vehicles. The woman, a U.S. citizen, drove herself to the hospital and remains in critical condition as the FBI investigates the incident amid ongoing tensions from “Operation Midway Blitz.” WGN-TV

President Trump is deploying 400 Texas National Guard troops to Illinois amid ongoing violent anti-ICE protests, a move sharply condemned by Governor JB Pritzker as an “invasion” and an unauthorized use of military forces in the state. New York Post

Sanae Takaichi has been elected leader of Japan's ruling conservative party, positioning her to become the country’s first female prime minister, though she faces challenges including party divisions, a sluggish economy, and navigating US-Japan relations. BBC

What Might Surprise You

Bad Bunny mocked his critics, including Fox News, during his 'Saturday Night Live' monologue implying English-only speaking people have four months to learn Spanish and enjoy his Super Bowl performance. Daily Mail

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