Good morning Wilmington!

Wilmington’s had no shortage of news this week—Hurricane Erin swung close, Michael Franti’s tour dates got canceled, and a gas explosion shook New Centre Drive. These are the three stories that got the most clicks from Port City Pulse subscribers.

• Wilmington and Leland shine on “The Great Food Truck Race” this Sunday.
  WWAY

• Jason Lee Beach has been charged in connection with the New Centre Drive explosion. WECT

• Pop-reggae artist Michael Franti has canceled his Wilmington tour dates WECT

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• State Employees Face Higher Health Premiums

• NC Secures $4M Federal Grant to Support Prison-to-Workforce Transition

State Employees Face Higher Health Premiums as NC Seeks Stability Through 2028

[WUNC] The N.C. State Health Plan Board of Trustees has voted to raise premiums for many of its 770,000 members, including state employees, teachers, and retirees. Treasurer Brad Briner said the hikes were necessary to address a looming $1.4 billion deficit, citing reserves nearly depleted after years of holding down costs. Premiums will shift to an income-based scale, with workers earning under $50,000 seeing the lowest increases and those above $90,000 facing the highest. While officials argue the move stabilizes the plan through 2028, employee groups call it a pay cut that worsens staff shortages in education and healthcare.

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NC Secures $4M Federal Grant to Support Prison-to-Workforce Transition

[Carolina Journal] North Carolina has been awarded a $4 million federal grant to expand workforce reentry training for incarcerated individuals preparing to rejoin their communities. The initiative, led by the NC Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, will provide career counseling, training, and job placement support before and after release. Governor Josh Stein said the program strengthens the state’s economy while giving people a second chance. Critics argue, however, that barriers to employment often persist beyond training due to hiring practices. The program will serve multiple correctional facilities and offer support for up to 24 months after release.

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News Roundup

Local News

A lawsuit filed by former brewery owner David Gary Sholar against an employee accusing him of assault was dismissed after he failed to file by the August 13 deadline. Sholar faces prior assault charges from an incident at Longhorn Steak House.
WECT

A lane of Wrightsville Avenue was closed for an emergency sewer repair near Eastwood Road, with traffic redirected into a single westbound lane; the closure is expected to last about five hours.
WECT

USS North Carolina Battleship undergoing repairs after damage from Tropical Storm 8, including rust, leaks into the admiral’s cabin, and paneling issues. In ongoing restoration work, maintenance tech Atwood Macmullin Boyd shared that panels are being reinstalled, steel welds have been leak-tested, and upgrades are underway to improve energy efficiency and durability.
WWAY

What You Should Know

Russia bombs US factory in one of war’s largest attacks. Kremlin launches more than 600 drones and missiles at targets across Ukraine. The Telegraph

The FBI conducted a dawn raid on the home of former National Security Advisor John Bolton in Bethesda, Maryland. The operation is linked to an investigation into allegations that Bolton disclosed classified information in his 2020 memoir. The Bulwark

What Might Surprise You

Mutant Deer Spotted with Pus-Filled Warts Amid Zombie Squirrel Plague. Across the U.S., deer are being observed with large clusters of tumor-like growths called deer cutaneous fibroma, also known as "deer warts," which are caused by a virus spread through blood-feeding insects like mosquitoes and ticks. The Sun

Brit Floyd Celebrates 25 Years with Wilmington Tribute to Pink Floyd

MON AUG 25: 7:30 PM @ Wilson Center - CFCC

Brit Floyd, the world’s premier Pink Floyd tribute act, marks a quarter-century of note-for-note renditions this Monday, August 25, at the Wilson Center in Wilmington. Highlighting the evening is a full performance—rotating each tour—of the iconic Wish You Were Here album, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Known for stunning production, immersive visuals—including the inflatable pig—and a deep catalog spanning Pink Floyd’s post-Barrett era, the show promises both emotional depth and aural perfection. Sold out and highly anticipated, this performance is a must-see for fans new and old. $65+

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