Good morning Wilmington!

Good news for anyone who had this event circled on their calendar: the Cameron Art Museum has announced a new date for its annual Floating Lantern Ceremony. The reflective community gathering will now take place on February 1, offering another chance to honor loved ones, set intentions for the year ahead, and take part in one of Wilmington’s most meaningful traditions.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Red Cross Urges Winter Blood Donations With Super Bowl Giveaway

• Avelo Ends ICE Flights, Shuts Down Wilmington Base Amid Community Backlash

Red Cross Urges Winter Blood Donations With Super Bowl Giveaway

WECT — The American Red Cross is encouraging blood donations during National Blood Donor Month, reminding the public that one donation can save up to three lives. With donations often dropping after the holidays, the Red Cross is highlighting January as an ideal time for both first-time and regular donors. To boost participation, the organization has partnered with the NFL to offer donors a chance to win a trip for two to the Super Bowl in San Francisco, with donations accepted through Jan. 25.

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Avelo Ends ICE Flights, Shuts Down Wilmington Base Amid Community Backlash

WHQR Wilmington advocacy groups are reacting after Avelo Airlines announced it will end its involvement in deportation flights and shut down its base at Wilmington International Airport, eliminating service to 11 destinations. The budget airline said it will no longer work as a subcontractor tied to ICE flights, a move that follows months of protests and boycotts in Wilmington and nationwide. Local organizers say the decision validates their efforts to pressure the airline over its role in immigration enforcement.
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News Roundup

Local News

The New Hanover County Board of Elections has appointed DeNay Harris as its new Director of Elections following the retirement of the previous director. Harris brings experience in election administration, voter registration, and compliance with state and federal election law, and previously served as elections director in Charles City County, Virginia. WECT

A second burst of cold air this weekend could bring rain or a wintry mix to the Wilmington area following Friday’s chilly conditions. Meteorologists Jon Evans and Eric Davis discussed potential scenarios and impacts during a live weather update on Thursday evening. WECT

The Wilmington Convention Center donated more than 3,000 pounds of surplus prepared food to local nonprofits in 2025, helping reduce waste while supporting community needs. The food was safely redistributed to six organizations, including Good Shepherd, the Salvation Army, and Temple Baptist Church, through a program praised for strong partnerships and careful planning. WECT

What You Should Know

The CDC has released a new childhood vaccination schedule that reduces routine recommendations to shots for 11 diseases, limiting several others to higher-risk children. Health experts warn the changes could discourage some parents from vaccinating and potentially lead to increases in preventable childhood illnesses. Healthline

A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s attempt to obtain California’s unredacted voter data, marking the first legal setback to the Trump administration’s push to centralize state-held election records. The court ruled the request was unprecedented and could chill voter participation, especially among minority and immigrant communities, while similar challenges are now unfolding in other states. NPR

What Might Surprise You

Rioters vandalized federal law enforcement vehicles in Minneapolis during escalating anti-ICE protests, stealing equipment and a rifle amid clashes tied to an immigration enforcement operation. The unrest followed the shooting of a Venezuelan man by a federal agent during an arrest attempt, prompting large-scale federal deployments, legal challenges from state and city leaders, and warnings from President Trump about potentially invoking the Insurrection Act. NTD News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a White House meeting, calling it a gesture of gratitude for his support of Venezuelan freedom. Trump thanked Machado and said it was a gesture of mutual respect, but the Nobel committee has clarified that the prize itself cannot be officially transferred or shared. BBC News

Friday

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