Good morning Wilmington!

Last week, the White House honored a piece of Wilmington history: Retired Marine Major James Capers Jr. — who calls Wilmington home — received the Medal of Honor, awarded at the White House for an act of extraordinary courage and leadership during the Vietnam War. Wounded, outnumbered, and still in command, Capers got every one of his men out alive before he'd let himself be evacuated.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Wilmington is launching two fireworks shows for the Fourth of July

• NC skips official America 250 Fair delegation, sponsors fill gap

Double the fireworks, a symphony, and a new commission for America's 250th

WECT Wilmington is going big for America's 250th — two simultaneous fireworks displays from Riverfront Park and a barge near the Battleship at 9 p.m. on July 4. Best views from the Riverwalk. The Wilmington Symphony performs, including a new piece by local composer Chelsea Loew commissioned for the occasion. Parking decks: $10 after 4 p.m. On-street meters: free.

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NC sits out America 250 Fair officially, but private sponsors step in

Carolina Journal North Carolina is one of nine states skipping an official delegation to the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, citing the roughly $100,000 cost of a pavilion, but three NC businesses have stepped up as sponsors so the state still has a presence at the June 25-July 10 event. Republican legislators have criticized Gov. Josh Stein's office for the decision, while Stein's team says it informed organizers in April that budget constraints ruled out official participation.

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News Roundup

Local News

The NC Court of Appeals has upheld Pender County's denial of a permit for a 2,360-acre solar farm spanning three townships. The court ruled the developer failed to prove existing power lines could handle the project's output and raised concerns about wetland drainage from clearing 2,300 acres of timberland. WRAL

The New Hanover County Board of Elections has nominated Eric Navagh, the county's interim deputy elections director, to be its next permanent director. Navagh has led the office on an interim basis since March, when former director DeNay Harris was placed on leave and later terminated; the state board still must approve the pick. WHQR

Wilmington skaters gathered at the newly renamed Alec Chambers Skate Park to celebrate National Go Skateboarding Day. Chambers, 32, was killed in December when he was hit by an SUV outside the Satellite Bar and Lounge; the park's official naming ceremony is set for Aug. 22. WECT

What Might Surprise You

Mars is removing artificial dyes from M&M's, but the change means blue and brown candies won't make the cut. The natural spirulina substitute needed for blue requires far more pigment and gums up production machinery, so the dye-free version launching in August will be missing two of the candy's original colors. The Gateway Pundit

World News

Energy Secretary Chris Wright says oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz is returning to normal after Iran threatened to close it. U.S. warships are escorting vessels through a southern route as 67 ships passed through Saturday, up from 55 the day before, while gas prices remain about 70 cents higher than a year ago. The Hill

Iran played Belgium to a scoreless draw at SoFi Stadium, putting it on the verge of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time. The team must now beat Egypt Friday in Seattle to win its group, capping a tournament marked by travel restrictions and a relocated training camp amid the ongoing conflict with the U.S. Los Angeles Times