Good morning Wilmington!

Need an excuse to clean out your freezer? Here it is: House of Raeford’s bulk chicken sale hits Wilmington July 12. Wings, breasts, and good deals—just make sure you order before July 11 and don’t miss that pickup window!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• House Explosion in Leland

• NC May End Sunday Liquor Store Ban

“Everything Just Came In on You”: Leland Resident Recounts Harrowing Blast

[WECT] A devastating house explosion in Leland’s Magnolia Greens neighborhood Friday evening caused widespread damage to surrounding homes and left two people injured. Nathan White, inside the house at the time, described a sudden, violent bang that left him shaken. The force of the explosion blew in garage doors across the street, with officials confirming that every home on the street sustained some level of damage. The cause is under investigation, and the Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. Emergency response included multiple local and state agencies.

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NC May End Sunday Liquor Store Ban Under New Omnibus Bill

[Star News] North Carolina may soon lift its longstanding ban on Sunday liquor store sales. A newly proposed bill, the ABC & Gaming Omnibus Bill, would allow counties and tribal governments to decide whether their ABC stores can open on Sundays—starting no earlier than 10 a.m. The bill, introduced in April 2025, also includes updates for alcohol vendors, nonprofit raffles, and game night laws. If passed, it would bring NC more in line with modern alcohol policies seen in most of the U.S.

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News Roundup

Local News

• EPA Rolls Back Limits on 'Forever Chemicals'; CFPUA Assures Customers Won’t Be Impacted. The EPA is rolling back limits on PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in drinking water, but CFPUA says its customers won’t be affected due to current filtration systems already in place at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. WECT

What You Should Know

• Deadly Storms and Tornadoes Sweep Across Central and Eastern U.S. Tornadoes and severe weather have killed at least 21 people and left over 500,000 without power across multiple states. Kentucky is one of the hardest-hit areas as emergency response continues. AccuWeather

• Special Counsel Audio of Biden Raises Concerns. Newly released audio of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur shows him struggling to recall key events, reigniting debate about his mental acuity heading into the 2024 election. Daily Mail

• Ten Inmates Escape New Orleans Jail, Manhunt Underway. Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center through a hole behind a toilet. Three have been captured, while seven remain on the run. Officials suspect inside help. AP News

• Pope Leo Calls for Unity, Warns Against Division. Pope Leo urged global leaders to act with compassion and unity during his latest address, condemning nationalism and religious extremism as threats to peace. Yahoo News

• President Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has reportedly spread to his bones. Though the cancer is not curable, treatment options are being pursued. AP News

• Suspect Identified in Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing; Authorities Confirm Act of Terrorism. A deadly explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs has been deemed an “intentional act of terrorism” by the FBI, with 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus identified as the deceased suspect. Authorities say Bartkus, who had nihilistic beliefs, may have tried to livestream the attack, which injured four others and caused major damage to the clinic. KABC

What You Should Know

• Erdogan’s Odd Power Move at EU Summit. Turkey’s President Erdogan raised eyebrows after grabbing France’s President Macron and refusing to let go during a tense moment at the European summit, stirring speculation online. Mediaite 

• Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge. A Mexican Navy training vessel collided with the Brooklyn Bridge during a ceremonial visit, damaging the ship’s mast and raising questions about navigational safety. WECT

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