TOGETHER WITH

Drove past the No Kings rally this weekend — seemed like a significant turnout and, more importantly, a peaceful one. It’s nice to see Wilmington show up and speak out without things getting heated. Well done keeping it peaceful Wilmington.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• New NC Law Protects Giant American Flags on Private Property

• N.C. Furniture Makers Ramp Up Amid New Tariffs and Worker Shortages

New NC Law Protects Giant American Flags on Private Property

WUNC — A new North Carolina law prevents local governments from restricting American and North Carolina flags on private property, ending a dispute between Greenville and a local R/V dealership. The law, part of a broader regulatory reform bill, limits cities’ powers to regulate patriotic flags unless public safety is at risk. The Greenville Camping World store, previously fined for flying a flag far exceeding city size limits, is no longer subject to enforcement. The law also affects some state construction projects, raising questions about local authority and constitutional equality.

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HALLOWEEN at Wilmington Rock Gym!

Halloween's coming around the bend and that can only mean one thing... costume party!! 👻

Members, punch card, and semester pass holders are invited to bring a first-timer for free, and be sure to wear a costume for a shot at one of three marvelous prizes!

See you there! 🎃

N.C. Furniture Makers Ramp Up Amid New Tariffs and Worker Shortages

Spectrum News — New tariffs on timber and upholstered furniture are creating a surge in domestic demand for N.C. furniture makers, but meeting production needs requires skilled labor and specialized machinery. Dominick’s Furniture in High Point reports increased orders as customers anticipate tariff-related supply disruptions. To keep up, the company needs more workers trained in sewing, cutting, framing, and upholstery. The Catawba Valley Furniture Academy is helping fill the gap through night programs, ensuring future employees can step into production-ready roles.

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News Roundup

Local News

The City of Wilmington will plant over 600 new trees starting in November to replace aging and hazardous trees. The initiative, carried out under a contract with Thorpe Landscaping, aims to create a healthier urban canopy, with each tree inspected and maintained for 18 months. WECT

Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Wilmington for the nationwide “No Kings” protest against perceived authoritarian actions by the Trump administration. Participants marched from multiple locations to Innes Park for a peaceful, law-abiding rally, part of coordinated events held in over 2,600 locations across the country. WWAY

What You Should Know

A major outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) disrupted internet access worldwide on Monday, taking down major platforms including Snapchat, Fortnite, Roblox, Signal, and even Amazon’s own services. The issue lasted about three hours before AWS began restoring operations, affecting businesses, universities, and government services that rely on its cloud infrastructure. Associated Press

Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly promised to hand over protected MS-13 informants to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele in exchange for access to a mega-prison used in Trump’s deportation plan. The move, part of a broader U.S.-El Salvador deal, reportedly jeopardized Justice Department informant agreements and risked undermining U.S. law enforcement credibility. MSN

What Might Surprise You

A masked gang stole nine “priceless” pieces of jewellery linked to Napoleon’s family from the Louvre in a daring seven-minute daylight heist. The thieves used a van-mounted ladder to enter through a window, smashed display cases in the Apollo Gallery, and escaped on high-powered scooters before police arrived. The Telegraph

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