Good morning Wilmington!

As of midnight last night, the U.S. government officially shut down, with both parties blaming each other for the impasse. Millions of federal employees are furloughed, essential workers continue without pay, and some services—from national parks to scientific research—are already being disrupted. For everyday Americans, the impact will vary depending on which federal programs and services you rely on.

• Federal Workers & Contractors: Many employees are furloughed, while essential staff like air traffic controllers and TSA agents continue working without pay. Contractors may see immediate financial hardship.

• Social Security, Student Loans & Veterans: Mandatory payments continue, but some support lines and services are shuttered. Military personnel remain on duty, though some may miss paychecks if the shutdown continues.

• Travel & Parks: Roads and trails remain open, but visitor services are limited, and many park rangers are furloughed. FAA staff are working to keep flights safe, even without pay.

• Health & Research: CDC and NIH operations slow dramatically, affecting public health coordination and biomedical research. FDA maintains food safety, though inspections and oversight slow down.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• NC Charter Schools Receive $53M Federal Grant to Expand and Innovate

• UNCW Reports Updates on Cultural Centers, Mentorship Programs Amid DEI Rollback

NC Charter Schools Receive $53M Federal Grant to Expand and Innovate

WUNC The North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools has secured a $52.9 million federal grant to support charter schools across the state. Most funds will go toward 42 subgrants helping schools expand seats, especially for programs in career and technical education, STEM, and AI. Schools can also use funds for facilities, a major barrier to opening or expanding. The grant will also fund governance and finance training for school leaders to improve operations. This federal investment follows prior Charter School Program grants and reflects the Trump administration’s focus on school choice.

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UNCW Reports Updates on Cultural Centers, Mentorship Programs Amid DEI Rollback

Port City Daily A new UNCW report shows the university is continuing efforts to comply with the UNC System’s 2024 policy banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices. Following the elimination of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and leadership changes at cultural centers, UNCW has updated mentorship programs, realigned private scholarships, and made some course content optional. The university plans to collect data on the four cultural centers—now termed “student success centers”—to ensure impartiality and student choice in programming, while confirming students are not required to affirm DEI concepts in courses.

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News Roundup

Local News

The Southport community came together at The Mullet Bar to raise funds for families and workers impacted by Saturday’s mass shooting at the American Fish Company, which left three dead and five injured. WECT

What You Should Know

The U.S. government has officially shut down after President Trump and Congress failed to reach a funding deal, forcing 750,000 federal workers into furloughs or firings and raising fears of nationwide economic fallout. Associated Press

Hamas signaled it may accept Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, but only if conditions such as disarmament terms, Israel’s full withdrawal, and guarantees against assassinations are addressed. The Independent

What Might Surprise You

A body was discovered in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane arriving from Europe at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, prompting a police investigation. CBS17

A high-rise public housing building in the Bronx partially collapsed Wednesday, prompting evacuations and an ongoing search-and-rescue operation, though no injuries have been reported so far. CNN

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