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The walls of Carolina Beach are telling new stories. Local creatives are transforming blank spaces into vibrant works of art — and you might just stumble upon your next favorite backdrop.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• $409M Federal Investment to Protect NC Communities’ Drinking Water from Future Storms

• Duke Energy Reports $985M Profit

$409M Federal Investment to Protect NC Communities’ Drinking Water from Future Storms

[Smarter Water] The EPA has allocated $409.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to strengthen public drinking water systems, especially in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. The funding aims to make infrastructure more resilient to floods, fires, and other disasters. Local leaders from Hot Springs, Burnsville, and Old Fort emphasized the urgent need after storm damage left thousands without safe water for weeks. The investment will help ensure uninterrupted access to clean water, protect public health, and reduce vulnerability in future emergencies.

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Duke Energy Reports $985M Profit, Unveils Merger Plan for NC Utilities

[WUNC] Duke Energy posted $985 million in profits last quarter, fueled by rate hikes, economic development, and major projects like a $10 billion Amazon data center. The company plans to merge Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas by January 2026, projecting $1 billion in customer savings through 2038. New legislation removes NC’s 2030 carbon target while enabling Duke to recover costs on major capital projects. Duke is also moving forward with new natural gas generation to meet rising demand, selling assets, and restructuring to unify rates across its territory.

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News Roundup

Local News

• The Topsail Beach Post Office, in operation since 1964, will close on September 30 as USPS phases out certified public unit locations run by third-party contractors. PO box holders can transfer their mail to Holly Ridge or Surf City. WWAY

• Tropical Storm Erin is racing through the Central Atlantic but has been slow to strengthen. Forecasters expect rapid intensification this weekend as it encounters warmer waters and favorable wind shear. Most models show Erin curving north early next week, possibly avoiding the U.S. and heading toward Bermuda, but the timing of the turn depends on the strength of the Bermuda high. A weaker high means an earlier turn; a stronger one could push Erin closer to the East Coast. Regardless, the Carolinas should expect rip currents and dangerous surf starting early next week. FOX Carolina

What You Should Know

• The U.S. military is deploying forces to the southern Caribbean to counter transnational drug trafficking groups, marking a renewed focus on the region’s security challenges.
  U.S. News & World Report

• Russia has launched its most significant advance in Ukraine this year, deploying 110,000 troops in Donetsk just days before the Trump-Putin summit. The offensive, which includes advances near Dobropillia and key supply hub Pokrovsk, could give Putin leverage in upcoming peace talks.
  The Sun

What Might Surprise You

• San Francisco has an underground “Robot Fight Club” where engineers and hobbyists pit custom-built machines against each other in destructive battles, blending tech culture with DIY entertainment.
  Core Memory

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