News Roundup

Local News

Surf City has locked in a 50-year beach protection deal with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Town leaders signed the agreement Aug. 17, guaranteeing engineers will return every six years for the next half-century to renourish the beach. Mayor Teresa Batts called it “a massive protection” for oceanfront homes, infrastructure, and businesses. WECT.

Riverfest organizers are pushing back on the city’s plan to move the 47-year-old festival to a parking lot this October. Front Street construction has blocked the usual stretch, and the city directed the event to a lot near City Hall and CFCC’s campus. Festival president Roderick Bell says the site has a single entrance and exit and serious safety concerns — and some sponsors are already reconsidering. WECT.

A Wilmington man just won $100,000 on a $30 scratch-off ticket. Timothy Winstead hit the top prize on a Cash Payday ticket from the Scotchman on Wrightsville Avenue, taking home $72,018 after taxes. Fifty-six of the game’s 80 top prizes are still unclaimed. WECT.

What You Should Know

Newly declassified FBI files reveal new details about former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s relationship with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Swalwell told agents he had a personal relationship with Fang, who also referred interns to his offices and allegedly funneled illegal campaign contributions through straw donors. The FBI found no federal criminal violations and dropped him as a subject in 2017. NY Post.

Russia is shipping explosives and drone components to Iran through the Caspian Sea to help Tehran replenish stockpiles damaged in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. A European government document obtained by NBC News describes the shipments as part of a deepening Moscow-Tehran alliance, with both nations increasingly aligned against the U.S. NBC News.

What Might Surprise You

Davie County is stopping water fluoridation — and the Middle East war is part of the reason. The county’s chemical supplier says an Israeli manufacturer of fluoridation chemicals left the U.S. market after losing much of its workforce to military call-ups, and no alternative source has been found. WUNC.

Burger King has overtaken Wendy’s to become America’s second-largest burger chain. The chain revamped the Whopper — new bun, better mayo, fresh packaging — and same-store sales climbed 8.5%. Wendy’s, which held the #2 spot for six years, just logged its sixth straight quarter of decline. The Wall Street Journal.

Trump aide Natalie Harp’s unusually close relationship with the president is drawing renewed public scrutiny, particularly as first lady Melania Trump has made fewer public appearances during Trump’s second term. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff mocked the relationship at a Georgia rally, while reports say Harp has unusually extensive access to Trump and frequently accompanies him on official trips. The Daily Mail.

National News

Courts are blocking Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, so now he’s calling it a “military complex.” A federal appeals court ruled construction must stop without congressional approval, and Trump has taken the fight to the Supreme Court. He’s reframing the project around a rooftop “drone port” and underground military infrastructure. The Washington Post.

Don’t Miss

Live Music

Tue Aug 18

Wed Aug 19

Thu Aug 20