Good morning Wilmington!

As we inch closer to Thanksgiving break, Wilmington is buzzing with stories worth catching before you unplug. A UK filmmaker is shining a light on Brunswick County’s iconic Venus flytraps, and UNCW students are stepping into serious engineering research usually reserved for grad programs.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• New Documentary Highlights Venus Flytrap Conservation

• UNCW Undergrads Gain Hands-On Research Experience in Engineering

New Documentary Highlights Venus Flytrap Conservation in Brunswick County

WWAY Brunswick County’s Venus flytraps, found primarily in Boiling Spring Lakes, are the focus of a new documentary, Flytrap Town. UK filmmaker Robert Ford partnered with local conservation group Venus Flytrap Champions to capture both the plants and the passionate people working to protect them. The four-year project aims to showcase the natural beauty of the flytraps while highlighting the human stories behind their conservation, bringing attention to one of North Carolina’s unique ecological treasures.

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UNCW Undergrads Gain Hands-On Research Experience in Engineering

UNCW News Undergraduates at UNCW are diving into high-level engineering research typically reserved for graduate students. From Arden Ganse studying coastal erosion with drone mapping, to Charlie Caputo developing surgical robotics code, and Preston Beachum creating software to analyze patient-reported symptoms, students are gaining hands-on experience alongside faculty mentors. UNCW’s small class sizes, personalized instruction, and research opportunities equip students with strong technical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing them for innovative careers while making tangible contributions to science, healthcare, and coastal management.

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News Roundup

Local News

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson urges Shopify to block illegal e-cigarette sales targeting minors. He and a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general called on the platform to enforce age verification and prevent unlawful tobacco sales across at least 28 e-cigarette websites and 200 other sites selling illegal products. WECT

What You Should Know

A federal judge dismissed the criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James after ruling that the prosecutor who brought the indictments, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed and lacked the authority to present charges. The judge found that all actions stemming from Halligan’s improper appointment — including grand jury proceedings — were invalid, though the Justice Department plans to appeal. NBC News

What Might Surprise You

Campbell Soup faces controversy after a former employee released a recording of a VP allegedly insulting the company’s products and customers. In the audio, the executive criticized Campbell’s food as unhealthy and referenced “bioengineered meat,” prompting the company to place him on temporary leave while investigating. Daily Mail

The Pentagon is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly for potential misconduct and may recall him to active duty for a court martial, following a video in which he and other Democratic lawmakers urged service members to refuse illegal orders. The review highlights that, as a retired senior Navy officer, Kelly is legally subject to recall, while the other lawmakers in the video are not eligible for military service. CNN

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

✅ Don’t forget to Brine the turkey!