TOGETHER WITH

A tough weekend for Wilmington. The Graystone Inn—already recovering from a 2023 fire—has been declared a total loss after flames tore through the historic building Friday afternoon. As the community digests that heartbreak, Camp Lejeune prepares for a visit from First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance later this week.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• A Wilmington Landmark Lost

• First Lady Visit This Week

Graystone Inn Burns Again: Second Fire in Two Years Devastates Wilmington Landmark

WECT The historic Graystone Inn in downtown Wilmington has been declared a total loss after a major fire broke out Friday afternoon, with flames spreading from the first and second floors to the third and the roof. Wilmington Fire Chief Steve Mason said crews arrived around 1 p.m. but were unable to save the building despite extensive efforts. The loss is especially heartbreaking given that the owners were still recovering from a 2023 fire that had already forced the inn to close for repairs. The Graystone Inn, a beloved historic landmark, now faces yet another devastating setback.

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First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance Set to Visit Camp Lejeune Wednesday

WECT First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance will visit Camp Lejeune on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to meet with service members and their families. Their visit includes several planned events with students and base personnel, all aimed at showing appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families during the holiday season. The day will conclude with both leaders delivering formal remarks in a hangar to a large crowd of military members and their loved ones.

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News Roundup

Local News

NCDOT will replace three aging Wrightsville Beach bridges that are no longer viable for long-term repair, with new designs improving pedestrian and cyclist access but keeping the same number of vehicle lanes; a public meeting to discuss the project is set for Nov. 17 at Town Hall.

WECT

What You Should Know

A van driver rammed multiple law enforcement vehicles during a federal immigration operation in Charlotte, injuring an officer, before leading agents on a high-speed chase and being taken into custody; Border Patrol also reported 81 arrests during the first days of the “Charlotte’s Web” enforcement effort.

WCNC

What Might Surprise You

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro unexpectedly sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” in a public plea for peace toward Donald Trump, a bizarre performance delivered amid heightened fears of conflict following the U.S. launch of Operation Southern Spear targeting alleged Venezuelan “narco-terrorists.”

The Sun

Apple is accelerating its succession plans as CEO Tim Cook could step down as early as next year, with senior executives and the board preparing for a transition and hardware chief John Ternus viewed as the leading internal candidate, though no final decision or timeline is set.

Financial Times

Ford has struck a deal to sell certified used cars through Amazon allowing car buyers to browse, finance and purchase a used car. x@BloombergTV

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✅ Harris Teeter is selling turkeys for 29¢/lb.