Good morning Wilmington!

The Trump administration has made headlines again with bold, controversial statements on autism, leucovorin treatments, and acetaminophen safety. Does Tylenol cause autism? The short answer: we don’t know for sure — but new FDA and NIH initiatives aim to provide more guidance and research.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Graduation Rates Up, Mental Health Services Lag in NC

• UNCW Students Try Out Starship Robots

• Cameron Art Museum Hosts Family-Friendly Barbecue and Bourbon Bash

Graduation Rates Up, Mental Health Services Lag in NC Child’s Cape Fear Report

WHQR NC Child’s latest report on the Cape Fear region shows promising improvements in uninsured rates and graduation rates among children, but highlights serious gaps in mental health access and early childhood care. Over half of children needing mental health services face barriers, and student-to-counselor ratios exceed national recommendations. Experts say addressing the crisis requires more professionals, better funding, and community efforts to build emotional resiliency. The report underscores the urgent need to strengthen support systems for youth across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Columbus counties.

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From Starbucks to Your Dorm: UNCW Students Try Out Starship Robots

[UNCW News] UNCW has partnered with Starship Technologies and Grubhub to roll out a fleet of autonomous food delivery robots across campus. Students can now order from on-campus spots like Chick-fil-A and Starbucks through the Grubhub app and watch their robot navigate sidewalks to deliver meals in minutes. Each robot can carry up to 20 pounds, travel in all weather conditions, and operates with advanced AI and human oversight. University leaders say the new service blends innovation, convenience, and sustainability to enhance the Seahawk experience.

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Cameron Art Museum Hosts Family-Friendly Barbecue and Bourbon Bash

WECT – The Cameron Art Museum (CAM) will host its 3rd Annual Barbecue and Bourbon Bash on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. The event promises smoked barbecue, southern sides, craft bourbon cocktails, and live music from Hood’s Creek, a band known for their classic rock, southern rock, and original tunes. CAM emphasizes that the evening is family-friendly and a great way to meet neighbors while supporting the museum. Tickets are $55 for members, $65 for non-members, and $15 for children, with buffet access included.

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News Roundup

Local News

Wilmington City Council is set to revisit a controversial public camping ordinance that would ban sleeping or camping on city property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., with violations now classified as infractions rather than misdemeanors. Opponents argue the measure criminalizes homelessness without addressing its root causes. WECT

The North Carolina Senate passed a bill advancing crime-and-safety reforms, including efforts to reinstate the death penalty using methods other than lethal injection, following the Charlotte stabbing of Iryna Zarutska. The legislation also targets bail policies and aims to limit release for individuals with criminal or mental health histories. WRAL

What You Should Know

President Trump announced that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism, with the FDA preparing to recommend limiting its use unless medically necessary. C-Span

Gold prices hit a record high, climbing to $3,790.82 per ounce, driven by expectations of further U.S. interest rate cuts ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech. MSN

The U.S. Secret Service dismantled a network of over 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards in the New York tristate area that posed imminent telecommunications threats to senior government officials, particularly during the UN General Assembly. The devices could have been used for anonymous threats, disabling cell towers, and encrypted communications with criminal or nation-state actors. U.S. Secret Service

What Might Surprise You

Disney announced Jimmy Kimmel will return to ABC on Tuesday, six days after his suspension, marking the strongest pushback yet against Trump’s crackdown on media critics. Reuters

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest owner of ABC affiliates, announced it will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! despite Disney reinstating the show, instead replacing it with local news on its 38 stations. Meidas News

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