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In today’s Port City Pulse:

• PBS NC Tightens Budget, Freezes Hiring

• Pilots Who Aided Western NC Honored in Docu-Series

Federal Cuts Threaten Local Public Media: PBS NC Tightens Budget, Freezes Hiring

[WUNC] LPBS North Carolina is grappling with a nearly $5 million loss after Congress eliminated funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In response, the network has issued voluntary separation offers to staff, frozen hiring, and eliminated vacant roles in hopes of avoiding mass layoffs. CEO David Crabtree emphasizes the network’s commitment to preserving services and financial health. While it’s unclear how programming like North Carolina Weekend and State Lines will be affected, the budget squeeze adds to growing concerns over the future of public media in the state.

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"Air Angels: Flight Helene" Honors Pilots Who Aided Western NC—Filming Begins in Wilmington

[WWAY] A new docu-series titled Air Angels: Flight Helene is being filmed in Wilmington, NC. Produced by Just Do Good Entertainment, the five-part series will highlight the heroic pilots who helped deliver critical supplies to Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The project aims to honor these often-unsung heroes and share their stories with a wider audience. A recent event featured a meet-and-greet with some of the pilots, and New Hanover County recognized them with certificates of appreciation. The series will stream next spring on Up Faith and Family and other platforms.

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News Roundup

LOCAL NEWS

• The New Hanover County Board of Education voted against censuring board member David Perry, after he shared confidential information discussed during a closed session of the board meeting.
  WECT

• The main branch of the New Hanover County Public Library has closed–but will reopen in October at a new location.
  WECT

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• The FDA has approved lab-grown fish for the U.S. food supply without requiring third party testing, sparking concerns among food safety advocates.
  Slay News

• The House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with eight former DOJ officials as part of a renewed bipartisan investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s ties and possible Justice Department missteps.
  Newsweek

• Ghislaine Maxwell is opposing the Trump administration’s push to unseal grand jury transcripts in her case, arguing that doing so would violate her due process rights. Her lawyer said she can’t support the move since the judge won’t let her review the material herself.
  The Hill

WHAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

• The Howard Stern Show is expected to be canceled after nearly 20 years on SiriusXM, as the shock jock’s $100 million contract expires in late 2025. Insiders say SiriusXM has no plans to match Stern’s asking price for a renewal.
  The Sun

• RFK Jr’s health department to halt $500m in mRNA vaccine research. “We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate,” Kennedy said.
  The Guardian

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