Good morning Wilmington!

If you didn’t manage to brave the cold at the 11th Annual Wrightsville Beach Polar Plunge, here’s your chance to see the daring folks who did—and the smiles (and shivers) that came with it!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Avelo to End Most Wilmington Flights

• $87.5 Million Beef Settlement

• Rethinking Civics Education in North Carolina

Avelo Airlines Shuts Down Wilmington Base, Cuts 11 Routes

WWAY Avelo Airlines announced it will close its base at Wilmington International Airport and discontinue service to 11 destinations as part of a broader effort to streamline operations nationwide. The airline will continue limited service from Wilmington to Nashville, New Haven, Tampa, and Washington, D.C./Baltimore, while affected travelers will be contacted directly. Airport officials say other airlines still serve the impacted destinations, helping limit disruptions for local passengers.
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Bought Beef Between 2014 and 2019? You Could Get Cash From an $87.5M Settlement

CBS 17 Consumers in 26 states and Washington, D.C., who bought certain beef products between 2014 and 2019 may be eligible for cash payments from an $87.5 million antitrust settlement. The lawsuit accused major beef processors, including Tyson Foods and Cargill, of coordinating to limit competition and raise prices. While the companies deny wrongdoing, the settlement covers more than 280 fresh and frozen beef cuts purchased for personal use at grocery stores during the specified period.

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Teaching Civics by Making It Real: A New Approach in NC Schools

Carolina Public Press — Civics education in North Carolina may be due for a revival as educators experiment with hands-on, real-world lessons that connect government concepts to students’ everyday lives. Teachers across the state are using strategies like engaging with lawmakers, inviting local officials into classrooms and reframing historic documents to spark student interest. Advocates say this approach helps students better understand how government works and how their voices matter, while highlighting the need for stronger investment and support to make civics more interactive and effective statewide.

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News Roundup

Local News

The Leland Police Department has earned full state accreditation from the North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation program. Officials say the department met 116 standards over a nearly two-year review process, recognizing its policies, training, and commitment to professional and community-focused policing. WECT

What You Should Know

A suspect has been arrested and is facing federal charges after allegedly vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home. Authorities say the man broke multiple windows and damaged a vehicle on the property, causing more than $28,000 in damage, before being detained by the Secret Service; Vance and his family were not home at the time. WLWT

The sudden death of Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa has narrowed the GOP’s majority in the U.S. House. LaMalfa’s passing leaves Republicans with a slim three-vote margin, compounded by the hospitalization of Rep. Jim Baird after a car accident, raising fresh uncertainty for Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to pass party-line legislation. Daily Mail

Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana has been hospitalized after a car accident but is reported to be in stable condition. The 80-year-old Republican lawmaker and his wife were injured in the crash, which President Donald Trump described as serious, though officials say both are expected to recover. Fox News

What Might Surprise You

The U.S. has reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for every child in an unprecedented change to the federal immunization schedule. While officials say families will still have access and insurance coverage for vaccines, health experts warn the move—prompted by a Trump administration review—could lower vaccination rates and increase the risk of preventable diseases. Associated Press

The Baltimore Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Harbaugh, the most successful coach in franchise history with a Super Bowl title and 193 career wins, becomes a top candidate on the NFL coaching market following the Ravens’ late-season loss to Pittsburgh. ESPN

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