TOGETHER WITH

Make your weekend plans—but check the traffic first. The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon is rolling through Wilmington, and road closures are expected all over the city. Meanwhile, NASA’s got a new “quasi-moon” orbiting nearby, and local events are heating up for Halloween weekend.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• IRONMAN 70.3 Brings Road Delays

• Wilson County Farmer Feels the Sting of U.S.-China Trade Standoff

Plan Your Routes: IRONMAN 70.3 Brings Road Delays Across New Hanover County

WECT Wilmington prepares for the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon with multiple road closures and traffic delays across New Hanover County. The race features a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run, starting at Wrightsville Beach and ending at the Battleship North Carolina. Roads including Water Street, Princess Street, Hanover Street, MLK Parkway, and sections of I-140 and HWY 421 will be closed or have restricted access at varying times from Oct. 23–25. Residents and commuters are advised to plan alternate routes and expect delays during peak race hours.

Read More >>

HALLOWEEN at Wilmington Rock Gym!

Halloween's coming around the bend and that can only mean one thing... costume party!! 👻

Members, punch card, and semester pass holders are invited to bring a first-timer for free, and be sure to wear a costume for a shot at one of three marvelous prizes!

See you there! 🎃

“Depressing Harvest”: Wilson County Farmer Feels the Sting of U.S.-China Trade Standoff

Spectrum News 1 — North Carolina soybean farmers are feeling the financial strain as U.S.-China trade tensions continue to block one of their biggest markets. China typically purchases more than a quarter of all U.S. soybeans, but tariffs have halted those exports this year, causing prices to plummet. For second-generation farmer Brooks Barnes of Wilson County, this harvest season—normally a time of optimism—has turned grim as expenses rise and profits fall. Still, he remains hopeful that new buyers will emerge to keep the industry afloat.

Read More >>

News Roundup

Local News

Wilmington International Airport is conducting live fire drills through Friday to train its emergency response team. The exercises, led by ILM’s Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting unit, may produce visible smoke or flames near the airfield but are part of routine safety preparedness. WECT

The Town of Leland has enacted an immediate ban on land-clearing open burns within town limits. The move addresses residents’ concerns over air quality and visibility issues from developer burn practices, while other forms of open burning permitted under state law remain allowed. WECT

What You Should Know

Millions of student loan borrowers will receive forgiveness under a new agreement reinstated by the Trump administration. The deal with the American Federation of Teachers allows borrowers on income-driven repayment plans who have made qualifying payments to have the remaining balance of their loans cancelled. New York Post

What Might Surprise You

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five-year prison sentence for conspiracy related to illicit campaign funds from Libya. He is serving his term at La Santé prison in Paris, marking the first time a French president has gone to prison since World War II, and was accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni amid cheers from supporters. Reuters

The Louvre’s stolen crown jewels were uninsured, leaving France to absorb the loss. Priceless items, including Empress Eugénie’s diamond brooch and royal tiaras, are part of the state’s self-insured national collection, making recovery urgent as investigators race to prevent thieves from melting down or recutting the gems. X / Financial Times & Le Parisien

NASA confirms a new quasi-moon, 2025 PN7, orbiting the Sun alongside Earth and staying near our planet until 2083. Discovered by University of Hawaii astronomers in mid-2025, the small object measures 18–36 meters across and follows a similar orbital path to Earth, though it is not gravitationally bound like the Moon. Estoy en la Frontera

Today

Thursday

Friday