Good morning Wilmington!

My wife and I watched the pilot of RJ Decker last night and we both enjoyed it — quick, fun, and entertaining. Even better was spotting some familiar local landmarks like Johnny Mercer’s Pier and the Seawitch in Carolina Beach. While the show is set in Fort Lauderdale, much of the filming actually happened right here around Wilmington. It’s always fun seeing our corner of the coast pop up on the screen. You can catch the pilot and future episodes on Hulu if you missed the ABC premiere.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Eight North Carolina Incumbent Lawmakers Lose Primaries

• Membership Sales Launch at The Club at Midtown

Eight North Carolina Incumbent Lawmakers Lose Primaries in Major Voter Shakeup

WUNC At least eight incumbent North Carolina legislators lost their primary elections Tuesday, signaling voter dissatisfaction with some lawmakers’ actions in Raleigh. Several Democratic incumbents were defeated after voting with Republicans to override vetoes from Gov. Josh Stein, while multiple Republicans also lost in contested races tied to policy disputes and local political tensions, highlighting a volatile election cycle across the state legislature.

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Membership Sales Launch at The Club at Midtown as Construction Progresses

StarNews Online The Club at Midtown is moving toward membership sales and construction of a major recreation and social facility in Wilmington featuring pickleball courts, tennis facilities, a lap pool, and dining spaces aimed at creating a community gathering hub. This project at Holly Tree Road aims to transform the former racquet and swim club into a modern sports and social destination with indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, tennis facilities, and dining areas. Construction is ongoing, and membership sales have now begun as the club moves toward its anticipated opening. Developers hope the venue will serve as both a fitness center and community gathering space, hosting events and tournaments for members. With extensive amenities planned, the club seeks to become a major recreational hub in southeastern North Carolina once completed.

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News Roundup

Local News

A North Carolina protester was arrested after disrupting a Senate Armed Services hearing and violently resisting removal by Capitol Police inside a U.S. Senate office building. Authorities say Brian C. McGinnis shouted anti-war statements about the U.S. campaign in Iran before a struggle with officers—during which Tim Sheehy assisted police—leaving several people treated for injuries and leading to multiple assault and resisting-arrest charges. Spectrum News

The New Hanover County Democratic Party is urging school board candidate James Richard “Rick” Southerland to withdraw after it was revealed he lives and campaigns with a registered sex offender. Southerland apologized for not disclosing his relationship with James Darius “Jaymes” Osborne—who is on the sex offender registry due to a 2020 Virginia Beach conviction—but rejected calls to step down, claiming the case was a “wrongful conviction” and saying his lack of disclosure was due to inexperience in campaigning. WHQR

What You Should Know

Thousands of Kurdish fighters have reportedly launched a ground offensive into Iran targeting regime forces. Kurdish groups affiliated with the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) are said to have moved into Iranian territory from Iraq, with Iranian forces reportedly withdrawing from the border city of Mariwan and establishing defensive positions as fighting escalates. i24NEWS

Flights are gradually resuming out of the Middle East as airlines and governments organize charters to help stranded travelers, though cancellations and disruptions remain widespread. Thousands have left via hubs in the United Arab Emirates on carriers such as Emirates and Etihad Airways, and the first U.S.-facilitated charter flight departed with additional evacuations planned, according to the United States Department of State. CNN

National News

Britney Spears was taken to a hospital after a DUI stop in California, where officers drew blood to determine her BAC following an alleged traffic violation. non-bold details indicate she was not injured and the hospital visit was solely for testing; her manager acknowledged the incident and said she will take steps toward addressing her well-being. TMZ

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