SURF CITY — The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center has cared for more than 1,100 endangered sea turtles over nearly three decades. It relies heavily on donations and revenues from public tours, which were halted during the pandemic; however, the work never stopped. Now the center is receiving some financial assistance, which will help it recoup lost expenses and continue its mission to tend to sick and injured turtles.The popular Surf City organization was recently awarded $100,703 in f... read more

Looking back, it was undoubtedly risky suggesting to meet Harry Styles, the global music megastar, the apple of so many millions of eyes, at a public open-air swimming pool in London on an unusually sunny March morning—right when people were bouncing around the city with a vaguely manic, newly liberated energy, catalyzed by the total lift on COVID restrictions. But swimmers, particularly all-weather swimmers (the lido I chose is unheated and open year-round), take the meditative pleasure of swimming seriously... read more

North Carolina ranked first in the nation in an analysis of statewide economic development achievements in 2021. For achievement, the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) received top honors and won Site Selection magazine’s 2022 Prosperity Cup. The prosperity cup award is given annually to state-level organizations with the most successful economic development projects in their state in the prior year. For ... read more

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Just last month, the registration fee and other restrictions for short term rentals were lifted by the Wilmington City Council following a court ruling. But even before this decision was made, short-term rental listings have been steadily rising in Wilmington. Wilmington no longer requires short-term rental registration following court decision According to AirDNA’s data on short term rentals, the Wilmington area has about 1,157 active short-term rentals. Of that, 87%... read more

KURE BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - People are flocking to Kure Beach -- but not for the ocean views like you might expect. In fact, the attraction people are hoping to see is a couple of blocks off the oceanfront. “It’s amazing how many people are stopping by,” said David Hall, who helped plant the agave 20 years ago. “Wish I could charge a nickel for each one of them!” Whether you call it agave, century plant or “giant asparagus,” it’s drawing crowds to this corner of Kure Be... read more