LATEST NEWS

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) - The NC 4th of July Festival in Southport is inviting spectators and participants to the Red, White, and Blue Freedom Flotilla at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 2. “Spectators can watch the parade — which features patriotically bedazzled vessels of all shapes and sizes — from...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Wilmington Police Department announced on Tuesday that it is investigating a shooting that took place on Sunday, June 4. According to police, officers were sent to the 500 block of Plum Nearly Lane at around 1:15 a.m. for a potential shooting. “Upon arrival, officers located...

Nearly five years after Hurricane Florence destroyed them, crews will begin to reconstruct four dams in Boiling Spring Lakes. While work is expected to start later this month, it'll proceed by working around shortfalls in financing after bids came in higher than expected. The city will use value engineering for...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Wilmington Police Department announced at 11:24 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, that they are looking for 15-year-old Kristina Colsch. Colsch was last seen wearing a grey shirt and black leggings, according to the release from police. Colsch is 5′ 3″ tall, weighs 120 pounds, and...

Twenty years ago, people were calling Wilmington drag queen Tara Nicole Brooks a legend. These days, she's more like an institution. Brooks has had a documentary ("Dixie Queen") made about her life and she has stood the test of time, watching (and performing) as drag has gone from an underground, late-night club phenomenon into the mainstream with Sunday "drag brunches."

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Crews responded to a large structure fire on Sunday evening in Oak Island. Oak Island Fire Department responded with assistance from Southport, Sunny Point, St. James, Boiling Springs Lakes, Winnabow, Supply, and Brunswick County EMS to NE 41st Street at 9:13pm. Crews arrived just...

Duke Energy and emergency officials in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties will be testing select outdoor warning sirens around the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport, North Carolina from June 19 to 22.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Johnny Small is a long way away from the prisons where he spent most of his teenage years and much of his adult life. These days he lives in Florida on a 10-acre farm with his wife, 12 cats, 12 dogs, a couple horses and a donkey. But he’ll never forget what happened to him 35 years ago.

Get ready for an unforgettable culinary adventure in the heart of Wilmington! 🌇. This Saturday, Jun 10, from 5:45 pm to 8:45 pm, Wilmington Downtown Incorporated is hosting a Tasting Tour that will take you on a mouth-watering journey of the city's most delicious restaurants. 🍴👨‍🍳

WILMINGTON — North Carolina’s largest river basin faces more than its fair share of threats, advocates say. The Cape Fear River watershed is the most industrialized in the state. Swine and poultry factory farms, paper and wood pellet mills, chemical plants, yet-to-be cleaned coal ash ponds, countless small dams and several large dams, feed and textile mills, explosive commercial and residential development, and climate change endanger this river basin of about 9,000 square miles and home to about 2 million people.

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - The Town of Carolina Beach announced that Sand Dollar Lane will be closed on Tuesday, June 6 for work. According to the announcement, the road was also closed on June 5 to allow crews to install stormwater lines.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Wilmington Police Department announced at 10:46 a.m. on Monday, June 5, that the intersection of Wooster and 5th streets was closed following a collision involving a utility pole. “A vehicle struck a utility pole and wires are down. The intersection of 5th and Wooster is...

RALEIGH - Governor Roy Cooper has signed two bills into law concerning matters off the coast. House Bill 544 makes it unlawful to hold shark fishing tournaments during tourist season in several beach towns, including Carolina Beach, Caswell Beach, Holden Beach, Kure Beach, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach and Bald Head Island.

Big Something and Doom Flamingo to perform at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Four dogs killed in Oak Island fire, town says that water pressure did not hinder crews. Town officials say the house is a total loss and two adjacent homes received some structural damage. Former Sunset Beach police officer accused...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Your First Alert Forecast features warmer temperatures through Wednesday. Expect highs mainly in the middle and upper 80s; a couple of mainland spots may get a notch or two higher while Cape Fear beaches ought to be a few degrees cooler. You may notice an uptick...

New Hanover County (WWAY) —This week’s Pet Pal is a 1-year old tuxedo cat. New Hanover County Animal Services staff describe her as an on-the-go girl. She is curious, smart, and ready to tackle on any adventure. And if you have a pack of treats, she’ll fall in love instantly.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Your First Alert Forecast continues late on this Monday with the barely identifiable remnants of Tropical Storm Arlene drifting near Cuba and South Florida and prospects for new tropical cyclone activity quite low across the Atlantic Basin. Enjoy a pleasant Monday evening across the Cape Fear...

The Local Government Commission on Tuesday afternoon will consider whether to approve $70 million in financing that will allow the city of Wilmington to buy the former PPD headquarters campus. Separately, New Hanover County is asking the LGC, which has to approve most debt issued by local governments and public...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A hip-hop class at D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy is underway, giving seventh and eighth graders a way to learn how to identify and express themselves through music. The class is part of the Hip-Hop Collective, a pilot program introduced by UNCW and other community partners. “Our...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The United Way of the Cape Fear Area (UWCFA) and The Healing Place of New Hanover County (THPNC) are teaming up for the Recovery Live: Healing in Harmony concert and community resource fair. The event will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at...