Today
in Wilmington
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Families of veterans honored their fallen loved ones by having nine cremated remains laid to rest in concrete memorial structures off Carolina Beach during a Memorial Reef ceremony on Monday. The initiative preserves veterans' legacies while fostering marine habitat growth. WWAY
- ➤ Cyclists from the Wounded Warrior Project rode through Wilmington on May 18, stopping at Battleship North Carolina before continuing north toward Firehouse 10 near Ground Zero — escorted by the New Hanover County Sheriff's Department. Wilmington Star-News
- ➤ The 11th Annual Coastal Duck Derby will race 20,000 rubber ducks down the Lazy River at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park Friday, May 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Funds raised will support Coastal Horizons crisis intervention and youth programs, while participants enjoy music, food + a splash pad. WWAY
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Bricks and Minifigs Wilmington will debut a 314-piece LEGO-inspired model of the historic Battleship North Carolina on Memorial Day at its store. The exclusive set, created in partnership with Parker’s Brick Builds, will be available only while supplies last. WWAY
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UNCW Faculty Senate voted to scrap the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which was created in 2020 to advise on reducing barriers for underrepresented faculty and students. The 58—5 vote reflects efforts to align committee duties with current UNC System equality policy. WHQR
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ New Hanover County is finalizing a two-year food and medication delivery pilot funded by a $1.2 million grant from The Endowment to address food deserts in the county. Officials said details are pending (partner selection and operational planning to boost grocery and prescription access) for low-income residents. WHQR
- ➤ The City of Wilmington will transform 305 Chestnut St. into a temporary pop-up park called Celebration Park on May 22. The site, once intended for a grocery store, will feature art for the nation's 250th anniversary and an outdoor movie series in partnership with Thalian Hall through September (details undisclosed). Port City Daily
- ➤ City crews began installing nine speed humps on Burnett Boulevard between Sunset and Virginia yesterday, May 18 — one block is closed until it reopens for Memorial Day weekend, May 23 to May 25 with detours via Carolina Beach Road. WWAY
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Wilmington resident Sherry O’Daniell beat stage 3 melanoma after years of sun exposure and now urges neighbors to check their skin; dermatologists at Wilmington Health advise using SPF 30 or higher + reapplying sunscreen every two hours. WECT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UNCW baseball hosts the 2026 CAA Tournament at Brooks Field starting May 20 at 4 p.m. The Seahawks—earning the No.6 seed—aim to break a five-game losing streak in the double-elimination tournament. Wilmington Star-News
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Coastal Entrepreneurship Awards
6-9 p.m. — UNCW Burney Center — Recognizing local innovation — Celebrate emerging and established businesses in the Cape Fear region.
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Jelly Roll Concert
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Live Oak Bank Pavilion — Ticket prices may apply — Experience the soulful sounds of rising star Ethan Burdick live in Wilmington.
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Modest Mouse Concert
6:00 – 7:30 PM — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater — Cost info not provided — Experience the indie rock legend Modest Mouse as they take the stage in Wilmington.
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Cape Fear Bonsai Society Exhibition
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — New Hanover County Arboretum — Free entry — Explore the artistry of bonsai reflecting the beauty of the Cape Fear region.
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Lord Huron Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Live Oak Bank Pavilion — Tickets required — Experience captivating melodies and storytelling from the popular indie folk band Lord Huron.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
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Reveal the authorAbout Today in Wilmington
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