,Film and TV production in North Carolina generated an estimated $185 million in direct in-state spending in 2025, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.,A man convicted in connection with a 2023 sexual assault at a Carolina Beach Road vape shop was sentenced to more than 40 years in prison.,Scott and Bev Veals, members of the ukulele community in the Cape Fear area, joined Randy Aldridge on WECT News Now to discuss their upcoming ukulele workshop and concert event called Ukation.,A key route into downtown Whiteville will be disrupted starting next week as crews begin building a roundabout at one of the city’s busiest intersections.,The Northchase Public Library is now open, becoming the fifth branch of the New Hanover County Public Library system and the first built to serve the northern part of the county.,New Hanover County Schools is distributing free weekly meal kits to children this summer through the USDA’s SUN Meals To-Go program.,