The Amped Journal

OpenAI is converting its one-time "Bio Bug Bounty" into an ongoing private program to stress-test safeguards against advanced biology capabilities in its AI models, doubling researcher rewards to $50,000. The company said the move is part of its continuing effort to strengthen safeguards for advanced AI capabilities in biology and is inviting qualified researchers to take part.

OpenAI said GPT-5.6 Luna, part of its newly launched model lineup, outperforms GPT-5.5 running at its highest reasoning setting while costing 25 times less, calling it "a major step forward for health intelligence." The company said the full GPT-5.6 lineup delivers stronger performance at lower cost across the board.

Cursor, the AI-powered code editor, rolled out several updates: "side chats" let developers spin off durable side conversations they can pull back into the main thread with an @-mention, a new local search index lets users search across thousands of past agent conversations, and the project and repo pickers were simplified to launch agents in fewer clicks. The company also added new hooks for its cloud agents.

Google DeepMind's podcast featured host Hannah Fry and researcher Neel Nanda discussing interpretability, the science of reverse-engineering how neural networks learn and reason, and how a model's chain-of-thought output functions like a scratch pad offering a window into its reasoning.

Center Point, a large residential and mixed-use project under construction near Military Cutoff and Eastwood roads, is one of several major developments reshaping Wilmington's Mayfaire area, according to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Developer David Swain, founder of Swain & Associates, said the project aims to stand out from a typical apartment complex. Broker John Gavin of Cameron Management said Mayfaire has become one of the region's most important commercial submarkets due to its strong demographics, residential density and access to major roads.

Three two-story brick office buildings at 428, 430 and 432 Eastwood Road sold for a combined $4.9 million in two separate transactions, according to deed records and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Bowman Jones Properties LLC, tied to Tribute Companies executives Robert Hollis and Mark Maynard Sr., had owned the 1.26-acre site since 2001. State Farm agent Rob Cutting bought the building at 432 Eastwood Road for $2.25 million; broker Steve Hall of Blue Coast Commercial represented the sellers.

A 350-acre property called Cutter Ridge Plantation, located near Orton Plantation in Winnabow, hit the market in May for nearly $9.75 million, according to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. The turnkey outdoor-recreation property includes a quail preserve, eight stocked fishing ponds, a five-bedroom house with guest cottage, and a helicopter with hangar and landing pad. Listing agent Cailein Campbell of National Land Realty said most interest has come from out-of-state, high-net-worth buyers looking for a Carolina retreat.

Wilmington's live music scene, once known for original acts like Striking Copper and singer-songwriter David Dixon, has shifted toward tribute and cover bands over the past decade, according to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Local musician Delia Stanley, who performs solo and fronts her band Delia & Friends, said housing-affordability concerns are driving the change: fans are less willing to gamble ticket money on unfamiliar original music, and even mid-size touring acts are seeing softer sales.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is developing its next Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan and is holding public meetings starting next week in Waynesville, Greensboro and Wilmington to gather input on shaping the future of freight movement in the state.