Good morning Wilmington!

Easter weekend is shaping up to be a beauty in Wilmington — sunshine, 70s, and just enough breeze to remind you it’s spring. Whether you're planning brunch, beach time, or catching live music, the weather's on your side.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Kevin Williamson’s The Waterfront Docks on Netflix June 19

• Book Battles Intensify in NC as House Passes Parental Oversight Legislation

Kevin Williamson’s The Waterfront Docks on Netflix June 19

[Deadline] Kevin Williamson — the creator behind Dawson’s Creek — returns to North Carolina with a new Netflix drama, The Waterfront, premiering June 19. Starring Melissa Benoist, Mario Bello, Holt McCallany, and Jake Weary, the eight-episode series follows the powerful Buckley family as they struggle to maintain their dominance over Havenport’s fishing and dining scene amid internal collapse. Addiction, betrayal, and legacy intertwine in this moody, coastal tale inspired by true events.

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Book Battles Intensify in NC as House Passes Parental Oversight Legislation

[AP News] After heated debate, the NC House passed a bill that gives parents more power in deciding which books are allowed in public and charter school libraries. The bill sets up a 10-person advisory committee—five parents and five school employees—to review materials, with final decisions made by school boards. While Republicans say the measure protects children, opponents argue it’s a path to censorship. The bill now moves to the Senate as part of a broader national culture war around education and parental rights.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local News

• Cape Fear Community College has launched a new heavy equipment operator course, offering students hands-on training with excavators and bulldozers to fill workforce demands in construction and infrastructure. WWAY

• The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra has named Silas Huff as its new conductor, bringing fresh energy and experience to the local arts scene. Huff is a decorated Army veteran and accomplished musician. WECT

What You Should Know

• A gunman opened fire at Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus on Thursday, killing two and injuring six. The shooter, identified as Phoenix Ikner—reportedly the son of a local sheriff’s deputy—used his mother’s handgun and opened fire from an orange Hummer before being shot by police. Daily Mail

• Sen. Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, a man deported from the U.S. despite his legal residency and ongoing green card process. The case has become a flashpoint in debates over immigration enforcement errors. NBC News

• Donald Trump again called for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and said Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s “termination cannot come fast enough.” His comments come amid inflation worries and growing speculation over how the Fed will respond to political pressure in an election year. CNBC

National News

• El Salvador plans to double the capacity of its massive prison built to house gang members and U.S. deportees, raising concerns from human rights groups about overcrowding and due process. Wall Street Journal

• The IRS is reviewing Harvard’s tax-exempt status, questioning whether the university’s massive endowment and spending patterns align with requirements for nonprofit institutions. CNN

Weather

Summary

Wilmington, NC, will enjoy pleasant weather over the next three days starting April 18. Expect sunny skies on Friday and Saturday with highs of 75°F and lows of 63°F, accompanied by low precipitation chances (6%). Winds will shift from SSE to SSW, increasing to 18 mph on Saturday. Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a high of 76°F and a 7% chance of rain, with SW winds at 14 mph. Surf conditions will remain small, with ankle-to-knee-high swells, and tides will follow a consistent pattern.

Weather Forecast

Fri Apr 18: Sunny | 75° / 63° | 6% | SSE 14 mph
Sat Apr 19: Sunny | 75° / 63° | 6% | SSW 18 mph
Sun Apr 20: Mostly Cloudy | 76° / 63° | 7% | SW 14 mph

Tide Forecast

Fri Apr 18:
5:31am: 0.62 ft (Low Tide)
11:43am: 2.92 ft (High Tide)
5:16pm: 0.60 ft (Low Tide)
12:12am: 3.85 ft (High Tide)

Sat Apr 19:
6:30am: 0.74 ft (Low Tide)
12:30pm: 2.90 ft (High Tide)
6:13pm: 0.70 ft (Low Tide)
1:00am: 3.84 ft (High Tide)

Sun Apr 20:
7:37am: 0.74 ft (Low Tide)
1:19pm: 2.96 ft (High Tide)
7:31pm: 0.71 ft (Low Tide)
1:00am: 3.84 ft (High Tide)

Surf Forecast

Fri Apr 18: Ankle to knee-high ESE short-period wind swell. Glassy conditions in the morning with SSE winds less than 5 mph, turning choppy in the afternoon with S winds 10-15 mph. Surf height around 1+ ft in the morning, dropping to 1 ft by afternoon.

Sat Apr 19: Ankle to knee-high ESE swell persists with surf heights of 1-2 ft throughout the day. Choppy conditions due to SSW winds at 18 mph.

Sun Apr 20: Surf remains small at 1-2 ft with ESE swell. Conditions may be choppy with SW winds at 14 mph, slightly cleaner in the morning.

Weather data derived from: weather.com. Tide data from: marineweather.net. Surf data from: surfcaptain.com

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY