Good morning Wilmington!

Turns out a lot of “local shrimp” isn’t local at all. And as e-bikes boom across Wilmington, lawmakers and locals are wrestling with safety and access. It’s not all serious—this weekend is filled with mom-friendly events, markets, and hugs. Here's your midweek pulse.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Genetic testing on shrimp

• E-Bike Showdown

Genetic Testing Exposes Shrimp Fraud at 34 Wilmington-Area Restaurants

[National Fisherman] A recent investigation using genetic testing uncovered that 34 of 44 Wilmington-area restaurants falsely marketed imported, farm-raised shrimp as local, wild-caught. Conducted by SEAD Consulting and the Southern Shrimp Alliance, the study found 77% of establishments misrepresented their shrimp, either on menus or via staff claims. Only 10 restaurants were verified as serving local shrimp. The fraud damages consumer trust and harms the region’s fishing economy, prompting plans for formal notices and more testing. While there are no state laws requiring shrimp origin disclosure, federal guidelines prohibit misleading marketing—even through implication.

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E-Bike Showdown: NC Bill Moves Forward Amid Safety Debates in New Hanover

[Port City Daily] A bill led by Sen. Michael Lee of New Hanover County—Senate Bill 576—aims to clarify how North Carolina classifies e-bikes by introducing a 3-tier system. As the bill advances in the Senate, local leaders in New Hanover County are also reviewing regulations on trail usage and helmet enforcement. Commissioners debated e-bike safety and enforcement in parks following a recent dirt bike incident, while park officials pointed to growing crowding and confusion over current rules. The discussion highlights rising concerns over safety, infrastructure, and enforcement amid the region's e-bike boom.

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News Roundup

Local News

• Multiple fake distress calls have triggered a U.S. Coast Guard investigation along the North Carolina coast. The hoax calls claimed that vessels were taking on water and sparked unnecessary search and rescue efforts. WWAY

• UNCW has released its schedule for 2025 spring commencement ceremonies, which will be held May 9–11 at Trask Coliseum. The university expects to award more than 2,600 degrees during the weekend. WWAY

What You Should Know

• President Trump says the U.S. will stop bombing Houthi targets in Yemen, citing a shift toward “de-escalation.” The decision comes after months of airstrikes and amid pressure from Congress to end U.S. involvement. Politico

• Pakistan has authorized its military to respond after India allegedly conducted airstrikes inside Pakistani territory. The move escalates tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, with each blaming the other for provoking conflict. Newsweek

• A Navy fighter jet crashed into the sea near Guam — the fourth major Navy aviation mishap in recent months. No fatalities were reported, but the string of incidents is raising serious safety concerns. MSN

What Might Surprise You

• Mark Zuckerberg envisions a future where AI assistants manage your schedule, speak for you, and help shape your digital identity. He predicts these AI versions of ourselves will become as essential as smartphones are today. Wall Street Journal

Wednesday

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