Good morning Wilmington!

If you’re watching The White Lotus, you’ve probably noticed the Ratliff family from North Carolina. But how authentic are the parents' accents? This deep dive takes a closer look at how well the show captures that Southern sound.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• ​House of Raeford increasing prices on chicken breasts starting Monday, April 7

House of Raeford will be in Hampstead on June 28 but increasing prices on Monday, April 7th.

Prices on fresh chicken breast will be increasing on Monday, April 7th from $72 per 40-lb. case to $100. This is the first increase of our boneless skinless breast price in a year. 

Stock up on a fresh order of chicken from House of Raeford [HoR]. HoR sells all natural bulk chicken for a price that’s hard to beat!

• Chicken breast currently $1.80/lb. - rising to $2.50/lb. Monday, April 7th

• (Meaty) Party wings for $2.20/lb.

• Boneless thighs for $2.00/lb.

• Chicken tenders, sausage and more

Ideal to pool in with neighbors or if you have the freezer space, vacuum-seal and save for later! The wings are meaty and delicious! Get your order in before the 7th to save on chicken breasts. All sales end on at noon on June 28. Pickup will be on June 28 9AM-Noon at Topsail Annandale ES, 17385 US Hwy 17,  Hampstead, NC 28443

6/28/25 9am-1230pm You’ll want to set an alarm or calendar alert. ANY ORDERS NOT PICKED UP WILL BE DONATED!!!

Order here »

News Roundup

Local

• Parents Urge NHCS Board to End All Suspensions, Board Pushes Back – Parents are demanding that New Hanover County Schools eliminate suspensions, arguing they disproportionately affect minority students. However, school board members warn that ending suspensions could put staff and student safety at risk. WWAY

• Brunswick County EMS Delivers Baby on Side of the Road – A baby was safely delivered by Brunswick County EMS after a mother went into labor on the way to the hospital. Officials praised the paramedics for their quick response. WECT

What You Need to Know

• Trump Imposes Sweeping Tariffs – Former President Donald Trump enacted a two-step tariff plan, introducing a 10% baseline tariff on all countries effective April 5, with additional tariffs for "worst offenders" following on April 9. The move, announced during a Rose Garden event, aims to restructure global trade and address what Trump calls unfair practices. Analysts predict the new tariffs could push the U.S. weighted-average tariff rate to 29%—the highest in over a century. Yahoo Finance

• Devastating Tornado Strikes Arkansas – The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency yesterday for Blytheville, Trumann, Lake City, and Gosnell, Arkansas, as a confirmed, violent tornado tore through the region, causing catastrophic destruction. Storm chaser @BrandonCopicWx captured footage of the massive twister, emphasizing the life-threatening danger. Residents were urged to take immediate shelter as the storm raged. X

What Might Surprise You

• Bitcoin Investor and Crew Embark on Historic SpaceX Polar Flight – Chun Wang, a bitcoin investor and entrepreneur, launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon rocket, becoming part of the first crewed mission to fly over both the North and South poles. AP News

• Eric Adams Exploring Independent Re-Election Bid Amid Democratic Party Tensions – New York City Mayor Eric Adams is considering running as an independent for re-election in 2025, as he faces growing criticism from within the Democratic Party. His campaign is assessing whether an independent bid would give him a better shot at a second term. Politico

National News

• Bill Proposed to Require Federal Candidates to Disclose Dual Citizenship – Congressman Thomas Massie has introduced legislation requiring all federal candidates to disclose any dual citizenships they may hold. The bill aims to increase transparency about potential foreign allegiances among U.S. politicians. Zero Hedge

• An American Eagle CRJ-900 flight had to be evacuated at Augusta Regional Airport due to smoke entering the cabin while taxiing to the gate after a safe landing from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. X

Weather

Summary

Wilmington, NC, will experience mild weather over the next three days starting Thursday, April 3. Expect AM clouds giving way to PM sun on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to upper 70s. Saturday will be partly cloudy with similar highs and lows. Precipitation chances remain low (12-18%), and winds will blow steadily from the south to southwest at 15-16 mph. Tides will fluctuate between highs near 4 ft and lows close to 0 ft, while surf conditions feature waist-high swells with semi-choppy waters.

Weather Forecast

Thu Apr Asc | 73° / 66° | 18% | S 15 mph
Fri Apr 04: AM Clouds/PM Sun | 77° / 65° | 12% | SSW 15 mph
Sat Apr 05: Partly Cloudy | 76° / 67° | 13% | SSW 16 mph

Tide Forecast

Thu Apr 03:
6:25am: 0.05 ft (Low Tide)
12:20pm: 3.56 ft (High Tide)
6:20pm: -0.09 ft (Low Tide)
12:49am: 4.42 ft (High Tide)

Fri Apr 04:
7:38am: 0.27 ft (Low Tide)
1:18pm: 3.39 ft (High Tide)
7:34pm: 0.14 ft (Low Tide)
1:48am: 4.14 ft (High Tide)

Sat Apr 05:
8:48am: 0.36 ft (Low Tide)
2:17pm: 3.29 ft (High Tide)
8:46pm: 0.23 ft (Low Tide)

Surf Forecast

Thu Apr 03:
Waist-high short period wind swell with occasional stomach sets. The swell will be coming from the SE in the morning and shift to the SSE during the day. Conditions: Semi-choppy with S winds 5-10 mph in the morning shifting SSW for the afternoon.

Weather data derived from: weather.com, tide data from marineweather.net, and surf data from surfcaptain.com

Thursday

FRIDAY