Good morning Wilmington!

Our hearts go out to the residents of Western North Carolina, who are currently facing devastating wildfires in Polk and Henderson counties. Communities, still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last September, are now confronting new challenges as flames threaten homes and livelihoods.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Bradley Creek Teacher Enters Contest for a Chance to Go to Space

• NC Senate Passes Permitless Concealed Carry Bill

Bradley Creek Teacher Enters Contest for a Chance to Go to Space

[WECT] Bradley Creek Elementary teacher Christine Sawyer is reaching for the stars—literally. The longtime educator has entered a contest to win a trip to space, hosted by NASA engineer Emily Calandrelli and Space for Humanity. Sawyer, a passionate advocate for STEM education, creates bilingual science videos to inspire students. Now, she hopes to take that inspiration to new heights. Her students are cheering her on, and she’s eager to show them that anything is possible—even space travel.

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NC Senate Passes Permitless Concealed Carry Bill

[Carolina Journal] The North Carolina Senate has passed Senate Bill 50, known as the Freedom to Carry NC bill, which would allow permitless concealed carry in the state. The bill, which passed 26-18 along party lines, now moves to the NC House for consideration. Supporters argue the measure strengthens Second Amendment rights, while opponents warn it poses a public safety risk. Republican lawmakers say North Carolina should join the 29 other states with similar laws, while Democrats vow to fight the legislation. A petition with 5,000 signatures in support of the bill was recently presented to House leadership, indicating strong advocacy on both sides.

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News Roundup

Local

• UNCW’s Men’s Basketball Coach Extends Contract – UNCW head coach Takayo Siddle has agreed to a contract extension, securing his leadership after a strong season. The deal reflects the university's confidence in his ability to keep the program competitive. WECT

• Constituents Use Cardboard Cutouts to Protest Absent Leaders – Frustrated by lawmakers avoiding town halls, citizens in Wilmington have resorted to setting up cardboard cutouts of their elected officials at public meetings. The demonstration highlights growing concerns over political accountability. Port City Daily

• New Hanover Schools Drop AI Pilot Program – The district has decided not to move forward with an AI-based educational initiative, citing concerns over effectiveness and implementation challenges. The move comes amid broader debates on technology in schools. WWAY

Western North Carolina

• Red Flag Warning Issued for WNC and Upstate SC – Weather officials have issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina due to strong winds and low humidity. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning as conditions could fuel wildfires. WLOS

• Wildfire in Polk and Henderson Counties Forces Evacuations – A fast-moving wildfire in Polk and Henderson counties has prompted emergency evacuations as firefighters battle the growing blaze. Authorities warn that strong winds and dry conditions are fueling the fire, urging residents to follow evacuation orders. WYFF4

What You Need to Know

• Supreme Court Upholds Ghost Gun Regulations – In a major ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld regulations on ghost guns, which are untraceable firearms often assembled from kits. The decision reinforces the government’s ability to impose restrictions on privately made firearms. MSNBC

• HHS Under Fire for Hiring Vaccine Skeptic – The Department of Health and Human Services has appointed a vaccine skeptic with past ties to misinformation about immunization and autism, sparking backlash from public health experts. The move has reignited debates over vaccine policy in the U.S. Washington Post

What Might Surprise You

• Congressman Pushes for More UFO Transparency – Rep. Eric Burlison has pressed for greater disclosure on UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) following whistleblower testimony from David Grusch. The call for transparency adds to mounting pressure on the government to release classified information. The Hill

• Zelensky Predicts Putin ‘Will Die Soon’ – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered a blunt assessment of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s future, stating, “He will die soon, and that’s a fact.” Zelensky suggested that Putin is increasingly aware of his mortality and fears losing power within Russia. Express

Weather

SUMMARY

Wilmington, NC, will experience pleasant weather over the next three days, starting Thursday, March 27, 2025. Thursday will be sunny with a high of 64°F, followed by a partly cloudy Friday with a high of 71°F and a minimal chance of precipitation. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a high of 70°F and a slight 12% chance of rain. Winds will shift from easterly to southerly, increasing slightly in speed each day.

WEATHER FORECAST

Thu Mar 27: Sunny | 64° / 53° | 0% | E 10 mph
Fri Mar 28: Partly Cloudy | 71° / 59° | 3% | S 14 mph
Sat Mar 29: Mostly Cloudy | 70° / 60° | 12% | SSW 13 mph

TIDE FORECAST

Thu Mar 27:
12:34pm: -0.47 ft (Low Tide)
6:41pm: 4.34 ft (High Tide)

Fri Mar 28:
12:59am: -0.64 ft (Low Tide)
7:08am: 4.56 ft (High Tide)
1:21pm: -0.76 ft (Low Tide)
7:28pm: 4.78 ft (High Tide)

Sat Mar 29:
1:52am: -0.83 ft (Low Tide)
7:54am: 4.57 ft (High Tide)
2:07pm: -0.96 ft (Low Tide)
8:15pm: 5.07 ft (High Tide)

SURF FORECAST

Conditions are 1 ft and fair at 4pm with an incoming mid tide of 2.2 ft. Wind is ESE at 6 mph, with a primary swell from ESE (120°) at 0.9 ft every 8 seconds and a secondary swell from SSE (153°) at 0.9 ft every 6 seconds.

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

Thursday

FRIDAY

SATURDAY