Good morning Wilmington!

President Trump has mentioned on several occasions that today, April 2 will be known as Liberation Day in the United States. What does that mean? At this point we only know it’s somehow related to the overseas tariffs which are said to kick in today. We should know more after the remarks he makes today at 4PM from the White House Rose Garden.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• ​NHCS Board Reviews Budget, Removes 'Diversity' from Policies

• South Carolina's Tax Reform Pressures North Carolina Policies

​NHCS Board Reviews Budget, Removes 'Diversity' from Policies, and Disbands Title IX Committee

[WHQR] At a recent agenda review meeting, the New Hanover County School Board discussed a proposed budget for the 2025-2026 academic year, anticipating a $1.8 million decrease due to a projected enrollment drop of 259 students. Despite this, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes plans to request an $8 million increase from county commissioners to address staffing, inflation, and school safety initiatives. Additionally, the board voted to remove the term "diversity" from district policies and disbanded the Title IX Committee, actions that have sparked community debate.

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​Neighboring Rivalry: South Carolina's Tax Reform Pressures North Carolina Policies

[Carolina Journal] South Carolina has announced a plan to reduce its state income tax rate from 6.2% to 3.99%, aiming to surpass North Carolina's tax competitiveness. This move mirrors North Carolina's tax reforms since 2013, which lowered personal income tax rates to a flat 4.25%, with a further reduction to 3.99% scheduled for 2026. Experts suggest that South Carolina's initiative may prompt North Carolina lawmakers to consider additional tax reforms to maintain the state's economic appeal.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local

• The N.C. Forest Service and several counties, including Pender, Brunswick, and New Hanover, lifted statewide and local burn bans on April 2, 2025, following recent rainfall that reduced fire danger, though restrictions remain for fires within 100 feet of occupied dwellings. WECT

• Wilmington’s Azalea Festival events begin today, April 2, 2025, marking the start of a cherished annual tradition featuring parades, concerts, and garden tours that draw both locals and visitors to celebrate spring. WECT

• The NC Department of Agriculture has launched a crop loss program to support farmers impacted by recent weather challenges, announced on April 1, 2025, offering financial assistance to help recover from significant agricultural losses. WECT

What You Need to Know

• Germany has launched its first foreign military operation since World War II, deploying troops to a conflict zone on April 1, 2025, in a historic shift from its post-war pacifist stance, surprising many observers. Mirror

• Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) set a new record for the longest Senate floor speech, lasting 25 hours and 5 minutes yesterday, surpassing Strom Thurmond’s 1957 mark, as he protested potential GOP spending cuts and Trump administration policies, emphasizing Democratic resistance. NPR

• Gold prices hit an all-time high on April 1, 2025, driven by market reactions to Trump’s economic policies, with investors flocking to the precious metal as a safe haven amid global uncertainty. Yahoo Finance

• Donald Trump faces his first electoral test since returning to office, with a special election on April 1, 2025, seen as an early indicator of his administration’s public support and political influence. Yahoo News

What Might Surprise You

• A psychedelic church in the U.S. is offering free magic mushrooms as part of its religious services, claiming it fosters spiritual awakening, a practice that has sparked both curiosity and legal debate as of April 1, 2025. Daily Star

National News

• Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, accused of the premeditated murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024, as part of a push to combat violent crime under President Trump’s agenda. The Hill

• Val Kilmer, known for playing Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever” and starring in “The Doors” and “Tombstone,” died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 65 from pneumonia, after battling throat cancer for years, as confirmed by his daughter Mercedes to The New York Times. Variety

• A New York judge dismissed the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams on April 2, 2025, with the DOJ citing insufficient evidence, a decision linked to shifting priorities under Trump’s administration. CNBC

Weather

Summary

Wilmington, NC, will experience mild weather over the next three days starting Wednesday, April 2. Expect cloudy conditions on Wednesday with temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s, followed by mostly cloudy skies on Thursday and Friday with highs reaching the mid-70s. Precipitation chances remain low, ranging from 9% to 24%. Winds will shift from easterly to southerly and then southwesterly, maintaining moderate speeds of 15-17 mph.

Weather Forecast

Wed Apr 02: Cloudy | 70° / 65° | 22% | E 17 mph
Thu Apr 03: Mostly Cloudy | 75° / 66° | 24% | S 15 mph
Fri Apr 04: Mostly Cloudy | 76° / 65° | 9% | SW 15 mph

Tide Forecast

Wed Apr 02:
5:20am: -0.29 ft (Low Tide)
11:23am: 3.77 ft (High Tide)
5:17pm: -0.42 ft (Low Tide)
11:51pm: 4.70 ft (High Tide)

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)
12:49am: 4.42 ft (High Tide)

Surf Forecast

Wed Apr 02:
Waist high SE short period wind swell with occasional stomach high sets. CONDITIONS: Choppy with NE winds 20-25mph in the morning shifting ENE 15-20mph in the afternoon.

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

Wednesday

Thursday