Get Ready for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade This Weekend!

Wilmington’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just around the corner, and it’s time to firm up your plans! This Saturday, downtown will be filled with festive floats, live music, and plenty of green as the city celebrates Irish heritage in style. The weather looks mild, with temps in the upper 60s and a bit of cloud cover—perfect for enjoying the festivities without breaking too much of a sweat.

The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. from Front and Hanover streets, so be sure to arrive early to grab a good spot. Afterward, head to the Post-Parade Festival at Riverfront Park for even more fun. Check out the full details here, and start planning your weekend! 🍀

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• NC Bill Seeks to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 14

• Gov. Stein Launches Task Force to Tackle NC Childcare Crisis

NC Bill Seeks to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 14

[WECT] A new bill in the North Carolina House, House Bill 301, aims to restrict social media access for children. If passed, kids under 14 would be banned from creating accounts, and platforms would have to delete existing ones. Teens aged 14-15 could have accounts only with parental consent, and parents could request account deletions. Lawmakers cite concerns about social media’s addictive nature and mental health impact. Though filed by GOP representatives, the bill is reportedly gaining bipartisan support. It has been referred to another committee for review.

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Gov. Stein Launches Task Force to Tackle NC Childcare Crisis

[WECT] Governor Josh Stein has launched a new task force to address North Carolina’s childcare crisis, focusing on affordability and access. Announced in Durham, the initiative aims to increase wages for childcare workers, raise subsidy rates in rural areas, and create 1,000 new Pre-K slots. Stein emphasized that high childcare costs—averaging $12,000 per year—force many parents out of the workforce. The Task Force for Child Care and Early Education will assess the system, recommend investments, and work on workforce retention. Reports will be submitted to the governor and the public.

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News Roundup

LOCAL

• Trump’s Doge policy halts Cape Fear Memorial Bridge funding: A shift in Trump’s economic policy, tied to Dogecoin, has led to a pause in funding for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, causing uncertainty for local infrastructure plans. StarNews

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Total lunar eclipse to create ‘Blood Moon’ on Friday: A total lunar eclipse will take place this Friday, creating a striking "Blood Moon" visible across North America, weather permitting. Breitbart

• U.S. economy faces uncertainty as new tariffs take effect: Analysts warn of potential economic fallout as the Biden administration enacts new trade tariffs, affecting industries and consumer prices. NBC News

• Secret Service shoots armed man near White House: The Secret Service shot a 27-year-old Indiana man after he brandished a firearm near 17th and F streets NW in Washington, D.C. Authorities had earlier flagged him as a "suicidal individual" possibly traveling to the area. The suspect was hospitalized, while no Secret Service personnel were injured. The Gateway Pundit

• Infowars reporter brutally murdered in Texas: A journalist affiliated with Infowars was found dead in a Texas parking lot, with law enforcement treating it as a potential targeted attack. Mediaite

WHAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

• Texas bill proposes felony charges for transgender identity on official documents: A new Texas bill would criminalize transgender individuals identifying differently from their birth sex on government forms or to employers, labeling it “gender identity fraud.” Filed by Republican Rep. Tom Oliverson, the measure could result in up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. While unlikely to pass, the bill reflects growing legislative efforts to restrict transgender rights in Texas. NBC News

NATIONAL

• Violence erupts at Tesla lots amid anger at Elon Musk: Attacks involving Molotov cocktails and gunfire have been reported at Tesla facilities, as frustration with Elon Musk’s actions intensifies. MSN

• Wendy Williams hospitalized after dropping distress note from window: Talk show host Wendy Williams was rushed to the hospital after allegedly throwing a note from her New York apartment window pleading for help. New York Post

WORLD

• Pro-Hamas agitators deface Trump golf course in Scotland: Vandals spray-painted anti-Israel messages on a Trump-owned golf course in Scotland, sparking political backlash. The Gateway Pundit

• Over 1,000 killed in Syria’s deadliest weekend since Assad’s fall: Syria has experienced its most violent weekend since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with over 1,000 casualties reported in clashes and bombings. MSNBC

Weather

Summary
Expect mild and variable weather in Wilmington, NC, over the next three days. Today will feature mostly sunny skies with warm temperatures, while tomorrow brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Thursday may see continued humid conditions with possible rain. Winds will shift from southwest to variable directions, with speeds ranging from 10-20 mph. Overall, temperatures will remain in the upper 70s to mid 80s, with heat index values potentially reaching 106°F today. Stay updated as conditions may shift with local influences.

Weather Forecast

• TUE MAR 11: Mostly sunny | High 88° / Low 80° | Precip 20% | Southwest 10-15 mph (gusts up to 25 mph)

• WED MAR 12: Mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms | High 88° / Low 75° | Precip 50% | Southwest 15-20 mph

• THU MAR 13: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms | High 85° / Low 74° | Precip 40% | Variable 5-15 mph

Tide Forecast

• TUE MAR 11

  • 12:40pm: 0.00 ft (Low Tide)

  • 6:35pm: 3.65 ft (High Tide)

• WED MAR 12

  • 12:43am: -0.25 ft (Low Tide)

  • 7:00am: 4.06 ft (High Tide)

  • 1:21pm: -0.10 ft (Low Tide)

  • 7:16pm: 3.87 ft (High Tide)

• THU MAR 13

  • 1:28am: -0.29 ft (Low Tide)

  • 7:38am: 4.04 ft (High Tide)

  • 1:57pm: -0.19 ft (Low Tide)

  • 7:56pm: 4.02 ft (High Tide)

Surf Forecast

• TUE MAR 11: 2-4 ft, ENE swell, Southwest 10-15 mph (gusts up to 25 mph), Fairly clean, Notes: Potential for wind waves due to gusts; check local conditions.

• WED MAR 12: 2-3 ft, Easterly swell 10-11 sec, Southwest 15-20 mph, Clean with possible chop, Notes: Increased swell from offshore low; monitor for thunderstorms.

• THU MAR 13: 1-3 ft, Easterly swell 10-11 sec, Variable 5-15 mph, Fair, Notes: Seas may stabilize; watch for coastal flooding risks.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday