Good morning Wilmington!

Today is April Fool’s Day. Watch out for pranks today, but don’t let this one catch you off guard—dogs are officially banned from Wrightsville Beach until September 30. Dogs are also banned from Carolina Beach from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM until Sept. 30 too.

That’s no joke!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• ​NHCS Superintendent Addresses Security Concerns​

• ​UNCW Researcher Advises Deleting 23andMe DNA Data

​NHCS Superintendent Addresses Security Camera and AI Concerns​

[WWAY] New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Christopher Barnes issued a statement addressing the district's security camera systems and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This follows the school board's recent decision to decline a $3 million grant for a pilot program involving AI-enhanced cameras in schools. Dr. Barnes emphasized the district's commitment to effective, fiscally responsible, and transparent security measures.​

Read More >>

​UNCW Researcher Advises Deleting 23andMe DNA Data Amid Privacy Concerns

[WWAYTV] Dr. Pierre Le Pabic, a developmental genetics researcher at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), has raised concerns about the security of genetic data held by companies like 23andMe. Following 23andMe's recent bankruptcy filing and a significant data breach affecting nearly 7 million users, Dr. Le Pabic advises individuals to delete their genetic information from the platform to safeguard their privacy. He emphasizes the potential misuse of such sensitive data and the importance of proactive measures to protect personal information.​

Read More »

News Roundup

Local

• Social Justice Groups Protest Trump Administration Policies in Wilmington – Activists gathered in downtown Wilmington to protest policies enacted by the Trump administration, focusing on issues like immigration and healthcare. Organizers emphasized the need for local action to counter federal policies. WECT

• Wilmington Neighbors Donate Appliances to Hurricane Victims in Western NC – A Wilmington-based community group has collected and donated household appliances to families affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. The relief effort aims to help victims rebuild after losing their homes. WECT

• Paid Parking Begins at Topsail Beach Today– Visitors to Topsail Beach will have to pay for oceanfront and South End parking starting today. The new system is aimed at managing parking congestion during peak tourist seasons. WECT

• NC Supreme Court Rules Family Can Sue Over Unwanted COVID-19 Shot – The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that a family can pursue legal action after their child received a COVID-19 vaccine without parental consent. The case could set a precedent for medical consent laws. WRAL

What You Need to Know

• Teachers Worry AI is Weakening Students’ Critical Thinking Skills – Educators are raising concerns that AI tools like ChatGPT are making students too reliant on automated responses, limiting their ability to think independently. Some schools are adopting stricter policies to regulate AI use in classrooms. Axios

• Prince Andrew Accuser Virginia Giuffre in Critical Condition After Car Crash – Virginia Giuffre, known for her lawsuit against Prince Andrew, is reportedly in critical condition following a severe car accident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Metro

What Might Surprise you

• Drinking Too Much Coffee Could Lead to Arrest, Experts Warn – A new study warns that consuming excessive amounts of caffeine may impair motor functions to the point that drivers could risk arrest for reckless driving. Some countries are considering caffeine-related driving regulations. The Sun

• Satanic Grotto Rally in Kansas Ends in Arrests – A controversial gathering at a so-called 'Satanic Grotto' in Kansas led to clashes between attendees and protesters, resulting in multiple arrests. Authorities detained several individuals for disorderly conduct. AP News

National News

• Albuquerque GOP Headquarters Set on Fire in Suspected Domestic Terror Attack – A firebombing at the Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque has been labeled an act of domestic terrorism, though no suspects have been identified. Officials are investigating possible political motivations behind the attack. The Gateway Pundit

• Plane Kites Across Runway at Reagan National Airport After Landing Gear Failure – A small aircraft skidded across the runway at Reagan National Airport after its landing gear malfunctioned upon touchdown. No injuries were reported, but the incident caused temporary delays. The Hill

Weather

Summary
Wilmington, NC, will experience varied weather over the next three days starting Tuesday, April 1. Tuesday will be partly cloudy with mild temperatures and low precipitation chances. Wednesday shifts to cloudy skies with steady temperatures and minimal rain risk. Thursday remains cloudy, warming slightly with a modest increase in precipitation likelihood. Winds will fluctuate, starting northerly, shifting easterly, then southerly, influencing surf and tide conditions throughout the period.

Weather Forecast
Tue Apr 01: Partly Cloudy | 70° / 58° | 14% | N 12 mph
Wed Apr 02: Cloudy | 69° / 64° | 8% | E 15 mph
Thu Apr 03: Cloudy | 75° / 66° | 24% | S 14 mph

Tide Forecast
Tue Apr 01:
4:24am: -0.61 ft (Low Tide)
10:26am: 4.01 ft (High Tide)
4:25pm: -0.74 ft (Low Tide)
10:53pm: 4.95 ft (High Tide)

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)

Surf Forecast
Tue Apr 01:
Waist to chest high SE short period wind swell expected. Conditions are 2-4 ft and clean at 2pm, with semi clean/textured conditions in the morning due to N winds 10-15 mph. Winds shift ENE to less than 5 mph in the afternoon, creating glassy conditions. Primary swell from SE (142°) at 3.5 ft every 8 seconds, with a secondary NE (45°) swell at 0.5 ft every 3 seconds.

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

Tuesday

Wednesday