Look to the Sky: A Rare Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse 🌕🔴

If you're willing to stay up late (or wake up early), you'll be treated to a celestial spectacle overnight. The first total lunar eclipse in three years will cast a deep red glow over the moon, creating what’s known as a "Blood Worm Moon."

Totality begins at 2:26 a.m. Friday morning and will last about 65 minutes. A dark sky away from city lights will give you the best view, and while you won’t need special equipment, binoculars or a telescope can enhance the experience.

This rare alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon—also called syzygy—doesn’t happen often, so if you're up for the late-night show, it’s one worth catching. 🌌

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Gov. Stein Pushes for Small Business Recovery, Free Community College in First Address

• NC’s Booze It & Lose It Campaign is Active for St. Patrick’s Day

Gov. Stein Pushes for Small Business Recovery, Free Community College in First Address

[ABC 11] In his first State of the State address, Gov. Josh Stein focused on recovery efforts for western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. He announced $35 million in grants to help small businesses rebuild, with over 1,000 grants already awarded. Stein also proposed free community college for students in high-demand fields like healthcare and IT. He addressed teacher pay, public safety, and the fentanyl crisis, emphasizing the need for continued investment in North Carolina’s future.

Learn More »

NC’s Booze It & Lose It Campaign is Active for St. Patrick’s Day

NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program's St. Patrick’s Day Booze It & Lose It Campaign is underway! N.C. State Highway Patrol along with local law enforcement will participate in this enforcement campaign to keep you safe this St. Patrick’s Day. You can expect to see an increase in patrols and sober checkpoints across the state. Drive safe and drive sober this St. Patrick's Day.

Learn More »

News Roundup

LOCAL

• Southern Living named eight locations on the North Carolina coast among the most beautiful in the South, including Wrightsville Beach and Bald Head Island. The list highlights the region’s scenic landscapes, historic charm, and natural beauty. Star News Online

• Fire crews responded to a house fire in Wrightsville Beach, with heavy smoke and flames visible from the property. No injuries have been reported, and officials are investigating the cause of the fire. WWAY

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

• Tens of billions in federal aid for Hurricane Helene recovery will be distributed by March 21, providing much-needed relief to communities still rebuilding from the devastating storm. Local officials are urging residents to apply for assistance before deadlines close. WWAY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• USAID staff were allegedly ordered to "shred and burn all documents" on Tuesday, raising concerns about possible destruction of evidence related to international aid programs. The directive has sparked calls for an investigation into potential misconduct. ZeroHedge

• U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are engaged in new high-stakes peace talks, but tensions remain as Moscow demands security guarantees while Kyiv pushes for more Western support. The negotiations come amid continued fighting and shifting battlefield dynamics. The Guardian

WHAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

• The former Las Vegas police officer who led the Route 91 shooting response has come forward with new allegations, claiming critical evidence was mishandled. His statements have reignited debates over law enforcement transparency in mass shooting investigations. The Gateway Pundit

• Tourists on Hormuz Island witnessed a rare ‘blood rain’ phenomenon, as heavy rainfall mixed with the island’s iron-rich volcanic soil, turning the shoreline bright red. Social media users described the eerie sight as "Biblical," with many praising its surreal beauty. The red hue is caused by high iron oxide content in the soil, which is also used in local cuisine, cosmetics, and glassmaking. The Sun

NATIONAL

• Scott Peterson was allegedly attacked in prison over a pickleball dispute, with sources saying the convicted murderer got into an altercation with another inmate during recreational time. Prison officials have not confirmed the extent of Peterson’s injuries. People

• Rosie O’Donnell revealed she has moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old child, citing concerns over equal rights in the U.S. The comedian, who relocated in January, said she is in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship through her ancestry. While she misses aspects of life in America, she stated she will only consider returning when "all citizens have equal rights. Metro

• Billy Joel, 75, has postponed his tour for four months due to a medical condition following recent surgery. A statement on his Instagram assured fans that he is expected to make a full recovery, with physical therapy planned under medical supervision. The tour is set to resume on July 5, 2025, in Pittsburgh, with additional dates starting in November, including a performance with Stevie Nicks. Daily Mail

WORLD

• Greenland’s opposition Democrat party scored a surprise victory in a historic election, unseating the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and tripling its seats in parliament. The center-right Democrats, led by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, are now set to lead coalition talks, with Naleraq—the pro-independence party—also gaining ground. The election was shaped by geopolitical tensions, including Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland. The Guardian

Weather

SUMMARY

Wilmington, NC, will see mild weather over the next three days. Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a high of 71°F and SSW winds at 15 mph. Friday turns mostly sunny, cooling to a high of 61°F with ENE winds at 11 mph. Saturday warms up to 70°F under partly cloudy skies with SSE winds at 13 mph. Precipitation chances remain low, with small surf at 1-2 ft and slightly choppy conditions. Tides fluctuate with highs around 4 ft and lows near -0.2 ft.

WEATHER FORECAST

Thu Mar 13: Mostly Cloudy | 71° / 50° | 2% | SSW 15 mph
Fri Mar 14: Mostly Sunny | 61° / 55° | 18% | ENE 11 mph
Sat Mar 15: Partly Cloudy | 70° / 62° | 9% | SSE 13 mph

TIDE FORECAST

Thu Mar 13:
7:38am: 4.04 ft (High Tide)
1:57pm: -0.19 ft (Low Tide)
7:56pm: 4.02 ft (High Tide)

Fri Mar 14:
2:09am: -0.29 ft (Low Tide)
8:14am: 3.95 ft (High Tide)
2:30pm: -0.24 ft (Low Tide)
8:33pm: 4.10 ft (High Tide)

Sat Mar 15:
2:47am: -0.24 ft (Low Tide)
8:50am: 3.81 ft (High Tide)
3:01pm: -0.23 ft (Low Tide)
9:11pm: 4.10 ft (High Tide)

SURF FORECAST
Surf at Wrightsville Beach is 1-2 ft in the AM, dropping to 1+ ft in the PM, with slightly choppy conditions due to SSW winds at 15 mph. Primary swell from SE at 2.7 ft every 9 sec and a secondary S swell at 1.1 ft every 8 sec. Water temp is 53°F, recommending a 4/3 wetsuit with boots/gloves.

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

Thursday

FRIDAY

SATURDAY