Good morning Wilmington!

Congrats to the Carolina Hurricanes on a huge Game 3 win last night. The Canes are now just a few steps away from the Stanley Cup Final.

Our thoughts are with the family of the missing swimmer near Figure Eight Island and with the first responders continuing search efforts along the shoreline this week.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Canes Win Game 3

• No Funding for IBEC Campus

Canes Rally Late in Montreal, Move Closer to Stanley Cup Final

[ESPN] The Carolina Hurricanes pulled out a huge 3-2 road win over the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, taking control of the series with late-game execution and clutch defense. Carolina weathered a late Montreal push and capitalized on key scoring opportunities to secure momentum as the Stanley Cup Final inches closer. The Canes now head into the next matchup with confidence and a chance to tighten their grip on the series.

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No Funding Pipeline Yet for New Isaac Bear Early College Campus

[WHQR] Plans for a proposed $50 million facility for Isaac Bear Early College High School currently lack a clear funding source, according to local officials. While the project could address overcrowding and expand opportunities for one of the region’s top-performing schools, leaders say there’s no active state or county funding pipeline in place yet, leaving the future timeline uncertain as discussions continue.

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News Roundup

Local News

New Hanover County deputies are searching for a missing man last seen swimming near a beach access point on Figure Eight Island. Authorities identified the man as 39-year-old Jared Ulson Wheeler and are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement as search efforts continue along the coast. — WECT

A proposed North Carolina bill could weaken long-standing coastal protections that prohibit new permanent structures on vulnerable beaches. Supporters argue the measure would provide more flexibility for development and erosion control projects, while critics warn it could increase environmental risks and threaten public beach access along the state’s coastline. — StarNews Online

North Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would limit local governments’ ability to regulate data centers and offer incentives. The bill comes as communities debate the economic benefits of large-scale tech facilities against concerns over energy use, water consumption, and local oversight. — WUNC

An alligator spotted roaming through a Southport residential neighborhood was safely relocated after multiple sightings prompted police response. Authorities monitored the area while coordinating with wildlife officials, reminding residents that increased alligator activity is common during warmer months in coastal North Carolina. — WECT

What You Should Know

The U.S. carried out new strikes on Iranian targets just hours after Iranian negotiators arrived for renewed peace talks, raising fears that diplomacy and military action are unfolding simultaneously. U.S. officials described the attacks as defensive operations targeting missile launch sites and vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran accused Washington of undermining fragile ceasefire efforts.
Mediaite

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate U.S. diplomats and citizens from Kyiv as Russia prepares additional strikes tied to Ukraine’s military infrastructure. The warning came amid escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war and renewed concerns over the safety of civilians and foreign personnel in the Ukrainian capital.
CNBC

What Might Surprise You

A controversial Daily Mail report claims the CIA may have quietly explored whether certain bloodlines contain traces of “alien DNA,” tied to fringe theories about ancient extraterrestrials and human ancestry. The article references declassified government documents, conspiracy theories, and speculative interpretations of intelligence research, though there is no verified scientific evidence supporting claims that humans possess extraterrestrial DNA or that the CIA confirmed such findings. [Daily Mail]