Good morning Wilmington!

Make your reservations now — Dear Maribella & The Pigkickers are hosting their first-ever Pig Kickin’ Pickin’ Party right here in Wilmington, February 27–28. This talented bluegrass family from Scott’s Hill Loop is taking over the Holiday Inn Express-Porter’s Neck for a full weekend of showcases, workshops, and late-night jams. If you’re looking to shake off the winter blues with some serious picking, this is your invite.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Hampstead Bypass Project on Track for 2030 Completion

• Growing Tax Base Allows Leland to Lower Property Rate

Hampstead Bypass Project on Track for 2030 Completion

WECT – A two-phase highway bypass in Hampstead is advancing steadily, with the northern section 65% complete and the southern 10% underway. This $100M+ project will ease traffic congestion along US 17, benefiting commuters from Wilmington to Hampstead and Topsail by improving travel times and safety through reduced bottlenecks. Local officials emphasize it's on schedule despite environmental reviews.

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Growing Tax Base Allows Leland to Lower Property Rate

WECT Leland Town Council is proposing to lower the property tax rate from 27 cents to 25 cents per $100 of assessed value — a 7.5% cut — as part of a $50 million budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. The reduction is driven by rising property values exceeding $7 billion and would save the owner of a $300,000 home about $60 annually. The plan also adds police officers, firefighters, and town staff while trimming the contingency fund and restructuring departments.

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News Roundup

Local News

A prescribed burn is scheduled for Tuesday at Carolina Beach State Park, with temporary closures of select trails, roads, and the campground beginning around noon. While visitors should expect smoke in the area, the park will remain open, and the Visitor Center, Marina, and other trails will continue operating as normal until post-burn procedures are completed. WECT

Jury selection is underway in Pender County for the trial of Clerk of Court Elizabeth Craver, who faces felony charges including obtaining property by false pretenses. About 100 potential jurors were summoned, with selection continuing after several were excused — including one person charged with contempt for disrupting proceedings — as the trial is expected to last into next week. WECT

What You Should Know

Homeland Security suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry amid security review. The pause affects millions of travelers, requiring re-enrollment; critics cite staffing shortages and vetting delays as millions face longer airport lines. NPR

A powerful nor’easter dubbed the “Blizzard of 2026” has paralyzed travel across the Northeast, dumping record-breaking snowfall and unleashing hurricane-force winds. The bomb cyclone triggered blizzard warnings from the mid-Atlantic to New England, with parts of Rhode Island nearing 38 inches of snow, Boston logging nearly 17 inches, and widespread travel bans and airport disruptions in effect. AccuWeather

What Might Surprise You

The head of the SETI Institute says he believes extraterrestrial life exists, though likely not in the form of movie-style aliens. Bill Diamond, president of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, argues that while simple life may be common in the universe, intelligent and technologically advanced civilizations are far less certain — echoing recent comments by former President Barack Obama that humans are not alone. The Telegraph

President Donald Trump has invited the U.S. men’s hockey team to attend his State of the Union address following their first Olympic gold medal win since 1980. The invitation came via a locker room phone call facilitated by FBI Director Kash Patel after the team’s emotional victory at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, which also honored the late Johnny Gaudreau. LiveNOW from FOX

National News

NASA delays Artemis II lunar mission launch past March due to rocket issues. New tests may require rolling back the SLS rocket, pushing crewed orbit further; this impacts U.S. moon return timeline and international partners. NPR

Mississippi's largest health system hit by ransomware attack, disrupting services. University of Mississippi Medical Center operations halted; patients diverted as cyber experts investigate, highlighting vulnerabilities in U.S. healthcare infrastructure. NPR

Live Music

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

✅ The USA Olympic Hockey Team attending President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address. Watch it tonight at 9PM EST on C-Span or Whitehouse.gov.

✅ Last day to stop by Aldi’s to get your St. Patty’s Day outfit.