Good morning Wilmington!

I stopped by Bowstring last night to catch Tobacco Road w/ Emerson Bruno & Undercurrents + Magic Attic. Three talented bands, great energy, and somewhere between sets I picked up a card with links to Emerson Bruno’s music. He’s got an indie sound with a calm, melodic voice that really sticks. Check out a few of his tracks here — my favorite so far is “Ten Seconds ’Til Transmission.”

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Edward Teach Brewing to Close

• North Carolina Ranks Among Nation’s Fastest-Growing States

• UNCW Researchers Pioneer New Methods to Study Sea Turtles

Edward Teach Brewing to Close After Eight Years in Wilmington

Port City Daily After eight years in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District, Edward Teach Brewing will permanently close on February 15. Housed in a renovated fire station, the brewery became known for popular beers like Teaches Peaches and as a neighborhood gathering spot. In recent years, the business faced ongoing controversy tied to assault allegations involving owner Gary Sholar, multiple lawsuits, employee departures, and the loss of distribution. Management announced the closure on social media, thanking customers and partners for years of support and memories made inside the brewery’s walls.

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North Carolina Ranks Among Nation’s Fastest-Growing States

Carolina Journal North Carolina ranked among the top three states for population growth between July 2024 and July 2025, adding about 145,000 new residents and reaching a population of 11.2 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While international migration declined nationwide, the state continued to attract domestic migrants—particularly from higher-cost states—helping sustain growth despite a national slowdown that has raised concerns about housing affordability, infrastructure, and public services.

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UNCW Researchers Pioneer New Methods to Study Sea Turtle Physiology and Age

UNCW Graduate researchers at UNCW are advancing sea turtle conservation through innovative studies of physiology and age. Caroline VanDuzer is exploring how rising ocean temperatures impact diving and migration in juvenile Kemp’s ridley and green turtles, while Jamie Clark is developing cutting-edge techniques to accurately determine the age of living and stranded turtles. Their work provides vital insights for monitoring population health, understanding climate change impacts, and informing conservation strategies for threatened and endangered sea turtles.

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Sixty-five native trees will be planted at the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington to promote environmental health and student well-being. Led by the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees with support from the Cape Fear Garden Club, the project aims to improve green space, support local wildlife, and create a healthier, more sustainable school campus. WWAY TV3

What You Should Know

Newly released DOJ documents suggest someone may have entered the jail tier outside Jeffrey Epstein’s cell the night before his death, raising questions about official accounts. Surveillance review logs show investigators disagreed on whether a figure seen on video was an inmate or a corrections officer carrying linens, highlighting conflicting interpretations between the FBI and the Justice Department’s inspector general. CBS News

National News

TMZ founder Harvey Levin revealed details of a purported ransom note in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, saying it claims she is alive and outlines specific demands tied to a looming deadline. Levin said the note includes non-public details suggesting the writer may be near the Tucson area and demands cryptocurrency payment, as authorities and the FBI continue investigating the case. Fox News

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