Good morning Wilmington!

If you’re looking for a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Port City, mark your calendar for Saturday, March 14th. That’s when the 25^th annual Downtown Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes over the streets with music, culture, and community fun.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Carolina Hurricanes Owner Sells Minority Stake in NHL Team

• Wrightsville Beach Fishermen Swap Crabs for Cleanup

Carolina Hurricanes Owner Sells Minority Stake in NHL Team

WUNC Texas billionaire Tom Dundon agreed to sell 12.5% of the Hurricanes at a whopping $2.66 billion valuation, bringing in three new minority partners. Since buying majority control in 2018 for $420M and full ownership in 2021, Dundon has skyrocketed popularity: sold-out games, 227% season-ticket revenue growth, 168% sponsorship boost. Move may fund his $4.25B bid for NBA's Portland Trail Blazers—huge for NC sports economy.
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Wrightsville Beach Fishermen Swap Crabs for Cleanup

WWAY Local crews, including Seaview Crab Co., ditched crabbing for three days to haul hundreds of lost "ghost pots" with NC Coastal Federation. Abandoned gear keeps "fishing" endlessly, endangering wildlife, boats, and marshes—killing grass, trapping birds. Buried in mud or lost at sea, pots pose ongoing threats; effort clears Cape Fear waterways for safer boating and ecosystem health.
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News Roundup

Local News

Burgaw mayor addresses downtown parking crunch amid historic preservation hurdles. Olivia Dawson responds to resident calls for decks or jury spots, noting long-term challenges in the heritage district. Town exploring options but no immediate plans; aims to boost business access without altering character. WWAY

New Hanover school board candidate Rick Southerland withdraws after sex offender ties revealed. Top primary finisher lived with convicted child porn possessor; Democrats pressured dropout, now adding vetting like associate questionnaires to avoid repeats. Seat fill process set. WWAY

What You Should Know

Seventh US service member dies from Operation Epic Fury wounds in Iran strikes. CENTCOM confirms death from March 1 Saudi attack; total KIA now seven since Feb. 28 US-Israel ops killed Khamenei. Iran retaliation hits bases, ports. Military Times

Crude tops $100 with Gulf cuts; G7 eyes reserve release amid Iran conflict. WTI spikes 12% to $102+, Brent $104+; Kuwait among top producers slashing output. Trump calls it "small price" for nukes threat. Gas hikes loom for East Coast. CNBC

Trump privately eyes small US ground force in post-war Iran for uranium security, oil deals. Not full invasion but strategic contingent discussed with aides, GOP; envisions US-Iran regime cooperation like Venezuela model. No orders yet amid escalation. NBC News

What Might Surprise You

3.0-magnitude quake rattles South Carolina near Lake Murray. USGS reports tremor at 12:17 p.m.; homes shook, offices rattled—third in area this month (prior 2.8, 1.9). No damage; video shows cat startled amid rumble. WRAL

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