Good morning Wilmington!

Last year, we went all the way to Florida to see gators.
Swamp boat ride? Check. Feeding time? Check. Hold baby gator for a picture? Check. But as it turns out, we didn’t need to travel so far—because this week, a large adult alligator was spotted a little closer to home: near Smith Creek Park.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• NC Senate Revives Transgender Restrictions in New ‘Bathroom Bill’ Proposal

NC Senate Revives Transgender Restrictions in New ‘Bathroom Bill’ Proposal

[Port City Daily] Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have introduced SB 516 — a controversial bill reviving restrictions on transgender rights similar to the repealed HB2. The bill targets state-funded buildings, requiring restrooms to be used based on biological sex assigned at birth, and prohibits changes to gender markers on driver’s licenses and birth certificates. Critics, including LGBTQ+ advocates and local officials, argue the legislation is discriminatory and harmful, while supporters claim it protects safety and privacy. With echoes of the economic fallout from HB2, the bill is already drawing legal and social fire as it moves through the legislature.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local

• With Forever 21 closing its doors, Independence Mall faces another major vacancy as it continues efforts to reinvent itself with a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment. Mall representatives say discussions are already underway to fill the space. StarNews Online

• A Wilmington mother is speaking out after her son was nearly killed in a downtown brawl, saying the attack was caught on video and expressing frustration over the lack of arrests. Police say the investigation is ongoing. WWAY

What You Need to Know

• Three killed in a shooting near a high school in Fredericksburg, Virginia, prompting a lockdown and renewed calls for gun control. Police have not identified suspects, and the motive remains unclear. New York Times

What Might Surprise You

• The USDA plans to downsize its Washington, D.C., headquarters and relocate staff to new hubs across the country, a move it says will increase efficiency but which critics argue may cause workforce disruption and brain drain. GovExec

• A man who used an AI-generated attorney in court drew sharp rebuke from a judge, who called the stunt deceptive and disrespectful after learning the “lawyer” wasn’t a real person. Legal experts say AI misuse in court is becoming a growing concern. Fox News

National News

• The Trump administration has revoked visas for 20 international students tied to a protest at a Utah college, escalating tensions over campus free speech and immigration. Civil rights groups say the move could violate constitutional protections. Salt Lake Tribune

Weather

Summary

Over the next three days in Wilmington, NC, expect a mix of weather conditions. Thursday will be partly cloudy with mild temperatures and low precipitation chances. Friday brings thunderstorms and warmer weather, with a higher chance of rain and stronger winds. Saturday cools down slightly with partly cloudy skies and minimal precipitation, accompanied by breezy northwest winds.

Weather Forecast

• Thu Apr 10: Partly Cloudy | 70° / 60° | 14% | E 11 mph

• Fri Apr 11: Thunderstorms | 70° / 51° | 70% | SSW 15 mph

• Sat Apr 12: Partly Cloudy | 64° / 48° | 18% | NW 13 mph

Tide Forecast

Thu Apr 10:

• 12:21am: 0.12 ft (Low Tide)

• 6:31am: 3.77 ft (High Tide)

• 12:40pm: 0.08 ft (Low Tide)

• 6:51pm: 4.16 ft (High Tide)

Fri Apr 11:

• 1:05am: 0.08 ft (Low Tide)

• 7:08am: 3.76 ft (High Tide)

• 1:16pm: 0.01 ft (Low Tide)

• 7:28pm: 4.32 ft (High Tide)

Sat Apr 12:

• 彼此

• 1:46am: 0.04 ft (Low Tide)

• 7:44am: 3.72 ft (High Tide)

• 1:51pm: -0.03 ft (Low Tide)

• 8:05pm: 4.39 ft (High Tide)

Surf Forecast

Thu Apr 10:
Knee to waist high ESE short period wind swell. Choppy/sideshore current with NE winds 15-20 mph in the morning, increasing to 20-25 mph in the afternoon. Swell height around 2.8-2.9 ft with a 6-7 second period.

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

FRIDAY

SATURDAY