Good morning Wilmington!

Nothing says spring like outdoor music — and Greenfield Lake Amphitheater is already stacking the lineup. From Marcus King to The Wood Brothers, the stage is set for a season of unforgettable shows.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Locals unite against 4,000 home development in Sledge Forest

• 420 Music and Arts Festival This Weekend

Locals and Students Unite Against 4,000-Home Development in Rare NC Forest

[WECT] Tensions are growing in Castle Hayne as a developer pushes forward with a plan to build 4,000 housing units on the ecologically significant Sledge Forest. At a UNCW town hall, residents, students, and environmental experts warned of major impacts to flooding, traffic, wildlife, and the area's rare forest. Despite selling 1,160 acres to a conservation nonprofit, critics say the unchanged housing plan still threatens the community’s livability. Organizers hope public pressure will influence local policymakers to halt the project.

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420 Music and Arts Festival This Weekend

SAT APR 19: 2PM - SUN APR 20: Midnight @ Waterline Brewing Co. - DT
Get ready for the annual 420 Music and Arts Fest, featuring the incredible Etana as our headliner! The two-time Grammy nominee, known as the Queen of Reggae, will captivate you with her stunning vocals and dynamic stage presence. Etana's soulful voice and inspiring lyrics resonate with audiences worldwide, making her performance a must-see! Gate opens at 2pm with vendors selling merch, products and art!

Day of tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Save money by purchasing earlybird tickets online at Portcityreggae.com

Read More »

News Roundup

Local

• UNCW’s School of Nursing Celebrates 40 Years of Growth and Impact
  UNCW’s School of Nursing marked its 40th anniversary with a celebration at the Warwick Center, honoring decades of service, growth, and leadership in healthcare education. Starting with just 10 students in its first baccalaureate class in 1987, the program now graduates about 120 nurses annually, addressing the region's growing healthcare needs. WWAY

• NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Novant AirLink Helicopter Crash
  The NTSB released a preliminary report on the Feb. 24 helicopter crash near the New Hanover/Pender County line, detailing the circumstances leading up to the incident. ​WECT

What You Need to Know

• China Accuses U.S. of Cyberattacks on Asian Winter Games
  China has accused the U.S. of launching advanced cyberattacks on the networks of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, claiming that two-thirds of the attacks originated from the United States. ​Yahoo Finance

• Pentagon Advisor Dismissed Over Alleged Leak of Sensitive Info
  Dan Caldwell, senior advisor to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was placed on administrative leave and later dismissed following an investigation into an unauthorized disclosure within the Department of Defense. A March 21 memo suggested a potential lie detector test may have been considered as part of the probe. This comes amid a broader investigation into Hegseth’s use of the Signal app to discuss potential military action in Yemen. MSN

• Biden Breaks Silence, Slams Trump Policies in First Post-Office Speech
  Former President Joe Biden delivered his first public remarks since leaving office during a keynote at an ACRD conference in Chicago. C-SPAN

National News

• California Sues Trump Administration Over Tariffs
  California has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump's recent tariffs, arguing they are unlawful and economically harmful, particularly to the state's trade-dependent industries. ​The Guardian

Weather

Summary

Wilmington, NC, will enjoy pleasant weather over the next three days, starting Wednesday, April 16. Expect sunny to mostly sunny skies with highs ranging from 69°F to 73°F and lows between 52°F and 63°F. Precipitation chances remain low, at 0-4%. Winds will shift from WNW to E and SSE, increasing slightly in speed. Tides will follow a consistent pattern with two high and two low tides daily, while surf conditions will remain small, with knee-high swells and clean to fairly clean conditions.

Weather Forecast

Wed Apr 16: Sunny | 70° / 52° | 0% | WNW 10 mph
Thu Apr 17: Mostly Sunny | 69° / 59° | 1% | E 11 mph
Fri Apr 18: Sunny | 73° / 63° | 4% | SSE 14 mph

Tide Forecast

Wed Apr 16:
10:15am: 3.16 ft (High Tide)
4:01pm: 0.30 ft (Low Tide)
10:40pm: 4.01 ft (High Tide)

Thu Apr 17:
4:46am: 0.45 ft (Low Tide)
10:58am: 3.02 ft (High Tide)
4:35pm: 0.45 ft (Low Tide)
11:25pm: 3.91 ft (High Tide)

Fri Apr 18:
5:31am: 0.62 ft (Low Tide)
11:43am: 2.92 ft (High Tide)
5:16pm: 0.60 ft (Low Tide)
12:12am: 3.85 ft (High Tide)

Surf Forecast

Wed Apr 16: Knee-high S short-period wind swell, 1-1.5 ft. Fairly clean conditions in the morning with NNW winds 5-10 mph, shifting to W in the afternoon for clean conditions.

Weather data derived from: weather.com. Tide data from: marineweather.net. Surf data from: surfcaptain.com

Wednesday

Thursday