In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Carolina Beach Road Is Widening

• The 79th NC Azalea Festival Starts Tomorrow

Carolina Beach Road Is Widening. Thirteen Businesses Are in the Way. 🚧

WECT NCDOT's long-planned Carolina Beach Road widening project is now actively claiming property — and the businesses in its path are starting to disappear. The project will eventually run from South Front Street to Shipyard Boulevard, upgrading the corridor to four lanes with a grassy median, reduced driveway access, and improved pedestrian crossings.

Thirteen buildings need to be relocated in total. One is already gone: JT Lee & Sons, a propane gas company that had operated on the road for roughly 100 years. It was acquired quickly and torn down about a month ago. The next to go is Greenfield Lake Yacht Club, a locally-owned bar near the lake. Its last day open will be Sunday, April 26. Ownership must vacate by May 1. They're considering relocation, but nothing's confirmed.

Right-of-way acquisition began in late 2025. Construction bidding is scheduled for summer 2029 — so the businesses are going now, but the actual road work is still years away. NCDOT says the project is designed to reduce congestion, improve safety, and eliminate conflicts with rail crossings. The 13 business owners along the corridor have a different perspective on the trade.

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The 79th NC Azalea Festival Starts Today — Here's What You Need to Know 🌸

WWAYTV3 The 79th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival runs April 8–12, and it's a full week. The Queen's Coronation starts at 3PM today aboard the Battleship North Carolina — free to attend. This year's Queen Azalea is actress Elaine Hendrix, best known for Dynasty and The Parent Trap.

The main stage concerts are ticketed and happen at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Lil Jon headlines Thursday at 7PM (gates 6PM) and Dustin Lynch closes Friday at 7PM. Those are the only two ticketed headline concerts this year — the festival usually runs three, so this is a shorter musical schedule than past years, but both names pull hard.

The free stuff is substantial. The Street Fair runs all three days downtown (Friday 6–10PM, Saturday 10AM–10PM, Sunday 10AM–5PM) with a Performing Arts Stage, food vendors, the Azalea Alley Beer & Wine Garden, and a children's area. The Parade steps off at 9:30AM Saturday on Third Street from Dock down through Market to Bladen — free, no ticket needed. Saturday night wraps with the Battleship Boom & Bloom Bonanza at 7:30PM with fireworks at 9PM.

For the garden crowd: the Azalea Garden Tour runs Friday through Sunday (ticketed, self-guided private and public gardens), and the Airlie Luncheon Garden Party is Friday. Full schedule at ncazaleafestival.org/events.

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News Roundup

Local News

Three people were injured in two separate stabbing incidents in Wilmington early Easter morning, prompting police investigations. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding both, including any connections between them, as victims received medical treatment for their injuries. WWAY

Novant Health is using new robotic bronchoscopy technology to improve early lung cancer detection by enabling minimally invasive biopsies of hard-to-reach lung nodules. The advanced system uses a steerable, camera-guided catheter to help doctors diagnose cancer sooner—critical since only about 28% of cases are caught early, when treatment is most effective. WWAY

What You Should Know

The U.S.-Iran war saw rapid developments as President Trump escalated threats against Iran before ultimately agreeing to a temporary ceasefire tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Live updates detail shifting military actions, global economic impacts, and ongoing diplomatic efforts, with tensions remaining high despite a tentative pause in fighting. The New York Times

Florida’s governor has signed legislation creating a new state-level “terrorist” designation, expanding law enforcement authority to target certain groups and activities. Supporters say it strengthens public safety, while critics warn it could raise civil liberties concerns and broaden government power. Yahoo News

NASA’s Artemis crew faces its most dangerous phase as the Orion capsule re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, enduring extreme temperatures of around 2,760°C with a largely unproven heat shield. The high-speed descent and splashdown are considered the riskiest moments of the mission, as engineers closely monitor whether the spacecraft’s systems perform as expected after its deep-space journey. The Telegraph

What Might Surprise You

A mysterious AI-generated artist named “Eddie Dalton” has surged on iTunes, occupying multiple chart spots despite not being a real person. The situation is raising concerns about authenticity, manipulation of music charts, and the growing influence of AI-generated content in the music industry. Showbiz411

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