Good morning Wilmington!

Just caught this last minute deal: Lowe’s has mulch on sale: 5 for $10- sale ends today! With a sunny weekend ahead, it’s a great time to prep the beds and show those weeds who’s boss.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• New Hanover Board Member Faces Censure

• Thom Tillis Urge Trump to Reconsider Tariff Strategy

New Hanover Board Member Faces Censure Over Potential Breach of Confidentiality Laws

[WECT] The New Hanover County school board plans to vote this week on whether to formally censure board member Dr. Tim Merrick, following allegations he violated confidentiality rules in a conversation with a teacher about a pride flag. Merrick denies wrongdoing and says the move is politically motivated, warning the censure could have a chilling effect on teachers. The resolution claims Merrick interfered in an employment matter, undermining his ability to remain impartial.

Read More »

Republican Senators Including Thom Tillis Urge Trump to Reconsider Tariff Strategy as Markets React

[Raw Story] Several prominent Republican senators, including Sen. Thom Tillis, are growing increasingly concerned about President Trump’s tariff plan. The tariffs, part of the president’s "Liberation Day" initiative, have sparked market panic and raised fears of retaliatory tariffs from other nations. Tillis, facing a re-election battle, is calling for the administration to negotiate with trading partners to avoid further economic fallout. Fellow Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz also express concerns over the possibility of worsening trade relations. Trump’s policies have led to a significant market downturn, with critics blaming the tariffs for the economic instability.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local

• Twenty Carolina Beach homes will receive FEMA funds for elevation work, reducing future flood risk. The town is distributing $5 million in grants from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance program. WWAY

• NCDOT is launching its annual Spring Litter Sweep across the state, encouraging residents to help clean up roadsides. The campaign runs April 13–27. WECT

What You Need to Know

• President Trump’s steep new tariffs—some as high as 104% on Chinese imports—have taken effect, triggering immediate retaliation from Beijing and roiling global markets. Trump defended the tariffs as a long-overdue crackdown on unfair trade practices, saying countries are “dying to make a deal.” Analysts warn the move may push the U.S. closer to recession. BBC

What Might Surprise You

• The UK has welcomed its first baby born from a womb transplant, marking a medical milestone. The mother received the uterus from her sister and conceived via IVF. The Times

National News

• IRS Chief Melanie Krause has resigned amid efforts to modernize the agency, stepping down after just two years in the role. She had been leading initiatives to streamline operations and improve tech systems. Wall Street Journal

World News

• A massive fire in Paris sent thick black smoke across the skyline, as flames engulfed a building in the 17th Arrondissement, prompting the deployment of 200 firefighters and shutting down nearby roads. No injuries have been reported, but the blaze is not yet under control. The Sun

Weather

Summary

Over the next three days in Wilmington, NC, expect pleasant weather on Wednesday with sunny skies and mild temperatures, followed by a mostly sunny Thursday with slightly warmer conditions. Friday brings a shift to thunderstorms, cooler temperatures, and higher precipitation chances, signaling unsettled weather to end the period.

Weather Forecast

• Wed Apr 09: Sunny | 62° / 55° | 2% | ENE 17 mph

• Thu Apr 10: Mostly Sunny | 69° / 61° | 9% | E 11 mph

• Fri Apr 11: Thunderstorms | 68° / 52° | 78% | SW 13 mph

Tide Forecast

Wed Apr 09:

• 5:50am: 3.76 ft (High Tide)

• 12:02pm: 0.17 ft (Low Tide)

• 6:11pm: 3.93 ft (High Tide)

• 12:21am (Thu): 0.12 ft (Low Tide)

Thu Apr 10:

• 6:31am: 3.77 ft (High Tide)

• 12:40pm: 0.08 ft (Low Tide)

• 6:51pm: 4.16 ft (High Tide)

• 1:05am (Fri): 0.08 ft (Low Tide)

Fri Apr 11:

• 7:08am: 3.76 ft (High Tide)

• 1:16pm: 0.01 ft (Low Tide)

• 7:28pm: 4.32 ft (High Tide)

• 1:05am (prior): 0.08 ft (Low Tide)

Surf Forecast

Wed Apr 09:
Knee to waist high ENE short period wind swell in the morning, transitioning to more E swell during the day. Conditions will be choppy with sideshore currents, driven by NNE winds at 15-20 mph in the morning, shifting to ENE in the afternoon. Swell heights range from 2.8 ft at 6am to a peak of 3.9 ft at 3pm, with a consistent 5-second period.

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

Wednesday

Thursday