Good morning Wilmington!

A lot can happen in one weekend. President Trump’s military operation against Iran — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” — marks a dramatic shift in his presidency, breaking his long-held record of “no new wars.” In a Sunday address, Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announced that three U.S. service members paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The conflict has rapidly expanded across the Middle East, with Iran striking U.S. bases and regional oil infrastructure, global markets surging, flights grounded, and casualties mounting on multiple sides. The scope of this escalation may ultimately define Trump’s presidential legacy — and its ripple effects are already being felt worldwide.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Paid Beach Parking Across New Hanover County

• Project Kitty Hawk Adds UNCW

Starting Yesterday: Paid Beach Parking Across New Hanover County

WECT Paid parking returns to many New Hanover County beaches starting March 1. Surf City will charge $3–$6 per hour. Wrightsville Beach rates range from $5 per hour (or $25 daily) to $6 per hour in premium lots ($30 daily). Carolina Beach parking runs $5–$7 per hour depending on location, with daily rates up to $35. Kure Beach begins March 15 at $6 per hour. Fort Fisher remains free. Brunswick County beach towns begin charging April 1.

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Project Kitty Hawk Surpasses 3,000 Adult Learners, Adds UNCW

UNC System News Project Kitty Hawk, the UNC System’s education technology nonprofit, has now helped enroll more than 3,000 adult learners since launching in 2023. The program supports 19 online “Flight Path” degrees designed for working adults, with 75% of students employed full time and a 96% persistence rate this academic year. The initiative is expanding, with Winston-Salem State University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington joining to launch new programs in 2026, bringing the total to 28 online degree and certificate offerings.

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News Roundup

Local News

State investigators are probing a Wilmington police lieutenant for allegedly falsifying timesheets and collecting pay for hours not worked, prompting an SBI investigation after the police department raised concerns. Lesser details indicate the department requested the inquiry following internal findings, though officials have declined to comment on the officer’s employment status due to personnel privacy rules. WECT

What You Should Know

Ali Larijani, a loyalist of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected talks with the U.S. and derided negotiations as “delusional fantasies,” vowing retaliation after the airstrike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Lesser details note his accusation that the United States and Israel seek to “plunder” Iran and his insistence that the regime will defend itself rather than negotiate with Donald Trump. Daily Mail

A man with a history of mental illness opened fire outside a bar in Austin, killing two and injuring 14 before being shot by police, as investigators examine whether the attack had any terrorism link. Authorities identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen, but say the motive remains unclear and the investigation is ongoing. NBC News

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued an elevated terror alert as concerns rise that Iran or its proxies could target the U.S. following military actions involving strikes linked to Donald Trump’s administration. Authorities say counterterrorism teams are monitoring threats, while officials including Kristi Noem emphasize coordination to protect the homeland amid escalating geopolitical tensions. dailymail.co.uk

At least nine people were injured in a mass shooting early Sunday at the Riverfront Live music venue in Cincinnati’s East End, prompting a police investigation and a mayoral call for community support. The gunfire erupted around 1 a.m. during a crowded event, sending victims to local hospitals — most with non-life-threatening injuries — while no arrests have been made and authorities continue searching for suspects. LiveNOW from FOX

What Might Surprise You

Several Polymarket users reportedly earned more than $1.5 million by correctly betting on the timing of U.S. strikes on Iran, with some accounts suspected of insider knowledge. At least five newly created accounts placed successful wagers on the U.S. carrying out strikes over the weekend, raising questions about potential foreknowledge on the prediction platform, which has ties to Donald Trump Jr. The Mirror

Letters in Kansas demand transgender drivers surrender licenses that reflect their assigned sex at birth under a new law, immediately invalidating credentials and requiring replacements without a grace period. Lesser details note residents were notified after lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto, a move criticized by the Human Rights Campaign as enabling government-sanctioned harassment and additional penalties for driving without valid documentation. The Independent

National News

Rare total lunar eclipse (“blood moon”) will be visible across North America, Australia and New Zealand on March 3, turning the full moon a copper-red hue as it passes through Earth’s shadow. The event will be the last total lunar eclipse for nearly three years, offering skywatchers a striking celestial display during totality. The Guardian

A road rage incident in Northeast Washington, D.C. escalated into a shooting and a crash, leaving one person seriously injured and both involved individuals hospitalized and under arrest. Police say the dispute began between a man on a scooter and a driver, leading to the scooter rider firing a shot and the driver then running him over; both were treated for injuries and charges are pending. DC News Now

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