The Newsroom

This year's WHQR luncheon guest was Tamara Keith, Senior Political Correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast. Keith spoke about covering the president, the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and her new series, Swing Shift, a long-term project to document the perspectives of voters in swing states. Keith also took questions from our audience and sat down with WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman.

WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman revisits his conversation about Juneteenth with Joe Conway, former chief equity and inclusion officer for the City of Wilmington and currently director of community engagement at UNC Health. Three years later, what's changed about the holiday, and how the nation is dealing with identity and history?

Cape Fear Community College recently settled a lawsuit filed by former trustee Ray Funderburk, and WHQR's Rachel Keith has been poring over depositions from the case, including sworn testimony from top college officials. She joins News Director Ben Schachtman to share what she's learned about the case — and more broadly, about CFCC's leadership.

Aaleah McConnell has an intimate look at how the family of Edilberto Espinoza-Sierra is coping with grief and searching for justice, after the 21-year-old was killed by law enforcement in March. Plus, Rachel Keith and Ben Schachtman dig into public school funding, with a look at this year's budget – and some potential issues on the horizon.

It's been over a month since the family of Edilberto Espinoza-Sierra learned about his death, which has left them with many questions. In part one of this two-part series, WHQR's Aaleah McConnel breaks down some details of this case, and sits down with the family to learn who Edilberto was and how they are working through the loss.

On this episode, Rachel Keith sits down with Ray Funderburk III, who recently settled with Cape Fear Community College three years after he was ousted from its board of trustees. Plus, Kelly Kenoyer talks with UNCW economist Mouhcine Guettabi about potential economic impacts of a toll bridge over the Cape Fear River, which is looking increasingly likely.

On this edition of The Newsroom, WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman talks to reporter Aaleah McConnell, who has been looking into the arrest of a Wilmington man who claims he was the victim of law enforcement violence — and the laws and policies that govern the use of force by cops and deputies.

On today's show, Lucas Thomae from Carolina Public Press talks about 'wandering officers,' who are fired or resign under suspicion — only to pop up at another agency later. And a conversation with Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek about his vision for the office, applying AI to government audits, and his promise to keep politics out of the job.

On this special edition of The Newsroom, we're telling the story of the Black Rock Plantation House. At first glance, it's a mid-19th-century farmhouse. But dig deeper, and it sits at the intersection of multi-generational stories — including the families of enslavers and enslaved people.Over the last few months, WHQR's Aaleah McConnell and Rachel Keith traveled with descendants of those families as they work to understand their history — which is also the history of America. It is, at times, an ugly history that's hard to confront, but it's also an inspiring story of resilience. Now, 250 years after the founding of our country, it seems more appropriate than ever to tell it.

WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Rachel Keith dig into our recent candidates forum for the New Hanover County school board. Five Republicans and six Democrats are running for four seats in each party.

WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Rachel Keith dig into our recent candidates forum for the New Hanover County school board. Five Republicans and six Democrats are running for four seats in each party.

The forum hosted by WHQR, WECT, and Port City Daily, featured the four candidates running for two seats: Salette Andrews, Judy Justice, Dr. LaShonda Wallace, and Rob Zapple.

The forum hosted by WHQR, WECT, and Port City Daily, featured the four candidates running for two seats: Salette Andrews, Judy Justice, Dr. LaShonda Wallace, and Rob Zapple.

On this edition of The Newsroom, we're speaking with Rebecca Trammel, a nonprofit founder, community organizer, and advocate for public education funding who aims to run as an unaffiliated candidate for North Carolina's Senate District 7. We asked about her decision to run without major party support — and where she lands on some contentious state-level policies.

On today's show, we're looking back at the year that was 2025 with my colleagues, Rachel Keith, Aaleah McConnell, Kelly Kenoyer, and Nikolai Mather. From the local impacts of DOGE and the Trump Administration to the struggles over education funding, from rural reporting to community engagement, we'll recap the toughest, most rewarding, and some of the most fun stories of the year.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of unhoused families who go uncounted in New Hanover County each year. Many of them work, often full-time jobs, while living in motels, cars, or bouncing from couch to couch. Today's episode digs into those problems, and what could be done for them.

Citizen Warrior is an autobiographical account of Gene Merritt's lifelong efforts to improve Wilmington — work that was at times contentious, creative, and even inspired.Merritt fought to change the downtown nightlife scene, pushing for liquor-by-the-drink while also evicting topless bars and sex shops. His next battle was an industrial coal pile planned where the modern-day riverwalk and concert venue exist. Then there was the struggle to bring 1-40 to Wilmington, and later, to keep the county from selling its hospital. And, of course, there were many other challenges along the way. Merrit joined us along with co-author John Meyer, who helped cover these stories as a veteran StarNews reporter and editor.

On this special episode, WHQR's Aaleah McConnell shares the highlights and throughlines of a wide-ranging panel on Wilmington's new anti-camping ordinance and the issue of homelessness.

On today's episode, we sit down with Jason Smith, district attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties. After a tough race for DA in 2024, Smith faced several challenges: rebuilding morale, adapting to E-courts, new state and local laws, and the perennial challenge of youth violence.

On today's show, WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Kelly Kenoyer look at the highlights from the recent candidates forum, held by WHQR, WECT, and Port City Daily, featuring candidates running for Wilmington City Council. We'll add some context and analysis to the seven candidates' answers to some tough questions.

On today's show, WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Kelly Kenoyer look at the highlights from the recent candidates forum, held by WHQR, WECT, and Port City Daily, featuring candidates running for Wilmington office. We'll add some context and analysis to the three mayoral candidates' answers to some tough questions.

On today's show, WHQR's series CAFO Country, featuring environmental journalist David Boraks, takes a deep dive into North Carolina's hog and poultry industry — it's a major economic driver for the state, but also the source of serious environmental concerns. Plus, we sat down with Inside Climate News' Lisa Sorg to catch up on her latest reporting on CAFOs.

On today's show, a slightly overdue conversation with Josie Barnhart, Republican vice-chair of the New Hanover County Board of Education, and a mother of three. Earlier this year, Barnhart challenged the book Blended in the district, leading to some tough questions about the intersecting roles of parent and elected official, as well as how to handle books in 'grey' areas of appropriateness.

On today's show, a candid sitdown with Spence Broadhurst, who helped steer the hospital sale that led to the creation of The Endowment, served as its first board chair, and has, in his words, acted as a watchdog for its founding documents. We discuss the challenges and debates the board has faced. And we touch on some of the tension around the recent county commissioner vote, which effectively removed him from The Endowment board.

All throughout the northside of downtown Wilmington, there are little markers of the past — a past filled with the sound of metal wheels clattering down the tracks. The Northside was once home to a sprawling railyard and passenger rail station — and it could be the home of passenger rail again.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Kelly Roberts.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Chakema Clinton-Quintana.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with incumbent Clifford Barnett, Sr.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with incumbent Luke Waddell.

On this episode, WHQR News Director Benjamin Schachtman sat down with Derrick Anderson, host of a long-running community affairs show, to talk about The Endowment. From questions about the abrupt departure of CEO Dan Winslow, to the fate of the Northside Co-op grant, to the backstory of why the foundation does so much of its work in private, there's a lot to unpack.

WHQR is sitting down with all three candidates for Wilmington mayor, including the incumbent, and two challengers. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Jonathan Barfield, Jr.

The chemical GenX has plagued the Cape Fear Region for decades — though we only found out it was in the river eight years ago. Since then, there've been myriad fights: for regulation at the state and federal level, for filtration, and for accountability against the polluter. This week, we'll have an update on the status of this slow-moving crisis in the Cape Fear.

WHQR is sitting down with all three candidates for Wilmington mayor, including the incumbent, and two challengers. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with incumbent Mayor Bill Saffo.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Cassidy Santaguida

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Sean Guerrero.

WHQR is sitting down with all three candidates for Wilmington mayor, including the incumbent, and two challengers. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Billy Craig.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger J.C. Lyle.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger J.C. Lyle.

WHQR is sitting down with all eight candidates for Wilmington's City Council — two incumbents and six newcomers — who are running for three seats. On this episode of The Newsroom, an interview with challenger Richard Collier.

On this edition of The Newsroom, WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Rachel Keith unpack the New Hanover County Schools' budgetary needs — for the current year, and for longer-term facility needs. It's hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars — and it's not clear right now where all that funding is going to come from.

On this edition, The Assembly's Erin Gretzinger on the rapidly shifting landscape of DEI policy in North Carolina higher education. Plus, WHQR's Nikolai Mather helps unpack the lawsuit between a Pender County newspaper and county officials — and the political context behind the litigation.

WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman and reporter Kelly Kenoyer unpack some of our recent reporting about Novant NHRMC: staff interviews and watchdog data show some concerning trends at the hospital, but the newest leadership team says things are improving. And, Rachel Keith helps explain FERPA, the federal law protecting student privacy, and how it might be overused to protect public information, including parental book challenges.

Leila Fadel, host of NPR's Morning Edition and the Up First podcast, came to Wilmington last month for WHQR's luncheon. On this episode of The Newsroom, we've got her keynote speech, a Q-and-A session with the audience, and a one-on-one interview with WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman.

On this episode: Rachel Keith recently hosted a panel for N.C. Project LEAD, asking elected officials and community leaders some tough policy questions. We'll hear what they said about universal basic income, collective bargaining, and more. Plus, Nikolai Mather unpacks legislative efforts to fund school meals for all.

On this episode, Rachel Keith takes stock of what the New Hanover County Schools' turnaround task force has accomplished in two years, and what's next for them – and Nikolai Mather sits down with Representative Ted Davis to talk about his PFAS legislation

On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, WHQR's Ben Schachtman sat down with Curt Farrison, president of Chapter 885 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, to talk about coming home from war, understanding and managing PTSD, and what the country could do better for men and women who have worn a uniform.

On today's show, host Rachel Keith talks about the groundbreaking Healthy Opportunities Pilot—one of the first in the country—where some Medicaid recipients get assistance for food, rent and utilities, and counseling for interpersonal violence or toxic stress needs. Service providers helping these people get reimbursements from the HOP program.

On today's show, Rachel Keith celebrates Sunshine Week, an annual event focused on open government and transparency. In honor of this year's sunshine week, we're taking a look at government speech policies — we'll dig into how much public employees, including college professors, can say when they talk to journalists or speak out on political issues. And, later on today's show, Aaleah McConnell takes a personal look a being a Blerd — that's a black nerd – and the art, music, and film that exists at the intersection of those two cultures.

On today's show, I'm sitting down with Republican New Hanover County Commissioner LeAnn Pierce about her thoughts and goals as the county's budget negotiations move forward. We asked Pierce, vice-chair of the Board of Commissioners, about her thoughts on where the tax rate should go — and ways to make the county more efficient, including calls to eliminate DEI and have The Endowment step in to support some previously county-funded programs.

On today's show, I'm sitting down with Democratic New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple to talk about his priorities and perspectives on the county's ongoing budget process. We asked Zapple about what he thinks about efforts to make the county more financially efficient — as well as calls to do away with the county's DEI office, and have the Endowment step in to help with funding in some areas.

On today's show, I'm sitting down with Democratic New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker to talk about her perspective on the county's budget negotiations — which are going on right now. Walker, who was recently elected to her first term as a commissioner in November after serving for four years on the county's school board, campaigned as a strong education advocate. So we asked her about education funding, but also other issues — including the proposed removal of the county's DEI program, and how The Endowment could step in with certain funding priorities.