From this week's Sunday Edition: Notes on developing, upcoming, and potentially daunting stories: the $320.5 million New Hanover County school bond heads to the ballot, a complicated lawsuit accuses a prosecutor of bias, and the prospect of a new toll bridge still hangs over the Cape Fear region.

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.

While federal scientists are still confirming, at least one Canada goose in Wilmington has initially tested positive for avian flu.

New Hanover County is the only coastal county with a dedicated sustainability professional. This week, she presented her assessment to county commissioners.

Earlier this week, four North Atlantic Right Whales were spotted off the coast of Ocracoke. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is notifying boaters in the area to slow down while they’re traveling for their calving season, which lasts until April.

For the third time in a row, Novant NHRMC has received a “C” grade from Leapfrog, a nonprofit watchdog for hospital safety. Novant officials say that rating is partially based on old data — and promise a new public-facing website showing “real-time improvement.”

For Homelessness Awareness Month, Good Shepherd Center is hosting a book club for any residents interested.

On Monday, the New Hanover County Commission and the New Hanover County Board of Education agreed to pursue a $320.5 million school bond. The issue now goes to the Local Government Commission in April for feedback on the proposed tax rate adjustment and approval to go on the ballot in November 2026.

On Friday, fire fighters battled a blaze at the Graystone Inn in downtown Wilmington. An investigation determined that construction in the basement accidentally triggered the fire, which quickly spread throughout the structure.

From this week’s Sunday Edition: The 2025 election season is in the books. The 2026 election season is already upon us.

State and federal agencies are considering deepening the Port of Wilmington channel. Proponents of the plan say it will allow larger vessels and save money by reducing current inefficiencies. Opponents point to a host of potential environmental concerns on the surrounding waterways and wetlands.

On Friday afternoon, dozens of first responders were on the scene as a significant blaze engulfed the top story of the Graystone Inn. Officials reported no injuries, but the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Based on preliminary results, Democrats took all three council seats and held the mayor’s office. It's the second time the Democratic Party's controversial straw poll has delivered sweeping results. Meanwhile, despite strong campaigns and significant fundraising, Republican candidates fell behind.

The city’s deputy manager and director of economic development have both resigned, effective at the end of this week. According to the city, leadership was “already in the process of assessing our organizational structure.”

In New Hanover County, early voting numbers are up by more than 50% compared to 2023. This year, approximately 12,628 voters cast ballots for municipal races in Wilmington and the beach towns. Comparatively, in 2023, it was 8,077.

A plain-language explainer — tackling North Carolina's new Congressional maps, gerrymandering, and the current race to redistrict around the country — from NC Local.

The ongoing federal government shutdown is expected to delay access to SNAP benefits for approximately 1.4 million North Carolinians, including nearly 57,000 people living in the Cape Fear region. WHQR has compiled a list of resources.

Today, the North Carolina GOP said it had learned of an alleged cash-for-votes scheme in Wilmington. The county Democratic party denounced both any potential election fraud and the GOP’s reaction.

Three candidates are vying for mayor, with seven competing for three spots on city council. Close to a half-million dollars in donations have been reported as of late October.

It’s Pet Day during our Fall Pledge Drive — and in honor all our beloved creatures, we’re launching a new limited series podcast: Wild Things. Here’s the first episode!

From this week's Sunday Edition: Readers had questions about a campaign mailer touting a bipartisan slate for Wilmington's city council and mayoral races. Plus, a close reading of Novant's messaging on the Medicare telehealth funding lapse.

Kelly Thatcher was taken into custody this week and charged with misdemeanor child abuse. Brunswick County Schools has since addressed the statement with a written statement.

Brunswick County is putting a major economic decision on next year's ballot. Plus, Pender County approves raises for emergency services, and Columbus County gets back to its cell towers.

On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to enter a registry agreement with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to preserve the South Wilmington Sandhills within Halyburton Park.

The Wilmington Housing Authority gave a presentation to the city council Tuesday, emphasizing the impacts of the federal shutdown.

Updated and reposted! Over a thousand people gathered at Innes Park in downtown Wilmington on Saturday to protest the Trump administration.

Developers, who propose 4,000 units on about a quarter of a 4,000-acre property, say they’re working to preserve as much land as possible, and deny they’ll negatively impact older forests. Conservation advocates have raised a host of concerns, including flooding, traffic, groundwater use, and more.

The alleged assault of two young children took place in September. Two weeks later, the teacher tendered her resignation. Two weeks after that, criminal charges were filed. The district said it complied with reporting requirements and is cooperating with the criminal investigation.

City Council passed a camping ordinance that has sparked debates about homelessness throughout the community over the past couple of months.

After fourteen years with the county’s election office, including over eight years as director, Rae Hunter-Havens announced her retirement last night. Her departure comes after several clashes between the elections office and the county government.

This weekend, a local nonprofit will hold its fifth annual molestation survivor walk. WHQR’s Aaleah McConnell sits down with Tracy Harrison of Keep Your Hands Off Me, Inc. to discuss the importance of having a supportive community.

As kids settle back into school, adults consider ways to keep them engaged after the bell rings. There is one program that helps the youth connect to their community in a positive way.

The newly opened One Banana ripening facility in Wilmington will bring in fruit from the tropics to sell to regional grocers. It's a tricky logistical process to make sure bananas are as ripe as customers want them (which is, admittedly, a matter of some debate).

Questions: Wait, the city hired a chief of staff? Is that a new position? Whose idea was this, and what does the new hire do? How much are they paid — and where is the money coming from after June’s tight budget negotiations?

Next week, the Wilmington City Council will vote on a resolution dedicating $1 million toward acquiring land for future parks and recreation use. The city will also seek grant funding from The Endowment — as well as matching funds from the county, a request which caught some commissioners off guard.

The primary suspect for Southport's mass shooting made his first court appearance on Monday. But there's a long road ahead for state officials trying to secure justice for the victims. WHQR news director Ben Schachtman and Brunswick County reporter Nikolai Mather break down what to expect.

On Wednesday, October 8, WECT, WHQR, and Port City Daily will jointly host a forum for candidates for the Wilmington city council and mayoral races. The event will be held at WHQR's station and will be open to the public and livestreamed.

The North Carolina ACLU filed suit against New Hanover County Clerk of Court Jan Kennedy, claiming it was the only county in the state that had not responded to public records request the organization had made over the last two years.

Saturday night's shooting killed three and wounded five during a live concert at American Fish Company in Southport. Now, the City of Southport has released the identities of those killed.

The man accused of opening fire on American Fish Company this past Saturday identifies as many things: a Marine veteran, an outdoorsman, and a writer. WHQR news director Ben Schachtman and Brunswick County reporter Nikolai Mather break down the latest details on Nigel Edge.

Governor Stein traveled to Southport on Monday in the wake of a mass shooting that killed three and injured five. Stein told residents the state shares in their grief but also took the opportunity to advocate for reforms to the mental healthcare system and suggested the possibility of red flag laws.

Local law enforcement held a press conference Sunday following Saturday night's deadly shooting at American Fish Company. Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris said he was "familiar" with suspect Nigel Max Edge, who brought multiple civil suits against the department.

The shooting took place at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night. Police are still actively investigating. This is a developing story, and we’ll have more information as it becomes available.

All this week, WHQR has been airing episodes of our series, “CAFO Country,” taking a look at concentrated animal feeding operations. WHQR’s Ben Schachtman sat down with environmental journalist David Boraks, who reported and produced the series, to recap the big takeaways.

After the storm flooded much of southern Brunswick, public officials were able to rebuild most of the infrastructure damaged in the storm. Now, the question is how to prepare for even stronger storms.

The growth of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, has changed the landscape of eastern North Carolina in recent decades. Big companies now depend on North Carolina farmers to supply the hogs, chickens, and turkeys that wind up on grocery store shelves. But what about the farmers?

A contentious ordinance banning public camping on Wilmington city property passed, with some new changes, after a four-to-three vote last night. Council members Salette Andrews, Clifford Barnett, and Kevin Spears voted against it.

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.

Brunswick County Schools announced Tuesday night that Harry E. Lemon, Jr., who worked as an educator in Brunswick County for three decades, passed away.

In part three of our series, “CAFO Country,” reporter David Boraks tours the front lines where neighbors worry about air and water quality. And he hears from industry officials who argue that North Carolina has some of the strictest rules in the country.