WHQR Public Media

08/24/2026

Back in February, the City of Wilmington’s Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant a variance so that the developers of the Wilmington Housing Authority’s Hillcrest community could cut down six live oaks, some of which are over a hundred years old.

📲 Learn more about which trees are part of the planned removal, community reactions, and future plans for this affordable housing unit with WHQR's Rachel Keith.

08/24/2026

It’s Donor Appreciation Week at WHQR 💚

Because of you, public media in the Cape Fear thrives! Your support ensures that independent journalism, enriching music, and meaningful stories are available to everyone in our community.

Join us in this week-long celebration full of exciting updates, donor shoutouts, and an ice cream social!

Thank you to all of our donors! It is going to be a great week 🫶

08/24/2026

There's been plenty of discussion about Flock cameras and other automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) over the last few weeks. An interesting addition to that conversation: a list of questions sent by New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker to Sheriff Ed McMahon, whose office has a contract with Flock.

There's been plenty of discussion about Flock cameras and other automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) over the last few weeks. An interesting addition to that conversation: a list of questions sent by New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker to Sheriff Ed McMahon, whose office has a contra...

08/23/2026

Campaign season is heating up, and fundraising operations are in full swing. The amount of money, at both the local and federal levels, is pretty staggering — but it’s worth asking: why do people give? What do they think their money accomplishes, and what, if anything, do they think they’ll get in return?

Campaign season is heating up, and fundraising operations are in full swing. The amount of money, at both the local and federal levels, is pretty staggering — but it’s worth asking: why do people give? What do they think their money accomplishes, and what, if anything, do they think they’ll ge...

08/22/2026

The Wilmington Police Department said its officers, along with New Hanover County Sheriff's Office deputies, responded to a call near Red Cross and North Seventh streets. WPD said that after the suspect shot at officers, they returned fire, sending the suspect to the hospital. Officials have not yet released additional informatoin on the suspect or the officers involved.

The Wilmington Police Department said its officers, along with New Hanover County Sheriff's Office deputies, responded to a call near Red Cross and North Seventh streets. WPD said that after the suspect shot at officers, they returned fire, sending the suspect to the hospital. Officials have not yet...

08/21/2026

This week on The Newsroom, WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Rachel Keith dig into the latest season of the Scene on Radio podcast. This award-winning series, based in the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, is taking on a topic that's near and dear to our hearts: the news. 🗞️

Co-hosts John Biewen and Chenjerai Kumanyika took a long, hard look at why people are upset with the news, what’s really wrong with our media ecosystem, and how things might be different – and better.

🎧 Listen on 91.3 FM at NOON, or go to the link in our bio to listen On-Demand for an extra 20 minutes of conversation!

08/20/2026

Political campaign finance reports for the second quarter of this year have been released. WHQR took a look at the reports for 18 candidates running for positions in New Hanover County and state government.

📲 Scroll to see a breakdown of money raised and spent by candidates in New Hanover County.

For a deeper look at spending patterns, donations, and top expenses, visit https://www.whqr.org/local/2026-08-20/deep-dive-2-5-million-raised-in-races-for-new-hanover-commissioners-school-board-and-state-reps

08/19/2026

The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners met Monday night to decide whether to approve two rezoning request appeals requesting to switch two residential tax parcels to commercial zones, and a special use permit for a proposed kennel that’s subject to new requirements under a recently passed law.

📲 Read the full article for highlights from the August 17th Brunswick County Board of Commissioners.

The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners met Monday night to decide whether to approve two rezoning request appeals requesting to switch two residential tax parcels to commercial zones, and a special use permit for a proposed kennel that’s subject to new requirements under a recently passed law...

08/19/2026

WHQR arts reporter Demia Avery spoke with comedian Maddy Kelly about her rising career, the comedian she'd most like to open for, and her approach to stand-up. Kelly is performing four shows this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy in downtown Wilmington.

🎧 Listen to their conversation at the link below!

WHQR arts reporter Demia Avery spoke with comedian Maddy Kelly about her rising career, the comedian she'd most like to open for, and her approach to stand-up. Kelly is performing four shows this weekend at Dead Crow Comedy in downtown Wilmington.

08/18/2026

The North Carolina Marine and Estuary Foundation has been investing in ways to restore fish populations like red drum and striped bass. Now the nonprofit is hoping to invest up to $2.5 million to restore the Hewletts Creek and Bradley Creek watershed.

📲 Read the full report from Rachel Keith at https://www.whqr.org/local/2026-08-18/unc-chapel-hill-researchers-to-study-health-of-wilmington-creeks