Port City Politics
Michael Praats and Benjamin Schachtman
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Port City Politics is a podcast collaboration between WECT and WHQR. Every two weeks, WECT’s investigative reporter Michael Praats and WHQR’s News Director Ben Schachtman will break down the latest happenings in local politics.
Available episodes
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Dec 29, 2021
Final thoughts on 2021: The hospital sale, 'community violence,' and the politics of Covid
On this episode we look back at another long, strange year — from the contentious sale of the hospital to the recent focus on what's being called 'community violence' to the sticky political mess that's spread alongside Covid.
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Dec 16, 2021
Week of Dec. 13 - NHC's $50 million housing bond is gone, then back! Filing for 2022 elections is here, then gone!
On this episode, New Hanover County and Wilmington leaders go back and forth on a $50 million bond to tackle affordable housing. Plus, the filing period for the 2022 elections was frozen, then resumed, then suspended by the state courts — and now, we don't quite know what's next.
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Nov 24, 2021
Week of Nov. 22 - The Freeman Park saga ends (mostly), Wilmington vs. STRs, last words for The Big Talker
On this episode, the long, strange tale of Carolina Beach and Freeman Park — including the FBI's most wanted, a trip to Havana, Tupac, and a big spend for a little town. Plus, Wilmington's ill-conceived war on short-term rentals looks to get another ruling in court. And, Wilmington's conservative FM talk radio station calls it quits.
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Nov 5, 2021
Week of Nov. 1 - Elections, historic preservation, cul-de-sacs, and masks
On this episode of the podcast: The 2021 municipal elections end with a lot of familiar faces — and a few surprises. Plus, Wilmington's Historic Preservation Commission wants the state to beef up the city's power to prevent demolition of historic buildings, why Jonathan Barfield didn't recuse himself from a vote to fix up the cul-de-sac where his father lives, and once more unto the breach for the county's mask mandate.
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Oct 21, 2021
Week of October 18 - Commissioners void Chris Coudriet's blank check, Rivenbark's questionable email, and Castle Street project postponed, again
On this episode of the podcast: Commissioners clashed over how much financial freedom the county manager should have — and ultimately decided to reign him in. And, in Wilmington, Councilman Charlie Rivenbark is accused of calling a resident a 'bitch' over complaints about the military flyover issue. Plus, the long-suffering proposal to redevelop the old WAVE bus terminal on Castle Street hangs in there ... barely.
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Sep 30, 2021
Week of September 27 - IATSE strike, Woody White resigns, Vantaca scores incentive offer, and Covid update
On this episode of the podcast: A potential strike by the IASTE union could disrupt projects by Hulu, Netflix, and other streaming-service companies, Woody White resigns in protest from the UNCW Board, Wilmington-based Vantaca scores over a million dollars in grant offers, and what's the latest on boosters, third shots, and other vaccine news?
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Sep 16, 2021
Week of September 13 - Transparency and accountability questions about NHC's school safety approach, plus leaked Novant video, and memories of Florence
On this episode of the podcast: New Hanover County commissioners unanimously approved giving the county manager access to $350 million to tackle 'community violence and school safety, a 'frank discussion' from an internal Novant meeting gets leaked, and three years later we remember Hurricane Florence... fondly?
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Sep 2, 2021
Week of August 30 - School shooting, Tru Color's George Taylor Jr. speaks, and the mask mandate hearing
On this episode, a shooting at New Hanover High School, George Taylor Jr. defends Tru Colors' mission, and the mask mandate hearing brings unhinged Holocaust comparisons.
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Aug 19, 2021
Week of August 16 - Tru Colors killing, WPD social media policy, Biden billboard, and Wilmington's non-discrimination law
On this episode, the latest on the Tru Colors killing, WPD's social media policy and the First Amendment, a rather bizzare billboard, and Wilmington's version of a non-discrimination ordinance.
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Aug 5, 2021
Port City Politics: Week of August 2 - Toll bridge, Tru Colors, gun violence, Live Nation
On this episode, toll-bridge to nowhere, Tru Colors and gun violence, and Live Nation leaves a mess and gets someone else to pick it up.
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Jul 23, 2021
Port City Politics: A new collaborative podcast from WECT and WHQR
The Port City Podcast is a collaborative effort between WECT and WHQR. Every two weeks (or so), WECT’s investigative reporter Michael Praats and WHQR’s News Director Ben Schachtman will break down the latest happenings in local politics.The Podcast will be available from both stations. You can find the video version from WECT here. For now, you'll find Port City Podcast here in the Newsroom feed — but it will have a home of its own soon.
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