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Port City Politics is a podcast collaboration between investigative reporter Michael Praats and WHQR’s News Director Ben Schachtman. Each week, they'll break down the latest happenings in local politi... more
FAQs about Port City Politics:How many episodes does Port City Politics have?The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.
December 08, 2023A conversation with District Attorney Ben David, who is leaving office after 20 yearsBen David has served as District Attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties since 2004. Next year, he’ll leave office, setting up an election for his replacement. WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman sat down with David to talk about why he’s leaving, how he sees his legacy, and what comes next....more50minPlay
July 29, 2023Getting high in NC, legally, sort of... plus, crime labs, Grand Juries, and jail inspectionsOn this episode, we dig into the complicated world of cannabanoids and drug laws. Plus, the latest on the civil suit filed by the former director of the drug lab once run by the Wilmington Police Department, and a trip down the rabbit hole of North Carolina's notoriously opaque Grand Jury system....more51minPlay
July 15, 2023Charlotte fire 'red flags,' partisan school boards, arrest of Asheville journalistsOn this episode, we look at some red flags that were apparently overlooked ahead of a massive fire at a construction in Charlotte, the increasing number of partisan Boards of Education, and the ongoing case against two Asheville journalists who were arrested while covering a police raid on a homeless encampment....more41minPlay
June 30, 2023SCOTUS rules on NC cases, culture wars on college campus, and Novant fires NHRMC presidentFirst up on this episode, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on two cases coming out of North Carolina this week — one dealing with the dubious 'independent state legislator' theory, and the other with affirmative action for colleges and universities. Then, a messy story about how the culture wars are playing out at UNCW — and beyond. And, NHRMC President Shelbourn Stevens is, quite abruptly, out of a job....more39minPlay
June 20, 2023Big bronze lanterns, Columbus County Sheriff's Office, and Grand Jury shenanigansOn this episode: The Cotton Exchange has had its two bronze lanterns for almost fifty years — now the United States government wants them back. Plus, does a denied budget request for the Columbus County Sheriff's Office point to the long-term fallout from Jody Greene's time as Sheriff? And, a rare glimpse into the Grand Jury process leaves more questions than answers....more38minPlay
June 03, 2023Fentanyl fears redux, a trip to the GA, and Charlotte 'John Does' are stealing pornThis week, we start with an update to a story concerning officers exposed to powerful opioids during a traffic stop — and it looks like the story has changed considerably. Then, we're checking in on the General Assembly, the latest on the ATF's shifting policies, and the case of the stolen porn (which is, silly as sounds, still intellectual property)....more37minPlay
May 20, 2023Do we need certificates of need? Plus, Ted Davis' logic and Jim Morton's raiseThis week, we're looking into efforts to remove Certificates of Need, or CONs, the state regulations that curb competition in the healthcare industry. Plus, Representative Ted Davis puts on a spectacular show of semantics, and CFCC President Jim Morton gets a $38,000 raise — because, of course, he does....more34minPlay
May 05, 2023Crossover day: Abortion restriction and other bills cross the threshold; SBI investigationsOn this week's episode, we check in on the hurry-up offense leading up to 'Crossover Day,' where non-budgetary bills live or die. Plus, a closer look at an SBI investigation — and how SBI investigations come to be....more24minPlay
April 28, 2023The City of Wilmington's new digs? Plus, a major human trafficking investigationOn this week's episode, we check in with the City of Wilmington's $70-million plans to consolidate staff from a host of separate buildings into the Thermo Fisher campus. The next hurdle: convincing the Local Government Commission that the plan is fiscally sound. Also, we look at the major announcement this week that a multi-agency, long-term investigation has arrested six people in conjunction with an alleged human trafficking operation with over 150 victims. Plus, the latest Charlotte-area shenanigans....more43minPlay
April 21, 2023Short-term rentals, ADUs, dystopian rental-market futuresOn this episode, we catch up on recent legislative moves to prevent STR bans and allow more accessory dwelling units (a.k.a. Grandma's cottages). Plus, if you think the supply and demand cycle is tough — wait until an algorithm gets ahold of it....more29minPlay
FAQs about Port City Politics:How many episodes does Port City Politics have?The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.