Mecklenburg Representative Tricia Cotham flipped parties this week, blindsiding and outraging the left, and giving House Republicans a supermajority to match the one the GOP won in the State Senate in the 2022 election. Now that Governor Roy Cooper's veto can be overridden — what will legislation will the GOP pass?

After a brief hiatus following Michael Praats' departure from Wilmington to pick up a new beat in Charlotte, we're back — hopefully on a semi-regular basis. First up on this episode, we're looking at what's shaping up to be an interesting Republican primary in the gubernatorial race. State Treasurer Dale Folwell is likely to face off against Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in a challenge that's may split moderate conservatives from those that are more comfortable with Robinson's at-times bigotted rhetoric. Then, we look at the veto-override that led to a new law, getting rid of the state's practice of allowing county Sheriffs to perform background checks before allowing handgun purchases.

One more episode before we go on hiatus, and we saved some big-league topics.

On this episode, we unpack why the Proud Boys are allowed to show up on government property while masked to conceal their identity — a violation of a 1953 law designed to prevent the Klu Klux Klan from doing the same thing. Plus, checking in on a lawsuit filed by local environmental groups against the EPA over the kinds of PFAS testing the government is making Chemours perform.

This week, we finish unpacking research into whether or not law enforcement officers face a real danger from exposure to fentanyl (odds-on answer, they don't). Plus, money from North Carolina's opioid settlement is supposed to be spent on medication-assisted treatment, except, it turns out, when it isn't.

On today’s episode, we’re unpacking the latest on the county’s effort to address homelessness — specifically, the growing population of unsheltered people congregating at the downtown Wilmington library. Plus, a look at an ongoing trend of law enforcement officers being exposed to fentanyl. It’s a powerful opioid, 50 times stronger than heroin — but is it strong enough for trace amounts on the skin to knock someone out?

This week on Port City Politics we're taking a look at two stories coming out of the Downtown area. First, we talk about the Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park and the types of shows coming to the Port City. Then we run down the city's consideration of purchasing the Thermo Fisher building (formerly PPD headquarters) — the tallest building in the city.

On this episode, we’ve got a full slate of issues. First up, the courts’ handling of bump stocks and the separation of powers. Then, the latest from Columbus County, where the Republican party is threatening to attempt to remove District Attorney Jon David. Plus, some thoughts on troubling flaws baked into the $1.25 billion New Hanover Community Endowment.

This week, the fallout from the resignation of Jody Greene, former Sheriff of Columbus County. And, red-light cameras revised, with questions based on physics, fairness, and the Constitution.

On this, our last episode of 2022, we look at the latest in the troubling saga of Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene, who is under fire for racist behavior and alleged corruption. Plus a conversation about the New Hanover County GOP's search for a new Register of Deeds — and concerns from the left about the GOP's screening questionnaire.