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 politics.
Getting high in NC, legally, sort of... plus, crime labs, Grand Juries, and jail inspections
On 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.
15 Jul 2023
Charlotte fire 'red flags,' partisan school boards, arrest of Asheville journalists
On 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.
30 Jun 2023
SCOTUS rules on NC cases, culture wars on college campus, and Novant fires NHRMC president
First 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.
20 Jun 2023
Big bronze lanterns, Columbus County Sheriff's Office, and Grand Jury shenanigans
On 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.
3 Jun 2023
Fentanyl fears redux, a trip to the GA, and Charlotte 'John Does' are stealing porn
This 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).
20 May 2023
Do we need certificates of need? Plus, Ted Davis' logic and Jim Morton's raise
This 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.
5 May 2023
Crossover day: Abortion restriction and other bills cross the threshold; SBI investigations
On 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.
28 Apr 2023
The City of Wilmington's new digs? Plus, a major human trafficking investigation
On 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.
On 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.
8 Apr 2023
GOP supermajority, pistol permits, and reappointment complications
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?
31 Mar 2023
We're back! Time to talk governors and guns...
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.
23 Feb 2023
The Final Episode (for now): Protecting clients from bad lawyers, and The Healing Place... isn't a treatment center
One more episode before we go on hiatus, and we saved some big-league topics.
17 Feb 2023
Unmasking the Proud Boys, suing the EPA, and more
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.
3 Feb 2023
What exaggerated fentanyl fears mean for cops, plus, down the opioid-settlement funding wormhole
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.
26 Jan 2023
NHC struggles with its library's growing homeless population. Plus, the reality of fentanyl exposure risk
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?
20 Jan 2023
More diverse Live Nation acts? Plus, a $68-million deal for new city offices
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.
13 Jan 2023
Bump stocks, separation of powers, Columbus County politics, and the $1.25 billion community endowment
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.
6 Jan 2023
The fallout from Sheriff Jody Greene's resignation, plus red-light camera redux
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.
30 Dec 2022
Greene v. David redux, Register of Deeds and gay marriage, and stories for 2023
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.
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