La Cage Aux Folles, roughly translated, means cage of the mad women.  But it’s better known as a musical by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman that opened in 1983 on Broadway.  

Lauren Collins has investigated the precise number of roses that go into a bottle of Chanel No. 5.  More recently, she covered the gender pay discrepancy scandal that has rocked the BBC and spurred new questions around salary secrecy and reporting requirements in the UK, Iceland, and other parts of the world. 

It was the early 1990s when an American creative writing professor set about publishing his second novel.  The pivotal event in his book:  a 19th century bloody failure of democracy.  

The lack of affordable housing has become an important public issue in New Hanover County. On Tuesday, the joint City of Wilmington/County Workforce Housing Advisory Committee met to approve a draft Request for Proposal to identify a consultant who will conduct a comprehensive housing study, along with a public opinion survey. Those in the field say the problem may finally be getting the attention it deserves.

The public transit system in the Cape Fear region is facing criticism from the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County – the two local governments that created it.  Last week, County Commission Chair Julia Olson-Boseman declared at a press conference that it’s time for a reboot as she has no confidence in Wave Transit’s leadership.  But one Wave official says the Board had no notice of the briefing or its content. WHQR speaks with Wave Transit Vice Chair Steven Kelly about a communication gap that has spanned years.

The Partnership Advisory Group – the committee exploring the future of New Hanover Regional Medical Center – held its first meeting of 2020 on Jan. 9. Since October, the group chartered by the County has been considering whether the hospital should remain independent, be sold or enter a partnership with another health system. The PAG has finished its Request For Proposals and is now moving forward.

Monday and Tuesday leaders from New Hanover County are at Apple Computer’s corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California. Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, assembled a team of elected officials and educators for the trip. WHQR checked in with the group.