A New Hanover County Superior Court case struck down the City of Wilmington’s short-term rental regulations back in September. And city planning staff now have plans to change the rules to comply with existing law, but as WHQR reports, they won’t be debated until early next year.

Wilmington’s last City Council meeting of the year was this week, and featured a jam-packed agenda. WHQR’s Ben Schachtman and Hannah Breisinger discuss what’s new heading into 2021.

Wilmington City Council meets Tuesday night and will hear presentations about the city’s opioid response task force, affordable housing, and the northside rail trail. WHQR’s Ken Campbell and Ben Schachtman have a preview.

With a national financial forecast appearing increasingly bleak, economic leaders in southeastern North Carolina are sharing input on how this part of the state is faring. A recent webinar focused on the region’s current economic position, and how the area can maintain its resiliency moving ahead.

Ending Saturday, November 28th, this past week’s top stories included a continued segregagtion problem in New Hanover County Schools and potential bill relief for some customers of CFPUA. Listen for more.

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is considering a new rate structure that could help more families afford their water bills. The proposal could help CFPUA work around state laws that make subsidizing utilities difficult.

On this week's Around Town, Rhonda speaks with John Ranalli and Larry Sackett, who talk about the 25th Art in the Arboretum online and sale, presented by Friends of the Arboretum and the Wilmington Art Association.

During the pandemic of 2020, parents are working from home, many people have lost their jobs, and business owners and employees are wondering how they’ll get their financial heads above water again.  Anxiety about venturing out plagues those who are more vulnerable, and those who are vigilant about mask-wearing are bothered by those who are not.  

Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise at concerning levels across North Carolina.  For that reason, Governor Roy Cooper is extending restrictions on gatherings and tightening requirements on mask-wearing.  And as Pender County becomes one of 21 counties with substantial community spread, state officials hope local governments will follow Greensboro’s example. 

The New Hanover County School System has struggled to provide an equal education to all students. That’s according to a recent New Hanover County/City of Wilmington’s Community Relations Advisory report. But whether or not redistricting is the answer remains an open question.