The affordable housing crisis is national in scope, but it’s uniquely painful in the South because of low wages and surging demand. So what are some creative solutions to this rapidly growing and intractable problem? Backyard cottages? Flipping hotels into rental housing? Or building out job training programs? We asked smart people in the housing space what they consider the most effective strategies to improve housing with help from the New Hanover Community Endowment.

The Leland town council held a public hearing on May 2 so residents could talk about the revamped town budget. It's still a point of controversy, but the mayor and council agreed to take it to a vote on May 16.

Frank Williams and Pat Sykes win, Dana Varnam takes Register of Deeds nom, plus Bald Head Island approves beach bonds.

A WPD spokesperson stated that there were no casualties during Friday morning's shooting.

The Board of Elections conducted a machine recount for the Southport mayoral race and ran tiebreakers for two other elections — which involved picking names out of an oversized patriotic hat.

My guests are three Isaac Bear Early College students who are organizing the Second Annual Trash'n Fash'n Show to benefit the Plastic Ocean Project on August 5, from 6-8, at the New Hanover County Arboretum.

Rhonda previews North Topsail's 13th Annual Ocean City Jazz Festival and Wilmington Pops!, both taking place over the 4th of July holiday.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell raised concerns about the purchase — sparking pushback from one city council member — but the measure ultimately passed by a 7-1 vote. The sale process now goes to the city for a final vote.

Master Gardener runs from Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23. It screens Monday through Friday at 7pm with an additional screening on Wednesday at 4pm in Historic Thalian Hall’s Stein Theatre.

My guests are Nancy Podrasky Carson and Kate Muhlstein who talk about the Wilmington Dance Festival, co-produced by the Dance Cooperative, March 31, at 7:30 in UNCW's Kenan Auditorium.