Ben Schachtman
News DirectorBen Schachtman is a journalist and editor with a focus on local government accountability. He began reporting for Port City Daily in the Wilmington area in 2016 and took over as managing editor there in 2018. He’s a graduate of Rutgers College and later received his MA from NYU and his PhD from SUNY-Stony Brook, both in English Literature.
He and his wife met and were married in Wilmington; they returned to the area after nearly a decade in New York City.
Your can reach him at Bschachtman@whqr.org and on Twitter @Ben_Schachtman
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According to preliminary results from the state board of elections, Leland and Southport saw some shakeups in their municipal elections. WHQR’s Ben Schachtman and Nikolai Mather break down the races. -
Pender County officials have issued a formal response to a local newspaper's lawsuit. WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Nikolai Mather break it down. -
The primary suspect for Southport's mass shooting made his first court appearance on Monday. But there's a long road ahead for state officials trying to secure justice for the victims. WHQR news director Ben Schachtman and Brunswick County reporter Nikolai Mather break down what to expect from the courts. -
The man accused of opening fire on American Fish Company this past Saturday identifies as many things: a Marine veteran, an outdoorsman, and a writer. WHQR news director Ben Schachtman and Brunswick County reporter Nikolai Mather break down the latest details on Nigel Edge. And a warning: this story contains frank descriptions of gun violence. -
The City of Southport confirmed early this morning that a suspect had been taken into custody following last night's shooting. Three people were killed and five more wounded, some seriously.
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On Friday morning, UNCW Chancellor Dr. Aswani Volety released a video addressing the public about a three-hour search for an alleged gunman or gunmen on campus yesterday evening, which officials now say was a “false alarm.” -
A sales tax referendum may be coming to voters in the tri-county area – with the aim of dealing with infrastructure needs. Officials say it could be the fix for a toll-free Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. -
You might have seen a petition going around asking Wrightsville Beach to bring back free parking hours on weeknights. But given the history of the town's paid parking policies, it's likely to be an uphill battle. WHQR reporter Nikolai Mather asked news director and longtime resident Ben Schachtman for some context to this latest challenge. -
Last month, the Cape Fear Housing Coalition held its annual housing affordability breakfast. WHQR’s Ben Schachtman and Kelly Kenoyer break down their legislative update — and a case study in housing trust funds from Charlotte. -
Members of the New Hanover County school board will decide this week whether or not to censure their colleague Dr. Tim Merrick. The proposed censure is based on allegations that Merrick violated policy and possibly state law, but the situation ultimately seems to stem from questions about how a board member can respond to an employee’s complaints or concerns.
