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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After a two-hour meeting which saw, at times, tense debate between board members, the New Hanover County Health and Human Services Board voted 5-5 to nix a mask mandate; the split vote means no mandate will be instituted.
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In the first show of 2022, we tackle the opioid crisis — which is killing more Americans than ever before. Also, County Chairperson Julia Olson-Boseman on what's in store for the county this year. Then, Port City Daily journalist Alexandria Sands Williams looks behind the scenes on the county's mask mandate debate.
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In the first show of 2022, we tackle the opioid crisis — which is killing more Americans than ever before. Also, County Chairperson Julia Olson-Boseman on what's in store for the county this year. Then, Port City Daily journalist Alexandria Sands Williams looks behind the scenes on the county's mask mandate debate.
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In December, board members apparently agreed the education consulting company's services were no longer needed, especially given the recent hire of a new DEI chief. So, the contract was cancelled — but then things got a little more complicated.
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The mold crisis at the Wilmington Housing Authority continues to leave over 100 families displaced. Mayor Bill Saffo says the city is offering support – but also wants updates.
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Initially approved as discretionary spending by Superintendent Dr. Charles Foust last February, the company's contract was later renewed through June 2022. The company performed an equity audit for the district and is currently providing additional training.
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The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced it’s overturning a Trump-era decision and granting a petition to require PFAS testing. Wilmington-area environmental groups say that’s misleading, arguing the EPA isn’t responding to their request at all.
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The $1.25 billion New Hanover Community Endowment has hired William Buster as its first president and CEO. Buster says he's well aware of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
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On this episode we look back at another long, strange year — from the contentious sale of the hospital to the recent focus on what's being called 'community violence' to the sticky political mess that's spread alongside Covid.
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Facebook’s new feature, Neighborhoods, is built around interaction with your local community. WHQR asked the company how it will monitor misinformation on such a small scale.