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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There are now over 100 displaced families — up 40% since October — and the cost estimates have risen significantly since WHA first addressed the problem publicly in November, with a price tag around $8.5 million. And, getting all the residents home could take a year, at least.
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On Monday, a three-judge panel struck down parts of North Carolina’s ‘SAFE Child Act’ that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for the victims of sexual abuse and allowed them to file civil suits. That could have a significant impact on the current civil case against New Hanover County schools.
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Chemours has been removed from Newsweek’s 2022 list of the most responsible companies in the United States, just days after the list was publicized. Local environmentalists, government agencies, and residents all expressed their frustration at the company's inclusion on the annual list.
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On this episode, New Hanover County and Wilmington leaders go back and forth on a $50 million bond to tackle affordable housing. Plus, the filing period for the 2022 elections was frozen, then resumed, then suspended by the state courts — and now, we don't quite know what's next.
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The Wilmington Housing Authority is making progress reopening units at Houston Moore and getting more contractors on board — but serious challenges remain as many tenants face another holiday in hotel rooms.
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On this episode of The Newsroom — Florence Warren, a 35-year veteran, sits down with WHQR's Rachel Keith to talk about her career in teaching and the work still left to be done. Plus, WECT reporter Michael Praats' latest on allegations against New Hanover County Chair Julia Olson-Boseman. And, a deep dive on Tru Colors.
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On this episode of The Newsroom — Florence Warren, a 35-year veteran, sits down with WHQR's Rachel Keith to talk about her career in teaching and the work still left to be done. Plus, WECT reporter Michael Praats' latest on allegations against New Hanover County Chair Julia Olson-Boseman. And, a deep dive on Tru Colors.
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The new top-level administration role — Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — was recommended by Sophic Solutions, an education consultant that the district has kept on for additional DEI training after providing an initial 'equity audit.'
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After several difficult years, shootings, a hurricane, and a pandemic, the Wilmington-based brewery Tru Colors has finally released its beer. The company’s social mission — hiring active gang members to try and rein in street violence — remains controversial, drawing criticism from families and law enforcement. Despite that, founder George Taylor remains committed to the approach he started working on five years ago.
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On this episode, the long, strange tale of Carolina Beach and Freeman Park — including the FBI's most wanted, a trip to Havana, Tupac, and a big spend for a little town. Plus, Wilmington's ill-conceived war on short-term rentals looks to get another ruling in court. And, Wilmington's conservative FM talk radio station calls it quits.