Benjamin 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 loves spending time with his wife and playing rock'n'roll very loudly. You can reach him at BSchachtman@whqr.org and find him on Twitter @Ben_Schachtman.
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Editor's notes on a week packed with news stories: The DSA’s homemade bus-stop benches cause different flavors of furor, a former Wilmington councilman has some harsh words after the city cuts down oak trees on his street, and the state’s film grant program has spent through its reserve fund — now what? -
Elections Director DeNay Harris was placed on administrative leave and then fired after a series of high-profile clashes with the county and local elections board. The state upheld her termination for failing to perform her job duties, making false statements, and other issues. Harris accuses the state and local elections board of retaliation and violating her state constitutional rights. -
This weekend, an event in Wilmington is honoring Allison Jackson Foy, who was killed two decades ago, and invites families to share their own stories of missing or murdered loved ones. -
Earlier this year, a firm owned by Mayor Bill Saffo’s brother was awarded a $2.4-million contract. The city initially said there had been a lower bid from a contractor that dropped out. Public records, delivered over four months later, show there was more to the story: the city told the contractor it wasn’t eligible to bid, but apparently later changed its mind. That wasn’t publicly acknowledged or shared with city council. -
This week, Charlotte-based developer Copper Builders reached an agreement with one group of New Hanover County residents over road access concerns. Another group, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, asked to continue their case as new plans are drawn up. Their appeal is now scheduled for September. -
Q: Is North Carolina’s film grant program out of money?A: No — not exactly. The program is still getting $31 million annually, and all the current grants are fully funded. However, the program has depleted a reserve fund left over from past years, meaning new applications might have to wait for disbursements. -
After some tense negotiations, Wilmington City Manager Becky Hawke agreed to an interview with WHQR about allegations of a toxic workplace culture at City Hall. It was an important act of accountability — one that’s grown increasingly rare, as some in local government shrink from sitting down with the press. -
On today's show, Kelly Kenoyer discusses her months-long investigation into alleged morale issues in Wilmington City Hall. And Rachel Keith sits down to discuss her recent reporting on the Upperman family’s decision to stop supporting UNCW scholarships over the university’s anti-DEI policy, plus her recent efforts to track the $20 million nursing pipeline grant. -
Tenants have voiced long-standing complaints about management, maintenance, and pest control at Solomon Towers, a senior public housing facility in downtown Wilmington. The housing authority acknowledged some issues, but pointed to major planned renovations — and also the challenges of operating on limited and inadequate funding. -
Wilmington city leaders caught some flak for a pricy trip to DC. Should they have scaled things back — and why did they have to go, at all? Plus, mapping some of the reactions after drunk teenagers apparently went berserk at Landfall. And, North Carolina again selectively celebrates CNBC’s annual rating of the states.
