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.
-
We’re headed into the final lap of the election season, and so it is, of course, time for October Surprises. Usually this means nasty and scandalous dirt on a candidate, but in this case, it’s actually some ostensibly good news — a reprieve on gas prices statewide and a proposed boost to local film grant funding. But just because it’s positive, doesn’t mean it’s not political. -
Recorded live at UNCW's Burney Center on October 7, WHQR joined Port City Daily, WECT, and The Seahawk to put questions to the five candidates running for two seats on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. -
This week, the county’s Technical Review Committee revoked an earlier conditional approval for Hilton Bluffs, a major subdivision project planned for the Sledge Forest region of New Hanover County. It effectively sends Charlotte-based developer Copper Builders back to the drawing board. -
Novant Health acknowledged the “disappointing shift for team members.” The nonprofit healthcare company cited labor and supply costs, as well as issues with reimbursements through Medicare and Medicaid, which make up nearly a third of its revenue. -
Republican State Senator Michael Lee's announcement comes after financial issues with the film grant program sparked concerns about an exodus of film projects from the state. Lee promised additional funding for the greater Wilmington area and policy changes to strengthen the program. Industry leaders voiced gratitude and relief; critics noted the timing of the announcement, among other concerns. -
The NC Ports’ top administrator asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to suspend its work on the Wilmington harbor dredging project. It’s not a cancellation, but port officials want more time to study environmental impacts, including those related to PFAS, before the project moves forward. -
In a polarized era, marked in places by open hostility between politicians and the press, it’s worth recognizing candidates willing to put themselves out there, living up to their end of the campaign bargain. It’s far better than the alternative, which is a further descent into siloed and politicized media channels — and the frustrating half-truths of campaign ads. -
Ask a Journalist: How was clear-cutting allowed on this 28-acre site in southern New Hanover County?Q: After a sizeable property off Carolina Beach Road was essentially clear-cut earlier this year, neighbors had concerns and questions – including, ‘How was this allowed?’A: The short answer is that the county’s development regulations give individual lots of a subdivision broader leeway to remove trees than, for example, an apartment complex. But the county is considering some possible changes to those rules. -
A coalition of environmental and community groups joined local governments in asking the region’s federal delegation to push for a reevaluation of the federal 135-foot clearance requirements for a Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement. The required height is a major driver of costs, which has led state officials to push for a toll to fund the project. -
At this week’s agenda meeting, the New Hanover County school board set a date to consider disciplinary action against Libertarian board member David Perry, who stormed out of a meeting earlier this month.
