Michael Praats
Investigative Reporter-
On this episode, we get into George Taylor’s allegations that media coverage effectively killed Tru Colors, the for-profit brewery he founded with a social mission to help curb street violence. Plus, a word of warning about scammers during the holiday season (and, really, any season). And, Michael Praats has some personal news.
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The opioid epidemic has taken its toll on Wilmington and the country as a whole which is why manufacturers of drugs like OxyContin have faced lawsuits and shelled out billions of dollars in settlements. The City of Wilmington along with New Hanover County have partnered to find the best ways to utilize these funds and hopefully have a positive impact on fighting the ongoing crisis.
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On this episode, we welcome the new (and returning) faces as New Hanover County commissioners and school board members are sworn in – and take a lot at some of the power dynamics that played out as they elected chairs and vice-chairs. Then, Wilmington’s elected officials (who don’t have to worry about an election for a few more months), score free concert tickets! Plus, a word about the recent spate of threats – and a “weird” story for the road.
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On this episode, we sit down with Andre Brown, chair of the New Hanover Democratic Party. We’ll talk about the tough, but relatively close, loss of all four school board spots in this year’s election — and what that means for the coming years. Plus, what’s next for the party as many are already gearing up for the 2023 municipal elections.
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Will Knecht, New Hanover County GOP chair, is our guest, plus a sensitive story on WPD's racist copsOn this episode, we welcome our first guest, Will Knecht, chairman of New Hanover County's Republican Party. We'll ask him about his party's strong showing in the 2022 election, and how he handles divergent, and sometimes extreme, views within the party. Plus: a story over two years in the making, featuring disturbing audio of three racist officers fired from the Wilmington Police Department.
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On this episode, the latest on now former-CFCC Trustee Jimmy Hopkins, who has added to the chorus of allegations against the college, describing a culture of complacent oversight and retaliation against critics. Then, will there be a Town of Winnabow? Probably not, but we get into why some were looking into it. And, a(nother) word about campaign signs.
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Cape Fear Community College’s upper administration has long faced accusations of creating a retaliatory work environment for its employees — now allegations are coming from one of its former trustees: 11-year veteran Jimmy Hopkins. Hopkins spoke with WHQR and WECT about the legally dubious decision unilaterally made by New Hanover County Commissioner Julia Olson-Boseman to remove him, his decision not to challenge it in court, and his concerns that members of CFCC’s Board of Trustees “sit in silence, or to smile and nod” when faced with troubling issues.
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On this episode, Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene has resigned — so that he can get back to running for … Columbus County Sheriff. Greene continues to fend off allegations of racism, intimidation, and inappropriate sexual conduct with an employee. Plus, Nelson Beaulieu, a Democratic incumbent candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Education, is under investigation for allegedly stealing a campaign sign he called libelous.
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Julia Olson-Boseman, the chair of New Hanover County’s Board of Commissioners, was in court last month. Under oath, she provided several revelations about her spending habits, drug and alcohol use, and her attempt to get a job at a facility she championed as a commissioner, and which the county is helping to fund.