Nikolai Mather
ReporterNikolai Mather is a Report for America corps member from Pittsboro, North Carolina. He covers rural communities in Pender County, Brunswick County and Columbus County. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with degrees in genocide studies and political science. Prior to his work with WHQR, he covered religion in Athens, Georgia and local politics in Charlotte, North Carolina. In his spare time, he likes working on cars and playing the harmonica. You can reach him at nmather@whqr.org.
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State investigators have released new details about the murder of Black transgender woman named Ervianna Johnson in Tabor City, North Carolina. WHQR's Nikolai Mather caught up with Joseph Williams from the Whiteville News Reporter to learn more. -
Last week, House Republicans (and one Democrat) overrode Gov. Josh Stein's veto of House Bill 805, a law introducing many restrictions on trans rights in North Carolina. WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Nikolai Mather break down its history and its far-reaching impacts. -
Gov. Josh Stein vetoed an anti-trans bill he called "mean-spirited" on July 3rd. But on that same day, he signed the Parents' Protection Act, which limits child abuse protections for transgender adoptees and foster youth. Now, some foster families and advocates worry about the law's impacts — and whether state Democrats can hold the line against other anti-trans legislation. -
On this edition, The Assembly’s Erin Gretzinger on the rapidly shifting landscape of DEI policy in North Carolina higher education. Plus, WHQR's Nikolai Mather helps unpack the lawsuit between a Pender County newspaper and county officials — and the political context behind the litigation. -
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein signed eight bills into law on Thursday — including a Republican-backed bill limiting state child abuse protections for transgender youth and adoptees. -
On Thursday, the House passed a bill recognizing the Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail, a proposed plan to connect several Gullah Geechee landmarks in Brunswick County with a greenway. Advocates say the legislation brings them one step closer to making that plan a reality. -
During a special called meeting last night, the Pender County commission finally passed its FY25-26 budget. The budget resolution includes raises for county employees, but slashes funding for the county tourism department. -
On Thursday, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed a measure to change Columbus County Schools elections from nonpartisan to partisan. The legislation was originally sponsored by House Majority Leader and Columbus County representative Brenden Jones. -
During a Monday night vote, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill prohibiting adoption agencies from discriminating against parents based on their refusal to support a child's gender transition. The bill now heads to Governor Josh Stein. -
According to the State Bureau of Investigation, Anthony Street was charged with communicating death threats via Facebook towards State Senator Bill Rabon, who represents Brunswick County. Street, who sits on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, was allegedly outraged by proposed legislation to ban inshore shrimp trawling.
