Rachel Keith

On Monday, the New Hanover County school board voted down a proposal to start an employee bonus committee in the spring. Instead, it’s slated to begin next school year. While the vote was 4-3, with Republicans Pete Wildeboer, David Perry, Melissa Mason, and Democrat Tim Merrick in favor, it required a supermajority to pass because it amended a prior vote. The board also discussed its annual financial audit and debated items related to government transparency.

About half of the families in the Cape Fear region struggle to afford diapers. WHQR visited the local diaper bank to learn about what they need from the community.

While federal scientists are still confirming, at least one Canada goose in Wilmington has initially tested positive for avian flu.

Earlier this week, four North Atlantic Right Whales were spotted off the coast of Ocracoke. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is notifying boaters in the area to slow down while they’re traveling for their calving season, which lasts until April.

On Monday, the New Hanover County Commission and the New Hanover County Board of Education agreed to pursue a $320.5 million school bond. The issue now goes to the Local Government Commission in April for feedback on the proposed tax rate adjustment and approval to go on the ballot in November 2026.

Starting Monday, applications will open for certain New Hanover County Schools families seeking temporary financial assistance to cover rent, utilities, and car repairs. The non-profits in charge of the grant are hoping to get the money out before the holidays.

Local, state, and national results on standardized tests show that there are significant discrepancies in proficiency rates between Black and White students. Those who study the issue say it’s challenging to find solutions surrounding these inequities.

In late October, an anonymous post gained traction among educators across the state, calling for staff to ‘call out’ sick on Friday and Monday. It was framed as an act of protest against the lack of a state budget, which means educators are going without a salary increase for now. The protest is also decrying the increases in state health insurance premiums.

The New Hanover County school board voted unanimously to approve next year’s school calendar. They also discussed the future of preschool funding, revamping its scholarship program, and a state grant award that could help some of the district’s lower-performing schools. And they approved the memorandum of understanding with the non-profit, 100 Black Men, which drew the ire of one board member.

In New Hanover County, early voting numbers are up by more than 50% compared to 2023. This year, approximately 12,628 voters cast ballots for municipal races in Wilmington and the beach towns. Comparatively, in 2023, it was 8,077.