Rachel Keith
Reporter/HostRachel is a graduate of UNCW's Master of Public Administration program, specializing in Urban and Regional Policy and Planning. She also received a Master of Education and two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and French Language & Literature from NC State University. She served as WHQR's News Fellow from 2017-2019. Contact her by email: rkeith@whqr.org or on Twitter @RachelKWHQR
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Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You was banned from classrooms in New Hanover County in September 2023. Even though that decision was made close to two years ago, it was a catalyst for the creation of at least two local banned book groups, which are still meeting. -
As New Hanover County school board members debated censuring Dr. Tim Merrick, several references were made to potential policy violations by other board members. In one case, this led to a request for censure against Vice Chair Josie Barnhart, and it’s raised questions about how other board members are being held accountable. -
The Wilmington Rotary community has sponsored about nine Ukrainians fleeing the war, which started in 2022. WHQR spoke with Dan Parks, one of their main sponsors, who said changes to federal immigration policies have made Ukrainians' future in the U.S. uncertain. -
According to a study published in February by researchers at the University of North Carolina Chapel-Hill, the state’s Health Opportunities Pilot (HOP) is lowering Medicaid costs. -
On today’s show, host Rachel Keith talks about the groundbreaking Healthy Opportunities Pilot—one of the first in the country—where some Medicaid recipients get assistance for food, rent and utilities, and counseling for interpersonal violence or toxic stress needs. Service providers helping these people get reimbursements from the HOP program. -
The New Hanover County School Board voted 5-2 along party lines to censure Democrat Dr. Tim Merrick. The two-hour meeting was filled with 160 constituents, primarily all supporting Merrick. Republican Board Chair Melissa Mason reprimanded them several times for outbursts, and two people were escorted out by law enforcement for yelling. -
Members of the New Hanover County school board will decide this week whether or not to censure their colleague Dr. Tim Merrick. The proposed censure is based on allegations that Merrick violated policy and possibly state law, but the situation ultimately seems to stem from questions about how a board member can respond to an employee’s complaints or concerns. -
Teacher attrition rates have decreased slightly in New Hanover, which aligns with the state rate of 10%; however, there was a one-percentage-point increase in Pender County, going from 12% to 13%, and in Brunswick County, going from 9% to 10%. -
The $3,000 Howe Scholarship is now open for African-American students pursuing degrees in building arts and sciences. It’s for high school or continuing college students who have attended a public high school in the Cape Fear region. The application is due May 1. -
In mid-March, University of North Carolina Wilmington researchers held a health equity simulation with students, staff, and community members. They’re evaluating whether participants show increased empathy for a population struggling with basic needs like housing, employment, and healthcare.
