Port City Politics is a podcast collaboration between WECT and WHQR. Every two weeks, WECT’s investigative reporter Michael Praats and WHQR’s News Director Ben Schachtman will break down the latest happenings in local politics.
First up, we'll get into Chemours — which was, rather briefly, named one of Newsweek's most responsible U.S. companies, a list compiled by a third party statistical analysis company. When WECT and WHQR asked why that company had seemingly overlooked one of its own major selection criteria — that a company not be involved in any major lawsuits or scandals (Chemours is involved in hundreds of suits) — Chemours was pulled from the list.
- Dubious distinction: Newsweek names Chemours one of the most ‘responsible’ companies in nation (WECT)
- And just like that ... Chemours is removed from Newsweek's 2022 'Most Responsible Companies' list (WHQR)
On the heels of that, Chemours ramped up a charm offensive with a series of television ads depicting them as great corporate neighbors. The result, which shouldn't shock anyone who has been following environmental news in the region for the last five years, was public outcry. It's worth noting, though, that the decision to air those ads was made by sales departments which, for really good reasons, are thoroughly separated from news departments.
- Viewers push back against new ad campaign from Chemours (WECT)
- After 30 years of pollution, Chemours' 'neighborly' ad campaign gets an unsurprisingly icy reception in the Cape Fear (WHQR)
And, in other Chemours news, there's actually a local environmental lawsuit that doesn't involve Chemours, or at least, not directly as a defendant. So why are environmental groups suing the EPA? We get into it.
- EPA grants petition requiring PFAS testing, local groups say it doesn’t go far enough (WECT)
- EPA says it's granting NC groups' PFAS petition, advocates call it 'offensive' and 'smoke and mirrors' (WHQR)
- NC groups reactivate lawsuit against EPA to hold Chemours accountable (WECT)
Then, after a break, we check in with some big projects on the Local Government Commission's radar: Carolina Beach wants a multi-million dollar balloon-payment purchase of Freeman Park, New Hanover County wants to let a private developer finance Project Grace at an additional cost of $24 million to taxpayers, and both the state of North Carolina and the Village of Bald Head Island want to purchase the private ferry to Bald Head. All of these projects are expensive — and all raise questions about fiscal responsibility. Which is where the LGC comes in.
- N.C. Treasurer weighs in on Freeman Park purchase proposal (WECT)
- New Hanover will get $2 million less for public land in new government center deal, here's why (WHQR)
- New Hanover County could save $24 million on Project Grace. The deal could also self-destruct (WHQR)
- State Treasurer asks owners to donate the Bald Head Island ferry system (WECT)
- With government talks stalled, Mayor says Bald Head Island ferry owners exploring a private buyer (WHQR)
Finally — can WECT predict the future? Is the newsroom part of a conspiracy with the Board of Education? No to both. Why would we even bring that up? We'll explain.
