Sunday Edition

The campaign for incumbent Republican State Senator Michael Lee recently dropped an AI deepfake ad, mocking his opponent, Democrat Jessica Bichler. It’s not totally surprising, given that AI slop has made its way into almost every corner of our lives. But as some states move to regulate the practice, it’s worth unpacking some ethical, political, and even constitutional facets of AI-generated political messaging.

New Hanover County is trying a new approach to food deserts, based on a South Carolina program, which has had its own successes and challenges. But these efforts take place against the backdrop of a bigger question: why do we have food deserts, and can we actually fix them?

Campaign season is heating up, and fundraising operations are in full swing. The amount of money, at both the local and federal levels, is pretty staggering — but it’s worth asking: why do people give? What do they think their money accomplishes, and what, if anything, do they think they’ll get in return?

There's been plenty of discussion about Flock cameras and other automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) over the last few weeks. An interesting addition to that conversation: a list of questions sent by New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker to Sheriff Ed McMahon, whose office has a contract with Flock.

In New Hanover County, as in many places across the country, residents are growing anxious, frustrated, and angry over the proliferation of Flock cameras. But the automated license plate readers are just one form of surveillance technology — and one part of the larger debate about surveillance and data collection by both the government and private companies. In a lot of ways, that conversation comes down to trust and transparency more than technology itself.

Editor's notes on a week packed with news stories: The DSA’s homemade bus-stop benches cause different flavors of furor, a former Wilmington councilman has some harsh words after the city cuts down oak trees on his street, and the state’s film grant program has spent through its reserve fund — now what?

After some tense negotiations, Wilmington City Manager Becky Hawke agreed to an interview with WHQR about allegations of a toxic workplace culture at City Hall. It was an important act of accountability — one that’s grown increasingly rare, as some in local government shrink from sitting down with the press.

Wilmington city leaders caught some flak for a pricy trip to DC. Should they have scaled things back — and why did they have to go, at all? Plus, mapping some of the reactions after drunk teenagers apparently went berserk at Landfall. And, North Carolina again selectively celebrates CNBC’s annual rating of the states.

The Semiquincentennial celebrations can’t mask Americans’ deep frustrations. But there’s a lot to celebrate, and more to hope for — though it won’t come quick or easy.

The District Attorney announced there would be no charges for officers who shot and killed a man in March. Republicans wanted one of their own as New Hanover County's new elections director. And an exposé on the Cape Fear Proud Boys left some with questions, including News Director Ben Schachtman.