The award-winning author was the keynote speaker for UNCW Writers' Week. Machado stopped by the studio on Thursday to discuss her forthcoming short story collection A Brief and Fearful Star with WHQR's Nikolai Mather.

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.

Chemours is looking to expand its plant in Fayetteville, and Wilmington City Council is not in favor.

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.

According to preliminary results from the state board of elections, Leland and Southport saw some shakeups in their municipal elections. WHQR’s Ben Schachtman and Nikolai Mather break down the races.

A close election in Wrightsville Beach may have ousted a long-time incumbent.

The former Surry County Board of Elections Chair, James Edwin Yokeley Jr., who was arrested in July for contaminating his 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her friend’s food with a schedule I controlled substance, was back in court on Tuesday for breaking the conditions of his secured bond agreement.

Based on preliminary results, Democrats took all three council seats and incumbent Democratic Mayor Bill Saffo won reelection to his tenth term. It's the second time the local Democratic Party's controversial straw poll has delivered sweeping results. Meanwhile, despite strong campaigns and significant fundraising, Republican candidates fell behind.

The city’s deputy manager and director of economic development have both resigned, effective at the end of this week. According to the city, leadership was “already in the process of assessing our organizational structure.”

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.