Port City Politics Michael Praats and Benjamin Schachtman

On this episode, we dig into the complicated world of cannabanoids and drug laws. Plus, the latest on the civil suit filed by the former director of the drug lab once run by the Wilmington Police Department, and a trip down the rabbit hole of North Carolina's notoriously opaque Grand Jury system.

On this episode, we look at some red flags that were apparently overlooked ahead of a massive fire at a construction in Charlotte, the increasing number of partisan Boards of Education, and the ongoing case against two Asheville journalists who were arrested while covering a police raid on a homeless encampment.

First up on this episode, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on two cases coming out of North Carolina this week — one dealing with the dubious 'independent state legislator' theory, and the other with affirmative action for colleges and universities. Then, a messy story about how the culture wars are playing out at UNCW — and beyond. And, NHRMC President Shelbourn Stevens is, quite abruptly, out of a job.

On this episode: The Cotton Exchange has had its two bronze lanterns for almost fifty years — now the United States government wants them back. Plus, does a denied budget request for the Columbus County Sheriff's Office point to the long-term fallout from Jody Greene's time as Sheriff? And, a rare glimpse into the Grand Jury process leaves more questions than answers.

This week, we start with an update to a story concerning officers exposed to powerful opioids during a traffic stop — and it looks like the story has changed considerably. Then, we're checking in on the General Assembly, the latest on the ATF's shifting policies, and the case of the stolen porn (which is, silly as sounds, still intellectual property).

This week, we're looking into efforts to remove Certificates of Need, or CONs, the state regulations that curb competition in the healthcare industry. Plus, Representative Ted Davis puts on a spectacular show of semantics, and CFCC President Jim Morton gets a $38,000 raise — because, of course, he does.