Port City Politics

Michael Praats and Benjamin Schachtman
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Port City Politics

Port City Politics is a podcast collaboration between investigative reporter Michael Praats and WHQR’s News Director Ben Schachtman. Each week, they'll break down the latest happenings in local politics.

  1. 07/29/2023

    Getting high in NC, legally, sort of... plus, crime labs, Grand Juries, and jail inspections

    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.

    51 min

  2. 07/15/2023

    Charlotte fire 'red flags,' partisan school boards, arrest of Asheville journalists

    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.

    41 min

  3. 06/30/2023

    SCOTUS rules on NC cases, culture wars on college campus, and Novant fires NHRMC president

    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.

    39 min

  4. 06/20/2023

    Big bronze lanterns, Columbus County Sheriff's Office, and Grand Jury shenanigans

    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.

    37 min

  5. 06/03/2023

    Fentanyl fears redux, a trip to the GA, and Charlotte 'John Does' are stealing porn

    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).

    36 min

  6. 05/20/2023

    Do we need certificates of need? Plus, Ted Davis' logic and Jim Morton's raise

    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.

    33 min

  7. 05/05/2023

    Crossover day: Abortion restriction and other bills cross the threshold; SBI investigations

    On this week's episode, we check in on the hurry-up offense leading up to 'Crossover Day,' where non-budgetary bills live or die. Plus, a closer look at an SBI investigation — and how SBI investigations come to be.

    23 min

  8. 04/28/2023

    The City of Wilmington's new digs? Plus, a major human trafficking investigation

    On this week's episode, we check in with the City of Wilmington's $70-million plans to consolidate staff from a host of separate buildings into the Thermo Fisher campus. The next hurdle: convincing the Local Government Commission that the plan is fiscally sound. Also, we look at the major announcement this week that a multi-agency, long-term investigation has arrested six people in conjunction with an alleged human trafficking operation with over 150 victims. Plus, the latest Charlotte-area shenanigans.

    42 min
See All (19)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Port City Politics is a podcast collaboration between investigative reporter Michael Praats and WHQR’s News Director Ben Schachtman. Each week, they'll break down the latest happenings in local politics.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Praats and Benjamin Schachtman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2023
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Port City Politics

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