The latest data from North Carolina is in, and cases and death are still increasing. In New Hanover County, that includes at least 69 cases and 3 deaths.

We get into what those numbers mean and address emails we’ve received accusing Port City Daily (and the media in general) both of fearmongering — by reporting deaths from Covid-19 and not the flu, for example — and of downplaying the threat — by not filing daily updates on case numbers.

Then it’s on to Wrightsville Beach, which recently reopened its beach access points — but in a way that essentially ensured only town residents would be able to take advantage of it. We talk about where that decision came from — and why it might leave a bad taste in some people’s mouths.

Lastly, a quick look at the financial impact of Covid-19 on New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The hospital lost millions of dollars in less than two weeks — so, how did it happen, and what does it mean fo the hospital’s future, including the potential sale process that’s currently going on?

Special Covid-19 Podcast: Fearmongering, downplaying, Wrightsville Beach, and more [Free listen]

We kick off this episode with a deep dive into Governor Roy Cooper’s recently unveiled plan for a three-phase reopening of the state.

While the debate continues over how strict guidelines should be and how long they should last, Cooper’s announcement is the closest thing yet to a clear endgame for residents to look to.

Still, questions abound. What does it mean? When will it happen? Will things ever really be ‘normal’ again?

Plus, we take a look at some industry-specific issues, including how automotive sales went from banned to allowed (with precautions), and how the rental industry is being hit (and why the landlord is not always the bad guy).

Podcast April 25 – What Cooper’s ‘phased’ reopening plan actually means [Free listen]

We start by looking at the latest on North Carolina’s four-part system for evaluating when the state can move to each of three phases of relaxed restrictions. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is looking at: Covid-like symptoms, laboratory-confirmed tests, percentage of tests that come back positive, and hospitalizations.

You can find updated information on the latest at NCDHHS.

Next, a look at antibody test and how they’re different from the Covid-19 testing that’s been in the spotlight for the last two months.

Plus, we tackle some uncertainty — antibodies indicate the body has some immunity to a particular virus. But how much? And for how long?

Special Covid-19 Podcast: Tests, antibodies, immunity, and reopening [Free listen]

We kick off this episode by getting back to business a bit. While Covid-19 remains a major story — and a serious issue — there’s still plenty going on in the Wilmington area, and that includes development.

This week, there’s another bait and switch in the developments around Eastwood and Military Cutoffs. Developers said they were planning an office and retail building, but now want to build a car wash. Some locals aren’t thrilled about the change of course, but it remains to be seen if Wilmington’s planning commission or city council will approve it.

At another congested intersection — Market Street and Gordon Road — there’s a different rezoning request. The switch from single-family homes to business would increase traffic to and from the parcel by %7,000. And, while developers have presented a rationale for the increase, some of their explanations don’t quite seem to hold water.


Then, the latest between Live Nation and Wilmington. The company and the city have a long history and the latest joint venture, Live Nation’s management of the city’s Hugh Morton Amphitheater comes as a surprise to few. Still, it’s worth revisiting how we got here and noting that, even as city staff drafted a contract, City Council hasn’t approved anything yet.

Lastly, two fishing piers reopened — much to the delight of anglers. But by limiting fishing, which is protected by a 2018 amendment to the state constitution, to just two piers that charge for access, are beach towns unequally applying the law? It’s part of a broader conversation about how local ordinances are being applied to different parts of the economy.

Podcast May 2 - Catching up with local development, plus Live Nation and beach issues

We start this week with a look at what it actually means to enter the first of three phases laid out by Governor Roy Cooper’s office over the last few weeks.

For many, things will remain the same — especially for the hard-hit service industry, including employees in restaurants, salons, tattoo parlors, and other places where social distancing is hard to implement.

The good news is that Phase 1 is a necessary stepping stone to Phase 2, when those businesses can reopen. The sooner we hit Phase 1 and get through it — which will take 2 to 3 weeks — the sooner things can continue to reopen.


But, while we’re talking about that, it’s worth noting that the four key metrics laid out by the Governor aren’t all trending the way the state said they needed to before things reopen. In fact, hospitalizations are still trending upwards.

There’s some evidence that during recent press conferences the Governor’s team may have tweaked how the most recent data was presented to make it look better than it really is, an issue tackled by WFAE pubic radio in the Charlotte area.

It’s also worth noting that, at least obliquely, the Governor recently addressed Constitutional concerns, including the freedom of assembly. Accordingly, new rules in Phase 1 will allow more public gatherings for religious (and other) services, provided social distancing is adhered to and the events are outside.

Lastly, we have to point out that the trajectory through Phase 1 to Phase 2 and beyond is not necessarily permanent or irreversible. As the Governor has pointed out — and as we’ve seen in other states — relaxing the rules sometimes leads to abusing them, which leads to governments clamping down again (something few people seem to want).

Special Covid-19 Podcast: What Phase 1 means and how we got there

We start this episode with a disturbing story out of Pender County: late on a Sunday evening, a young black man opens his front door to find a mob of armed white men, including a New Hanover Sherriff’s deputy. They’re looking for a missing girl and her boyfriend — but they have the wrong house.

Ultimately, no one was physically harmed, but the situation could have ended disastrously. What’s more, the psychological damage of the incident has yet to fully play out.

Now, people want answers from elected officials. Law enforcement has known about the incident since at least Monday, but as of Friday, there had been no public statements from the Sheriffs of Pender or New Hanover County, Alan Cutler and Ed McMahon.


Next, the latest on the search for missing Wilmington couple Stephanie Mayorga and Paige Escalera, last seen April 15. After two bodies, decomposed beyond immediate identification, were found in Escalera’s wrecked vehicle this week, many assume the two are dead. But what about the night fo the crash? Police were called to the scene the night of the women’s disappearance but didn’t find the car. How long did they look, and what’s the protocol for a situation like that? So far, there’s been no answers.

Lastly, a look at public records law in the Cape Fear region. No, this isn’t a nit-picky game of ‘gotcha’ over the rules of public meetings. It’s an important look at how local governments — an in particular government attorneys — have bent and broken the law, and what effect that has on transparency.

Podcast May 9 – Questions galore: Vigilante mob, missing women, public records law

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