Emily Featherston

Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Emily Featherston is a journalist with background in community reporting. She joined WECT in August 2018, and is a multimedia reporter focused on Wilmington’s local government.

Emily comes to WECT from the newspaper industry, most recently working as a community editor for Starnes Media, a group of hyper-local publications in Birmingham, Alabama.

While in Alabama, Emily won awards from the Alabama Press Association for her reporting on local news and education. She won the association’s 2017 Freedom of Information Award for her coverage of a discrimination lawsuit between the city of Vestavia Hills and a former employee. In 2018 she won first place awards for Best Online Breaking News and Best Use of Social Media for coverage of a flash flood.

Emily has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Samford University, as well as an MBA from Samford’s Brock School of Business. She was the 2016 Timothy Robinson Fellow at The Washington Post, and the editor in chief of her college newspaper, The Samford Crimson.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys cooking, going to the beach and getting to know the hidden gems of the Wilmington area.

Awards:

2017 Alabama Press Association Freedom of Information Award
2017 Alabama Press Association Best Local News Coverage, 1st Place
2017 Alabama Press Association Best Education Coverage, 1st Place
2018 Alabama Press Association Online Breaking News Coverage, 1st Place

Education:

Samford University - BA in Journalism & MBA in Management

Recent Articles by Emily

Election officials closely watching state vote on voting systems Friday as 2019, 2020 races loom

Along with everything else it takes to prepare for the upcoming 2019 municipal elections, and the 2020 primaries close on their heels, election officials in Southeastern North Carolina are also waiting to see what kind of equipment they will be able to use.

Emily Featherston

Published August 21, 2019 at 5:15 PM

Council grants developers more time for redevelopment of former WAVE facility; Changes to Wilmington noise ordinance approved

Wilmington City Council considered several items at its Aug. 20, 2019 meeting.

Emily Featherston

Published August 20, 2019 at 11:56 PM

Council gets update on River Place; Noise ordinance, WAVE Castle Street facility on Tuesday’s agenda

Wilmington City Council got an update on the project Monday morning from Deputy City Manager Thom Moton.

Emily Featherston

Published August 20, 2019 at 8:18 AM

Coast Guard hosts training for WPD, NHC Sheriff’s deputies

Through a combination of classroom sessions and on-the-water exercises, the officers and deputies were trained in tactical maneuvers and other maritime safety protocols.

Emily Featherston

Published August 16, 2019 at 5:43 PM

NHRMC responds to physician letter over possible sale, encourages attendance at community meetings

Internal communications show leadership at New Hanover Regional Medical Center took note of its employees’ concerns over the possible sale of the hospital system.

Emily Featherston

Published August 16, 2019 at 2:21 PM

Appeal in Columbus County sheriff dispute voluntarily dismissed in Wake County court

The dispute over the race for Columbus County Sheriff has ended — for now.

Emily Featherston

Published August 15, 2019 at 5:21 PM

NHRMC medical staff requests delay in county commission’s consideration of hospital sale

Medical staff representatives sent a letter to the New Hanover County Commission asking for more time.

Emily Featherston

Published August 15, 2019 at 2:34 PM

State walks-back classifying Cape Fear River as swamp, city looks to continue water quality improvement effort

River advocates are pleased with the result.

Emily Featherston

Published August 14, 2019 at 4:38 PM

NHC Commission takes first step to re-vamp Government Center, brings back Committee for Women

County leaders took the first step in completely re-tooling the hub of public business, and re-established a dormant committee.

Emily Featherston

Published August 12, 2019 at 7:51 PM

6-year-old left alone in hot YWCA bus, employee terminated

A Wilmington mother is thankful her youngest son is alive after he was left alone in an after-school care bus in the hot summer sun Tuesday.

Emily Featherston

Published August 9, 2019 at 3:59 PM

County gives more details on possible government center redesign ahead of commission meeting

Halfway through its 60-year lifespan, parts of the building are also showing their age, and the county spends significant resources on conditioning, cleaning and maintaining it, so leaders are considering a complete overhaul.

Emily Featherston

Published August 8, 2019 at 5:25 PM

Owners submit plans to begin demolishing The Glen

Nearly 11 months after Hurricane Florence caused significant damage to one of Wilmington’s largest affordable apartment complexes, property owners have begun the process to tear them down.

Emily Featherston

Published August 7, 2019 at 5:16 PM

Stormwater repairs, Rail Realignment take focus at infrastructure-heavy Wilmington council meeting

Infrastructure issues dominated the agenda for Wilmington City Council’s first meeting of August.

Emily Featherston

Published August 6, 2019 at 11:44 PM

Abuse of Power: WECT Investigates risks seniors face with powers of attorney

While these strongly-worded, legally-binding documents can help seniors keep their affairs in order, they also include significant risk.

Emily Featherston

Published August 5, 2019 at 6:19 PM

New Hanover County exploring ban on vaping, e-cigarettes

As the list of local governments regulating vaping and electronic cigarette use grows, New Hanover County is considering adding its name to the list.

Emily Featherston

Published August 2, 2019 at 3:09 PM

McCrae Dowless faces additional charges as new election fraud indictments announced

McCrae Dowless indicted on more charges.

Emily Featherston

Published July 30, 2019 at 5:21 PM

Three additional plaintiffs step forward in teacher sex crime suit against NHCS

Three additional former students of Mike Kelly have joined a lawsuit against New Hanover County Schools.

Emily Featherston

Published July 30, 2019 at 3:21 PM

In light of potential NHRMC sale, a look back at a 2011 deal that fell flat

As New Hanover County considers selling one of its largest assets, we take a look back at the last time New Hanover Regional Medical Center faced a major change.

Emily Featherston

Published July 29, 2019 at 7:21 PM

As county considers selling NHRMC, a closer look at some of the frequently asked questions

The potential sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center affects far more than a few blocks along South 17th Street in Wilmington.

Emily Featherston

Published July 29, 2019 at 4:06 PM

County to consider sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Commissioners respond

After 52 years as a public hospital, New Hanover Regional Medical Center could be headed for new ownership.

Emily Featherston

Published July 23, 2019 at 10:30 PM

Pender County releases Florence after action report, focuses on shelters, debris

This week, the county released its Hurricane Florence After Action Report, detailing the response to the storm, and what areas the county will attempt to improve before another event.

Emily Featherston

Published July 22, 2019 at 6:15 PM

Watching and waiting: Sales of Freeman Park passes continue as Carolina Beach plays chicken with Mother Nature

Two months into the summer season, and beach-goers hoping to utilize Freeman Park on the north end of Carolina Beach are at the mercy of the tides and currents flowing along the island’s northern inlet.

Emily Featherston

Published July 19, 2019 at 4:20 PM

Opportunity Zones: Wilmington explores potential benefits, holds forum to connect investors to projects

While local officials continue to grapple with affordable housing concerns, a new private investment tool might be the answer — at least in some areas of town.

Emily Featherston

Published July 18, 2019 at 6:28 PM

New Hanover County receives feedback as it considers stormwater utility

With the Cape Fear region finally seeing some much-needed rain after months of drought, one of New Hanover County’s major efforts for the new fiscal year is much more top of mind.

Emily Featherston

Published July 16, 2019 at 6:35 PM

Wilmington continues noise ordinance discussion ahead of public meetings

Ahead of a pair of community information sessions, Wilmington City Council heard additional updates on the proposal to amend the city’s noise ordinance — and got a real-world demonstration to help with the discussion.

Emily Featherston

Published July 15, 2019 at 4:03 PM

Empty Ballots: Halfway through candidate filing, several municipal races have no candidates

While several well-known local politicians have filed or announced their intentions not to run, there are still several races without a candidate.

Emily Featherston

Published July 12, 2019 at 6:04 PM

As debate over noise ordinance continues, public information sessions planned

For more than a month, Wilmington elected officials and staff have been grappling with proposed changes to the city’s noise ordinance.

Emily Featherston

Published July 11, 2019 at 5:24 PM

CFPUA monitoring test results after elevated level of lead found in water at New Hanover County home

The utility company is halfway through its required testing cycle.

Emily Featherston

Published July 10, 2019 at 8:45 PM

Just hang up: Law enforcement officials warn of possible Social Security phone scam

WECT viewers have reported getting calls from suspicious sources claiming something is wrong with their Social Security Number.

Emily Featherston

Published July 9, 2019 at 6:47 PM

WECT Investigates: Oak Island property owners battle town over flooding issues

In Oak Island, 2018's record-setting rainfall exposed and exacerbated ongoing issues with the town’s stormwater system that are still in the process of being fixed.

Emily Featherston

Published July 8, 2019 at 2:58 PM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Emily Featherston

Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Awards:

Education:

Recent Articles by Emily

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