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

Search warrants allege murder suspect also stole victim’s credit, debit cards

The Wilmington Police Department is still investigating the murder of Kim Bland, found stabbed to death in her home at Mill Creek Apartments in Wilmington.

Emily Featherston

Published December 10, 2019 at 11:06 AM

City holds groundbreaking on North Waterfront Park

City leaders officially kick of the construction of Wilmington's next park.

Emily Featherston

Published December 9, 2019 at 4:49 PM

’We want to try to help them deal with the grief and begin their recovery’: Red Cross brings fire victims relief in time of crisis

Less than three weeks before Christmas, two families have been displaced from their homes after a late-night fire.

Emily Featherston

Published December 6, 2019 at 5:34 PM

Leland first responders pack patrol car, fill firetruck with food for Brunswick Family Assistance

Personnel from two of Leland’s public safety departments came together for a different kind of mission Friday.

Emily Featherston

Published December 6, 2019 at 3:26 PM

Partnership Advisory Group continues refining goals, hopes to get draft of RFP soon

Members of the NHRMC Partnership Advisory Group continued to discuss the goals the group has for the future of the hospital.

Emily Featherston

Published December 5, 2019 at 11:37 PM

On-shore risks of off-shore drilling: Environment NC releases report in continued effort to get NC removed from list

Environmental advocates argue the on-shore risks of drilling along the Atlantic Coast are just as significant as those off shore.

Emily Featherston

Published December 4, 2019 at 4:50 PM

Consideration of barge project at Carolina Beach marina postponed again as neighbors mull further action

A controversial project to expand a marina on the north side of Pleasure Island has once again been pushed back.

Emily Featherston

Published December 2, 2019 at 5:50 PM

ILM expects high volumes for Thanksgiving after already seeing big year

Many in Southeastern North Carolina will take to the skies week to visit family and friends for the Thanskgiving holiday, but the Wilmington International Airport is ready.

Emily Featherston

Published November 27, 2019 at 11:55 AM

‘Stuck between a rock and a hard place’: Her home was damaged by Florence but woman says a roofing company has been the real nightmare

Customers of a local roofing company report leaky roofs, and few answers.

Emily Featherston

Published November 25, 2019 at 3:56 PM

Duke Energy warns against utility scams during annual awareness week

Duke Energy is joining other utilities for Utility Scam Awareness Week.

Emily Featherston

Published November 22, 2019 at 6:11 PM

Concerns over water, air quality continue in Southport as Capital Power seeks DEQ permit renewal; Public hearing set for Thursday

Concerns over water and air quality are expected to come up as the state considers renewing a local power plant's permit to discharge into public waterways.

Emily Featherston

Published November 20, 2019 at 4:06 PM

City leaders say increased price tag ‘worth it’ as North Waterfront Park moves into construction phase

The plan to transform a stretch of Wilmington’s river front into an entertainment and leisure destination is moving forward, despite the final cost coming in well over budget.

Emily Featherston

Published November 19, 2019 at 11:02 PM

Wilmington City Council to consider new contract with Live Nation as concert company offers additional $2 million for North Waterfront Park

Wilmington City Council will take up a slew of items related to the city’s next major public project, as North Waterfront Park gets closer to the starting line.

Emily Featherston

Published November 18, 2019 at 5:19 PM

With seats in the balance, New Hanover Co. election officials approve absentee, provisional ballots; Final counts to be tallied Friday

Just six votes separate candidates in two different municipal elections in New Hanover County as of Election Night, but that is likely to change Friday morning.

Emily Featherston

Published November 15, 2019 at 3:44 AM

NHRMC Partnership Advisory Group gets primer on healthcare industry, hospital strategic plan as RFP process really begins

“We can figure out how to respond to that future, or we can create the future,” said New Hanover Regional Medical Center CEO John Gizdic.

Emily Featherston

Published November 13, 2019 at 11:33 PM

Seizing the Opportunity: WECT Investigates Opportunity Zones in the Cape Fear region

WECT Investigates Opportunity Zones in Southeastern North Carolina, how they were chosen, and if they will deliver on their promises.

Emily Featherston

Published November 12, 2019 at 6:45 PM

Veterans recognized at Wilmington National Cemetery

Community leaders and United States military veterans from a variety of conflicts came together Monday morning on the hallowed ground of the Wilmington National Cemetery.

Emily Featherston

Published November 11, 2019 at 6:15 PM

Parents upset with candy-filled pill bottles distributed at middle school career day

Parents of students at Myrtle Grove Middle School are concerned a visual aid used during a career fair sends the wrong message — and could even be dangerous.

Emily Featherston

Published November 11, 2019 at 5:32 PM

Coastal Horizons sees continued success, need for Overdose Quick Response Team

As southeastern North Carolina continues to struggle against the addiction epidemic, one of the measures created to fight on the front lines is seeing continued success — as well as continued need.

Emily Featherston

Published November 8, 2019 at 5:09 PM

Saffo hangs on to Wilmington mayor seat as newcomer ousts council incumbent

Election results are in for the 2019 Wilmington City Council and mayoral contests.

Emily Featherston

Published November 6, 2019 at 6:53 AM

WMPO presents Wilmington City Council with alternative funding options for future transportation needs

Wilmington City Council and community members heard an update from the WMPO about the future of transportation in the region.

Emily Featherston

Published November 4, 2019 at 5:24 PM

Pender County rallies around second grader fighting aggressive brain tumor

The middle school football match up between the Topsail Pirates and Surf City Sharks is always a big rivalry game, but this year the teams came together for a special cause.

Emily Featherston

Published October 28, 2019 at 7:28 PM

NHRMC paves way for easier access to lung cancer screenings for low-income patients

Messier said since implementing the new CT scans, NHRMC has performed roughly 5,800 lung cancer screenings. In doing so, they’ve diagnosed 42 cases of lung cancer — 12 of which were caught at the earliest stage with a 92 percent, five-year survival rate.

Emily Featherston

Published October 28, 2019 at 1:48 PM

Growing Pains: UNCW faculty, chancellor at odds over growth

A UNCW Board of Trustees meeting got heated Thursday, with the university’s chief executive reportedly threatening to quit.

Emily Featherston

Published October 25, 2019 at 5:46 PM

Efforts to push back against the opioid crisis have seen some success, but House said he believes there is still a long road ahead — one that, like the recovery road of an individual struggling against substance abuse, will require a variety of remedies and a shift in perspective.

Emily Featherston

Published October 21, 2019 at 6:56 PM

State board dismisses complaints against Bladen County Board of Elections members

Complaints against two members of the Bladen County Board of Elections have been dismissed by state election officials for failing to meet basic requirements.

Emily Featherston

Published October 18, 2019 at 3:45 PM

NHRMC hopes to combat shortage by raising pay for nurses

Hospital officials are hoping an increase in pay and focus on working conditions will help mitigate the effects of a national nurse shortage.

Emily Featherston

Published October 16, 2019 at 8:28 PM

Incoming NHRMC trustee chair tries to allay Wilmington City Council concerns, resolution urging more time passes anyway

City Council discussed the uncertain future of New Hanover Regional Medical Center at their meeting Oct. 15.

Emily Featherston

Published October 15, 2019 at 11:55 PM

City to consider ‘Gateway’ developer, next steps for Rail Trail project at Tuesday meeting

In addition to potentially weighing in on the future of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington City Council has several other items of business to attend to Tuesday.

Emily Featherston

Published October 14, 2019 at 4:49 PM

County, NHRMC announce members of partnership advisory group in charge of exploring hospital’s future

Those tasked with guiding the process of exploring the future of the region’s largest employer have been named.

Emily Featherston

Published October 14, 2019 at 1:51 PM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Emily Featherston

Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Awards:

Education:

Recent Articles by Emily

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