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

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

Bladen County election-related disputes continue as Republican leader files complaints against Democratic board members, NCSBE to consider complaints

The leader of the Republican Party in Bladen County is raising issue with two Democratic members of the Bladen County Board of Elections.

Emily Featherston

Published October 11, 2019 at 12:59 PM

Sunny skies, clouds on the horizon: Economists recommend cautious optimism as business experts promote global thinking at UNCW forum

On Wednesday, local economic academics, business experts and leaders from around the region gathered at UNCW for a morning conference hosted by the Swain Center for Executive Education and Economic Development.

Emily Featherston

Published October 10, 2019 at 1:18 PM

Friday last day to register to vote in November municipal elections

The clock is ticking for those hoping to cast a ballot.

Emily Featherston

Published October 10, 2019 at 1:16 PM

Bald Head Island details coyote management plan, N.C. Wildlife offers perspective amid public concern

An island community is seeking to protect an endangered native species by reducing the population of a non-native intruder.

Emily Featherston

Published October 8, 2019 at 4:45 PM

Addicted: Part Two - Coping with an Enduring Epidemic

By some measures, trends related to the opioid crisis seem to be improving, but experts warn there is a long way to go.

Emily Featherston

Published October 7, 2019 at 3:53 PM

Council fast-tracks improvements to Portia Hines Park, OKs expansion at Wilmington Brewing Company

Wilmington City Council approved $658,200 in funding to add restrooms and lighting to the park on North 10th Street.

Emily Featherston

Published October 1, 2019 at 11:34 PM

The first installment of a series where WECT Investigates where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going in the battle against opioid addiction.

Emily Featherston

Published September 30, 2019 at 10:22 PM

Reunited: Dad returning from deployment surprises 5-year-old daughter at Columbus County school

Sergeant Charles Bush of the United States Army returned from a 10-month deployment to Kuwait.

Emily Featherston

Published September 27, 2019 at 6:58 PM

River Road closure for culvert repair starts Monday, drivers urged to prepare for extra traffic

Beginning Sept. 30, a portion of River Road will be closed for approximately six months so a large drainage culvert can be replaced and a CFPUA force main sewer line can be relocated.

Emily Featherston and Jim Gentry

Published September 24, 2019 at 2:55 PM

WAVE Transit financial troubles expected to worsen unless new funding found; route cuts still on table

The Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (CFPTA) has some difficult decisions to make in the coming months.

Emily Featherston

Published September 24, 2019 at 12:14 PM

N.C. state treasurer watching potential sale of NHRMC

State officials are paying attention to the county’s exploration of the possible sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, including what it could mean for the state’s bottom line.

Emily Featherston

Published September 23, 2019 at 7:37 PM

A closer look at transparency concerns with possible NHRMC sale

It was a tumultuous week for members of the New Hanover County Commission, leadership of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the thousands of people who work at or utilize the county’s largest employer.

Emily Featherston

Published September 20, 2019 at 6:23 PM

New Hanover County gives update on redistricting

The process to re-work where students in New Hanover County go to school is about halfway complete according to the consulting firm hired by the school system.

Emily Featherston

Published September 18, 2019 at 12:19 AM

WECT Investigates: Avoiding post-storm scams

Red flags to watch for and tips for how to avoid falling victim to post-storm scams.

Emily Featherston

Published September 16, 2019 at 6:55 PM

Host family frustrated Brunswick County Schools won’t accept exchange student

A 16-year-old German exchange student wants to study at a Brunswick County high school, but has been denied.

Emily Featherston

Published September 13, 2019 at 4:53 PM

County Commissioners to vote on ‘Resolution of Intent to Sell’ NHRMC on Monday

Details about a possible sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center are coming into focus with just a few days out from a big vote.

Emily Featherston

Published September 13, 2019 at 4:04 AM

N.C. House overrides Cooper veto of state budget in ‘unexpected’ morning vote

Republicans dominating a half-empty North Carolina House chamber have voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the state’s two-year budget.

Emily Featherston

Published September 11, 2019 at 1:30 PM

Republican Dan Bishop unofficial winner in 9th District re-do election

Republican State Senator Dan Bishop is the unofficial winner of the election for North Carolina’s 9th congressional district, according to the Associated Press.

Emily Featherston

Published September 11, 2019 at 7:50 AM

New election in N.C.’s 9th district Tuesday; Experts say race could be ‘canary in the coal mine’ for 2020

More than nine months after the North Carolina State Board of Elections refused to certify the results of the election in the state’s 9th congressional district, voters are headed back to the polls Tuesday.

Emily Featherston

Published September 9, 2019 at 10:08 PM

’We want you to know we are with you’: Gov. Cooper visits Wilmington, talks Dorian recovery in shadow of Florence

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visited the Port City Friday under sunny skies, just hours after Hurricane Dorian finally cleared the state’s Southeastern Coast.

Emily Featherston

Published September 6, 2019 at 7:27 PM

State elections board encourages early voting for Sept. 10 races ahead of possible Dorian impacts

While Southeastern North Carolina waits for the forecast of Hurricane Dorian to narrow, the North Carolina State Board of Elections is encouraging voters to go ahead and cast their ballots.

Emily Featherston

Published September 2, 2019 at 10:14 AM

Dorian-influenced swells to create rip current risk over already busy Labor Day weekend

As crowds flock to Southeastern North Carolina beaches, ocean rescue crews are gearing up for what could be a busy Labor Day weekend.

Emily Featherston

Published August 30, 2019 at 4:27 PM

With no discussion at agenda briefing, New Hanover County Commission looks ahead to Sept. 3

Coming off the Labor Day holiday weekend, county leaders have a big decision to make.

Emily Featherston

Published August 29, 2019 at 9:31 PM

Days away from County Commission vote, officials field more questions on possible hospital sale

Once again, County Manager Chris Coudriet and New Hanover Regional Medical Center President and CEO John Gizdic answered questions from concerned citizens over the future of the hospital system.

Emily Featherston

Published August 28, 2019 at 11:37 PM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Emily Featherston

Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Awards:

Education:

Recent Articles by Emily

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston and Jim Gentry

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

MOST RECENT

WECT Staff

Chase Fulton

Gabe Ross

John Smist

Laurel Mallory