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

DREAMS of Wilmington looks to help alleviate pain of food desert through education

The non-profit organization is in the beginning stages of building a learning kitchen at its Northside neighborhood facility.

Emily Featherston

Published June 11, 2019 at 6:35 PM

Wilmington gets federal railroad grant for realignment project

The project to re-route cargo trains away from the center of Wilmington can officially start moving down the track.

Emily Featherston

Published June 11, 2019 at 6:03 PM

NC Senate mulls bill that could restrict access to hog farm documents

Legislators in Raleigh are considering a bill that would make those types of complaints — among other industrial farm-related documents — confidential.

Emily Featherston

Published June 10, 2019 at 6:28 PM

’We can’t run a business, at all’: Restaurant, venue owners concerned about noise ordinance update

Friday night, just after 6 p.m. at Reel Cafe in downtown Wilmington, the entire outdoor patio was empty due to the rain.

Emily Featherston

Published June 7, 2019 at 7:40 PM

County planning board approves controversial South College development

Part of a greater mixed-use development, the roughly 25 acre undeveloped property would be converted into 324 one-and-two-bedroom apartments, with amenities for the residents.

Emily Featherston

Published June 6, 2019 at 11:49 PM

Developers, city look for compromise on waterfront regulations

A developer wants to bring the city's regulations in line with those of the state.

Emily Featherston

Published June 5, 2019 at 4:08 PM

City redirects funds to Portia Hines Park, but residents worry over project’s future

Almost a year after members of the Northside community brought Wilmington City Council a petition asking for improvements to Portia Hines Park, things are finally progressing.

Emily Featherston

Published June 5, 2019 at 6:48 AM

WECT Investigates: Medicaid and ER visits — a look at expenses, expansion

As lawmakers battle over the state budget in Raleigh, arguably the biggest sticking point between the two political parties is Medicaid expansion.

Emily Featherston

Published June 3, 2019 at 4:32 PM

State elections board issues order in Columbus County Sheriff dispute, parties plan appeals

The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has formally issued its findings in the case of the disputed sheriff election in Columbus County.

Emily Featherston

Published May 30, 2019 at 2:47 PM

South College residents wary of proposed apartments, mixed-use development as builders push for rezoning

The Timbers at Whiskey Branch, part of the Whiskey Branch brand, would offer 324 one-and-two-bedroom luxury apartments as well as office and retail space.

Emily Featherston

Published May 28, 2019 at 5:16 PM

Wilshire Blvd residents say crashes common, ask city for help

After a late night crash, residents urge drivers to slow down.

Emily Featherston

Published May 23, 2019 at 6:41 PM

Fairway frustration: Golfers unhappy with proposed Muni price increases

Golfers who utilize Wilmington’s municipal course are likely to see price increases in the coming months as the city implements its fiscal year 2020 budget.

Emily Featherston

Published May 22, 2019 at 9:30 PM

Wilmington City Council approves plans for new juvenile court facility, hears updates on projects

Wilmington City Council approved a special use permit Tuesday night to allow for a new, three-story building to replace the existing juvenile court building.

Emily Featherston

Published May 22, 2019 at 5:47 AM

Recount scheduled in Bladen County Commission race

Only four votes separate the two candidates for the commission's third district.

Emily Featherston

Published May 21, 2019 at 4:22 PM

Wilmington City Council to hear updates on rail realignment, soccerplex at meeting Tuesday

After years of study and planning, Wilmington’s rail realignment project is finally gaining steam.

Emily Featherston

Published May 17, 2019 at 5:23 PM

Documents show CFPUA will avoid fine for removing trees without permit

For as long as the city of Wilmington has had a tree removal ordinance on the books, developers and residents alike have had the occasional run-in with the policy.

Emily Featherston

Published May 16, 2019 at 5:44 PM

NC9 Election Results: Bishop takes GOP primary; Bladen Commissioners’ race decided by four votes

Republicans in North Carolina have chosen state Sen. Dan Bishop as their party’s nominee in a special congressional election ordered after a ballot fraud scandal marred last year’s race.

Emily Featherston

Published May 15, 2019 at 5:56 AM

Bladen County, 9th district vote in election re-do

Six months after the 2018 midterms appeared to be over, Bladen County voters — along with the rest of the 9th congressional district — have taken to the polls once again.

Emily Featherston

Published May 14, 2019 at 4:40 PM

Developer appeals planning commission decision on Hooker Road development; neighbors vow to continue fighting

A developer hoping to turn a 10-acre mobile home park into a subdivision isn’t giving up — but neither are the neighbors who oppose his project.

Emily Featherston

Published May 13, 2019 at 5:20 PM

Why does it feel different driving over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge?

Drivers crossing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge are turning to social media, posting they are having more trouble than normal maintaining control while crossing the bridge.

Emily Featherston

Published May 9, 2019 at 3:59 PM

WECT Investigates: Allegations of mismanagement renewed as Yahweh Center bankruptcy case continues

More than two and a half years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Yahweh Center Children’s Village is still mired in litigation, and court documents indicate the mismanagement of the nonprofit’s finances may have been going on for decades.

Emily Featherston

Published May 8, 2019 at 5:33 PM

Jervay residents still searching for answers, ask city for help

As Hurricane Florence recovery continues, some Wilmington residents feel they’ve been left behind, and they want their elected officials to help.

Emily Featherston

Published May 8, 2019 at 12:36 AM

State elections board sides with Jody Greene; protesters plan appeal; investigators detail absentee ballot activity

NCSBE determined Greene was a Columbus County resident when he filed to run for sheriff.

Emily Featherston

Published May 6, 2019 at 9:27 PM

Bladen County Sergeant warns of scam after falling victim to ploy himself

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office says someone is spoofing the State Employees Credit Union phone number. The new scam transpires so seamlessly, one of their own high ranking officials has fallen for it.

Kendall McGee and Emily Featherston

Published May 3, 2019 at 7:54 PM

Election deception: WECT Investigates spillover of absentee ballot irregularities in Columbus County

The ties between Bladen and Columbus counties run deep, and in 2018, they shared the symptoms of absentee ballot irregularities.

Emily Featherston

Published May 2, 2019 at 6:29 PM

Mayor Saffo pushing national lawmakers for funds to protect infrastructure from future storms

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo is in Washington, D.C. advocating for more hurricane relief assistance

Emily Featherston and Frances Weller

Published April 30, 2019 at 5:18 PM

With voter confidence on the line, all eyes on Bladen County as voting gets underway

Just shy of five months after the North Carolina State Board of Elections refused to certify three races — Bladen County Commission District 3, Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor and North Carolina’s 9th congressional seat — voters are again taking to the polls.

Emily Featherston

Published April 26, 2019 at 6:05 PM

Leland pushes harder for NCDOT to reconsider Cape Fear Crossing plans ahead of public hearings

Residents and elected leaders in Leland are hoping to make an impression on the North Carolina Department of Transportation and others on the committee in charge of the Cape Fear Crossing project, either through a stack of letters or a packed public hearing.

Emily Featherston

Published April 25, 2019 at 7:25 PM

Chalking it up to technology, cities wait to see fallout of appeals court decision on parking enforcement

Parking enforcement is making national headlines, but local officials say their practices are constitutionally sound.

Emily Featherston

Published April 24, 2019 at 4:09 PM

Drain on the system: Stormwater infrastructure in focus in the wake of Florence

As development continues, the stormwater system will be subjected to greater and greater pressure, and experts say the importance of intentional management will have long-term effects on both the environment and quality of life for city residents.

Emily Featherston

Published April 22, 2019 at 5:52 PM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Emily Featherston

Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Awards:

Education:

Recent Articles by Emily

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Kendall McGee and Emily Featherston

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