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

AG’s PFAS lawsuit welcome news for advocates as it joins litany of litigation

The last few weeks have seen continued developments in the exploration of GenX and other PFAS.

Emily Featherston

Published October 14, 2020 at 4:50 PM

NC attorney general sues DuPont, Chemours over PFAS contamination

The lawsuit joins other litigation already pending against the companies.

Emily Featherston

Published October 13, 2020 at 5:48 PM

Attorneys, NCDHHS investigating assisted living facility as family seeks answers in man’s death

The man died after being attacked by another patient.

Emily Featherston

Published October 12, 2020 at 11:51 AM

Voter Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 9

Voters have a number of options ahead and after the deadline.

Emily Featherston

Published October 7, 2020 at 6:12 PM

Novant, NHRMC leaders map out next steps after affirmative vote for sale

With a 4-1 vote in favor of the deal Monday night, leaders are looking to the future.

Emily Featherston

Published October 6, 2020 at 6:39 PM

Sold: New Hanover County Commission approves agreement with Novant Health for NHRMC

After months of debate, meetings and consideration of documents, the future of NHRMC has been decided.

Emily Featherston

Published October 5, 2020 at 10:55 PM

‘Time is running out’: With deadline uncertain, NC advocates push for last minute Census responses

The end of the 2020 Census information collection process could come as soon as Monday, Oct. 5.

Emily Featherston

Published September 30, 2020 at 8:27 PM

Partnership Advisory Group recommends agreement with Novant, matter moves to NHRMC Trustees and County Commission

The vote in favor of the deal was unanimous.

Emily Featherston

Published September 29, 2020 at 7:13 PM

One week to go: New Hanover County Commission holds public hearing ahead of series of votes on deal with Novant Health

The New Hanover County Commission held a public hearing Monday, Sept. 28 on the proposed purchase agreement for NHRMC with Novant Health.

Emily Featherston

Published September 28, 2020 at 10:54 PM

Resignation of NC elections board Republicans raises questions about closed session vote

The resignation of the two Republican members of the North Carolina State Board of Elections late Wednesday night has raised new questions about a vote, taken by the board in a closed session, that would ease some legal requirements pertaining to absentee by mail ballots.

Nick Ochsner and Emily Featherston

Published September 24, 2020 at 4:15 PM

County commissioners vote on foundation bylaws, would not require public meetings

Now that New Hanover County has given it’s approval to move forward with the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health for billions of dollars, the fate of those funds are being discussed by County Commissioners.

Michael Praats and Emily Featherston

Published September 21, 2020 at 1:28 PM

Sally remnants leave behind storm damage, flooding in Cape Fear

Reports of storm damage have come in from across Southeastern North Carolina.

Emily Featherston

Published September 18, 2020 at 4:51 PM

Dept. of Labor data shows long waits for unemployment payments

Unemployment data from the USDOL shows how long it took some people to get paid as claims in NC top 1.2 million.

Emily Featherston

Published September 17, 2020 at 6:32 PM

Elections offices deal with sticking envelopes, other issues as record absentee votes start pouring in

Elections officials hope voters will start the absentee process sooner rather than later to make dealing with any issues easier.

Emily Featherston

Published September 16, 2020 at 6:56 PM

Census officials push ahead with Sept. 30 deadline as local advocates work to get accurate count of Cape Fear

Local advocates are making one final push for people to respond to the 2020 census.

Emily Featherston

Published September 15, 2020 at 5:52 PM

Stein to continue lawsuit after company backs away from seismic testing citing other possible attempts

“There are other companies that have also requested permits, and we want to make sure that those are not granted either,” the Attorney General said in an interview Monday.

Emily Featherston

Published September 14, 2020 at 5:35 PM

As exploration of NHRMC’s future nears its end, PAG leaders remain confident in deal with Novant

The full agreement is set to be released in the coming weeks.

Emily Featherston

Published September 9, 2020 at 11:30 PM

As Partnership Advisory Group prepares to dig into pending deal with Novant, doctors say partnership could improve access to pediatric care

The pending deal will be discussed Wednesday.

Emily Featherston

Published September 8, 2020 at 6:59 PM

With holiday weekend on deck, Cape Fear region sees uptick in virus cases after students return

Experts urge those celebrating this Labor Day to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash hands frequently.

Emily Featherston

Published September 4, 2020 at 6:43 PM

Elections workers prepare to send out thousands of absentee ballots

Absentee ballots go out Friday, Sept. 4

Emily Featherston

Published September 3, 2020 at 9:12 PM

NC Attorney General, state elections board respond to Trump comments on absentee voting

State officials responded to controversial comments made by the president Wednesday.

Emily Featherston

Published September 3, 2020 at 8:40 PM

Sen. Thom Tillis visits local businesses, discusses pandemic relief

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) sat down with business owners to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program.

Emily Featherston

Published September 2, 2020 at 4:59 PM

‘Downtown Alive’ extended through mid October, city allocates coronavirus-related funding

Wilmington City Council voted unanimously to extend the ’Downtown Alive’ program, hoping to further assist downtown businesses ailing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Emily Featherston

Published September 1, 2020 at 10:35 PM

Part Four: Cover-Up Culture? WECT Investigates how the embattled NHCS system can move forward and heal from decades of abuse

WECT Investigates looks at the next steps for New Hanover County Schools from the perspective of those involved.

Emily Featherston and Ann McAdams

Published August 31, 2020 at 6:40 PM

Transit union may ’take action’ including strike if contract isn’t worked out

The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Sept. 8-9.

Emily Featherston

Published August 28, 2020 at 5:36 PM

WAVE board votes to officially end Brunswick Connector route

The only WAVE Transit route into Brunswick County is officially going away.

Emily Featherston

Published August 27, 2020 at 1:12 PM

Doctors, health experts ‘floored’ by CDC testing guidance change

The news of changes to federal testing guidance came as a concerning surprise to local disease experts.

Emily Featherston

Published August 26, 2020 at 9:10 PM

EPA to ‘crowdsource’ new ways to destroy PFAS, local advocates say agency could be doing more

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday announced an initiative that aims to develop new ways to safely destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as GenX.

Emily Featherston

Published August 25, 2020 at 8:44 PM

Part Three: Cover-Up Culture? WECT Investigates claims of retaliation in the face of abuse reports at NHCS

A closer look at claims reports and complaints of sexual abuse resulted in retaliation.

Emily Featherston and Ann McAdams

Published August 24, 2020 at 5:02 PM

‘Black Lives Do Matter: End Racism Now’ - Wilmington leaders vote in favor of art piece

The City of Wilmington leaders voted 5-2 to approve a sign saying “Black Lives Do Matter: End Racism Now” for downtown Wilmington.

Emily Featherston

Published August 18, 2020 at 10:35 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

Nick Ochsner and Emily Featherston

Michael Praats and 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 Ann McAdams

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston

Emily Featherston and Ann McAdams

Emily Featherston

MOST RECENT

WECT Staff

WECT Staff

Gabrielle Williams

WECT Staff

Frances Weller