Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams has worked in the Wilmington television market for more than 10 years. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a BS in Business in 2000, and accepted a job that summer as a general assignment reporter at WWAY. She later went on to serve as the station's evening anchor and investigative reporter.

In 2011, Ann joined the WECT news team as an investigative reporter and fill-in anchor.

She has won a number of awards from the NC Associated Press and the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas during her career including:

2013

2nd Place Consumer, RTDNA TV Division II (High Hospital Bills)

2nd Place Documentary, RTDNA TV Division II (The State of Education)

2012

1st Place Investigative, RTDNA TV Division II (Legislative Prison Transfer Requests)

2nd Place Education, RTDNA TV Division II (Cost of NC Pre-K)

2010

1st Place Investigative, RTDNA TV Division II (Sen R.C. Soles Saga)

2009

1st Place Investigative, AP Division II (Sen. R.C. Soles Saga)

2nd Place Consumer/Economic, RTDNA TV Division II (Missing Down Payment)

2008

Honorable Mention, AP Division II, General News

2004

1st Place Enterprise Investigative, AP Division II (Crowded School Bus)

1st Place General News, AP Division II (HOA fines family for Christmas decorations)

2001

1st Place, Spot News, AP Division II (Crew Survives being stranded at sea)

Ann is married to Richard Bumgardner, an internal medicine physician at East Columbus Primary Care. They live in Wilmington and have two young children, William and Elizabeth. Ann was born and raised in Winter Haven, FL.

When she is away from work, Ann enjoys pilates, reading, cooking, and getting together with family and friends. She and her family attend First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. She and Richard love to travel, and one of their favorite places to visit is the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

If you want to reach Ann, email her at: amcadams@wect.com

If you have a story you'd like WECT to investigate, e-mail: Investigate@wect.com

Awards:

2nd Place Consumer, RTDNA TV Division II (High Hospital Bills), 2013
2nd Place Documentary, RTDNA TV Division II (The State of Education), 2013
1st Place Investigative, RTDNA TV Division II (Legislative Prison Transfer Requests), 2012
2nd Place Education, RTDNA TV Division II (Cost of NC Pre-K), 2012
1st Place Investigative, RTDNA TV Division II (Sen R.C. Soles Saga), 2010
1st Place Investigative, AP Division II (Sen. R.C. Soles Saga), 2009
2nd Place Consumer/Economic, RTDNA TV Division II (Missing Down Payment), 2009
Honorable Mention, AP Division II, General News, 2008
1st Place Enterprise Investigative, AP Division II (Crowded School Bus), 2004
1st Place General News, AP Division II (HOA fines family for Christmas decorations), 2004
1st Place, Spot News, AP Division II (Crew Survives being stranded at sea), 2001

Education:

Wake Forest University, Bachelor of Science in Business, cum laude

Recent Articles by Ann

High school seniors devastated over cancelled prom, uncertain graduation plans

High school seniors across the state and country are missing once-in-a-lifetime memories in an effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Ann McAdams

Published April 3, 2020 at 5:33 PM

Furniture store owner challenges selective enforcement of COVID-19 order

The owner of Rose Brother’s Furniture, the first Wilmington business to be cited for not complying with coronavirus restrictions, told WECT that because they sell essential items like small appliances, they are allowed to stay open.

Ann McAdams

Published April 2, 2020 at 6:37 PM

Additional call center assists with deluge of unemployment claims

The North Carolina Employment Security Office has added a 50-person call center to handle the unprecedented number of unemployment claims being filed.

Ann McAdams

Published April 1, 2020 at 11:24 AM

Error messages, three hour+ hold times for newly unemployed trying to file for benefits

Many displaced workers have been unable to logon to the overwhelmed website to apply for unemployment benefits in North Carolina. Some were locked out of their accounts after the website crashed, while others have sat on hold for hours waiting for help over the phone.

Ann McAdams

Published March 26, 2020 at 2:11 PM

With schools remaining closed for months, districts expand remote teaching plans

As tens of thousands of students across southeastern North Carolina sit at home at a time they would normally be in school, some public school districts are preparing to launch online classes. It remains unclear when students will be able to return to their classrooms.

Ann McAdams

Published March 23, 2020 at 1:11 PM

What can we do while social distancing for weeks, months?

It’s top of mind for almost everyone right now. But despite dire warnings about the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19, many people appear to be going about their daily lives.

Ann McAdams

Published March 19, 2020 at 12:12 PM

Search warrants are powerful. Yet few N.C. courts track how often they’re kept secret

Making the warrant public acts as a check on the incredible authority of the state. It's a testament to the value we put on our right to unreasonable search.

Ann McAdams, Brandon Wissbaum and Sunshine Week Partners

Published March 16, 2020 at 2:19 PM

Should grandparents avoid grandchildren to prevent spread of Coronavirus?

Dr. Debroah Birx, the White House Coronavirus response coordinator noted the possibility that children under the age of 20 may be “a group that is potentially asymptomatic and spreading the virus.”

Ann McAdams

Published March 16, 2020 at 1:43 PM

CFCC leadership concerns make state, national headlines

In addition to the Martin Center report, the New York City-based National Review Online has now picked up on the story, calling the situation at CFCC an “abuse of power.”

Ann McAdams

Published March 10, 2020 at 11:28 AM

Search warrants detail alleged sex act by former band teacher with NHC middle schooler

WECT has obtained search warrants that appear to detail the crimes against a seventh victim in the Peter Frank case. The alleged incidents happened prior to those that first reported against other students, and appear to be more serious.

Ann McAdams and Emily Featherston

Published March 9, 2020 at 3:44 PM

Miller, Morgan will face off for open NC House 19 seat

This election cycle, Representative Ted Davis decided to run for the neighboring District 20 seat, which will remain exclusively in New Hanover County under newly drawn district lines. That seat opened up when Representative Holly Grange announced her plans to run for Governor.

Ann McAdams

Published March 3, 2020 at 2:27 PM

Judge Ray files counter complaint against people behind unflattering political flyer

A New Hanover County judge has hired a law firm to go after political opponents of hers for distributing campaign materials about her past controversies. Judge Sandra Ray says the campaign flyers do not have the proper campaign advertising disclosures, and are factually inaccurate.

Ann McAdams

Published February 28, 2020 at 3:00 PM

Elections intimidation complaint filed against Judge Sandra Ray

According to complainant Mike Korn, Ray confiscated campaign material Korn had handed out to a voter, including a pamphlet discouraging people from voting for Ray. Additionally, Korn indicates that Ray threatened legal action against him.

Ann McAdams

Published February 24, 2020 at 4:00 PM

Thousands sign petition to remove Holliday’s name from Laney Stadium

Thousands of people have signed a petition requesting Rick Holliday’s name be removed from the Laney High School Football Stadium. The former Laney High School principal abruptly retired from his job with New Hanover County Schools last summer in the midst of a teacher sex abuse scandal.

Ann McAdams

Published February 10, 2020 at 6:25 PM

WECT Investigates: County preparing for potential claim in death of inmate Nicholas Oates

The family of Nicholas Oates has filed a claim against New Hanover County, apparently stemming from Oates death late last year while in the custody of the New Hanover County Jail.

Ann McAdams

Published February 4, 2020 at 4:22 PM

WECT Investigates: Penalties for contractor who ruptured utility lines, snarled traffic

Contractors determined to be at fault for a line break are sent an invoice for the repair costs including time and materials.

Ann McAdams

Published February 3, 2020 at 1:03 PM

CFCC Board shares confidence in president’s leadership following employee complaints

It was an unusually full board meeting at CFCC on Thursday night. Many faculty attended to see what would happen when the Board of Trustees met for the first time to discuss recently disclosed concerns about President Jim Morton’s leadership by two executives who just resigned.

Ann McAdams

Published January 30, 2020 at 8:14 PM

Cash strapped WAVE transit warns city, county it could be ‘forced to suspend operations’

WAVE transit is in a cash crunch. Wilmington’s bus system relies on money from the federal, state and local government to operate, and some of that money hasn’t materialized as quickly as expected.

Ann McAdams

Published January 23, 2020 at 6:19 PM

Board chair responds to story about alleged mismanagement, retaliation at CFCC

While David says the board only has one anonymous letter, during the last several weeks, WECT has spoken to more than two dozen current and former employees of CFCC who voiced similar concerns about CFCC President Morton.

Ann McAdams

Published January 16, 2020 at 8:09 AM

WECT Investigates: Top executives at CFCC say President Morton has created toxic culture

Two former executives at Cape Fear Community College are speaking publicly about why they recently left their jobs with the college. Several others at the highest levels of the college echoed their concerns.

Ann McAdams

Published January 13, 2020 at 12:57 PM

Local Jewish community responds to anti-Semitic attacks

Rabbi Moshe Lieblich who leads the Chabbad of Wilmington says the growing number of anti-Semitic attacks is hard to ignore.

Ann McAdams and Jack Bailey

Published December 30, 2019 at 6:41 PM

Chief Ralph Evangelous reflects on nearly 50 year law enforcement career

After nearly 50 years as a law enforcement officer, and 15 years as Wilmington’s top cop, Police Chief Ralph Evangelous is ready to retire.

Ann McAdams

Published December 23, 2019 at 6:38 PM

Candidates line up to file for 2020 general election

Candidates filed to run for three county commission seats, as well as school board, Register of Deeds, and seats in the North Carolina House.

Ann McAdams

Published December 2, 2019 at 2:27 PM

Understanding the gridlock: WECT talks to Wilmington traffic light engineer

Major road improvements are planned some of the city’s busiest intersections, but traffic tie-ups likely to get worse before they get better.

Ann McAdams

Published November 26, 2019 at 5:00 PM

Lead character in Dark Waters has ties to Wilmington

Dark Waters hits theaters on Friday, and is already generating some Oscar buzz with critics. The movie, about chemicals in drinking water in a town in West Virginia, hits very close to home for people in Southeastern North Carolina worried about GenX.

Ann McAdams

Published November 18, 2019 at 6:22 PM

WANTED (and desperately needed): NHC school bus drivers

New Hanover County Schools is actively seeking drivers to fill the open jobs. Most positions are full-time with benefits. Starting pay just got bumped up to $14/hour.

Ann McAdams

Published November 11, 2019 at 3:02 PM

School bus driver shortage making some students late for class

Months into this school year, New Hanover County Schools has still been struggling to get kids to school on time on some of its bus routes. Administrators are struggling to fill more than a dozen open positions for school bus drivers.

Ann McAdams

Published November 4, 2019 at 11:28 AM

NC lawmakers pass bill to extend statute of limitations for child sex crime victims

The bill, which is awaiting the governor’s signature, could significantly impact a lawsuit filed against New Hanover County Schools by expanding the number of victims eligible to sue.

Ann McAdams

Published October 31, 2019 at 3:40 PM

UNCW graduate wins Nike shoe design contest

A UNC Wilmington studio art graduate won a contest with Nike, and the shoe she helped create goes on sale later this week.

Ann McAdams

Published October 28, 2019 at 3:45 PM

Sheriff’s office investigating reports of attacks, attempted break-ins in Ogden

Neighbors are on edge, and social media is on fire after four separate incidents of suspicious behavior in the Ogden area. In two of the cases, women tell WECT a stranger showed up in their backyard and assaulted them.

Ann McAdams

Published October 23, 2019 at 5:55 PM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Awards:

Education:

Recent Articles by Ann

Ann McAdams

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Ann McAdams, Brandon Wissbaum and Sunshine Week Partners

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Ann McAdams and Emily Featherston

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Ann McAdams and Jack Bailey

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