Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams has worked in the Wilmington television market for more than 20 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.

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 tennis, reading, cooking, and getting together with family and friends. She and her family attend Wrightsville United Methodist Church. She loves to travel, and favorite destinations (so far!) have included Switzerland, Denmark, The Czech Republic, New York City, and Yellowstone National Park.

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 Political, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Who’s the Boss? Disputed Columbus County Sheriff’s Race) 2019

2nd Place Hard News Feature, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Veteran’s Family Fights to Bring Sister Home), 2019

2nd Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Weak Teacher Background Checks), 2018

2nd Place Consumer/Economic, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Classic Car Tax), 2016

1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (CFCC President Resigns), 2015

2nd Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (New Hanover County Commissioner Spending) , 2015

1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Police Stingray Investigation), 2014

2nd Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Public Housing Income), 2014

2nd Place Consumer, RTDNAC TV Division II (High Hospital Bills), 2013

2nd Place Documentary, RTDNAC TV Division II (The State of Education), 2013

1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II (Legislative Prison Transfer Requests), 2012

2nd Place Education, RTDNAC TV Division II (Cost of NC Pre-K), 2012

1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC 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, RTDNAC 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

WECT Investigates: Students involuntarily withdrawn from college training program, not offered refunds

Students say they are being involuntarily withdrawn from their training program, effectively losing credit for all of their studies up to this point, and still being required to pay for that coursework.

Ann McAdams

Published September 10, 2020 at 3:22 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

WECT Investigates: Homeowner learns contractor operating without a license

The homeowner said he was shocked when the builder then hired an attorney to go after him for the unpaid balance, and placed a lien request on his home.

Ann McAdams

Published August 27, 2020 at 1:44 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

CFCC extends President Morton’s contract for five more years

Despite persistent concerns from some faculty and staff about his abilities to lead the college, Cape Fear Community College President Jim Morton got a five-year extension on his contract during the most recent Board of Trustees meeting.

Ann McAdams

Published August 24, 2020 at 1:28 PM

R.C. Soles placed on ‘disability inactive status,’ State Bar investigation suspended

Soles requested the change in 2019, and the bar agreed. As a result, an investigation into pending claims that he mishandled clients’ money was put on hold.

Ann McAdams

Published August 20, 2020 at 5:12 PM

Part Two: Cover-Up Culture? - WECT Investigates administrators’ response to sexual abuse at New Hanover County Schools

WECT Investigates took a look at decades of admitted and alleged sexual abuse by New Hanover County Schools employees, and how administrators handled allegations and complaints.

Emily Featherston and Ann McAdams

Published August 18, 2020 at 8:38 AM

Detective’s tactics questioned after more charges dropped for lack of evidence

After WECT aired a story about Bader’s case, where WPD dropped child sex assault charges against him for lack of evidence after his highly publicized arrest, another man came forward to say the same thing had happened to him at the hands of the same detective.

Ann McAdams

Published August 13, 2020 at 11:40 AM

Sheriff’s office ordered to hand over investigative files in New Hanover County teacher sex scandal

The New Hanover County School board sought the release of those documents in September 2019, to use to defend themselves in a civil lawsuit filed against them by victims of Michael Kelly.

Ann McAdams

Published August 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM

Part One: Cover-Up Culture? - WECT Investigates decades of sexual abuse at New Hanover County Schools

WECT Investigates took a deep dive into decades of admitted and alleged sexual abuse by New Hanover County Schools employees.

Emily Featherston and Ann McAdams

Published August 10, 2020 at 4:33 PM

Fired WPD officer files appeal, claims wrongful termination

Officer Gilmore: "I believe my speech is protected by the First Amendment of the United State Constitution and my termination is without cause."

Ann McAdams

Published July 13, 2020 at 3:25 PM

CFCC provides heavily redacted legal bills after WECT hires attorney

After repeatedly refusing to provide itemized bills for the college’s legal expenses, insisting the bills from their attorney were protected by attorney-client privilege, CFCC changed course and gave those documents to WECT at the end of June.

Ann McAdams

Published July 6, 2020 at 8:37 PM

Nearly 90 cases handled by fired WPD officers dismissed or under review

The New Hanover County District Attorney is in the process of either dismissing or reviewing around 89 pending cases connected to three officers terminated this week from the Wilmington Police Department.

Ann McAdams

Published June 25, 2020 at 7:27 PM

County commissioners get update on top 3 contenders for potential hospital partnership

New Hanover County commissioners are moving closer to a vote on a proposed partnership for the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC). Commissioners will also consider restructuring without necessarily changing ownership, and leaving things at the hospital under the status quo.

Ann McAdams

Published June 15, 2020 at 3:18 PM

Wilmington City Council looks to close roads, add more outdoor dining downtown

The city is figuring out logistics to temporarily close roads so downtown restaurant patrons could eat at tables set up on the street outside of their restaurants.

Ann McAdams

Published June 15, 2020 at 1:35 PM

First look at newly expanded Wrightsville Beach Elementary School

WECT got a tour of the new and improved design. The square footage of the main school building more than doubled during this renovation, with second story addition that added about 17,000 square feet to the school building. 12 new classrooms will be ready for students in the fall.

Ann McAdams

Published June 11, 2020 at 5:56 PM

Embattled professor responds to questions about discrepancies on his resume

Some viewed the now-tenured professor as untouchable because of first amendment protections of his free speech, but new questions about claims on Adams’ resume may be his undoing.

Ann McAdams

Published June 8, 2020 at 7:27 PM

Former trustee threatens to withdraw funding over professor’s controversial statements, professor defends comments

A former trustee says the University now has grounds to take disciplinary action under UNC System policy regarding political activity of employees.

Ann McAdams

Published June 4, 2020 at 4:05 PM

Business owners, tourists react to protest turned violent in downtown Wilmington

Some tourists walking on Front Street Monday were unaware anything had happened there the night before. Others said they came out of their hotel rooms Sunday night just as officers were launching tear gas.

Ann McAdams

Published June 1, 2020 at 2:56 PM

In-person court dates far less likely under ‘new normal’ starting Monday

Many people will find welcome, and likely permanent changes at the courthouse.

Ann McAdams

Published May 28, 2020 at 3:51 PM

CFCC refusing to disclose itemized bills or reason for recent spike in attorney’s fees

CFCC has repeatedly refused to disclose itemized legal bills, or to explain the surge in expenses, saying the bills are protected by attorney-client privilege. Public records law experts say otherwise.

Ann McAdams

Published May 26, 2020 at 1:00 PM

Attorney for deputy accused in Pender ‘mob’ incident: ‘A colossal misunderstanding’

While Kita was in uniform at the time of his allegedly unlawful actions, WECT has now learned that he left his shift as a jailer to join the search for his younger sister, and he was simply wearing the clothes he had on.

Ann McAdams

Published May 14, 2020 at 5:18 PM

Memorial for missing women at River Road crash site apparently vandalized

According to witnesses, the memorial, which included crosses, pictures, flowers, and teddy bears, was in tact as of 9 AM Monday morning. At some point after that, a jogger noticed the memorial was missing, and found the items left in the women’s memory had been strewn into the nearby marsh.

Ann McAdams

Published May 11, 2020 at 4:44 PM

Pender Co. commissioners ask Gov. Cooper for more local control during reopening process

Pender County commissioners are calling on Governor Roy Cooper to allow more local control in the reopening process for lower-population counties with smaller numbers of coronavirus cases that are struggling financially.

WECT Staff and Ann McAdams

Published May 7, 2020 at 4:34 PM

Officer alleges police chief made lewd remarks to women; closed meeting scheduled

Boiling Spring Lakes Commissioners have called a closed session meeting to discuss personnel, just days after receiving a complaint from a member of the police department alleging sexual harassment and uneven discipline polices by the new chief of police.

Ann McAdams

Published May 4, 2020 at 7:14 PM

‘This is really about survival.’ Gym owner re-opens despite state order

A state stay-at-home order remains in place in North Carolina until at least May 8, but customers arrived when the doors opened at Muscleworx Fitness at 6 am Thursday. Gym owner Jason Morgan said he is defying the state order out of financial necessity.

Ann McAdams

Published April 30, 2020 at 2:43 PM

What changes when New Hanover Co. stay-at-home order expires?

If you’re confused about what will re-open when the county's order expires, you are not alone. Here’s a quick reference:

Ann McAdams

Published April 28, 2020 at 2:24 PM

Attorneys: Closing parking at open beaches unconstitutional

WECT spoke to Wilmington attorneys who said the policies which effectively limit beach access to island residents are more than inconvenient - they’re unconstitutional.

Ann McAdams

Published April 23, 2020 at 6:34 PM

NC Smithfield employees afraid to go to work after co-workers test positive

The Tar Heel plant is the largest pork processing plant in the world, and has 5,000 workers to process an average of 30,000 hogs a day. To keep up production, employees said plant managers promised them $500 bonuses for not calling out of work during the month of April.

Ann McAdams

Published April 20, 2020 at 6:33 PM

County employees fear exposure after worker tests positive for COVID-19

Workers are scared about continuing to report to the office where someone was infected, but they are also scared about losing their job if they don’t show up to work, or if they publicly complain about their safety concerns.

Ann McAdams

Published April 16, 2020 at 6:44 PM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Education:

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