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 was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida, but made North Carolina home after coming here for college. She is a mother of two.

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:

1st Place Education, RTDNAC TV Division II, (WECT Investigates: Late School Buses) 2020

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

Two new clinical trials underway in Wilmington for COVID-19 vaccines

Two more clinical trials just got underway in Wilmington as researchers try to find a vaccine to fight COVID-19. Trial Management Associates (TMA), the same company that has been testing a vaccine for Moderna, was selected to test two new vaccines in production by other pharmaceutical companies.

Ann McAdams

Published November 23, 2020 at 3:28 PM

Man arrested for decades-old sex crimes against Wilmington minors

Police in Bennington, VT arrested 67-year-old Peter Drutchal Sunday night on warrants out of Wilmington, NC. Wilmington Police took out the warrants against Drutchal after two victims came forward alleging Drutchal had molested them in the 1970s and 1980s when he lived in the Wilmington area.

Ann McAdams

Published November 23, 2020 at 12:33 PM

CFCC releases travel expenses for president, trustees

Records confirm trustees spent approximately $7,000 over the past three years.

Ann McAdams

Published November 11, 2020 at 6:19 PM

Veterans being displaced after nursing home loses contract with VA

Thirteen military veterans being housed at a Wilmington nursing home will likely have to move, after the nursing home owners failed to meet minimum standards required by the federal government.

Ann McAdams

Published November 2, 2020 at 4:34 PM

Some residents concerned about sheriff’s large acquisition of military surplus equipment

Since Sheriff Greene took office in December 2018, his department has accepted $3.8 million dollars in surplus military equipment from the federal government, including two helicopters, a mine resistant vehicle, nine cargo and utility trucks, boats, 300 magazine cartridges and nine riot shields.

Ann McAdams

Published October 26, 2020 at 2:14 PM

State auditor intervenes after WECT Investigates team notices questionable CFCC policy

State Auditor Beth Wood tells WECT the State Auditor’s office did not and would not recommended "blanket travel authorization" for the college president and trustees.

Ann McAdams

Published October 22, 2020 at 11:04 AM

New hospital planned for New Hanover County

New Hanover Regional Medical Center has submitted an application to the state to build a 66 bed facility in Scotts Hill. The Certificate of Need application is under review by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation.

Ann McAdams

Published October 19, 2020 at 2:13 PM

NHCS publishes new bus routes, rules as kids prepare to return to class

NHCS has implemented changes and new requirements for bus transportation. Students will need to wear masks, have temperature checks at home, and sit one per seat on the bus to and from school.

Ann McAdams

Published October 8, 2020 at 2:03 PM

Job offer rescinded for former animal control director awaiting trial

Prince received a letter from a local community college on Friday informing him that he could not report for work as an instructor due to the obtaining property by false pretense and embezzlement charges that have yet to be resolved in court.

Ann McAdams

Published October 5, 2020 at 3:14 PM

Neighbors rally around family that received racist, threatening letter over Mexican flag

The anonymous letter informed the Zambranos they needed to take down the Mexican flag flying in front of their home, or face a violent outcome.

Ann McAdams

Published October 1, 2020 at 4:01 PM

Former animal control director files complaint against District Attorney

Former Columbus County Animal Control Director Joey Prince says he is not guilty of criminal charges leveled against him in 2018, but cannot clear his name because the District Attorney still has not taken his case to trial.

Ann McAdams

Published September 24, 2020 at 1:40 PM

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

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

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