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

Woman sues to recoup thousands overpaid in taxes to Bladen County

The Bladen County Tax Administrator discovered that they had been taxing Whitted on all 40 acres of her property, rather than just the 29 acres she owns in Bladen County, for the last 18 years.

Ann McAdams

Published March 4, 2021 at 1:48 PM

Murder trial begins for man charged in deadly house fire

Six years after two people were killed in a house fire, the man blamed for their murder is going on trial. 14-year-old Makayla Pickett, who was blind, was never able to escape the house. Her great-aunt, Pamela Pickett, made it outside, but did not survive..

Ann McAdams

Published March 1, 2021 at 5:46 PM

“I shot him twice.” 911 calls reveal frantic moments after man allegedly pushes his way inside off-duty deputy’s home

According to neighbors who live nearby and overheard the altercation, the deputy told Coniglio not to come any closer or she’d have to draw her weapon. In short order, a bystander heard two shots, and called 911 for help.

Ann McAdams

Published February 25, 2021 at 5:44 PM

Crimes of the Cape Fear: FBI ‘Colcor’ sting uncovered hotbed of corruption in Southeastern North Carolina

It was an undercover FBI operation that went on for well over a year in the early 1980s. Dubbed “Colcor” by federal officials, the far reaching organized crime scandal shocked the community with the eventual arrest of over 50 people, including about a dozen public officials.

Ann McAdams

Published February 24, 2021 at 7:57 PM

$188 million Powerball jackpot winner sued by former fiancé

In the months after their relationship ended, the lawsuit claims McDow learned Holmes had given away his clothes, sold his property, and closed his auto restoration business.

Ann McAdams

Published February 15, 2021 at 2:41 PM

United Kingdom variant of COVID-19 confirmed in Pender County

Both patients recovered from the virus last week, but the Health Department was just made aware Wednesday that the strain of the virus they contracted was unique.

Ann McAdams

Published February 11, 2021 at 9:22 PM

Novant discontinues prompt pay discount for patients at NHRMC

WECT has confirmed that New Hanover Regional Medical Center will no longer be offering patients the popular “prompt pay discount” now that it has officially merged with Novant Health. WECT was made aware the 25% discount was discontinued by a disappointed patient.

Ann McAdams

Published February 4, 2021 at 4:40 PM

NC unemployment overpayment notices surprise, upset residents

Of the $70 million in overpayments across the state, officials estimate only $7-8 million was due to fraud. The rest seems to involve honest mistakes by applicants for unemployment, many of whom had never been out of work before or needed to file for assistance.

Ann McAdams

Published February 1, 2021 at 11:19 AM

Oral surgeon charged with sexually assaulting patients now under investigation for Medicaid billing concerns

The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners is investigating the unusual billing trends of Dr. Michael Hassan, the same Wilmington oral surgeon already facing dozens of criminal charges for allegedly sexually assaulting his female patients while they were sedated.

Ann McAdams

Published January 26, 2021 at 4:24 PM

U.S. Attorney General’s Office declines to prosecute potential fraud with bidding for Wilmington VA Clinic

The VA’s Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) claimed they got 14 competing offers to build the clinic, but were only able to produce two of those offers for investigators, despite federal requirements to keep that paperwork.

Ann McAdams

Published January 26, 2021 at 11:12 AM

NHCS expands sexual assault training for students and teachers, hires investigator

New Hanover County Schools has come a long way in its efforts to effectively prevent and deal with sexual assault, and it’s letting the public know about it.

Ann McAdams

Published January 21, 2021 at 3:03 PM

Lennon Lacy FBI File: How authorities determined suicide, not lynching

The FBI file from the case was recently released to WECT. Though heavily redacted, newly revealed details help explain how investigators determined Lacy died by his own hands.

Ann McAdams

Published January 20, 2021 at 7:52 PM

Man wrongfully convicted in Bladen Co. double murder passes away

Joseph Sledge had settled with state agencies for additional $2.9 million last year

Ann McAdams

Published January 11, 2021 at 5:29 PM

NHC teacher suspended after smoking on Zoom in front of students

A New Hanover County high school teacher was suspended from her job without pay, after getting caught smoking on a Zoom call in front of her students. She opted to retire rather than return to the classroom.

Ann McAdams

Published January 8, 2021 at 4:36 PM

WECT Investigates update: Parent gets partial refund after college suspends courses due to COVID-19

To the best of her understanding, while she doesn’t have to repay that portion of the loan to the government, Miller-Motte still gets to keep the money that was borrowed on her daughter’s behalf.

Ann McAdams

Published December 22, 2020 at 2:08 PM

WECT Investigates: Father of slain two-year-old frustrated over standstill in homicide investigation

Stephens’ father, Keith Stephens, Sr., remains grief stricken over his young son’s death, and devastated by investigators’ lack of progress.

Ann McAdams

Published December 21, 2020 at 2:28 PM

Vermont man wanted on decades-old sex crimes now jailed in Wilmington

A 67-year-old Vermont man is being extradited to Wilmington to stand trial for crimes he is accused of committing here in the 1980s. Wilmington Police took out arrest warrants for Peter Drutchal after two victims came forward to say he’d molested them over a period of years while serving as their sc

Ann McAdams

Published December 18, 2020 at 10:06 AM

Medical examiner takes over a year to return autopsy reports in deaths of children

But WECT recently learned three children ages five and younger died by homicide in Pender County in 2017. It took more than a year to get autopsy reports for some of those cases, all of which remain unsolved.

Ann McAdams

Published December 14, 2020 at 2:25 PM

New Details in SBI investigation into ‘signed’ Trump hats

WECT has obtained emails that indicate a local judge, who previously served as president of the Lower Cape Fear Republican Women’s (LCFRW) group, was directly involved in the sale and auction of two hats that were allegedly marketed as being signed by President Donald Trump.

Ann McAdams

Published December 10, 2020 at 3:48 PM

Criminal investigation underway after Trump hats auctioned off at political fundraiser

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into criminal allegations surrounding a local political group. The group is accused of auctioning off merchandise allegedly hand signed by the president, that turned out to be fake.

Ann McAdams

Published November 30, 2020 at 11:12 AM

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

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Education:

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