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

Smooth transition after county sold hospital in Brunswick

The county transferred ownership of Brunswick Community Hospital to Novant Health, in exchange for the company’s commitment to build a new, modern hospital for the county.

Ann McAdams

Published October 17, 2019 at 5:43 PM

Mother upset with Pender County Schools after six-year-old sexually assaulted on school bus

While the school bus policy issues bothered her, the mother says it was the lack of communication from the school system and apparent lack of knowledge regarding what they could and could not tell her that caused her to become so frustrated she ultimately called the media.

Ann McAdams

Published October 15, 2019 at 3:36 PM

Parent refiles retaliation complaint following superintendent’s suspension

The parent of a former Hoggard High School student has refiled a retaliation complaint with the New Hanover County School Board. This comes just days after the school board suspended Superintendent Tim Markley for retaliating against another parent, Dr. Clyde Edgerton, in an unrelated incident.

Ann McAdams

Published October 10, 2019 at 3:27 PM

UPDATE: Student’s suspension reduced, sophomore allowed to return to school

Abrien’s mother says she got an email from the school board after they met Monday night, stating Abrien was allowed to return to school Tuesday — earlier than the previously imposed suspension would have allowed.

Ann McAdams

Published October 9, 2019 at 1:27 PM

Community looking for answers after 14-year-old’s suicide

This was the first juvenile suicide in Wilmington in five years, according to statistics provided by Wilmington police. But nationally, suicide is the second leading cause of death in children over the age of ten.

Ann McAdams

Published October 7, 2019 at 3:36 PM

Whiteville sophomore suspended after she says she was jumped by two other students

A Whiteville High School Sophomore said she tried to walk away when other girls wanted to pick a fight on Tuesday. But Abrien Batten said she still got jumped, and suspended from school right along with the girls she said attacked her.

Ann McAdams

Published October 3, 2019 at 7:10 PM

WECT INVESTIGATES: Potential impacts for employees’ pensions if NHRMC is sold

While county and hospital officials have assured employees their pensions will be protected, many NHRMC employees remain unconvinced, concerned in part by the actions of other hospital systems in the state, and lawsuits filed against them.

Ann McAdams

Published September 23, 2019 at 5:08 PM

Commissioner: Behind-the-scenes research on hospital sale happened months before public informed

One day after a divided New Hanover County commission voted in favor of an “intent to sell” resolution for the county-owned hospital, WECT is learning more about behind-the-scenes dealings that were apparently going on for months before the public was made aware of the possible sale.

Ann McAdams

Published September 17, 2019 at 6:50 PM

NHC commissioners approve resolution to explore hospital sale

In one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory, a divided New Hanover County Commission voted today to explore the sale of the county owned hospital, New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Ann McAdams

Published September 16, 2019 at 5:17 PM

County hopes to fix clogged culverts that led to recent Ogden flooding

WECT found out Hurricane Florence caused significant damage to the drainage system for that area and has still not been fixed. The county is waiting for an influx of cash from the federal government, and residents are left hoping it gets here before it’s too late.

Ann McAdams

Published September 12, 2019 at 5:34 PM

Meth use on the rise as local law enforcement gets handle on heroin

Drug dealers are adapting to the local crack down on heroin. As officials see a recent rise in methamphetamine use, they are moving towards a federal prosecution approach to fight drugs and get around territorial limitations.

Ann McAdams

Published September 2, 2019 at 6:32 PM

Students towed as Hoggard High School deals with bigger parking shortage

There are lots of students, and not enough places to park. Witnesses estimate about 15 Hoggard High schoolers got towed from a neighboring shopping center while they were in class Wednesday.

Ann McAdams

Published August 29, 2019 at 4:40 PM

Cautionary tales from other markets as county considers sale of NHRMC

Since many of you are trying to understand the potential impacts of a sale without a lot of time before commissioners vote on exploring a sale, WECT has researched some of the potential hospital buyers, along with a few cautionary tales about hospital systems in other North Carolina markets.

Ann McAdams

Published August 26, 2019 at 2:31 PM

Wilmington company under investigation by Attorney General appears out of business

The DTopp website is down, the owners phone number is disconnected, and the Better Business Bureau lists the company as out of business.

Ann McAdams

Published August 22, 2019 at 6:42 PM

Still no law requiring fingerprint background checks for teachers in N.C. public schools

Despite public outcry, state lawmakers have failed again and again to pass legislation requiring fingerprint-level background checks for all job candidates applying to work in public schools.

Ann McAdams

Published August 19, 2019 at 10:49 AM

Bill to extend statute of limitations could help NHCS teacher sex abuse victims

A bill making its way through the North Carolina legislature attempts to give greater protection to people who were sexually abused as children. The bill has bipartisan support, and could play a significant role in the civil lawsuit recently filed by victims of Michael Kelly.

Ann McAdams

Published August 15, 2019 at 6:11 PM

UNCW professor accuses NHCS superintendent of intimidation after employer is contacted

A prominent professor from UNCW has filed a formal complaint with New Hanover County Schools, claiming the superintendent contacted his employer in an attempt to intimidate and silence him.

Ann McAdams

Published August 12, 2019 at 1:01 PM

Pender County jury returns guilty verdict in murder-by-baseball bat case

A Pender County jury found a man guilty of first degree murder Tuesday afternoon, in the death of 18-year-old Antonio Logan. Logan was beaten to death with a baseball bat in Willard on June 29, 2017, following a dispute over social media.

Ann McAdams

Published August 6, 2019 at 2:42 PM

County, hospital officials pitch business leaders on proposed hospital sale

At a meeting at the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning, New Hanover Regional CEO John Gizdic and County Manager Chris Courdriet explained to business leaders and elected officials in attendance they thought the need to eventually sell the hospital was “inevitable.”

Ann McAdams

Published August 1, 2019 at 2:24 PM

A WECT review of all daycares in our five county viewing area uncovered 23 facilities had administrative actions taken against them by the state in the past three years.

Ann McAdams and Brandon Wissbaum

Published July 29, 2019 at 1:43 PM

Attorneys file suit against NHCS in teacher sex crime scandal, seek class action

A judge will ultimately decide if this can proceed as a class action, but there is commonality in the claims. Former teacher Michael Kelly is the perpetrator against all of the victims the attorneys represent, Kelly engaged in sexual activity with the victims, and all were boys under age 18.

Ann McAdams

Published July 23, 2019 at 4:47 PM

The Cape Fear Museum in downtown Wilmington could be taken over by the state of North Carolina.

Ann McAdams

Published July 16, 2019 at 1:12 PM

New Hanover Commissioner Rob Zapple, the only commissioner to publicly speak out about a new travel policy for county commissioners, says new per-commissioner spending limits are onerous to the point they are preventing the county from participating in important business.

Ann McAdams

Published July 15, 2019 at 6:14 PM

Attorneys exploring evidence for civil suit following teacher sex crime scandal

Two Wilmington law firms have announced they are investigating evidence for a possible civil lawsuit against New Hanover County Schools, after a recent scandal involving students being abused by their teacher.

Ann McAdams

Published July 9, 2019 at 2:37 PM

Commissioners vote down proposed travel budget changes, decrease travel spending instead

Instead of approving a proposal that would have allowed some commissioners to exceed their current $4,000 annual travel budget, commissioners reached a split decision to cut the current travel budget in half.

Ann McAdams

Published July 8, 2019 at 6:38 PM

Criminal investigation underway into Kelly’s claim schools knew about suspected sex crimes against students

Law enforcement has been investigating claims raised by a former teacher now convicted of sex crimes against students that New Hanover County school administrators knew about claims he’d been sexually inappropriate with his students, and failed to report the allegations.

Ann McAdams

Published June 26, 2019 at 2:59 PM

Bogus applications plaguing NC college campuses, pose security risk

It appears that many of these bogus applications are not coming from real people, but bad actors in other countries making up fake identities. They are using those fake names to pose as college applicants, hoping to be issued a student email account.

Ann McAdams

Published June 24, 2019 at 12:57 PM

Columbus County manager accused of sexual harassment by employee

According to the timeline provided by Bowen in a letter to commissioners, she had a series of disturbing interactions involving County Manager Mike Stephens that she says began in January of this year.

Ann McAdams

Published June 20, 2019 at 1:13 PM

City spends $500K to settle lawsuit after questionable arrest on child rape allegations

The criminal charges against James Bader were leveled in the midst of a bitter child custody battle, and were later dismissed due to lack of evidence to warrant prosecution.

Ann McAdams

Published June 10, 2019 at 1:59 PM

Lawyers file notice of appeal in Columbus County sheriff’s election dispute

Attorneys challenging the outcome of the November election for Columbus County sheriff filed a notice of appeal Friday with the North Carolina State Board of Elections. They also plan to file a complaint and a Motion for a Stay of certification with Wake County Superior Court.

Ann McAdams

Published June 7, 2019 at 11:57 AM

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Awards:

Education:

Recent Articles by Ann

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams and Brandon Wissbaum

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

Ann McAdams

MOST RECENT

WECT Staff

Chase Fulton

Gabe Ross

John Smist

Laurel Mallory