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

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

Some businesses near breaking point, others anxious, as shutdown continues

Koballa said when business is going well, his dealership typically sells four to five cars a day. Since the county stay at home order went into effect, sales dropped to about one car a day. Despite the drop in business, Koballa still has close to 50 employees counting on him for a paycheck.

Ann McAdams

Published April 13, 2020 at 4:10 PM

No cause of death, few answers 2 weeks after UNCW student’s murder

“This is very hard. We are tired. We are heartbroken. And we really are begging people to please come and tell anything that they know,” Stewart’s aunt, Patricia Walker, said.

Ann McAdams

Published April 10, 2020 at 6:38 PM

‘The cash is gone’: N.C. families waiting for unemployment relief

No money - and no answers about when there will be money. That’s the reality for thousands of North Carolina families right now, who have been out of work for weeks because of the Coronavirus, and are still waiting for for their unemployment applications to be approved.

Ann McAdams

Published April 9, 2020 at 4:54 PM

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

Currently in
Wilmington, NC

Ann McAdams

Investigative Reporter

Wilmington, NC

Education:

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