Benjamin Schachtman is the News Director at WECT News. He covers a range of topics including construction and real estate, government and politics, as well as general assignment news, with a particular focus on elections and public policy. His work has been featured in WUNC (91.5 FM), NPR, Global Advertising News, WHQR Public Radio, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR), WFAE, and Public Radio East.
Preston is the artificial intelligence that powers the Intelligent Relations PR platform. Meet Preston
Wilmington, United States (Local)
Not enough data
Benjamin Schachtman's coverage predominantly focuses on local government and politics, with a significant emphasis on legal policy regulation. His articles often feature evolving stories and expert commentary related to New Hanover County, Wilmington, and North Carolina.
If you aim to reach out effectively to Benjamin, consider offering insights or expertise relating to local government developments in Wilmington or New Hanover County. He may also be interested in receiving pitches about legal policies or regulations with potential impact at the local level.
Given his focus on evolving stories and expert commentary within the realm of government & politics as well as crime topics, he could be receptive to sources who can provide valuable analysis or first-hand information related to ongoing legal matters or political events within his coverage area.
This information evolves through artificial intelligence and human feedback. Improve this profile .
By: Benjamin Schachtman
After several months of negotiations, the county passes its budget, which avoids a tax increase by tapping several ‘one-time' financial reserves and borrowing money. The budget includes increased support for education, public safety, and community organizations.
One of the invariable questions during the county's budget process is about the comparative funding for public schools versus public safety. Given that the former is the subject of perennial debate while the latter, at least of late, has flown under the radar, you can understand why it's sometimes an invidious comparison. So, what does a fair analysis look like?
A little extra from this week's Sunday Edition, including some notes on the pros and cons of this year's New Hanover County budget, and the apparent fate of the county elections director.
By: Benjamin Schachtman
Captain Kristin Lynn Blanchard, a veteran member of the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, was fired last week. On Tuesday, the North Carolina Highway Patrol cited Blanchard for failing to report an accident she was involved in and “being untruthful” with and “deceiving” a state trooper.
By: Benjamin Schachtman
On Thursday, The Endowment announced it would help support the proposed $320-million school bond. The grant is contingent on the bond passing in November, and would help pay down the resulting debt, reducing the estimated tax increase from 1.75 cents to half a penny.
By: Benjamin Schachtman
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Deputy Alec Rauf resigned two weeks ago, the same day he was charged by the Carolina Beach Police Department on ten counts, including two felonies.
By: Benjamin Schachtman
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Deputy Alec Rauf resigned two weeks ago, the same day he was charged by the Carolina Beach Police Department on ten counts, including two felonies. Police graphic mgn (mgn)
By: Rachel Keith, Aaleah McConnell, Benjamin Schachtman
Aaleah McConnell has an intimate look at how the family of Edilberto Espinoza-Sierra is coping with grief and searching for justice, after the 21-year-old was killed by law enforcement in March. Plus, Rachel Keith and Ben Schachtman dig into public school funding, with a look at this year's budget – and some potential issues on the horizon.
By: Benjamin Schachtman
From this week's Sunday Edition , a few notes on The Endowment's $116-million grant announcement, and a different perspective on New Hanover County Schools' 2024 budget crisis.
For a long time, the City of Wilmington maintained a public terminal, allowing the press — and the public — to easily review city emails. Over the last few years, accessing the terminal became more difficult. Now, the city has discontinued it entirely, citing security concerns. That's made it harder for journalists to cover Wilmington, which can be slow to reply to public records requests.
