WHQR Public Radio

On Tuesday, the New Hanover County school board voted unanimously to wait to schedule the public hearing for the controversial during school hours Biblical LifeWise Academy program until the legislature makes a decision on Senate Bill 1006. The 33-page bill, which incorporates other public school funding initiatives, includes language that stipulates that principals must excuse students for up to four hours of religious instruction per week.

Soup to Nuts Live! The Little Mercies

Pender County Schools has closed its budget deficit with additional money from the county. County commissioners and the PCS board of education members met last night for a joint meeting to discuss the school system’s finances.

This week, District Attorney Jason Smith announced there would be no charges against officers involved in the March shooting death of 21-year-old Edilberto Espinoza Sierra. Smith shared his office's case report and also showed segments of body-cam footage to reporters. Espinoza Sierra's family said they were "disgusted" with the decision.

On Thursday, the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust announced a deal with Copper Builders, the developer of Hilton Bluffs, to permanently protect 3,200 acres of Sledge Forest. The deal is contingent on approval of the current Hilton Bluffs application, which is facing legal challenges from residents.

Pender County’s child advocacy center is shutting down. The Carousel Child Advocacy Centers (CCAC) offer support, medical evaluations, and forensic interviews for victims of child abuse in three counties. Earlier this week, Carousel’s board of directors announced the Pender County location will close at the end of the month.

A month after its grand opening, the Sparrow is nearly full. The permanent supportive housing complex located in Wilmington is home to 32 chronically homeless and disabled people. WHQR’s Kelly Kenoyer visited with a new tenant to see how things are going.

The former zoning administrator for the city of Wilmington has filed suit against the city. She claims the city did not provide just cause to terminate her employment, pressured her to resign, and did so to make way for the city’s reorganization.

This year's WHQR luncheon guest was Tamara Keith, Senior Political Correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast.

A trailblazing N.C. tax credit has been extended to support farmers, environmentalists and land conservation efforts for another five years. Supporters hope the credit will encourage conservation.