Johanna F. Still, Author at The Assembly NC

The Faces of Wilmington’s Unhoused

(From left) Chelsea Alicia Sterling, Victor Quillen, Theresa Shively, Leroy Lyons, and Cindy. (Photo by Madeline Gray)

WHQR follows the lives of homeless individuals in Wilmington as they work together to stay safe.

A Heated Political Moment

Several days before the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, the New Hanover County Democratic Party Chair's car was vandalized. (Courtesy of Jill Hopman)

Vandals have allegedly damaged Democrats’ property at least twice this month amid a national conversation about political violence.

Shibumi Has Taken Over N.C. Beaches. Next, The World.

A sea of Shibumi Shades line the shore at Topsail Island. (Courtesy of Shibumi)

The ubiquitous sun shade is on a quest for coastal domination—and isn’t afraid to fight.

Mayor For Life

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo on the stage of Live Oak Bank Pavilion, a riverfront performance venue the city opened in 2021. (Johanna F. Still for The Assembly)

Wilmington’s Bill Saffo has sailed through more than two decades in public office.

The Fading Star

The Wilmington StarNews has undergone painful transitions under the control of multiple media giants. (Photo by Johanna F. Still)

The nation’s biggest media behemoths have left Wilmington’s flagship newspaper a diminished version of its former self.

Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy

Hannah Davis beheads fresh-caught shrimp at Davis Seafood for a customer order. (Photo by Johanna F. Still)

Shrimpers are fleeing the industry as cheap imports flood the domestic market. They’re fighting for relief before it’s too late.

Party of None

The number of North Carolina voters registered as unaffiliated continues to climb, at 2.7 million as of Tuesday.

TikTok’s Prince of Poverty

The Assembly

Thomas Cruz gloats about building his fortune off a government housing program, but left a trail of liens and code violations in Wilmington.

Time For Some Traffic Problems in Wilmington

Closures on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge are sure to upend life for commuters. (Photo courtesy of the City of Wilmington)

A traffic nightmare arrives on the eve of a consequential infrastructure vote and raises questions about Wilmington’s political sway.

The town of Leland, one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing municipalities, has used annexation as a tool to help propel its growth. But this summer, the legislature took away its annexation power. (Photo by Johanna F. Still)

How an annexation-hungry town in the state’s fastest-growing county drew the ire of its most powerful lawmaker.

Author: Johanna F. Still