Rachel Keith

3 days ago | whqr.org | Rachel Keith |Brenna Flanagan

The board voted 5-1 to maintain the ban on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds’ book exploring America’s history with racist ideas that was removed from the AP English curriculum in August 2023. The book will remain prohibited in district course content but will be available in high school libraries. The day prior to the board’s vote, the district's curriculum committee unanimously approved the book's return to AP English classrooms.

3 days ago | whqr.org | Rachel Keith

Note: This is a developing story and may be updated as we receive more information. This month, the New Hanover County Commissioners voted to approve the budget 3-2. Republicans Bill Rivenbark, Dane Scalise, and LeAnn Pierce were in favor; Democrats Stephanie Walker and Rob Zapple were not. Part of their reasoning for voting against the budget was major cuts to funding preschools worth $975,000, prompting the district to make some tough decisions.

1 week ago | whqr.org | Rachel Keith

Two attorneys who specialize in the interpretation of the student privacy law — the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act — said parent names in cases involving challenges to book or other curriculum material aren’t protected. But the NHCS’s current law firm maintains FERPA does apply, claiming that the parental complaint of the book Blended is a part of a student’s educational record, and if the parent's name were revealed, it would lead to identifying the student.

1 week ago | whqr.org | Benjamin Schachtman |Kelly Kenoyer |Rachel Keith

On today’s show, Kelly Kenoyer helps me unpack some of our recent reporting about Novant NHRMC. Over the last several months, we’ve spoken with over a dozen current and former employees — and reviewed the years of safety data. Both showed concerning trends, but the newest leadership team says things are improving.

2 weeks ago | whqr.org | Rachel Keith

Old Tom the Orca has been spotted off the North Carolina coastA Florida-based aerial survey team spotted an orca off the Outer Banks in March. It’s a relatively rare occurrence, but scientists say they’ve always been swimming off the coast of Cape Hatteras — just, out of sight. Dr. Tiffany Keenan of UNCW’s marine mammal stranding program said that although researchers have been conducting aerial surveys for over twenty years off the coast of North Carolina, they haven’t spotted an orca until now.