Cape Fear Beacon

Supplemental podcast for CapeFearBeacon.com

Wilmington's Mystery Mailer and the Organization Behind it 11/19/2025

Wilmington's Mystery Mailer and the Organization Behind it Uncover how Raleigh PACs, including the CLC, flood Wilmington elections with dark money. Through deceptive "mystery mailers," operatives exploit low-information voters to sideline party candidates and install officials aligned with real estate development interests. This remote network of operatives effectively decides local power. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/39102830

2025 Wilmington Municipal Candidates' Voting Record: Luke Waddell is the Most Pro-Developer 10/28/2025

2025 Wilmington Municipal Candidates' Voting Record: Luke Waddell is the Most Pro-Developer The 2025 Wilmington municipal election reveals a stark divide. Incumbents like Luke Waddell and Bill Saffo consistently approved high-density rezoning, a pattern echoed by Planning Commission candidates Richard Collier and JC Lyle. This pro-growth voting record, tied to developer campaign contributions, accelerated infrastructure strain. We scrutinize these voting records against challengers Billy Craig and Kelly Roberts, who explicitly demand a development moratorium /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/38812800

Developers vs. Residents: Who Will Shape Wilmington’s Future? 09/24/2025

Developers vs. Residents: Who Will Shape Wilmington’s Future? The Battle for Wilmington: Development, Dollars, and Democracy Summary: Wilmington, North Carolina, is facing a crisis of identity, trading its small-town charm and livability for gridlock and high-density development. This deep dive investigates the unsustainable pace of growth and the resulting frustration over lagging infrastructure. We pull back the curtain on local politics, where large campaign donations fuel suspicion of a developer "quid pro quo" influencing controversial rezoning decisions, despite warnings that they violate policy. Explore the immense environmental cost of this expansion, including widespread clear-cutting and the desperate fight to save globally significant natural treasures like Sledge Forest from becoming 4,000+ homes in a flood-hazard area. The podcast examines how grassroots political groups like Voices to Votes are mobilizing to use the pivotal 2025 Municipal Election to elect leaders who will prioritize the community and define the future character of the city. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/38341730

PowerSchool Breach: Are Accomplices Still At Large, with the Database in Hand? 08/24/2025

PowerSchool Breach: Are Accomplices Still At Large, with the Database in Hand? A massive breach of PowerSchool, the student information system used by thousands of school districts, has exposed the personal data of more than 62 million students and nearly 10 million teachers. The attack pulled back the curtain on how one small group infiltrated a global education platform and exfiltrated everything from Social Security numbers to medical records, data that could haunt victims for years. In this episode, we break down how the breach happened, why the stolen information is so valuable on the dark web, and what it means for families, schools, and the future of student data security. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/37934805

Republican-led School Board Prefers Gaslighting and Struggle Sessions over Transparency 07/31/2025

Republican-led School Board Prefers Gaslighting and Struggle Sessions over Transparency This episode dissects the board's alleged attempts to control information flow and silence dissent under the guise of enforcing ethical standards and maintaining internal trust. It unpacks the New Hanover County Schools Board's scheduled 'struggle session,' where a Republican-led majority faces accusations of gaslighting board member David Perry and the public. Perry, who spoke with a parent about their closed-session student appeal decision, is facing potential censure, with Pat Bradford asserting he "breached board confidentiality and policy" (Policy 2120) by sharing information before the superintendent formally communicated it. The caveat: North Carolina law does not prohibit disclosing non-confidential closed-session information; legal analysis suggests the core issue centers more on "internal politics and personal intimidation" rather than statutory confidentiality rules. Perry argues the special hearing is "overkill" and politically motivated, feeling "singled out" as a "free thinker". /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/37625485

NHCS Superintendent Barnes' 1st Year Marked by $5 Mil. Shortfall and Systemic DEI Culture 07/15/2025

NHCS Superintendent Barnes' 1st Year Marked by $5 Mil. Shortfall and Systemic DEI Culture Join us as we dive into New Hanover County Schools' $5 million deficit, Superintendent Barnes' social justice background, and the lasting influence of DEI and Black Liberation ideologies in classrooms. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/37419275

Coordinated Ambush on Texas ICE facility: a Product of Radical Educators? 07/11/2025

Coordinated Ambush on Texas ICE facility: a Product of Radical Educators? The 2025 Texas ICE facility ambush was a planned attack on July 4, 2025, involving firearms, body armor, and "insurrectionist material" like "fight ICE terror with class war" flyers. Our conversation explored its implied link to public education. Sources reveal concerns that educators promote "Far Left values" using books like "Stamped," which honors Angela Davis as a "visionary". Davis, a prominent Communist Party leader, was accused of purchasing guns used in a deadly 1970 courtroom takeover and was on the FBI's Most Wanted List. An email from a teacher also advocated against "hero worship" of American figures while suggesting not fearing "communism and socialism". This suggests a potential ideological influence in educational settings. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/37379120

Wilmington Restaurants' Shrimp Fraud Report 05/07/2025

Wilmington Restaurants' Shrimp Fraud Report Dive into a report revealing rampant shrimp fraud in Wilmington, NC. Genetic testing found 77% of restaurants sampled misrepresented imported, farm-raised shrimp as local or U.S. wild-caught. This deceptive marketing not only cheats consumers but severely impacts local shrimpers. We explore the findings, the harm to the industry, and why better labeling is needed to protect both consumers and American livelihoods. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/36472455

New Hanover Republican-led School Board Unintentionally Throws a Pro-Tim Merrick Political Rally 04/14/2025

New Hanover Republican-led School Board Unintentionally Throws a Pro-Tim Merrick Political Rally A move to censure Democrat Dr. Tim Merrick by New Hanover County’s Republican-led school board quickly turned into a public show of support for him. While board members accused Merrick of crossing the line in a personnel issue and possibly leaking confidential info, the crowd of around 160 people wasn’t having it. Supporters filled the room, many wearing pork pie hats like Merrick’s, and made their frustration known with boos and calls of “shame.” The tension prompted several warnings and a few removals. Board member Judy Justice, also a Democrat, said the censure could backfire, just like it did in her case. The motion passed 5-2, but instead of weakening Merrick, it may have strengthened his support while handing GOP board members a political headache. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/36137045

Is Josie Being Played, or is She Playing Us? 04/01/2025

Is Josie Being Played, or is She Playing Us? Josie Barnhart's March 31st (2025) letter advocates for revisiting the rejected $3.2 million security pilot funding due to "new information and insights". She highlights ongoing camera upgrades since 2022, the growing role of AI, and the existing Verkada system pilot. However, despite Barnhart's push, significant reservations remain concerning the need for a second pilot program (Eviden alongside Verkada), Eviden's limited U.S. K-12 experience, and enduring worries about privacy, effectiveness against concealed weapons, and long-term costs. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/35964720

NHCS and Eviden: a Risky Alliance with France's Military Intelligence Complex? 03/22/2025

NHCS and Eviden: a Risky Alliance with France's Military Intelligence Complex? This podcast examines the controversial proposal to implement an AI surveillance system by Eviden in New Hanover County Schools (NHCS), highlighting concerns about potential cronyism due to a senior director's connection to U.S. Senator Ted Budd. The summary points to the financial instability of Eviden's parent company, Atos SE, a major French military contractor, raising questions about another foreign entity attempting to infiltrate U.S. infrastructure. The podcast also covers the unclear vendor selection process and Eviden's lack of experience in U.S. K-12 schools. Key worries include the system's hidden features like facial recognition, future costs, doubts about its effectiveness compared to other safety measures, the creation of a "prison-like" school environment, and the lack of parental input. Ultimately, the summary underscores significant community and NHCS board reservations about the Eviden deal, questioning its true benefits and underlying motivations. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/35819350

Concerns about Eviden A.I. Surveillance in New Hanover Schools 03/13/2025

Concerns about Eviden A.I. Surveillance in New Hanover Schools Is a $3.2 million school surveillance project in New Hanover County influenced by political ties? This episode dives into the controversial no-bid contract awarded to Eviden, whose Strategic Partnership Manager, Mia Budd, is the niece by marriage of U.S. Senator Ted Budd. Was this deal a result of family connections rather than a fair process? We explore the appearance of potential impropriety surrounding this AI security system from a foreign company with no prior experience in U.S. education. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/35676950

Is NHCS Poised to Vote on an AI Security nightmare? 03/08/2025

Is NHCS Poised to Vote on an AI Security nightmare? Read the article at: References: 2024Oct06, The Washington Post, "Police seldom disclose use of facial recognition despite false arrests," by Douglas MacMillan, David Ovalle and Aaron Schaffer. () 2025 Jan 27, Carolina Journal, , Brianna Kraemer, Summary: North Carolina schools are implementing an AI-driven security program, sparking debate among parents and lawmakers over privacy risks, data security, and student safety benefits. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/35586280

Deep Dive on New Hanover County GOP attacking Melissa Mason 03/07/2025

Deep Dive on New Hanover County GOP attacking Melissa Mason In this episode, we dig into how the New Hanover County GOP launched a behind-the-scenes campaign to punish school board chair Melissa Mason — not for abandoning conservative values, but for thinking independently. We’ll break down the vague resolution against her, expose the party’s internal power plays, and show how this fight reveals a much larger problem within the Republican Party: the war between grassroots conservatives and establishment insiders. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/35576770

Dark MAGA and The Underbelly of the H-1B Visa System 01/08/2025

Dark MAGA and The Underbelly of the H-1B Visa System In this episode, we dive deep into the controversial H-1B visa program, exploring its impact on American jobs, wages, and housing costs. From Elon Musk’s call for H-1B expansion to Disney’s widely criticized layoffs, we break down how the system is used—and potentially abused—by corporations. We’ll also examine Tesla’s reliance on foreign workers, troubles of outsourcing H-1B workers, and the role outsourcing firms play in shaping the program. Join us as we uncover the ripple effects of H-1B policies and discuss what’s at stake for America’s middle class. /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/34779915

Wilmington's Housing 'Crisis' 11/01/2024

Wilmington's Housing 'Crisis' In this episode, we dive into Wilmington, North Carolina's ongoing battle between historic charm and rapid development. Is the city's growth plan a roadmap to a brighter future or a developer's playground? We unpack the controversies surrounding the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, whispers of political influence, and the questionable "housing crisis" narrative driving high-density projects. Featuring insights on affordability, real estate speculation, and the community's fight for balance, we also explore the upcoming election's potential to reshape Wilmington's future. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on preserving community values amidst urban expansion. Cape Fear Beacon article: /episode/index/show/95c2fd33-263c-41cf-9c0c-2767c25afb50/id/34721020

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