Two stabbings, just two minutes and one block apart, took place in the early hours of Easter Sunday. Police say the two incidents were not related. Three people have been taken to the hospital, according to authorities.

While you can never predict the news, this spring we had planned to cover the results of the primary election, maybe some voter challenges, and then move on to budget season, as local governments try to deal with the rising cost of, well, everything. Instead, it feels like we’ve had enough crises and scandals to fill a calendar year – most of which are still unfolding in one way or another.

On today's show, Lucas Thomae from Carolina Public Press talks about 'wandering officers,' who are fired or resign under suspicion — only to pop up at another agency later. And a conversation with Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek about his vision for the office, applying AI to government audits, and his promise to keep politics out of the job.

The program, which recently received a grant from the Governor's office, aims to redirect people with substance abuse issues away from the criminal justice system and toward rehabilitation and recovery.

The New Hanover County school board voted to send a resolution to the state legislature asking it to pass a budget and approved a new advisory committee to work on employee bonuses and retention efforts. The audience was sharply divided on a Biblical program, LifeWise, that would operate off-campus during the school day. Even more contentious, though, was an intense disagreement between board members Pat Bradford and David Perry, who posted some harsh words online after the meeting.

This week, staff presented a preliminary $478.5 million budget, and commissioners seem much closer to consensus this year than last year. However, there are still potential additions that aren’t currently funded — and some remaining questions about how to close that financial gap.

Wilmington author Wiley Cash was struggling to find a venue for writers to read in front of larger crowds, so he’s opening his own space. That’s drawn out some of the usual suspects — like legal-thriller author John Grisham — but also some unexpected writers — like Randy Blythe, author and lead singer for Lamb of God, the renowned heavy metal band.

The newest and least contained fire is in McDowell County, where crews are trying to keep the Jumping Branch Fire from spreading through steep terrain that still has debris left from Helene.

In late 2023, Novant Health hired Ernie Bovio, who brought some stability to New Hanover Regional Medical Center after a year of leadership turnover. Bovio will now return to UNC Health, where he had previously worked for over two decades, to run its operations in southeastern North Carolina.

The New Hanover County Democratic Party is accusing one of its precinct chairs, well-known former public official David Andrews, of sexual harassment and misconduct. WHQR’s Kelly Kenoyer and Ben Schachtman explain why the local party is asking the state to remove him and ban him from future events.