Anna Phillips

Reporter | Anchor

Wilmington, NC

Anna Phillips joined the WECT news team in July 2019.

Anna grew up in Morganton, North Carolina and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from The University of North Carolina Wilmington where she double majored in English and Communication Studies. Go Seahawks!

Anna began her career as a general assignment reporter for WVIR in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2014. She then moved to Greenville, NC to report for WITN-TV. While at WITN, Anna received her first RTDNAC award for a feature story about the summertime "modern day lighthouse keepers" of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Anna loves highlighting unique people and places in our communities. She's interviewed clowns in a cemetery (they were honoring an aerialist who died in a love triangle shootout in 1906), covered presidential campaign events and delved into the ongoing recovery and future flood planning efforts following Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

Anna's favorite stories are about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. She'd love to hear yours. You can reach her via email at annaphillips@wect.com and you can find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under @annaphillipstv.

Anna lives in Wilmington with her fiance, Christian, and their two rescue dogs Toby and Maya.

Education:

UNC Wilmington

Recent Articles by Anna

“Trauma is trauma:” Mental health advocates work with tornado victims

As the sun set Thursday, debris piles grew large and lined the streets of Ocean Ridge Plantation. Residents, neighbors, volunteers and workers spent the day clearing what they could, despite the weather.

Anna Phillips

Published February 18, 2021 at 10:16 PM

“I told my wife to get on the floor”: Tornado survivors share story

“And all of a sudden the tornado hit...and the description of like a freight train is very accurate,” he said.

Anna Phillips

Published February 17, 2021 at 10:45 PM

‘It’s a miracle’: Police officer’s sons recover after horrific crash

After a horrific crash with a tractor trailer on November 11, 2020, Shallotte Police Officer Heather Newman says her two sons have made ‘miraculous’ recoveries.

Anna Phillips

Published February 12, 2021 at 11:20 PM

Following a delayed start to the 2021 tax season by the IRS, tax filing officially begins on Friday February 12.

Anna Phillips

Published February 11, 2021 at 7:11 PM

NCDHHS COVID-19 dashboard adds vaccination data, numbers highlight racial disparities

New vaccination data added to the state health department’s COVID-19 dashboard shows the extent of racial disparity among those receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

Anna Phillips

Published February 5, 2021 at 8:01 PM

New Hanover Co. tourism expert optimistic for 2021

The president of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, Kim Hufham, says there is still room for optimism in 2021, even for large venues.

Anna Phillips

Published February 4, 2021 at 10:39 PM

Commissioner Deb Hays raises vaccine supply concerns to legislators

The news that Walgreens pharmacies across our state will receive 30,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines was met with some immediate concern from local government officials in NHC

Anna Phillips

Published February 3, 2021 at 7:04 PM

No bond for 18-year-old suspect charged with murder in weekend shooting

The 18-year-old suspect charged with first-degree murder in connection with last weekend’s deadly shooting in Wilmington will continue to be jailed under no bond.

Anna Phillips

Published February 2, 2021 at 2:40 PM

“Its going to take time”: Doctors respond to one-dose vaccine announcement by Johnson & Johnson

While we can all appreciate a reason for hope, it may be too early to get excited about the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Anna Phillips

Published January 29, 2021 at 8:31 PM

Pender Co. COVID-19 call center sees 5,000+ calls in first six days

In it’s first six days of operation, Pender County’s new COVID-19 call center received over 5,000 phone calls.

Anna Phillips

Published January 28, 2021 at 2:29 PM

Outreach efforts bring vaccines to black community

Dozens of vaccines were given to people at two area churches today thanks to the hard work of a few activists who wanted to find a more convenient option for older adults in the black community.

Anna Phillips

Published January 22, 2021 at 7:20 PM

Family takes [litter] matters into their own hands

The City of Wilmington joins many municipalities across North Carolina looking into further options for litter clean-up.

Anna Phillips

Published January 20, 2021 at 10:45 PM

Grandparent Support Network expands into Pender County

A program designed to help grandparents who are raising their grandchildren is expanding into Pender County.

Anna Phillips

Published January 20, 2021 at 5:21 PM

Rocky Point neighborhood desperate for state help with roads

A group of neighbors in the Arvida neighborhood of Rocky Point is desperate to get the attention of the Department of Transportation.

Anna Phillips

Published January 15, 2021 at 10:42 PM

It was a historic day in Duplin County where the health department hosted its first mass vaccine clinic drive-thru at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville.

Anna Phillips

Published January 14, 2021 at 6:26 PM

Rep. David Rouzer responds to Wednesday’s Capitol breach

WECT caught up with Representative David Rouzer (R) of North Carolina’s 7th district to talk through what happened Wednesday, whether he ever considered changing his vote and who he feels is responsible for the transgressions against our democracy’s sacred ground.

Anna Phillips

Published January 8, 2021 at 6:10 PM

“No one that I know would storm the capitol”: Trump supporter on visit to D.C. Wednesday

At least one full busload and several other individuals traveled from the Wilmington area to hear President Trump speak and be present in Washington D.C. this week as the results of the 2020 election are to be certified.

Anna Phillips

Published January 6, 2021 at 6:21 PM

Wilmington firefighters respond to apartment fire

Firefighters rescued a person after an apartment fire Saturday night.

Anna Phillips

Published January 2, 2021 at 7:54 PM

COVID-19 baby boom in 2021? Probably not.

Wilmington Health OB-GYN Dr. Nicole Carroll says projections for 2021 births are on par with years past and follow a trend of declining overall birth numbers.

Anna Phillips

Published January 1, 2021 at 4:34 PM

Educators call for greater distancing before reopening of elementary schools

The New Hanover County Association of Educators is calling for greater social distancing and other measures to ensure safety before the district reopens elementary schools for full time in person instruction January 19th.

Anna Phillips

Published December 31, 2020 at 3:55 PM

Bladen Co. requests state reinstate roadway prison clean-up program

Some county leaders are hoping to get the state’s help in cleaning up litter from along our roadways.

Anna Phillips

Published December 30, 2020 at 3:07 PM

21-year-old charged in hit and run that injured deputy

A 21-year-old woman is charged in a hit and run crash that left a New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputy injured.

Anna Phillips

Published December 26, 2020 at 11:43 PM

Church leaders nationwide faced tough decisions in planning Christmas services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and in southeastern North Carolina many planned for outdoor services until the threat of severe weather forced even further changes.

Anna Phillips

Published December 24, 2020 at 3:27 PM

Cape Fear Volunteer Center coordinates 1,200 meal deliveries

Christmas cheer was in full force Thursday as hundreds of volunteers worked for the Cape Fear Volunteer Center to deliver meals to people in need.

Anna Phillips

Published December 24, 2020 at 3:15 PM

‘Tis the season of giving and no pandemic will stop it at the Community Support Agency in Columbus County, where local partners united to provide holiday help to families in need.