Our Stories
At Beacon Media, we focus on telling the stories that truly matter to our communities. Our reporting highlights the challenges and successes of North Carolinians, especially those whose voices often go unheard. From healthcare and education to housing and justice, our stories are crafted to inform, inspire, and spark meaningful change. We believe in the power of sharing these narratives far and wide. That’s why all our stories are free to republish. We encourage you to use and share our work to help amplify the voices and issues that need attention across our state. Together, we can make a difference.
Read The Latest Stories
Stevie Brooks: How we turned a protest into our version of a church
A rally held in protest of federal actions, courtesy of Stevie Brooks. Last month, the leader of a protest in Shelby gathered the community and conquered fears and critics. By Stevie Brooks Beacon Media When I...
Helene forces return to the old school Town Hall
In Black Mountain town leaders are getting information out with a method that's been around for centuries. By Jeremy Markovich N.C. Rabbit Hole I’ve been doomscrolling quite a bit lately, mostly because there seems to be no end to pictures of the destruction left...
Act now: Save our lives before the next school shooting
North Carolina’s 2023 Teacher of the Year asks why politicians refuse to protect students and teachers through meaningful action after the school shooting in Winder, Georgia. By Kimberly Jones Last week, something happened that we must stop accepting as a mere...
Beyond belief in Ashe County
Organizer Nancy Weaver, who lives on multigenerational land, wants to make sure government dollars are spent on those who most need them By Nancy Weaver One Sunday morning in November of 1977, my little sister Ann woke us up and said “The field is full of...
Leadership is not for someone else
Especially in the wake of the deadly hurricane, seeking political office shouldn’t be about an insider’s game or internet celebrity. By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton The last few days in North Carolina are a head-turning study in contrast. For weeks, we’ve had Mark...
Combating gun violence takes empathy, commitment
The mayor of an Eastern North Carolina town offers lessons on how a town went from a gun violence epidemic to a milestone anniversary of no gun deaths. By Weyling White One day in 2019, we were celebrating my grandmother’s birthday. We took her to the church for a...
North Carolina expanded Medicaid. Now what?
Medicaid expansion is a lifeline, but in rural North Carolina, a lack of healthcare providers leaves many still struggling for care. How can we bridge the gap?
When a monster truck crossed the Currituck Sound
On July 4, 1994, Dennis Anderson drove the legendary monster truck, Grave Digger, across the Currituck Sound, making history.
Flor Herrera-Picasso: How North Carolina fails its farmworkers
Justice after the horrific death of José Arturo González Mendoza would mean we ensure dignity for farmworkers across North Carolina. By Flor Herrera-Picasso One year ago this September, José Arturo González Mendoza, 30, was headed to work in Nash County, picking sweet...
Great Dismal Swamp isn’t as great, dismal or swampy as it used to be
Once vast and wild, the Great Dismal Swamp is now wooded, restored, thriving, and perfect for solitude seekers.
The real reason we’re being told to hate Pride
Small-town pride events showcase the best of us. Why do some want to stoke hate? By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton From Sylva to Wilson, from Boone to Shelby, small towns across North Carolina are celebrating Pride – turning small parks and main streets into brightly colored,...
Can a billionaire make North Carolina’s public schools poor?
Veteran campaign finance expert says political donations are driving school privatization By Bob Hall NC Newsline Despite strong opposition, the North Carolina Senate voted this month to boost enrollment in privately run K-12 schools by doubling state...
For Latinos, ‘parent’s rights’ should be about support and respect
Growing up, I aimed to leave rural North Carolina, but now I help Latino families navigate education through Casa Azul.