Our Stories
At Beacon Media, we focus on telling the stories that truly matter to our communities. Beacon Media is built around the people who are preserving and strengthening democracy in North Carolina communities. From healthcare and education to housing and justice, our stories are crafted to inform, inspire, and spark meaningful change. It is these community leaders and trusted messengers who will shift our collective narrative and show us what is possible — and then they are the ones who will make it a reality. We share their words and voices far and wide. That’s why all of our commentary is 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.
Read The Latest Stories
OPINION: Franklin and Granville counties would lose big on tax amendments
Proposed tax amendments on November’s ballot could mean significant revenue losses for Franklin and Granville counties, threatening funding for essential public services. By Alexandra SirotaCounty Beacon Every time lawmakers push another round of tax cuts for people...
Graig Meyer: Don’t be fooled by the tax amendments on your ballot
The constitutional amendments on North Carolinians’ ballot on November 3 promise to lower taxes. They are really about a tax break for the wealthy — not for you, the author writes. By Graig Meyer Beacon Media Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash The North Carolina...
Martin Henson: After Cornell, men are the problem — and the solution
The writer describes an experience trying to confront another group of men on how to address the sexual violence that is too prevalent in the U.S. By Martin Henson Beacon Media It feels like we all have heard this story before. As the world confronts yet another group...
Martin Henson: A Raleigh death evokes strong emotions for the Black community
The Black community should not immediately be dismissed for speculating on the cause of a Black man’s death after he was found hanging from a tree, the author writes. By Martin Henson Beacon Media A Black man was found hanging from a tree in downtown Raleigh last...
Episode 21 – The Mayor Who Still Cleans Bathrooms
It's a special episode all about Preston as Dalton turns the mic on his co-host ahead of election season. They play a short bio piece following Preston as he files for reelection and talk through what filing actually looks like, from the paperwork to picking a...
Episode 20 – News Roundup: Who Picks Up the Tab for Feeding Our Neighbors?
It's another news episode as Dalton and Preston catch up on life outside the mayor's office. Preston celebrates his UNCG Young Alumni Award and recaps taking the police officer physical ability test (and outpacing Attorney General Jeff Jackson), while Dalton heads...
Episode 19 – What can we do to save WNC’s endangered species? w/ Jewel Tomasula
This week, the Dalton and Preston welcome the Policy Director of the Endangered Species Coalition, Jewel Tomasula, in a special episode to address the Trump administration's recent attacks on the Endangered Species Act. They discuss her roots in the American...
Episode 18 – What makes WNC special for artists? w/ Filmmaker Matt Groce
This week, Preston and Dalton welcome WNC-based filmmaker Matt Groce for a discussion on what it means to create art in Appalachia. Matt is a documentary filmmaker and the co-founder of Jewelweed Media, as well as an App State alum. From music festivals to winemaking,...
Episode 17 – Dunk Tank Democracy
It's just the guys this week as Dalton and Preston catch up for the first news episode of season two. They swap dunk tank stories from their recent fundraisers, debate the best school lunch ahead of Preston's panel on no-cost school meals, and preview Dalton's trip to...