All Beacon Stories
Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: This July 4th, a look back — and forward — at North Carolina’s collective power
North Carolina’s history is replete with examples of how community organizing made life better for so many of our communities. Does N.C.’s past hold the blueprint for a better collective future? Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash By Gwen...
Episode 15 – Season One Finale and America 250
In this week's episode, the guys wrap up season one and prepare for summer vacation as Jeremy Borden, longtime journalist and executive director of Beacon Media, turns the tables and asks them to reflect on the show so far. They share stories from listeners who...
Martin Henson: Juneteenth is my Fourth of July
Juneteenth has always felt to the writer, a Black man, like the day when those who care about the freedom of Black people in America can truly call a day of independence. By Martin Henson Beacon Media Juneteenth is my Fourth of July. It comes with all my favorite...
Reclaiming Masculinity and the WH UFC Fight w/ Martin Henson
BMEN founder Martin Henson joins Preston and Dalton for restorative justice, anime redemption arcs, and Black men's mental health. They also discuss the White House UFC event, Michelle Obama's mistreatment, Juneteenth's politicization, and a sports roundup covering...
Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: The real reason we’re told to hate Pride
Small town pride events showcase the best of us. Why do some still want to stoke hate? By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton Beacon Media Editor’s note: This column, first published in 2024, has been updated from its original version. Photo by Tong Su on Unsplash From...
Bringing Healthcare Home w/ Dr. Laurie Stradley
This week, Dr. Lori Stradley, director of Impact Health, joins Preston and Dalton to talk about what drives health outcomes before anyone ever sees a doctor. From rural transportation gaps to food box deliveries stabilizing families, Lori makes the case that investing...
Billy Corriher: The N.C. Supreme Court’s Duke Energy ruling made all of us poorer — and may enrich the Chief Justice
Conflict of interest rules for the judiciary should have prevented N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby from ruling on Duke Energy’s rate hike, the author writes. By Billy Corriher Beacon Media Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash In late May,...
Opinion: How progressives are rebuilding trust in rural areas
Being a liberal in a rural area can be lonely. The author writes that progressives can lower the political temperature and restore trust in their beliefs through community projects. By Anthony Flaccavento Rural Urban Bridge Initiative In the summer of 2023 in...
Episode 12 – Finding the Joy in Politics with Hendersonville’s Gina Baxter
This week, the guys are back with a new guest! Dalton and Preston sit down with current Hendersonville City Councilmember, and friend of the show, Gina Baxter to growing up in WNC as a transplant, Appalachian identity, and her ongoing campaign for re-election this...
Iliana Santillán: In Georgia’s federal detention center, I saw the real immigration ‘crisis’
Traveling to the federal detention center in Stewart County, Georgia, Iliana Santillán attended the hearing of a friend and emerged with a greater understanding of those detained by ICE. By Iliana SantillánBeacon Media LUMPKIN, GEORGIA — The first thing I packed for...
Helene Recovery, Labor Talks, and National Forests
This week, the guys sit down for another news episode to discuss the first new school in Watauga County in over 30 years, springboarding into a larger discussion on ongoing efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene. They also discuss ongoing labor disputes within the...
Episode 10 – Budget Season Special!
On this week's episode, Dalton and Preston dive deep on local government in their Budget Season Special! Join them as they discuss the process for deciding the budgets in Boone and Fletcher, the realities of running local governments, and how a proposed amendment on...
Episode 9 – DeBorah Ogiste and the Healthy Opportunites Pilot
In this week’s episode, Preston and Dalton learn about the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, a revolutionary public health program pioneered in North Carolina that was recently defunded by state legislators. They sit down with DeBorah Ogiste, a former beneficiary of the...
Opinion: A Letter to the N.C. 10-Year Old who Was Dismissed by His Member of Congress
A Greensboro 4th grader wrote to his member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx. She responded by saying he must have been “indoctrinated.” Jacob Brooks, who lives in the district, has a few words for the boy — and for Rep. Foxx. By Jacob Brooks, Beacon Media Hey,...
Iliana Santillán: No one will make the Latino community invisible
As the Trump administration targets people under the guise of immigration enforcement, many Latinos in N.C. are celebrating our communities and culture — despite the fear. By Iliana Santillán Beacon Media Photo of La Grande Latin American Festival in...
DYELH Podcast: Episode 8 – Parkway Controversy, Recent Travels, and the Voting Rights Act
For this week's episode, Preston and Dalton talk about a recent post they made in response to an ongoing project on the Blue Ridge Parkway and their own concerns, discuss their recent travels to Arizona and D.C., and wrap up by sharing Preston's column on the Supreme...
Preston Blakely: My grandmother, still fighting for the right to vote
A Black mayor in Western North Carolina reflects on a conversation with his grandmother, who fought for civil rights and the Voting Rights Act 50 years ago. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision last week, that fight continues. By Preston Blakely Beacon Media...
DYELH Podcast: Episode 7 – Graig and Kym Meyer: The Legislature, Democrats and Leadership in Trying Times
For this week's episode, Preston and Dalton had their first in-person studio session, and there was no better way to mark it than by having two incredible guests. Graig and Kym Meyer are a power couple in NC. Together, we talk about navigating the transition from the...
Kimberly Jones: North Carolina lawmakers and the N.C. Supreme Court turn their backs on our future
The N.C. Supreme Court has shut the door on the Leandro lawsuit, ignoring its obligation to our Constitution. Our communities are the only ones left to stand up for our future. Photo by Elijah Mears on Unsplash By Kimberly Jones Beacon Media It was 22...
Martin Henson: Targeting “DEI” is costing life-saving programs and research
When many people think of “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” efforts, they think of a workplace training. However, targeting of those initiatives has resulted in harm far beyond that, affecting the health of many Americans, the writer says. Photo...