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
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...
Rose Hoban: Should teens’ driving requirements be shortened in North Carolina?
As lawmakers in Raleigh consider a bill that would change the required hours for teens’ provisional permits, some are raising concerns. By Rose HobanN.C. Health News Credit: Ron Lach; Creative Commons License One night, not long after I’d graduated high...
Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: Why the costs of childcare shouldn’t be borne alone
As her son graduates high school, the writer realizes the tremendous costs of childcare early in her son’s life have ripple effects well past those years. By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton Beacon Media Credit: PickPik I’m a heck of a proud mom. My son is graduating next...
Ryan Wegener: How a Confederate monument shows what’s possible
An organizer considers his and his town’s past as he confronts a time of political division. By Ryan Wegener Beacon Media Source: UNC Chapel Hill - Documenting the American South Most Confederate monuments face North to represent defending against the...
Martin Henson: Student loan confusion, delays are stalling dreams
The writer calls on family and communities to rally around those affected by budget cuts and disarray in the federal government that is affecting student loans. By Martin Henson Beacon Media Creative Commons license. Credit: Wikimedia Commons user...
Rev. C.J. Brinson: A time for Democrats to break the silence
Pastor C.J. Brinson says the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., anti-Vietnam speech should encourage Democrats like N.C. Gov. Josh Stein to have more courage. By C.J. Brinson Beacon Media Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1964. Source: Wikimedia Commons In a...
Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: A love letter to the working class
The writer reflects on her love of all things associated with the working class. By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton Working Class Storytelling City of Greenville, North Carolina, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons It started in the back seat of my family’s Jeep Cherokee, the...
Dalton George: My personal affordable housing crisis
A young renter — who is also a member of the Boone Town Council — reflects on his and North Carolina’s affordable housing crisis. By Dalton George Beacon Media Downtown Boone, North Carolina in the summer of 2023. Photo by Amanda Underwood. It took a...
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 got home the night of the big protest I...