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 1 (Pt #2) Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: Taking Back Storytelling
Friend of the show, Gwen Frisbie-Fulton continues the conversation about her work, AI, organizing, and much more in this part two of our episode one. Preston and Dalton stick around after and re-cap and touch on their first jobs. Special thanks for this episode goes...
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.
How N.C. workers are changing the narrative on climate
Local organizing, new investments mean a power shift By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton In a small church on the outskirts of Smithfield on a Sunday afternoon, people are comparing light bills. One woman reports that her electrical costs could reach $700 in the summer when...
The stats that really matter in assessing K-12 education funding
North Carolina’s school funding ranks low in adequacy and equity, despite legislative focus on irrelevant state versus local sources.