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
Scott Peoples: The Trump Administration is betraying transgender troops
The military veteran reflects on the Trump Administration’s recent decisions around transgender troops.
Kimberly Jones: Public education is a sacred obligation
In a column based on a speech given as the outgoing N.C. Teacher of the Year, educator Kimberly Jones reflects on the importance of public schools.
Crystal Barnes: N.C. does not need massive, expensive Duke Energy pipelines
The writer raises concerns about a proposed pipeline planned for central North Carolina, particularly high costs passed onto ratepayers.
Rev. Della Owens: Lawmakers should kill the ‘Big Deadly Bill’
Rev. Della Owens, who organizes with the N.C.-based faith movement Repairers of the Breach, argues the budget bill being considered in the U.S. Congress will have deadly consequences for North Carolina if it is passed.
Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: 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?
Debbie DeWeese: Don’t cut our healthcare to give tax breaks to the rich
A bill making its way through the U.S. Senate would be devastating for the millions of people on Medicaid in North Carolina.
Preston Blakely: Political assassinations in Minnesota call for a reminder of our shared humanity
A small town North Carolina mayor reflects on the recent violence and how we can change the tide of growing violence and intimidation against our leaders.
Scott Peoples: A Shameful Week for the 82nd Airborne Division
President Donald Trump is politicizing our military, U.S. Army veteran Scott Peoples writes.
The stories of Hurricane Helene through comics
The Appalachia Comics Project is working to produce its first book, “Islands in the Sky” (which will be available in digital and print formats) about Hurricane Helene.
Melissa Castillo: Let’s stop breaking our promise to migrant workers
The deportations happening in North Carolina are the continuation of a long line of broken promises to our migrant workforce.
Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: Congress is pushing to drastically cut food aid. Why?
Devastating cuts are on the table for communities across the country and the more than 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on food stamps.
Martin Henson: The unfulfilled promises of George Floyd’s legacy
Five years after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police, Black Lives Matter activist Martin Henson reflects on Floyd’s legacy and the change that hasn’t come.
Martin Henson: It’s time to address ‘church hurt’
The church can play an important role in American society again but both the church and those who might attend have a responsibility in addressing harms.