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
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,...
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...
DYELH Podcast: Episode 6 – Henderson County, Hospitality House, and Coach Carter
Episode 6: Henderson County, Hospitality House, and Coach Carter In this episode, we sit down with Todd Carter—Mayor Pro Tem of Boone, Dalton’s right-hand man, and Chief Development Director at Hospitality House of WNC—for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in...
DYELH Podcast: Episode 5 – ACA, Graig Meyer, and March Madness
In our second news episode with just our two hosts, Preston and Dalton, touch on an ongoing healthcare challenge related to a hospital in WNC, the replacement process for NC Senator Graig Meyer's seat, their own controversies, and wrap it up talking about March...