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
Opinion: A year after Helene, N.C. Christmas tree farms are rebounding
Hurricane Helene did a number on the five counties that make North Carolina the second-largest Christmas tree producing state. But today there is already a sense of optimism from local farmers.
Scott Peoples: La administración Trump está traicionando a las tropas transgénero
El veterano militar reflexiona sobre las recientes decisiones de la Administración de Trump en relación con los soldados transgénero.
Shannon Moretz: Are we neighbors or enemies?
A recent trip to Western North Carolina has the writer thinking about what we all have in common.
Shannon Moretz: ¿Somos vecinos o enemigos?
Un reciente viaje al oeste de Carolina del Norte ha llevado a la escritora a reflexionar sobre lo que todos tenemos en común.
This crisis is also an opportunity
In North Carolina, we are organizing the trusted messengers we need to preserve democracy one storyteller and community at a time.
James Lee: Los veteranos merecen algo mejor que los recortes a Medicaid
James Lee, un veterano de la Fuerza Aérea de los EE. UU. reflexiona sobre su servicio y los miles de veteranos de Carolina del Norte que ahora se enfrentan a la pérdida de la cobertura de Medicaid.
James Lee: Veterans deserve better than Medicaid cuts
U.S. Air Force veteran James Lee reflects on his service and the thousands of veterans in North Carolina who are now facing the loss of Medicaid coverage.
Sam Grote: CNBC is wrong. North Carolina is not the No. 1 state for business
Sam Grote asks why North Carolina politicians from both parties cater to a ranking built on political ideology instead of real results for our state’s businesses and residents?
Dalton George: Why do we hate places we’ve never been?
The writer discusses the politics of place amid a larger cultural phenomenon: vilifying places we’ve never actually seen.
Opinion: experience taught me to prepare for climate disasters
The author writes about her experience with the N.C. League of Conservation Voters Foundation and the events that led her to urge others to prepare.
Shannon Moretz: Why we need to tell the stories of rural North Carolina
The writer reflects on why she’s committed to telling stories of struggle, hope and progress in rural North Carolina.
Martin Henson: Let’s talk about HIV — and getting tested
The author, who leads discussion groups with Black men, writes about why he’s pushing himself and others to talk about HIV and take away the stigma from getting regularly tested.
Opinion: High Duke Energy bills and rate hikes force difficult choices
Anita Yates, a retiree living in Mt. Airy, N.C., argues that Duke Energy’s plans cost people like her too much every month.