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
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.
Dalton George: Psst, elected officials — get out there and talk to people
The Boone Town Council member says that talking to people in real life is a simple, important way to restore faith in government and democracy.
Billy Corriher: N.C. can’t let sore loser candidates undermine our democracy
The N.C. courts expert writes about the threats to democracy after the recent state Supreme Court race between Justice Allison Riggs and Judge Jefferson Griffin.
Ernestine Ledbetter: Duke Energy’s costly plans don’t help bills or the environment
The 74-year-old retiree wants Duke Energy to stop raising her bills and endangering the planet.
U.S. Army Veteran: The Trump era isn’t politics as usual. It’s a betrayal of veterans like me
The veteran, SFC (Ret.) Jay Carey, who was shown in a viral video being escorted from an event for Rep. Chuck Edwards in Western North Carolina, says now is the time to fight for democracy.
Denzel Burnside: Housing in N.C. is a roadblock to the American Dream
There are several proposals that would help emerging in the North Carolina General Assembly this year.
Ray Hemachandra: North Carolina should show we value everyone — including those with disabilities
More than 14,000 North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive ‘Innovations Waiver’ benefits under Medicaid. My son is among those receiving help.
But thousands more North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities — almost 19,000 of them — are on the “Registry of Unmet Needs,” the waitlist to receive these services under Medicaid.
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...