Beacon Media NC
@beaconmedianc.bsky.social
THE media organization serving all communities in the fight for progress in NC. Our state can be the Beacon of the South once again.
Nonpartisan nonprofit winning hearts, then minds.
#NCpol: Republish for free! Sign up for updates! www.beaconmedianc.org
Nonpartisan nonprofit winning hearts, then minds.
#NCpol: Republish for free! Sign up for updates! www.beaconmedianc.org
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Editors and contentmakers: All of our work is free to republish!
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Learn more: www.beaconmedianc.org/republish-ou...
"Allison Bustillo Chinchilla came to America as a child from Honduras and grew up to be a certified nursing assistant. Under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy, she’s spent the past five months in ICE detention." /1
North Carolina student’s life upended after being detained by ICE
Allison Bustillo Chinchilla came to America as a child from Honduras and grew up to be a certified nursing assistant. Under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy, she’s spent the past five ...
cardinalpine.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
"Allison Bustillo Chinchilla came to America as a child from Honduras and grew up to be a certified nursing assistant. Under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy, she’s spent the past five months in ICE detention." /1
Decades of bipartisan promises to undocumented immigrants are unraveling — and the message reaching migrant farmworker families is devastating: “Don’t get noticed. Don’t fill out the forms. Don’t get help,” writes Beacon Voice Melissa Castillo.
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
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.
open.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Decades of bipartisan promises to undocumented immigrants are unraveling — and the message reaching migrant farmworker families is devastating: “Don’t get noticed. Don’t fill out the forms. Don’t get help,” writes Beacon Voice Melissa Castillo.
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
When it comes to AI in local journalism, Rose Hoban from N.C. Health News believes the human eye and mind still matter most.
“To be frank, the articles we write are so localized, AI generators would be hard pressed to find enough information to generate a story that would stand up to scrutiny.”
“To be frank, the articles we write are so localized, AI generators would be hard pressed to find enough information to generate a story that would stand up to scrutiny.”
Rose Hoban: Considering Artificial Intelligence for local news reporting
The Editor-in-Chief at the local newsroom N.C. Health News considers the ethical use of AI in a local newsroom — and finds AI won’t soon replace humans in many respects.
beaconmedianc.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
When it comes to AI in local journalism, Rose Hoban from N.C. Health News believes the human eye and mind still matter most.
“To be frank, the articles we write are so localized, AI generators would be hard pressed to find enough information to generate a story that would stand up to scrutiny.”
“To be frank, the articles we write are so localized, AI generators would be hard pressed to find enough information to generate a story that would stand up to scrutiny.”
Fletcher, N.C. Mayor Preston Blakely shares how his family's local civil rights legacy has shaped his path and purpose.
“The struggle for rights is a legacy I now have the power to influence.”
beaconmedianc.substack.com/p/preston-bl...
“The struggle for rights is a legacy I now have the power to influence.”
beaconmedianc.substack.com/p/preston-bl...
Preston Blakely: My grandmothers couldn’t vote freely. I’m now the Mayor.
Mayor Preston Blakely of Fletcher, N.C., reflects on his legacy and the struggle for Civil Rights that he inherited from his family.
beaconmedianc.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Fletcher, N.C. Mayor Preston Blakely shares how his family's local civil rights legacy has shaped his path and purpose.
“The struggle for rights is a legacy I now have the power to influence.”
beaconmedianc.substack.com/p/preston-bl...
“The struggle for rights is a legacy I now have the power to influence.”
beaconmedianc.substack.com/p/preston-bl...
Duke Energy’s plans to build new pipelines and gas plants are concerning to many.
Crystal Barnes of Forsyth County also connects the dots between those plans and the utility bills, which also pose a serious strain on her family's budget.
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
Crystal Barnes of Forsyth County also connects the dots between those plans and the utility bills, which also pose a serious strain on her family's budget.
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
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.
open.substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Duke Energy’s plans to build new pipelines and gas plants are concerning to many.
Crystal Barnes of Forsyth County also connects the dots between those plans and the utility bills, which also pose a serious strain on her family's budget.
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
Crystal Barnes of Forsyth County also connects the dots between those plans and the utility bills, which also pose a serious strain on her family's budget.
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
“You cannot ask schools to solve every societal ill while refusing to fund the systems that make solutions possible.”
Read 2023 State Teacher of the Year Kimberly Jones' outgoing message to lawmakers, leaders, parents, and all North Carolinians:
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
Read 2023 State Teacher of the Year Kimberly Jones' outgoing message to lawmakers, leaders, parents, and all North Carolinians:
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
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.
open.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“You cannot ask schools to solve every societal ill while refusing to fund the systems that make solutions possible.”
Read 2023 State Teacher of the Year Kimberly Jones' outgoing message to lawmakers, leaders, parents, and all North Carolinians:
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
Read 2023 State Teacher of the Year Kimberly Jones' outgoing message to lawmakers, leaders, parents, and all North Carolinians:
open.substack.com/pub/beaconme...
The U.S. House budget reconciliation bill will slash Medicaid assistance for thousands of North Carolinians, writes Rev. Della Owens.
“As a preacher, I must stand up, speak up, and advocate for those who this immoral budget will most impact.”
#NCPol #NCNews #BeaconVoices
“As a preacher, I must stand up, speak up, and advocate for those who this immoral budget will most impact.”
#NCPol #NCNews #BeaconVoices
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 NC
open.substack.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The U.S. House budget reconciliation bill will slash Medicaid assistance for thousands of North Carolinians, writes Rev. Della Owens.
“As a preacher, I must stand up, speak up, and advocate for those who this immoral budget will most impact.”
#NCPol #NCNews #BeaconVoices
“As a preacher, I must stand up, speak up, and advocate for those who this immoral budget will most impact.”
#NCPol #NCNews #BeaconVoices
Rural America is home to about three million people in the LGBTQ+ community.
"Queerness is as old as humankind—so why are some people acting so surprised it's here?”
@gwenfulton.bsky.social reflects on Pride celebrations in this column from June 2024.
"Queerness is as old as humankind—so why are some people acting so surprised it's here?”
@gwenfulton.bsky.social reflects on Pride celebrations in this column from June 2024.
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?
beaconmedianc.substack.com
June 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Rural America is home to about three million people in the LGBTQ+ community.
"Queerness is as old as humankind—so why are some people acting so surprised it's here?”
@gwenfulton.bsky.social reflects on Pride celebrations in this column from June 2024.
"Queerness is as old as humankind—so why are some people acting so surprised it's here?”
@gwenfulton.bsky.social reflects on Pride celebrations in this column from June 2024.
About a quarter of North Carolinians use Medicaid to pay for their healthcare, including Debbie DeWeese.
Now, cuts to Medicaid have DeWeese worried that she will lose her life-saving health coverage.
Read more: bit.ly/45D9vO8
#NCPol #NCNews
Now, cuts to Medicaid have DeWeese worried that she will lose her life-saving health coverage.
Read more: bit.ly/45D9vO8
#NCPol #NCNews
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.
bit.ly
June 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
About a quarter of North Carolinians use Medicaid to pay for their healthcare, including Debbie DeWeese.
Now, cuts to Medicaid have DeWeese worried that she will lose her life-saving health coverage.
Read more: bit.ly/45D9vO8
#NCPol #NCNews
Now, cuts to Medicaid have DeWeese worried that she will lose her life-saving health coverage.
Read more: bit.ly/45D9vO8
#NCPol #NCNews
“Democracy is supposed to give us space to disagree. Democracy fails when disagreement turns dangerous, deadly, or personal.”
Mayor @prestonb-nc.bsky.social shares his concerns about the growing threat of violence for our local political leaders in his first column for Beacon Media.
#NCPol
Mayor @prestonb-nc.bsky.social shares his concerns about the growing threat of violence for our local political leaders in his first column for Beacon Media.
#NCPol
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.
bit.ly
June 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
“Democracy is supposed to give us space to disagree. Democracy fails when disagreement turns dangerous, deadly, or personal.”
Mayor @prestonb-nc.bsky.social shares his concerns about the growing threat of violence for our local political leaders in his first column for Beacon Media.
#NCPol
Mayor @prestonb-nc.bsky.social shares his concerns about the growing threat of violence for our local political leaders in his first column for Beacon Media.
#NCPol
“Don’t get noticed. Don’t fill out the forms. Don’t get help.”
That’s the message farmworker families are hearing in North Carolina and across the U.S. Melissa Castillo writes about how decades of bipartisan promises are being shattered.
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
That’s the message farmworker families are hearing in North Carolina and across the U.S. Melissa Castillo writes about how decades of bipartisan promises are being shattered.
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
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.
open.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
“Don’t get noticed. Don’t fill out the forms. Don’t get help.”
That’s the message farmworker families are hearing in North Carolina and across the U.S. Melissa Castillo writes about how decades of bipartisan promises are being shattered.
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
That’s the message farmworker families are hearing in North Carolina and across the U.S. Melissa Castillo writes about how decades of bipartisan promises are being shattered.
#ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #NCPol #NCNews
“The U.S. Army deserved a real celebration of its history, not a disorganized attempt to service the fragile ego of a wannabe king trying to look tough.”
Army veteran Scott Peoples says we’re watching something dangerous unfold in Trump's recent military parade.
#NCPol #NCNews
Army veteran Scott Peoples says we’re watching something dangerous unfold in Trump's recent military parade.
#NCPol #NCNews
Scott Peoples: A Shameful Week for the 82nd Airborne Division
President Donald Trump is politicizing our military, U.S. Army veteran Scott Peoples writes.
open.substack.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Thirteen percent of North Carolinians rely on the SNAP food assistance program to eat. Now, Congress is pushing the largest SNAP cuts in its history.
@gwenfulton.bsky.social shares about her own time at a food bank and the disconnect between lawmakers and the rest of us.
@gwenfulton.bsky.social shares about her own time at a food bank and the disconnect between lawmakers and the rest of us.
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.
beaconmedianc.substack.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Thirteen percent of North Carolinians rely on the SNAP food assistance program to eat. Now, Congress is pushing the largest SNAP cuts in its history.
@gwenfulton.bsky.social shares about her own time at a food bank and the disconnect between lawmakers and the rest of us.
@gwenfulton.bsky.social shares about her own time at a food bank and the disconnect between lawmakers and the rest of us.
Meet Martin Henson—@martinhspeaks.bsky.social.
Martin lives in Raleigh and runs the (B)MEN Foundation, dedicated to creating safe spaces where Black men can gather and support one another.
AND he is the subject of this week’s Beacon Voices Spotlight! Get to know Martin with these columns: 🧵👇
Martin lives in Raleigh and runs the (B)MEN Foundation, dedicated to creating safe spaces where Black men can gather and support one another.
AND he is the subject of this week’s Beacon Voices Spotlight! Get to know Martin with these columns: 🧵👇
June 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Meet Martin Henson—@martinhspeaks.bsky.social.
Martin lives in Raleigh and runs the (B)MEN Foundation, dedicated to creating safe spaces where Black men can gather and support one another.
AND he is the subject of this week’s Beacon Voices Spotlight! Get to know Martin with these columns: 🧵👇
Martin lives in Raleigh and runs the (B)MEN Foundation, dedicated to creating safe spaces where Black men can gather and support one another.
AND he is the subject of this week’s Beacon Voices Spotlight! Get to know Martin with these columns: 🧵👇
Five years later, the promises made after George Floyd’s murder remain largely unfulfilled.
Beacon Voice @martinhspeaks.bsky.social reflects on Floyd’s legacy, the rise of the nonprofit-industrial complex, and the ongoing fight against police violence.
Read the full piece here:
Beacon Voice @martinhspeaks.bsky.social reflects on Floyd’s legacy, the rise of the nonprofit-industrial complex, and the ongoing fight against police violence.
Read the full piece here:
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.
open.substack.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Five years later, the promises made after George Floyd’s murder remain largely unfulfilled.
Beacon Voice @martinhspeaks.bsky.social reflects on Floyd’s legacy, the rise of the nonprofit-industrial complex, and the ongoing fight against police violence.
Read the full piece here:
Beacon Voice @martinhspeaks.bsky.social reflects on Floyd’s legacy, the rise of the nonprofit-industrial complex, and the ongoing fight against police violence.
Read the full piece here:
Many have walked away from Christianity because of “church hurt” — the harm that happens inside a place meant for healing.
Beacon Voice Martin Henson calls on faith leaders to acknowledge that pain, take responsibility, and open the door to healing.
👉 Free to read. Free to republish.
Beacon Voice Martin Henson calls on faith leaders to acknowledge that pain, take responsibility, and open the door to healing.
👉 Free to read. Free to republish.
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.
beaconmedianc.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Many have walked away from Christianity because of “church hurt” — the harm that happens inside a place meant for healing.
Beacon Voice Martin Henson calls on faith leaders to acknowledge that pain, take responsibility, and open the door to healing.
👉 Free to read. Free to republish.
Beacon Voice Martin Henson calls on faith leaders to acknowledge that pain, take responsibility, and open the door to healing.
👉 Free to read. Free to republish.
Elected officials, are you listening?
In his latest column, Beacon Voice Dalton George argues that the best way for local elected officials to serve their constituents is, well… go actually to talk to them. Like, in person, at your bar or your church.
Read it here — free to share and republish:
In his latest column, Beacon Voice Dalton George argues that the best way for local elected officials to serve their constituents is, well… go actually to talk to them. Like, in person, at your bar or your church.
Read it here — free to share and republish:
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.
beaconmedianc.substack.com
May 31, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Elected officials, are you listening?
In his latest column, Beacon Voice Dalton George argues that the best way for local elected officials to serve their constituents is, well… go actually to talk to them. Like, in person, at your bar or your church.
Read it here — free to share and republish:
In his latest column, Beacon Voice Dalton George argues that the best way for local elected officials to serve their constituents is, well… go actually to talk to them. Like, in person, at your bar or your church.
Read it here — free to share and republish:
Our founder, @graigmeyer.bsky.social, was on @progsouth.bsky.social this week!
He talks about how his social work background led him to public office, how he works across the aisle, and why he believes better local media is essential for democracy.
And—how Beacon Media is a part of those ideas.
He talks about how his social work background led him to public office, how he works across the aisle, and why he believes better local media is essential for democracy.
And—how Beacon Media is a part of those ideas.
Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South: Ep. 5 A "Pragmatic Progressive' in North Carolina
Conservative legislators in the South have been attacking diversity programs for years, long before President Trump made a national priority of assailing “DEI.” This week, we look at some of this year...
sites.libsyn.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Our founder, @graigmeyer.bsky.social, was on @progsouth.bsky.social this week!
He talks about how his social work background led him to public office, how he works across the aisle, and why he believes better local media is essential for democracy.
And—how Beacon Media is a part of those ideas.
He talks about how his social work background led him to public office, how he works across the aisle, and why he believes better local media is essential for democracy.
And—how Beacon Media is a part of those ideas.
There is a dangerous push in NC that could allow losing political candidates to overturn the voters' will.
Former journalist @billycorriher.bsky.social unpacks what’s happening in NC’s courts that could reshape voting for all of us.
Free to republish on all platforms!
Former journalist @billycorriher.bsky.social unpacks what’s happening in NC’s courts that could reshape voting for all of us.
Free to republish on all platforms!
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.
beaconmedianc.substack.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
There is a dangerous push in NC that could allow losing political candidates to overturn the voters' will.
Former journalist @billycorriher.bsky.social unpacks what’s happening in NC’s courts that could reshape voting for all of us.
Free to republish on all platforms!
Former journalist @billycorriher.bsky.social unpacks what’s happening in NC’s courts that could reshape voting for all of us.
Free to republish on all platforms!
Ernestine Ledbetter has lived in North Carolina her whole life. Her electric bills keep going up.
Now, she worries that Duke Energy is putting shareholder profits over careful stewardship of the natural resources that we all depend on.
Now, she worries that Duke Energy is putting shareholder profits over careful stewardship of the natural resources that we all depend on.
Ernestine Ledbetter: Duke Energy’s costly plans don’t help bills or the environment | Beacon Media
We depend on Duke for electricity. They need to deliver that. But Duke also shouldn’t put shareholder profits over careful stewardship of the natural resources that we all depend on.
www.beaconmedianc.org
May 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Ernestine Ledbetter has lived in North Carolina her whole life. Her electric bills keep going up.
Now, she worries that Duke Energy is putting shareholder profits over careful stewardship of the natural resources that we all depend on.
Now, she worries that Duke Energy is putting shareholder profits over careful stewardship of the natural resources that we all depend on.
Tonight in Fayetteville, Cardinal & Pine hosts an event discussing how Trump-era policies have impacted veteran benefits.
One speaker, Jay Carey—whose viral video showed him being escorted from a town hall after challenging Rep. Chuck Edwards—shares his insights about veteran healthcare.
One speaker, Jay Carey—whose viral video showed him being escorted from a town hall after challenging Rep. Chuck Edwards—shares his insights about veteran healthcare.
U.S. Army Veteran: The Trump era isn’t politics as usual. It’s a betrayal of veterans like me | Beacon Media
This isn’t politics as usual. This is dangerous. Over the past few months, I’ve watched headlines roll in with a knot in my stomach. Cuts to vital veterans’ services. Mass layoffs of U.S. Department o...
www.beaconmedianc.org
May 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Tonight in Fayetteville, Cardinal & Pine hosts an event discussing how Trump-era policies have impacted veteran benefits.
One speaker, Jay Carey—whose viral video showed him being escorted from a town hall after challenging Rep. Chuck Edwards—shares his insights about veteran healthcare.
One speaker, Jay Carey—whose viral video showed him being escorted from a town hall after challenging Rep. Chuck Edwards—shares his insights about veteran healthcare.
Reposted by Beacon Media NC
Cardinal & Pine's 'Voices for Veterans' is TONIGHT!
Join us at Studio 215 in Fayetteville, or sign up for the livestream here 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-for...
Join us at Studio 215 in Fayetteville, or sign up for the livestream here 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-for...
May 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Cardinal & Pine's 'Voices for Veterans' is TONIGHT!
Join us at Studio 215 in Fayetteville, or sign up for the livestream here 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-for...
Join us at Studio 215 in Fayetteville, or sign up for the livestream here 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-for...
ICYMI: The housing cost crisis in North Carolina is more than a policy issue–it’s one that’s holding a generation back from achieving the American Dream, says Beacon Voice Denzel Burnside.
Denzel Burnside: Housing in N.C. is a roadblock to the American Dream | Beacon Media
86 percent of voters between 30-40 years old say housing costs are impacting their ability to reach other financial goals, like saving for retirement, starting a family, or buying a first home. I see ...
www.beaconmedianc.org
May 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
ICYMI: The housing cost crisis in North Carolina is more than a policy issue–it’s one that’s holding a generation back from achieving the American Dream, says Beacon Voice Denzel Burnside.
Next Tuesday in Fayetteville, @cardinalandpine.bsky.social is hosting a free event focused on honest conversations about the challenges veterans face today. Hear directly from veterans and policy experts about how changes under the Trump administration affect benefits.
Learn more here:
Learn more here:
Event: Cardinal & Pine presents 'Voices for Veterans'
Cardinal & Pine invites you to join us at Studio 215 in Fayetteville on Tuesday, May 20 at 5:30pm for an evening of straightforward conversations about
cardinalpine.com
May 16, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Next Tuesday in Fayetteville, @cardinalandpine.bsky.social is hosting a free event focused on honest conversations about the challenges veterans face today. Hear directly from veterans and policy experts about how changes under the Trump administration affect benefits.
Learn more here:
Learn more here:
The majority of North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have applied for ‘Innovations Waiver’ benefits under Medicaid are still on a waitlist. That amounts to more than 19,000 applicants and their families.
More from Beacon Voice Ray Hemachandra:
More from Beacon Voice Ray Hemachandra:
Ray Hemachandra: North Carolina should show we value everyone — including those with disabilities | Beacon Media
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 almost 19,000 North ...
www.beaconmedianc.org
May 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The majority of North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have applied for ‘Innovations Waiver’ benefits under Medicaid are still on a waitlist. That amounts to more than 19,000 applicants and their families.
More from Beacon Voice Ray Hemachandra:
More from Beacon Voice Ray Hemachandra: