"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

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.”

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...

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...

“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...

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

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.

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

“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

“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

“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

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.

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: 🧵👇

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:

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.

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:

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.

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!

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.

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.

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...

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:

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:

Housing costs hold back 86% of North Carolina voters ages 30 to 40 from reaching key life goals, like buying a first home, starting a family, or saving for retirement, according to Differentiators Data. For Denzel Burnside, that’s more than a policy issue. It’s a call to action for all of us.

Join us May 20 @ 5:30PM in Fayetteville for Cardinal & Pine's Voices For Veterans event. The Panels: 🎙️ The Human Cost of Gutting the VA 🗳️ Defending Democracy RSVP for free with the link. www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-for...

A proposed bill in North Carolina aims to cut the learner's permit period from 9 to 6 months. While proponents cite DMV delays, some advocates worry about increased risks for young drivers. Learn more from Rose Hoban from NC Health News in this Beacon Media column:

ICYMI: “According to a report from the NC Department of Commerce, the average annual cost of center-based care for one infant is nearly $13,000. And that’s if you’re lucky enough to find a spot for your child.” More from Gwen Frisbie-Fulton on #childcare in the modern day: #NCPol #NCNews

ICYMI: In a time of rising political division, Beacon Voice Ryan Wegener remembers the community-lead campaign he was a part of that convinced Louisburg, NC to remove its Confederate monument in 2020. What can we learn from his experience that informs our actions today? #NCNews #NCPol

For every five families, there is one slot available at #childcare centers on average—resulting in high prices and long waitlists. And now that her son is graduating high school, Gwen Frisbie-Fulton sees how the cost of childcare in his early years is still affecting her life today.

ICYMI: “January’s temporary pause on federal student aid was a harbinger of the systemic abandonment of working class students that threatened to sideline [my cousin’s] dream…absorbing her into the damage of the Trump administration’s agenda,” Beacon’s Martin Henson writes in his column last week.

In 2020, Beacon Voice Ryan Wegener was a part of a community campaign to remove a Confederate monument in Louisburg, NC. He reflects on what that journey meant for him and the history of his town in the context of the continuing political division today in this week’s column: #NCNews #NCPol

NEW: This week, we hear from Beacon Voice Martin Henson on the real-world consequences of pauses in student financial aid—and more specifically, how it has affected his own family. #NCNews #NCPol

Thanks for talking with us, @nclocal.bsky.social! Read our recent profile in NC Local here: mailchi.mp/elon.edu/bea...

When the ultra-wealthy dodge taxes, rural small businesses pay the price. Michael Chameides from Rural Democracy Initiative lays out why a fair tax system isn’t just policy—it’s survival for the heart of rural America: #NCNews #NCPol #RuralAmerica

In 1994, monster truck driver Dennis Anderson piloted his iconic 'Grave Digger' across North Carolina's Currituck Sound, navigating the floating vehicle through a seven-hour journey that captivated onlookers. A fun read for your weekend, courtesy of Beacon Voice @ncrabbithole.com!

Meet Rev. C.J. Brinson. He’s the pastor of Umoja Church and is a clergy organizer in Greensboro—and is the subject of this week’s Beacon Voices Spotlight! Get to know C.J. with these three columns. 🧵👇 #NCNews #NCPol #ProgressiveChristianity #BeaconVoices

NEW: Democrats of this age need to take a note from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., writes Beacon Voice Rev. C.J. Brinson this week. “...The time to break away from the tradition [of] racist-infused politics in the Democratic Party is now.” #NCNews #NCPol #NCDems #BeaconVoices

​ICYMI: Boone Town Council member Dalton George shares his journey navigating North Carolina's affordable housing crisis. His personal experience highlights the challenges faced by many in securing stable housing. #HousingCrisis #NCNews #NCPol

We’d like to spotlight one of our Beacon Voices: Gwen Frisbie-Fulton is a writer and organizer who amplifies working-class voices in rural communities. She aims to build multiracial power through storytelling and advocacy. 👇 Here are some of our favorite pieces she’s written. #NCNews #NCPol

NEW: “It feels like the place I love does not have a place for me to live.” Boone Council member & Beacon Voice Dalton George opens up about NC’s housing crisis—and nearly being priced out of the town he serves. #HousingCrisis #NCNews #NCPol

NEW: Beacon Voice Gwen Frisbie-Fulton writes a love letter to the working class — a tribute to labor, life, and the people who hold our towns together. #WorkingClass #NCVoices #NCNews

ICYMI: What happens when we defund health research that saves lives? Beacon Voice Rose Hoban of @nchealthnews.bsky.social shares how NIH-funded science helped her beat cancer — and what’s at risk after major federal funding cuts. #NCNews #NCPol #PublicHealth #DOGE

ICYMI: Is there really such a thing as a 'Durham accent?’ @ncrabbithole.com dives into the debate sparked by a character from The White Lotus and the confusion around accents in North Carolina. Editors and contentmakers: This piece is free to republish! #DurhamAccent #TheWhiteLotus #NCNews

ICYMI: Beacon Voice Rev. C.J. Brinson reflected on the life of activist Fannie Lou Hamer, reminding us that even in the darkest times, we must continue fighting for justice and freedom. All content from Beacon Media is free to republish. #NCNews #NCPol #FannieLouHamer #CivilRightsMovement

"We didn't just want a protest. We wanted a place to heal." In Shelby, NC,Beacon Voice Stevie Brooks helped organize a protest. She found a moment of love, community, and spiritual connection. All our columns are free to republish! #NCNews #NCPol #FaithAndJustice #RuralStories #BeaconMediaNC