When people hear words like robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, they tend to become overwhelmed and intimidated. When you ask them if they see themselves doing it, most people say no. But there is one man who is quietly working to change that mindset one student at a
The recent firestorm over Franklin County's water gambit has increased residents' attention to conversations surrounding water infrastructure, land acquisition, county growth, and local government transparency. Now, locals are planning to rally outside the Franklin County Commissioners Building right before the public hearing on the proposed FY27 county
This question filled the room on Friday, May 8, inside Creedmoor City Hall as parents, residents, advocates, local officials, and state leaders gathered to talk about the closure of Wilton Elementary School and what it means for the future of Granville County. The community listening session quickly became a deeper
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Opinion
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. By Kimberly Jones Beacon Media It was 22 years ago, in 1994, when five mostly rural Eastern North
On Monday, May 4, as part of a series of events to celebrate Small Business Week, I attended Franklin County’s “Beyond the Basics Workshop: Get Secure. Get Certified. Get Contracts.” in Youngsville, where local staff from Franklin County broke down what it takes to win government contracts and do
For many small business owners in Franklin County, being successful starts long before making a sale. It starts with relationships, visibility, collaboration, and finding spaces where local entrepreneurs can learn together while also building something bigger than themselves. This was on full display Wednesday morning during Franklin County’s Small
County Beacon Community Reporter Tykayla Livingston wears a lot of hats - youth advocate, journalist, community organizer and, most importantly, mother. On Friday, May 1, she attended the Kids Over Corporations march and rally on Halifax Mall in Raleigh alongside Down Home North Carolina chapters from Franklin and Granville Counties and
You’ve probably heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child.’ As those children grow into young adults, that responsibility does not fade – it expands. The Young Adult Hiring Event on April 29 at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center was an example of our
When the crowd finally filled Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Friday, May 1, for a massive statewide protest, it didn’t feel like a single event. It felt like everything people had been carrying, the frustration, the fear, the hope, and determination, had finally reached a place where it could
Should Franklin County be able to annex land it wants without the permission of the surrounding counties? That’s what a part of Senate Bill 214 did as it was scheduled for a vote on April 28. But amid fierce local opposition, the controversial bill was sidelined, according to the
According to federal data from Drought.gov, Franklin and Granville Counties are experiencing extreme drought conditions, with rainfall totals well below average and ongoing moisture deficits worsening conditions. The impacts on residents are already unfolding, including: Water and Environmental Stress Reduced rainfall has led to declining water levels in streams
On the morning of April 10, 2026, I arrived at Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM) during their food distribution hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. As a community reporter, I came to document the process, but what I experienced was far deeper than logistics. I