Economy
Editorial: Duke Energy’s rate hike exposes a broken system
BEACON MEDIA GUEST FEATURE By Sam Grote, CEO of N.C. Business Impact Forum Duke’s latest request to the state to increase our power bills even
December 17, 2025
Economy
Economy
Editorial: As communities struggle with hunger, food is all around us
How I know people are struggling right now is the line to the food pantry at Episcopal Church The Redeemer near where I live in Shelby, N.C., has grown longer and longer with each passing week.
December 17, 2025
Economy
“It’s a heavy burden”: Raleigh Small Business Owner Says Tariffs Hurt Amid Holiday Season
Unfortunately, this holiday season is different. Our business has been impacted by the reckless tariffs from Washington, DC. The tariffs are driving up prices of our goods 20 to 50 percent, and some vendors have used the tariffs to further raise the price of goods and even shipping. Some of our customers’ favorite brands have stopped shipping to the United States entirely. And unlike corporate retailers, we don’t have any negotiating power.
December 17, 2025
Economy
NC Democrats challenge Duke Energy’s proposed rate hikes
“My office is intervening to make sure we find the right balance between investing in our energy infrastructure and protecting North Carolinians’ wallets,” AG Jackson said in a statement released earlier this month.
December 15, 2025
Economy
2025 marks a record-breaking year for job growth in NC, Governor Stein announces
North Carolina Democratic Governor Josh Stein has announced that he, along with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership, has brought over 33,000 new jobs to North Carolina this year.
December 15, 2025
Community
K&W Cafeteria, a North Carolina Staple, Abruptly Closes After 88 Years
A beloved southern restaurant chain has officially closed its doors, bringing an end to its 88 years of business in North Carolina. Last week, Winston-Salem-born K&W Cafeteria announced it would close its remaining locations, stating, “this is not a decision we ever wanted to make.”
December 15, 2025
Economy
Amid the holiday season, Trump’s Tariffs Are Straining Small businesses
In recent days, the Trump administration has touted record Black Friday spending as an indication that the president’s tariff policy has had little impact on
December 15, 2025
Community
Gov. Stein directs half a million dollars to nonprofits winterizing Helene-damaged homes
The nonprofits – Rebuild Haywood, the Western North Carolina Conference of United Methodist Churches, and The Beacon Network – will focus on projects such as installing insulation, wrapping windows, and repairing roofs on homes damaged by the storm.
December 8, 2025
Community
Immigration Enforcement’s Hidden Price Tag for North Carolina’s Economy
North Carolina is home to close to one million immigrants, and the economic impacts of unlawful Border Patrol and ICE raids are evident as small businesses across the Triangle have closed for extended periods of time.
December 8, 2025
Economy
Gov. Stein celebrates new North Carolina Toyota plant in a win for jobs, education
“This groundbreaking investment will create more than 5,000 new jobs for North Carolinians and will strengthen our clean energy economy.”
November 21, 2025