Greetings all, it’s Wednesday December 5. Let’s start today with a round of applause for all those behind-the-scenes people who wrote heart-felt copy, designed social graphics and kept the momentum going on Giving Tuesday. Yes, we get a lot of emails but in many ways the day (and this month) is a celebration of what we do all year long and gives us an opportunity to engage with our audiences about what we do and why. Here are a few subject lines that caught my attention:

✅ Can I ask YOU a question?  Asheville Watchdog’s John Boyle, who spends a good part of the year as the community’s Answer Man, reels you in with this conversational hook.

✅ Look what we accomplished together this year!  NC Newsline shared a staff photo & a round-up of achievements from the last year.

✅ "I wouldn't be here without 9th Street." Former 9th Street Journal reporter Nina Moske shares how the student news publication shaped her career path. 

One thing in common with all three is they don’t immediately ask for a donation, instead using a sense of curiosity to get you to click among the sea of emails. Another strong example comes from our neighbor to the north, Cardinal News, who put together this short thank you video featuring reader testimonials that came in throughout the day.

What other creative approaches have you seen? Pass along any links, emails or notes to help spark ideas and share learning with others in the ecosystem.

Here’s what else we have in store for you this week:

• “Grateful and honored”: Black Issues Forum staff reflect on 40 seasons of legacy, impact, connection and the work to be done. 
  
  

• Some professional news from NC Local: announcing our new State Issues Senior Reporter.
  
  

• Got an idea brewing for a session at the 2026 NC News & Information Summit? Sign up for tomorrow’s office hours at Noon with Program Manager Diara Townes.
  
  

• Are you an early or mid-stage journalist covering safety, law enforcement, courts or other justice issues? Apply for the North Carolina Justice Reporting Fellowship.

Glad you’re here, let’s get started.

‘A living archive of voices that dare to speak truth and amplify hope'

Black Issues Forum marks 40 seasons on PBS NC

Black Issues Forum Host Kenia Thompson (left) and Executive Producer and former host Deborah Holt Noel. (Courtesy: Black Issues Forum)

Four decades ago, the late Dr. Paul Vandergrift brought together other scholars and community leaders and dreamt up an idea: a public television show that would center Black voices and explore what was contributing to disparities in education, health, justice and the economy and the solutions.  With support from PBS NC (then the Center for Public Television/UNC TV), Black Issues Forum launched with quarterly broadcasts and eventually went weekly. Valeria Lee was the program’s host from 1987 to 1996.

“The notion was, we can look at what's going on and then envision what should be,” recalled Lee on the show’s 40th Season special. “I don't know any other forum that's lasted so long and been so responsive to the needs of North Carolina from a Black perspective.”

One of the show's longest running staff members is Deborah Holt Noel, who hosted for many years and is now executive producer. She says former host and producer Jay Holloway instilled a strong sense of responsibility from her first days with the program.

“Jay simply emphasized how important it is that we have this platform, how unique it is, how we need to protect it,” said Holt Noel, who’s worked on the show for nearly 26 years.

Current host Kenia Thompson joined the team three years ago after a two decade break from television. She said it's been an honor to follow Deborah, learn from her and continue the legacy of the show together. 

"As a storyteller, we hold people’s most prized possession: their journeys, their stories, the things that they hold dear to them, the things sometimes they’re afraid to be vulnerable about," said Thompson. "In the Black community in particular, we haven’t always had a voice that was representative or respectful of the things that we go through. This platform allows that to happen."

This week we chat with Deborah and Kenia about this milestone, the program's unique role in local media and its impact. Find the full Q&A here or by clicking the button below.

Find all the season 40 episodes of Black Issues Forum here, including conversations on immigration raids and community mobilization; the impacts of Medicaid cuts and rural hospital closures; the role of Black architects in shaping the built environment, and Black entrepreneurship in the wine industry. In February, PBS NC will host a celebration in honor of Black Issues Forum 40th season. 

Will Michaels selected for NC Local’s State Issues Senior Reporter

“Will is a huge asset to the team, and we are so excited to have him join us,” said NC Local Editorial Director Laura Lee. “He understands the need for accessible, reliable journalism, and we know he will help translate the complexities of policy decisions into plain language for our audiences across the state.”

Will’s range of reporting expertise includes covering local government, housing, education, science and technology in addition to producing and hosting long-format programming and special series. He says his approach to storytelling uses three pillars: report thoroughly, write concisely and let people speak for themselves.

“I look forward to going the extra mile with NC Local, following the policy decisions state lawmakers make in Raleigh all the way to the people they affect in North Carolina’s diverse and vibrant communities.”

A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Will is an avid Tar Heel sports fan who umps Little League in between work, writing and the “joyful chaos” of parenting a toddler.

Help us welcome Will as he steps into his new role with NC Local in the New Year.

Announcing: The North Carolina Justice Reporting Fellowship

Are you a journalist looking to strengthen your reporting on safety, justice and the legal system? 

The Law and Justice Journalism Project (LJJP), in partnership with NC Local, is offering a year-long regional fellowship program for journalists across the state. Each Fellow will pursue one in-depth project to be developed and reported with the assistance of an experienced mentor

and published at the end of the fellowship. The fellowship kicks off March 27 at the 2026 NC News & Information Summit. 

Here’s what the Fellowship offers:

🔍 An experienced criminal justice reporting mentor to help you shape your project and connect you with sources and resources

🌱 Professional development opportunities

👥 A cohort of other NC journalists for shared learning and networking

💵 A $5,000 stipend

Applications are open for both freelancers and staff reporters. Deadline is January 15th. Find all the details here about how to apply.

Have questions? Email them to info@ljjp.org.

Thank you to LJJP for bringing this program to North Carolina! 

Join our office hours 12/4: NC News & Info Summit pitches

📅 Office Hours: Thursday, Dec 4, at 12p ET. Sign up here!

📝 Session Pitch Deadline: December 31 

Questions? Reach out to diara@nclocal.org

Also, early bird registration  is open through 12/31. Save $25 per ticket. 

Interested in sponsoring the Summit? Reach out to Shannan Bowen at shannan@nclocal.org.

 Available for republication 

✅ NC Local: What is up with the DMV and driver licenses in NC?

✅ NC Local: Why are health coverage costs increasing under the Affordable Care Act in North Carolina?

✅ NC Local: How is school library access changing for NC students?

From our partner network: 

✅ Enlace Latino NC: The Economic Impact: What the Border Patrol Operation Left Behind in Charlotte 

✅ NC Health News: NC pitches $1 billion plan to overhaul rural health system

Bulletin Board

Jobs

📌 Legislative and Lobbying Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 

📌 Editor in Chief, CityView, Fayetteville 💰

📌 Higher Education Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 💰

📌 News Director, Blue Ridge Public Radio, Asheville 💰

📌 Development Communications Specialist, Blue Ridge Public Radio, Asheville 💰

📌 Radio and Advertising Strategy Contract, Beacon Media (Remote in NC, WNC Preferred) 💰

📌 Investigations Editor, Data Editor & Investigative editor/reporter, Open Campus (Remote) 💰

📌 Development Director, Tiny News Collective (Remote) 💰

Internships:

📌 Audio & Social Media Intern, Beacon Media (Remote in NC, WNC Preferred)

📌 Summer 2026 News Interns, News & Observer & Charlotte Observer Deadline this Friday 12/5.

Opportunities 

🌱 2026-2027 Nieman Fellowship: This fellowship offers mid‑career journalists the chance to spend a year at Harvard University studying independently, honing leadership in journalism, and expanding their networks. Fellows receive a stipend of $85,000 paid over a nine-month period to cover living costs, some financial support for child care and health insurance. Application deadline: January 31, 2026.

🌱 2026-2027 Knight-Wallace Fellowships: This eight-month-long fellowship is also aimed at mid-career journalists to provide an opportunity to step away from daily deadlines to study, research and develop innovative solutions to the challenges in journalism while on campus of the University of Michigan. Fellows receive a stipend of about $85,000, plus relocation support, full tuition and health insurance coverage. Application deadline: February 1, 2026.

That's it for today. Thank you for reading and know you are appreciated for all you do to support the North Carolina local news and information ecosystem.  —Catherine