New from EdNC
The Editor’s Notes
Running a news outlet and also a nonprofit is a lot day to day, but add in a 1,000 year storm and a political transition like no other, and this stretch since Sept. 27, 2024 has been one tough 15-month spell, as my grandmother would have called it.
And yet there is much to be proud of as EdNC releases its annual report.
It highlights a 15% increase in readership at a time when news fatigue is real, in large part driven by our news strategy for covering what’s happening in DC and the impact on NC.
EdNC’s documentary “The Long Way Down” — which has more than 92,000 views and won “Best Picture” in Southern Shorts — established us a “stay helper” in the WNC recovery.
We published an unprecedented 27 policy-related research projects.
And the N.C. Press Association honored us with its public service award for online journalism. In addition to our coverage about Helene, which includes 145 articles to date, we used our content to write grants, helping to secure $4,044,740 for Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties. This would not have happened with the inspiration from Elizabeth Brazas, and the leadership and expertise of Deanna Ballard, Jeremy Gibbs, and Kelley O’Brien. Thank you.
An external case study in 2025 found EdNC “built a team whose talent was matched only by their commitment” — and that could not be more true.
Thank you to our board, strategic council, and funders who support us to imagine and do our best work.
To our readers, thank you not just for reading, but for taking the information and sharing it, reaching out to legislators, writing perspectives, and doing all the things that are needed to expand educational opportunities for all students.
With gratitude, Mebane
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