All tagged kristy kelly
If I could have any superpower, what would it be? This question was asked during a recent video project I worked on. Without hesitation, or much thought, I said invisibility. I’ve spent a lifetime perfecting the art of blending in—being seen but not noticed. True invisibility held a deep appeal.
Generational divides in politics are nothing new, but for a group of tenth graders at Lenoir County Early College High School, the gap between their views and those of older generations feels particularly personal.
For many young people, their first encounters with democracy come not through casting a ballot but through debates, rallies, and protests. These experiences serve as powerful introductions to the political process, shaping their views and sparking engagement.
Teenagers often face stereotypes of being disconnected from politics, but a group of tenth graders from Lenoir County Early College High School is proving that what matters to them goes beyond the surface. In a roundtable discussion, these students candidly shared the platforms and issues that catch their attention, from education and immigration to public safety and equality.
Politics may not typically top the list of interests for teenagers, but a group of tenth graders from Lenoir County Early College High School proves otherwise. In a roundtable discussion, ten students shared their thoughts on why young people engage—or fail to engage—in the political process.
Mental illness has a way of warping even the mundane into something darkly comedic.
I have spent my entire life planning to survive. That’s it, to survive. At first, I survived on instinct, then anger, and finally out of spite. When stress is a comfort zone and anxiety is a security blanket, normalcy becomes subjective. Apparently, I can now turn happiness into abject terror.
As 2024 winds down, I find myself reflecting on the people who make our Magic Mile Media and Neuse News family so special. This year has been filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless moments of growth, both as individuals and as a team. Today, I want to share some of our collective gratitude—a peek into the hearts of the people I am lucky to work alongside every day.
Kinston has a way of providing me what I need. My love for this town is a little strange, even to me, but I’ve never lived anywhere that has done so much for me and my family. This year has been surreal in ways I never expected. Usually, when the holidays roll around, the stress of everything I can’t do steals the joy of the season.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not the downfall of modern civilization, nor is it the savior. It has been an integral part of modern technology since the dawn of smart phones with predictive text, and has seen an explosion in popularity with entities like Open AI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
I have a fascination with how other people decorate their spaces for the holidays. Recently a friend of mine sent me a photo of her table top which held adorable fall decorations and I got to thinking about whether or not I wanted to decorate my own house. It’s not really a thought I’ve wrestled with in the past because I’ve never lived anywhere long enough to accumulate decorations.
Last night I attempted to put a three-year-old to bed. I’m particularly fond of this little angelic cherub, as she’s my tiny tot sidekick who regularly gets me into trouble with her mother. Having a toddler best friend is a unique experience every grandparent should have. If nothing else, the hilarity will keep any grandparent feeling young and alive.
Life in my forties is a weird time. I’m too young to be old, but way too old to be young. It was quite the conundrum until I spoke to my twenty-three-year-old son. All it took was a single conversation with him to realize that I could no longer claim a youthful existence. I
There is nothing worse, as a mother, than when your grown child presents you with a problem that your experience could easily resolve, only to refuse any semblance of advice or parental wisdom. The amount of time you get to prepare your children for life is far briefer than you ever expect.
The saga of Duplin, also known as the dog with a jug on his head, appears to be coming to an end if a post on social media is to be believed. The post announced the dog’s imminent euthanasia and was then shared with various news outlets, including ours. The outrage is building online as I type this. Unfortunately, the outrage is misplaced.
One of the women I admire, at an event we were both attending, took a few moments to tell me how much she enjoyed reading these columns. My writer’s heart explodes with joy every time I hear, or read, those words. Then she proceeded to say I am much too hard on myself.
