blog – Page 3 – BJ Murphy

September 24, 2024

North Carolina – The Battleground of Faith and Swing Voters

As we gear up for the 2024 Presidential Election, North Carolina is once again a key battleground. And there’s good reason for that. Our state has a long history of being unpredictable—electing Republican presidents and Democratic governors. With 16 electoral votes on the line, we’re a state that both parties are fighting hard to win. In 2020, Trump took North Carolina by just 1.3%, proving that this isn’t a state anyone can take for granted. If you think your vote doesn’t count here, think again.

September 23, 2024

Go All In on Your Strengths

What if the secret to success wasn’t about fixing your weaknesses, but mastering your strengths? In school, we’re taught to aim for perfection in every subject, but in life and business, focusing on what you’re already good at is the real key to thriving. Going all in on your strengths leads to greater happiness and long-term success.

September 16, 2024

How We Built Magic Mile Media

Magic Mile Media was built on the idea that small businesses need help navigating the ever-changing world of social media. Almost eight years later, we’ve grown into a full-service company offering everything from live-streaming and video production to local and state news. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has been driven by a commitment to helping businesses succeed in the digital age.

October 19, 2021

Facebook Live: Not My Job

RANT ALERT: I’ve been bombarded with requests to publish so-called “dirt” on candidates for office. Here’s my response…

September 19, 2021

BJ Murphy: LCPS Chairman Bruce Hill Admonishes Parents for Contacting Him

At the September 13th Lenoir County Public Schools board meeting, Chairman Bruce Hill admonished the public on when it’s appropriate to contact a school board member. He cited a chain of command, the need to go straight to the source, and emphasized the school board’s primary goal is to be policymakers. However, Mr. Hill seemingly chastises parents, guardians, and stakeholders for attempting in any type of way to hold school board members accountable. In an eye-opening statement, Mr. Hill says about the school board, “[we] aren’t as versed in education” and “we as board members we don’t know what goes on at the schools.”

July 12, 2021

BJ Murphy: If not you, who?

I am more concerned about the next four years for Kinston today than I was four years ago.

The impasses we face with the City of Kinston pose significant challenges for our community’s future, and we need leaders to step up at a time such as this. The mayor’s seat and two councilmembers’ seats are up for grabs, and the $10 filing fee period ends on Friday, July 16th at 12:00 pm.

Now is not the time to complain. Now is not the time to critique. Instead, if you feel led to run or compelled to serve your community greater than your role today, here is your opportunity to influence or shape the change you desire.

June 15, 2021

BJ Murphy: Kinston City Council can make amends Tuesday evening

Sadly for the second year in a row, the Kinston City Council has sought these personal increases, yet this year’s discussion is distracting from the fact that they are also raising property taxes. The cost to the taxpayers if approved would be $670,000. Despite the fact the Kinston City Council has already voted on their increases, they could amend the budget tonight, by stripping the salaries and allowances back to the FY20 funding and passing a revised budget.

February 25, 2021

The Never-Ending State of Emergency

Roughly one year ago, Governor Cooper declared a state of emergency regarding COVID-19, and while an emergency is typically seen as a momentary crisis, this has been harnessed into the “new normal”, expanding bureaucratic control over citizens’ lives for an alarming period of time. Regardless of the continued state of emergency, our local officials are holding themselves to a different standard. The Kinston City Council and Lenoir County School Board continue to meet outside of their chambers and only through Facebook or Zoom. Are they afraid for their safety while asking their staff to be dismissive of their own? Are they worried about facing parents and the community in a real public forum again?

February 15, 2021

Killing the American Dream One Stimulus Check at a Time

Whatever happened to tax credits and tax deductions? How many more payments will people expect in the future before we declare the pandemic over?

The utter reliance and potential household budgeting for future stimulus payments disincentivizes Americans from using their skills and creativity to find a way to meet their obligations. The unintended consequence of stimulus payments may very well be a methodical way of killing the American dream by taking away all incentives of hard work and individualism.

December 16, 2020

Reece Gardner Hour Interview

Had the honor of being interviewed by the infamous Reece Gardner this week on TMGI – CTV10. We discussed the acquisition of N.C. Political News and how the devastation of Hurricane Matthew led me to launch Magic Mile Media. I also got on a small kick about the politics of COVID-19 and its impact on our business community. Sometimes I question the politics when looking at the same data and science.