The Never-Ending State of Emergency
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?

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blogBJ Murphyroy cooper, bj murphy, city of kinston, city council, lenoir county public schools, covid-19, state of emergency, leadership, servant leadership, constitution
Killing the American Dream One Stimulus Check at a Time
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.

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blogBJ Murphyblog, america, american dream, stimulus, bj murphy, joe biden, donald trump, congress, mitt romney, andrew yang, student debt, debt, p-ebt, middle class, national debt
The Journey, Ep. 53 - Bleeps and Protests
The Journey, Ep. 53 - Bleeps and Protests

This is our day. Yes, we have fun. Yes, we do our work. Then something happens in an instant and our entire office gets focused on the task at hand. We continue to pray for our country and for healing. But these moments are why we document #thejourney.

The Journey, Ep. 53 - Bleeps and Protests

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vlogBJ Murphyvlog, the journey, bj murphy, magic mile media, neuse news, brandon potter, aleatha thrower, jose perez, gracie herring, taylor fussell, neuse news, riots, protests, breaking news
It's Christmas Time in the City - The Journey, Ep. 51
It's Christmas Time in the City - The Journey, Ep. 51

This year has been full of ups and downs, but I'd do it all over again with these people...my family, our team. If you're going to build a business, build it with people you love, respect and trust. As we inch closer to Christmas, enjoy a few smiles as our team has busy days and an amazing party!

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vlogBJ Murphybj murphy, bjmurphy360, brandon potter, aleatha thrower, kristy bock, jose perez, gracie herring, taylor fussell, jon riggs, big game brewing, christmas, jim capps, jessica murphy, parker mitchell, neuse news, magic mile media
Reece Gardner Hour Interview
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.

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blogBJ Murphyvideo, interview, reece gardner, bj murphy, neuse news, magic mile media, ncpoliticalnews.com, nc political news, tv, politics, social media, covid-19
Locked In with Algenon Cash
Locked In with Algenon Cash

On an episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, I took a moment to discuss the acquisition of NCPoliticalNews.com as well as the importance of social media for business branding. Algenon was too kind when he called me “the Rupert Murdoch of Digital Media in North Carolina” and while I’m not at that level today, I believe that the actions our team has set in motion will lead to continued momentum and growth.

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blogBJ Murphyvideo, interview, algenon cash, bj murphy, neuse news, magic mile media, ncpoliticalnews.com, nc political news
That's a Broken Man Right There - The Journey, Episode 50
That's a Broken Man Right There - The Journey, Episode 50

Our 50th episode of The Journey just happened to fall in the same week as our four year anniversary of starting Magic Mile Media. My only regret? I wish I had captured this journey from DAY ONE. Thank you for your support and thank you for being a part of this journey! Here's to many more!

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vlogBJ Murphybj murphy, bjmurphy360, vlog, brandon potter, magic mile media, neuse news, jose perez, aleatha thrower, gracie herring, taylor fussell, kristy bock, mackenzie cannon, kinston, video
From Lugnuts to Manhunts, The Journey - Ep. 49
From Lugnuts to Manhunts, The Journey - Ep. 49

The week started out like it always does - busy and fun. But we ended on a much more serious note. It's moments like this along the journey that makes us realize how reporting fast and accurate news really makes a difference in our community. There was a collective sigh of relief as we went to sleep feeling grateful and safe.

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vlogBJ Murphybj murphy, manhunt, jim capps, brandon potter, aleatha thrower, kristy bock, capps trailers, neuse news, magic mile media, social media, local news, vlog, the journey
A Reminder of Why We Back the Blue
A Reminder of Why We Back the Blue

Defunding the Police has been one of the most controversial topics of 2020, stemming from the wake of high-profile cases involving concerns of racial profiling or cases of police brutality. While some calls for Defunding the Police mask redistributing money from police budgets to social programs, others are a bit more blatant by defunding police departments altogether.

Fast forward to this past week in La Grange, where 31 policing agencies descended on our area. They came with helicopters, heat-seeking devices, K-9s, SWAT teams, armored vehicles, and more. Tax dollars well spent to protect our community from harm. Imagine living near Kennedy Home or Banks School Road in an era where Defunding the Police wasn’t a phrase but a policy.

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blogMagic Mile Media, Inc.bj murphy, la grange, manhunt, lenoir county sheriff, back the blue, defund the police, law enforcement, social media
Work Hard, Play Hard - The Journey, Ep. 48
Work Hard, Play Hard - The Journey, Ep. 48

Over the last seven days: 228 pieces of content, post-election wrap-up, started and finished a website project, started another website, bought another ______ 👀 🤐, and more, and yet we still had a BLAST. It IS POSSIBLE to work hard and enjoy #thejourney.

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vlogBJ Murphybj murphy, bjmurphy360, brandon potter, aleatha thrower, parker mitchell, garrett ward, stella bea potter, magic mile media, neuse news, the journey, vlog, gracie herring, taylor fussell
America: Where do we go from here?
America: Where do we go from here?

The nation is probably as divided as it has been since the American Civil War in the 1860s. The supposed blue wave tsunami that was predicted by the media and pundits did not materialize in the numbers that they proclaimed. The White House may be changing parties, but Republicans picked up several House seats and look to maintain a Senate majority come January.

Despite COVID, lockdowns, a battered economy, partisan hoopla, racial issues, social unrest, riots, and a huge backlash against Trump, the nation is still bitterly divided, almost down the middle of its population. The polls were wrong--again, and many are losing faith in journalists, news, media, and the entire political system.

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blogBJ Murphyamerica, bj murphy, election, 2020 election, joe biden, donald trump, mayor, city council, city of kinston, constitution, voter id, covid-19, republicans, democrats
Behind the Scenes: Election Night Results Show
Behind the Scenes: Election Night Results Show

Election 2020: 39,400 minutes viewed. 10,400 people reached across 10 states and 10 countries. 467 hearts. 40 shares. 455 comments. And we cannot forget the STARS WAR that went down in the comments - total star count - 9,735. The best part? Informing our community of what was happening right here in OUR backyard. Thank you for making our Election 2020 Results Show a huge success! We do what we do for you!

The Journey, Episode 47

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vlogBJ Murphy2020 election, election, bj murphy, neuse news, tyndall davis, aleatha thrower, gracie herring, taylor fussell, travis towne, matt lococo, kristy bock, jose perez, neuse news, magic mile media