Behind the Beacon

After experimenting, learning, and growing alongside our audience, we're announcing that this will be the final episode of Behind the Beacon. While the podcast is coming to a close, the Bucks County Beacon is not slowing down. We're doubling down on the community engagement, reporting, events, and storytelling that readers have told us they value most. In this episode, Daralyse and Emily explain why the Beacon is sunsetting this podcast, what they've learned from trying new formats, and what's next for the organization, including a new website, expanded video storytelling, community events, and opportunities for readers to help shape the future of local journalism. Most importantly, we invite listeners to join us for a free Community Listening Session on November 17. If you've ever wanted to share feedback, help shape future coverage, or connect with the Beacon team, this is your opportunity to be heard.  We also encourage readers and listeners to continue following The Signal podcast with Cyril Mychalejko, which features in-depth interviews and conversations about the issues affecting Bucks County. We highlight the recent award-winning work of Beacon writers Melinda Rizzo and Lee Davis, whose reporting continues to demonstrate the impact and importance of local journalism. Thank you to everyone who listened, watched, shared, and supported Behind the Beacon. This may be the end of this podcast, but it's far from the end of the conversation. As always, free to read doesn't mean free to produce, and we hope you'll continue supporting independent local journalism in Bucks County. Links Mentioned in This Episode Community Listening Session (November 17): Register Here The Signal Podcast: Bucks County Beacon Podcasts Award-Winning Reporting: Keystone Media Awards Honors the Reporting of Two Bucks County Beacon Writers Support Local Journalism: Donate to the Bucks County Beacon

In this brief update episode, Emily Smith and Daralyse Lyons share what's been happening behind the scenes at the Bucks County Beacon. Emily discusses the personal circumstances that temporarily slowed several Beacon projects, including the loss of both her grandparents and the caregiving responsibilities she carried during their final months. She also explains why the Beacon made the decision to delay launching its redesigned website until after Election Day, prioritizing reliable election coverage and voter resources over an ambitious timeline. The team also shares an update on the Beacon's annual reader revenue campaign, which has been extended through November 20. As Emily says in the episode, "Life is more important than work. I think everyone can understand that." If you value the Beacon's independent local journalism, please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible contribution. Donate to the Bucks County Beacon

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse and Emily share a major update: the Bucks County Beacon is launching a completely redesigned website built on WP Engine’s Newsroom platform. Emily explains that the current site, built on WordPress with Elementor, has become heavy and slow, weighed down by JavaScript and design layers that slow performance. The new site will have faster load times, integrated caching, and 24/7 tech support .   The new site is expected to go live in September, and readers can sign up for the Beacon newsletter to be notified the moment it launches. While the site launch date is TBD, Daralyse and Emily invite reader feedback and encourage donations to support the $1,000/month hosting cost, and celebrating the fresh new site design.   To support this endeavor, click Support the Beacon - Bucks County Beacon and make a donation.   And to be notified when the new site is up and running, sign up for the newsletter at: Sign Up! - Bucks County Beacon.

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith get real about the Beacon’s digital infrastructure challenges. As Daralyse puts it, “a data center in Phoenix overheated and our servers went down, our mail went down, the forward-facing website went down...” What followed was a real-time lesson in how fragile the systems behind local news can be — and how much invisible labor goes into keeping them running.   Emily walks listeners through the anatomy of a data center, the realities of shared versus private servers, and why something happening hundreds of miles away can knock out a newsroom in Pennsylvania. She explains the cascading effects of extreme heat, monsoon conditions, and even sandstorms on the physical hardware that powers the Cloud. The conversation revisits past crises too, including hacks, the loss of a year-long development site, and the dreaded “white screen of death” caused by plugin conflicts. Emily shares how each failure has helped reshape the Beacon’s tech strategy and Daralyse highlights the human side of disruptions: the readers who bounce, the ones who write in, and the ones the Beacon never even knows it lost.   Together, they explore the cost of uptime, the price of security, and the surprising math behind producing a single article — a figure that currently sits around $1,100 when all operational layers are included. This episode is a candid, accessible look at the messy, expensive, and essential world of newsroom technology, and why even small crashes matter in big ways.

In this episode, Daralyse and Emily welcome the Beacon’s newest teammate, Ben Bennett, our first full-time staff reporter. Ben talks about how he went from writing movie reviews in high school to discovering his love for hyperlocal journalism at WHYY — and why the Beacon immediately felt like the right fit.   With thirteen school districts and endless meetings, Bucks County desperately needed someone who could focus on Lower Bucks education,  and Ben is already diving in. He explains what it means to build an education beat from scratch: showing up, listening, earning trust, and connecting the dots between local decisions and bigger national trends.    The conversation also touches on objectivity, opinion, and the art of writing voter guides that help people make informed choices without nudging them in any particular direction. Daralyse talks about mission-driven journalism, Emily reflects on her long-standing commitment to civic engagement (plus one campaign mailer she regrets), and Ben says he’s excited to help build something meaningful from the ground up.   To learn more about how Ben came to work for the Beacon (supported by a grant from Report for America), read Bucks County Beacon Welcomes Ben Bennett as Report for America Corps Member - Bucks County Beacon    And, if you have a story tip, email Ben at [email protected].    If you want to support our work financially, visit buckscountybeacon.com and click “Support the Beacon.”

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith take listeners inside the day‑to‑day reality of running a small, independent newsroom. The conversation begins with a confession: even after starting in the industry, each of them had to Google what a publisher actually does. In this exploration of how the Beacon’s team functions, they explain the staff’s roles and responsibilities.   Emily describes juggling everything from payroll to creative direction, while Daralyse reflects on how newsroom leaders often have to unlearn old habits to focus on sustainability and vision. Together, they spotlight Editor‑in‑Chief Cyril Mychalejko’s collaborative approach to shaping stories and mentoring reporters, and they celebrate the Beacon’s growing team—from Melinda Rizzo guiding interns to Ben Bennett building an education beat (with support from Report for America).   It’s a lively, behind‑the‑scenes look at the people powering local journalism: CJ running social media, Lynne Ashton keeping the books balanced, and everyone pitching in to make sure Bucks County stays informed. The conversation is equal parts candid and inspiring—a reminder that independent news runs on teamwork, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

In this episode, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith tackle one of the biggest questions facing local journalism: how do we fund real reporting in an era dominated by algorithms? Inspired by a DAME Magazine article shared by a reader (thank you, Michael), they explore the collapse of traditional ad revenue, the rise of AI and social media, and the growing vulnerability of communities caught in echo chambers. They discuss how six states have begun treating journalism as public infrastructure — and why that’s only part of the solution and introduces new challenges. The conversation highlights how community investment keeps watchdog reporting alive, trains new journalists, and ensures free, accessible coverage for everyone in Bucks County. Ultimately, Dara and Emily remind us that sustaining local news isn’t just about dollars. It’s about supporting civic life. When readers step up, they help preserve the connective tissue that holds communities together and ensure that truth, not algorithms, shapes the stories that matter most. To learn more, read Can Treating Journalism Like Public Infrastructure Fix Our Broken Media?  And to support the Beacon, visit Support the Beacon - Bucks County Beacon or email [email protected]. 

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Chief Revenue Officer Daralyse Lyons and Owner & Publisher Emily Smith reflect on The Power of Participation, the June 2 community conversation co-hosted with the Doylestown Action League and moderated by Connor O’Hanlon. They unpack the themes and questions that surfaced during the event, including barriers, accessibility, civic engagement, and personal empowerment. From technology gaps to language access, from paywalls to social‑media echo chambers, Daralyse and Emily explore the structural challenges that shape how people get information. They also speak candidly about the Beacon’s commitment to accessibility, the financial realities of keeping news free to read, and the evolution of the Beacon’s identity beyond its early “progressive” label. This episode offers practical ways for community members to get involved, support local journalism, and help strengthen civic engagement across Bucks County. Resources mentioned: The Signal Podcast The Beacon’s Voter Guide featuring the Committee of 70’s ballot‑builder widget The Beacon x Technically collaborative series on digital voting accessibility

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith explore what it takes to run a newsroom when everyone’s working remotely. From Slack threads to late‑night strategy sessions, they share how the Bucks County Beacon builds culture, cohesion, and community even when its team is scattered across Pennsylvania. Emily explains that remote work has been part of the Beacon’s DNA from the start. What began as a two‑person virtual startup has grown into a mission‑driven organization with full‑time staff, part‑time contributors, freelancers, and operations support. She reflects on the Beacon’s evolution — and her decision to “jump off a cliff” by hiring Daralyse and others to strengthen revenue and sustainability. Daralyse expands on how the Beacon’s readers and supporters are not just an audience but an essential part of the newsroom’s extended team. Together, they preview the Beacon’s upcoming five‑year anniversary celebration on Thursday, September 24 — a $5 community event inviting readers, donors, and reporters to gather in person to celebrate what’s been built and imagine what’s next. If you’ve ever wondered how a small, remote newsroom can feel like a family, this episode reveals how connection, communication, and community make it possible. Support independent journalism at buckscountybeacon.com/support‑the‑beacon

In this episode of Behind the Beacon, Daralyse Lyons and Emily Smith get real about something most newsrooms never talk about out loud: how local journalism actually pays its bills. As they explain in this episode, the difference between a thriving newsroom and a disappearing one is reader revenue.   They break down the collapse of the old newspaper model (funded by ads, subscriptions, and circulation) and explain why independent outlets like the Bucks County Beacon rely on reader revenue to stay alive.    Emily shares the behind-the-scenes math: The Beacon reaches 30,000 readers a month, but only a tiny fraction give monthly. And she talks about the emotional side of reader support: older residents on fixed incomes who write heartfelt notes when they have to cancel, community members who proudly give $10 a month because they believe in accountability journalism, and freelancers who deserve to be paid fairly.   Daralyse points out that readers who give even $5 or $10 a month (the price of a cup of coffee) are making a tangible difference in the Beacon’s bottom line.   They speak candidly about why recurring contributions matter more than one-time gifts: Grants are restricted. Ads fluctuate. But monthly support is steady, flexible, and allows the Beacon to plan, hire, investigate, and grow.   If you’ve ever wondered whether your contribution matters, this episode answers that question clearly: yes! After listening to this episode, support the Beacon at https://buckscountybeacon.com/contribute/