Tucked beside the Lenoir County Farmers Market sits a red building with a lot of promise.
All tagged kristy kelly
Kristy Kelly: The women who continue to mold me
As is the theme of my life, I am a day late and a dollar short on writing anything for Women’s History Month. The last column I wrote was about famous women who did good, but were terrible humans. This time, I thought I’d write about the women who are making history every day.
Kristy Kelly: Heroes and villains are two sides of the same coin
Imagine going to school every day with statues of long-dead men lining the walkway. Their names are memorized through deliberate instruction in South Carolina classrooms. Wade Hampton III, Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion, Thomas Sumter and Andrew Pickens are known far and wide for their Revolutionary War prowess.
Kristy Kelly: My unofficial start of spring begins on the Neuse
I woke up with the sun streaming through the windows and knew the time had come to commune with nature, drop my kayak in the water, and float down the Neuse. The plans were set. I was ready to go. There is something deeply soul-soothing about spending an hour or two away from civilization.
Kristy Kelly: Did the internet rewrite our memories, or did we rewrite the internet?
A reader, that I will refer to as Lee, emailed me with the kind of question that sounds silly until you realize you have wondered the same thing in the cereal aisle.
Kristy Kelly: Good Morning, Kristy. Here’s How to Fix Yourself
I’ve become obsessed with watching yoga videos. Not because I can do them, but because I haven’t been able to bend that way since I was a toddler. The yogis are on a journey toward enlightenment, and I’m clearly on a vastly different journey of stiff joints and bad decisions.
Kristy Kelly: The Monster Bike Saga Continues
After a decade in call centers, nothing makes me turn into the stereotypical entitled, middle-aged, woman quite like a bad customer service experience. Last month, my youngest son was involved in an accident while riding the monster bike. Apparently, a red pickup truck side swiped him, sending him and the bike over a curb. He’s fine, the bike is banged up, but fine, so he goes home.
Kristy Kelly: The Tampa Experience
I’m starting to understand all the Florida jokes. From fog that seemed unfazed by the sun to a power outage in a parking garage, my day was one long string of minor inconveniences that managed to feel much bigger than they were. It really did start with wearing the wrong shoes.
Kristy Kelly: What a Cruise Ship Taught Me About Global Views of America
If I had judged the year by how it began, I would have written it off before it even got started. January dragged me into 2025 while I was sick, exhausted, and quietly wondering if my body was about to fail me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Nothing felt steady. Nothing felt hopeful. I thought I was bracing for the worst year of my life.
Magic Mile Media and Neuse News staff share what they are thankful for this holiday season
As Thanksgiving arrives and the Christmas season begins, the Magic Mile Media, Neuse News and partner teams reflected on gratitude in their own words. Their responses show the range of personalities behind the work, from heartfelt to humorous.
Kristy Kelly: Bracing for the worst, gave me the best
If I had judged the year by how it began, I would have written it off before it even got started. January dragged me into 2025 while I was sick, exhausted, and quietly wondering if my body was about to fail me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Nothing felt steady. Nothing felt hopeful. I thought I was bracing for the worst year of my life.
Kristy Kelly: When your weight-loss plan needs a welder
Needing a welder to lose weight was not on my 2025 bingo card, I admit—but alas, here we are.
Discussion highlights year of budget strains, public tension, and high interest in local races
With municipal elections set for Tuesday, Nov. 4, Neuse News Managing Editor Kristy Kelly and Magic Mile Media President BJ Murphy sat down to reflect on a year of unexpected filings, budget debates, and public controversy that helped shape local races across Lenoir and Greene counties.
Thrower and Kelly promoted as Magic Mile Media prepares for next chapter
Magic Mile Media, the parent company of Neuse News and NC Political News, has announced two leadership promotions as it moves into what CEO BJ Murphy called “an exciting new season” for the organization. Aleatha Thrower has been named vice president of Magic Mile Media, and Kristy Kelly has been promoted to managing editor of Neuse News.
Kristy Kelly: Charlie Kirk did not deserve to die
Charlie Kirk did not deserve to die. Full stop. We do not live in a society that condones vigilante justice, and yet, a man was executed in public view.
Kristy Kelly: Kinston doesn't need performative outrage
Yesterday, I witnessed a handful of adults berate the city council and call for the reallocation of police funds because an officer allegedly abused his power and was caught on video doing so. The police department gave a canned “we are investigating the issue” statement, and the mayor co-signed their message by way of copy and paste.
Kristy Kelly: Who turns on the heat in July?
I thought I was the adult—until the adult child touched the holy grail: the thermostat.
Kristy Kelly: Living with Adults (Who Used to Be Your Kids)
Living with adult children is the fastest path to prison for a parent just trying to stay sane.
Kristy Kelly: It’s not personal. It’s self-preservation
“You never invite me to your house,” and, “You never come to mine when I invite you,” are two complaints I hear more than I care to admit.
Kristy Kelly: The Red Queen gets married
There’s something deeply humbling about being wrapped in the love of an entire town—a thousand small acts that made our wedding day unforgettable. From the moment my eyes opened on the morning of June 13, it was clear that someone had already come through and smoothed the way.