Why I’m Still Mad About January 6 — and Will Never Let It Go
A dimly lit office glows with the cold light of four monitors, each showing fragments of the U.S. Capitol shrouded in smoke — a silent vigil for democracy, five years […]
Wake Forest Polling Alert: Road Closure at Flaherty Park on Election Day
Traffic Alert for North White Street – temporary lane reduction and traffic changes starting November 4, 2025, for storm drain and water line work. A critical Wake Forest polling update:
Wake Forest Empire: When Federal Power Comes Home
The concept of Wake Forest empire — where federal overreach reaches local streets — defines this moment. Iraq and Afghanistan didn’t happen in a vacuum. The
Wake Forest Democracy: When It Gets Ugly
Evening view of Civic Plaza with an upside-down American flag, symbolizing distress, against a backdrop of vintage architecture and classic cars. Wake Forest democracy is messy, contentious,
Wake Forest Fear: The Anxiety That Never Left
Old fear in a new form — a white hood fades into the glow of a smartphone screen. What once hid in the woods now spreads online.
Launching Wake Forest Matters LLC: A New Chapter
I’m Tom Baker IV, founder and editor of Wake Forest Matters.Today I’m making something official: I’ve formed Wake Forest Matters, LLC, an independent local-news company dedicated
Wake Forest Unity: A Spirit That Binds Our Community
Wake Forest unity remains our greatest strength even in times of division. For generations, the Wake Forest Christmas Parade was the heart of the holiday season. As a child, I
Wake Forest 2025: A Year of Change and Challenge
Mayor Ben Clapsaddle delivers his inaugural State of the Town address, centered on the theme “We Move Forward Together.” The phrase is a translation of the motto Katchi
Retraction and Update: Wake Forest Campaign Finance Analysis
After publishing my original campaign finance analysis earlier this week, I realized I made significant errors and omissions in the data. I want to be transparent and take full
Fact, Fairness, and the Future of Wake Forest
Context isn’t spin, it’s honesty. Misleading mailers don’t just twist policy; they corrode trust in how local democracy works. A season of sharp mail and short memories Municipal elections are
The Anatomy of a Wake Forest Moral Panic
The Wake Forest moral panic unfolding today follows a disturbingly familiar script. Moral panics start anywhere; outrage can spread fast and has evolved as an “…innate reaction to social change.”
Wake Forest Deserves Sunlight: A Call for Transparency
Wake Forest transparency remains one of the most pressing issues in local governance today. I grew up in Wake Forest. My family has called this area home for generations,
The Slip, the Storm, and the Wake Forest Spin
The Wake Forest spin surrounding a controversial email chain reveals how quickly local politics can escalate. Wake Forest, North Carolina, is the kind of town where decisions usually happen face-to-face.
What Food Aid Cuts Mean for Wake Forest Neighbors
Wake Forest food aid is under threat as federal cuts ripple through local communities. As winter approaches, federal cuts to food-assistance programs like SNAP will ripple through every North Carolina
Wake Forest Stewardship and Common Sense Governance
Wake Forest stewardship demands leaders who prioritize long-term community well-being over short-term political gains. When people ask what this year’s election is really about, I tell them it’s simple: growth