About Us

ABOUT US

The Paper is an all-local weekly community newspaper published in, and exclusively devoted to, Burke County, North Carolina.

Established in 2022 by publisher Allen VanNoppen, The Paper serves as a trusted source of local news and deep, non-partisan community insight, dedicated to covering the people, places, and events that shape Burke County and its communities.

With a team of award-winning journalists and advertising professionals, The Paper maintains an independent, responsible, and unbiased voice that prioritizes in-depth reporting and a direct connection to the local community.

The Paper is Burke County’s fiercely local, independently owned weekly newspaper, committed to delivering high-impact journalism that informs, connects, and empowers the community. With editions spanning from February 2023, its catalog reflects a publication deeply rooted in the issues, stories, and voices of Morganton and the broader Burke County area.

Published in print and online, The Paper blends watchdog reporting, civic coverage, community features, and thoughtful opinion writing. Its pages chronicle everything from town council decisions and school board shakeups to economic development, housing challenges, rural healthcare, and celebrations of local culture. Special attention is paid to transparency in governance, education reform, infrastructure investment, and social services. The Paper also uplifts the region's artists, youth, and small businesses with consistent and caring coverage.

Editorially, The Paper balances sharp-eyed reporting with an approachable tone, often flavored with wit and personal insight. It holds firm on its standards: human-written stories only, community-first framing, and truth over trend. Across every edition, it reflects the values of the people it serves—resilience, pride, curiosity, and care.

The Paper isn’t just a chronicle of Burke County—it’s part of the fabric, a front-porch storyteller for a community on the move.

History

Founded by Allen VanNoppen, The Paper began as a grassroots effort to preserve local journalism in Burke County. Recognizing the gap left by larger media outlets in covering community-specific issues, VanNoppen established The Paper in 2022 with the intent of delivering all-local news that is both relevant and meaningful to the residents of Burke County. Since its first publication on Feb. 4, 2023, The Paper has gained a reputation for its reporting on local government, sports coverage, opinions, arts and entertainment and solutions reporting focusing on broader issues impacting residents.

To ensure the sustainability, The Paper is funded by print and digital subscriptions, print and digital advertising, single copy retail sales, and purpose-specific funding from two affiliated IRS-approved 501(c)(3) entities, the Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation, and the Nelle & H. Allen Smith Limited Endowment.

Awards and Recognition

The Paper has been recognized by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA) for its journalistic excellence. In the 2022-2023 NCPA awards, the publication earned eight honors. In the 2023-2024 NCPA awards, The Paper further solidified its reputation by receiving 17 honors, including multiple first-place wins and the prestigious General Excellence award. These awards underscore the newspaper's commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful journalism to the Burke County community.

AWARDS:

Editorial Focus and Initiatives

The Paper prides itself on delivering responsible, unbiased, balanced journalism with a distinct local perspective. Notable and award-winning investigative series: homelessness, economic development, fentanyl, and other critical issues impacting all residents.

The Paper has consistently championed topics that impact the daily lives of its readers, bringing attention to the nuances of small-town governance, local economic developments, and community health concerns, including issues surrounding school lunch programs and student nutrition.

In addition to regular reporting, The Paper has embraced digital innovation and community engagement through social media and other online platforms. The publication’s digital presence includes a mix of news updates, editorial commentary, and community-driven content. These platforms foster dialogue, ensuring that readers have a voice in the issues that matter most to them.

Community and Cultural Impact

As a dedicated fixture of Burke County, The Paper has played a vital role in preserving the local news ecosystem. By covering stories often overlooked by larger media, the publication has bolstered civic engagement, influenced local policy, and become a respected voice in western North Carolina. Its commitment to authentic storytelling, combined with a lighthearted, conversational tone, has endeared The Paper to its readership, fostering a loyal following and solidifying its place in the community.

External Links

• The Paper's Official Website
• Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation
• E&P's 2024 class of News Media's 10 to Watch
• Small NC community now a two-newspaper town - Vodcast
• Two Burke County loyalist start a paper
• New Burke County Weekly Rolls Off the Press

Meet the Team