Launched in 2023, Macon Sense is a locally-owned, independent newspaper headquartered in the beautiful mountain Town of Franklin in Macon County, NC. And, while we are serious about our journalism and opinions, we maintain our quirky name in honor of the fun spirit and history that small towns across America enjoy. The paper is owned and managed by Morgan Stewart, who also owns the Stewart Communications marketing agency.
Our digital newspaper objectively covers local news, sports, health, events, regional food and recipes, and charities. Our content also includes opinion pieces often professing and supporting our Faith and discussing policy positions consistent with that.
Macon Sense joins the small national family of independent news publications dedicated to community-driven journalism.
Macon Sense supports tradition, history, and family values, with a commitment to objective, factual content. For more information email [email protected].
The Team
Deena C. Bouknight, Editor/Writer
Deena is a career writer, having contributed articles for more than 40 years to regional, national, and international publications. She also authored three Southern literary fiction novels, including the historic fiction, “Light Fracture”, about the 1886 Charleston earthquake which was the worst on record to affect the East Coast. She began her career just out of college as a managing editor for a community newspaper. She is thrilled to serve in this role for Macon Sense. She is focused on offering factual, objective news and is thrilled to support, encourage, and serve the greater Macon County community. Contact Deena at [email protected].
Dan Finnerty, Manager/Sales/Writer
Dan has covered both sports and local government in Macon County, and brings to Macon Sense over 30 years of leadership and management experience. He served in the Navy and retired after 20 years as an officer. His service included 13 years as a manager at the National Security Agency. He also had the pleasure of serving as a U.S. Forest Service ranger in Montana at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center near West Yellowstone. On top of covering local stories, he sells advertising for the paper and helps to keep Macon Sense running smoothly. Dan is active with local veterans groups. Contact Dan at [email protected].
Amy Kirkpatrick, Writer
Amy comes to Macon Sense following more than 25 years of federal service. Amy worked on investigations in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, served overseas as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State, and advised on political-military issues during the establishment of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Space Force. Locally, Amy serves on the Board of Directors of the Noah’s Ark Humane Society and is a member of the Macon County Beekeepers Assoc. She and her husband Sean reside in Franklin, NC.
Daryna Thiemann, Writer
Daryna is originally from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. At the age of 17, she moved to Kraków, Poland, where she studied at one of Europe’s oldest universities – Jagiellonian University – earning a bachelor’s degree in International and Political Studies. After completing an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Daryna shifted her focus earning a master’s degree in Journalism and Social Communication. She covered the Eastern European metallurgical market in industry magazines. In December 2024, she moved to the United States. Daryna quickly fell in love with Franklin, where she later began her work with Macon Sense.
Jay Baird, Sales
Jay moved his family to Macon County in 2009 in order to raise his three children in an area he felt was a family-friendly community. Having been in sales since the mid-90s, he took a position with a local newspaper in Bryson City to sell print advertising and eventually did the same for Macon County News. He values his 25-plus years of sales and advertising experience and looks forward to helping grow the business community in Franklin and the surrounding area. Contact Jay at [email protected].
Morgan Stewart, Publisher/Executive Editor
Morgan earned his journalism degree from LSU in 1990 before launching a 30-year public relations and journalism career. Early on, his reporting and editing stints included the Baton Rouge daily newspaper (The Morning Advocate) and the national political trade magazine Campaigns and Elections. Most of his career was in the PR world where he worked for two Fortune 200 companies (Circuit City Stores, Inc., and Entergy Corp.). His career also included work as the Commerce & Trade communications director for Virginia Governor George Allen and the vice president of marketing and communications for the New Orleans Business Alliance (a public-private economic development not-for-profit). In 2013, he launched a successful PR firm (Stewart Communications) that worked with numerous clients such as PosiGen Energy, Sigora Solar, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital, The Special Liberty Project, Visit Smokies, Franklin Tourism Development Authority, and Macon Sense newspaper. In all, he worked closely with reporters, editors and producers for national and local news organizations in every U.S. market, as well as trade publications for the energy, retail, consumer electronics and non-profit industries. He is proud to carry on the work Macon Sense started more than two years ago by a talented staff. Morgan moved to Franklin in 2020 and serves on the boards of the Franklin Downtown Merchants Assoc. and the Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center.
Shana Bilbrey, Design
Shana was born and raised in Macon County, graduating from Franklin High School in 1991. Since attending Southwestern Community College, she has worked as a graphic designer for the past 23 years. Fifteen of those years were spent at Macon County News. Outside of work, Shana’s interests include vintage knick-knacks and a love of cats. Contact Shana at [email protected].
