By Miles Layton

ELIZABETH CITY — Soul Catching News founder Deshawn Morris says it has been “eventful” in Elizabeth City and claims that even when residents don’t see it, “Elizabeth City is definitely working.”

In a lengthy series of addresses posted earlier this week to his Soul Catching News platform — the same outlet he says has spent nearly five years covering scanner traffic, community conflict, and city politics — Morris mixed congratulations, frustration, social commentary, and a citizen-driven warning into a sprawling message directed at his viewers and at the city he often calls family.

“First off, peace and blessings to everybody. I hope you guys are having a blessed day today. It has been eventful. I know you guys probably don’t know everything that’s going on right now, but Elizabeth City is definitely working, even if you guys don’t even see that. But wanted to talk to you guys real quick, right?” he opened.

When newspapers are dying, Morris’ citizen journalism should be praised for its service to the community. Yes, there’s no denying that Morris leans liberal – as are most media types, except for myself – nothing wrong with him leaning left because it doesn’t get in the way of his reporting, whether it be the latest wreck on Ehringhaus or another shooting — lot of shots fired these days in Elizabeth City, aka the wild, wild west.

Bonus — Morris pays attention to Elizabeth City Council. Recently, when Morris mentioned how City Council voted in opposition to the Charlie Kirk street mural – those four sentences were seen by folks near and far. 

Breaking News Update**

City Council in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, voted on the Charlie Kirk mural. The vote was 8-0 in opposition to the Charlie Kirk mural. We were able to confirm this with the Mayor of Elizabeth City, Kirk Rivers. He had no other statement at this time.

From time to time, Morris posts things featuring Mayor Kirk Rivers — nothing wrong with that either. However, some folks accuse Morris of being a mouthpiece of Mayor Rivers. Morris wouldn’t be the first reporter to practice access journalism to political leaders — a relationship between politician and reporter that relies on “if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” approach to stories, except when it comes to Republicans, Trump or people who have views counter to the mainstream media’s narrative. Afterall, look at how the Washington press corps sought to maintain its access to the White House by hiding President Biden’s senility until that fact could no longer be ignored — after the debate when the whole world could see the emperor had no clothes — see clip below. Strange how no one has reported Mayor Rivers’ overdue tax bill.  

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Morris’ approach to journalism has its critics – that’s the nature of the beast. How does he deal with some of those critics – rather than “bark” Morris says he “bites” back at critics through his livestreams to folks who tune-in to what what he has to say. 

Morris is not afraid of speaking his mind and sharing his version of the truth.   

Addressing Commenters and What He Calls ‘The Usual Suspect’ Label

Morris said that since founding Soul Catching News, he has noticed a recurring pattern in online comments — something he said reflected a deeper communication issue in Elizabeth City and beyond.

“I know when I started this news outlet… we started having people comment all the time on our pages, especially with me reporting on everything, the usual suspect. Okay. Usually this was mentioned in reference to African-Americans.”

He accused some commenters of reacting combatively rather than engaging with what he views as factual coverage.

“Some of you guys come on this page to just disagree and stuff like that. And that’s a you problem. I hope it gets better for you, but if it don’t… instead of commenting or asking questions for clarification, because it’s clear some of you guys didn’t get the message… this is where they say I’m cocky and I’m arrogant and all that stuff by just telling you guys the truth, right?”

The phrase “usual suspect,” Morris said, surfaces repeatedly on local and regional news sites.

“Not even just on my page… pretty much any news page that you want to go to, depending on the topic, you’re always can count on a person saying those words, usual suspect.”

He argued that those offended by his recent post discussing that trend should examine their own reactions.

“If you guys was offended by that post, then you are part of the problem. And I say that respectfully.”

According to Morris, the issue is not whether one individual uses the phrase but whether the community challenges those who do.

“It may not be true in the sense that you do it, but it may be true in the sense that your neighbors do it or your family members do it or your friends do it.”

He said commenters often interject without acknowledging the broader problem.

“What do you say when you see those comments? Do you get up there and you fuss at the people that’s posting those things? Or do you… put your blinders on and act like you can’t see what it is that we see?”

Morris argued that many residents, like Americans nationwide, struggle with communication.

“People don’t know how to communicate. People take things… and they either take from what a person says or they add to what a person says… there is no reasoning in between.”

He said he refuses to offer a softened version of local realities.

“You want the news. But you just want partial news… like NBC… like Fox News and CNN… it’s gonna be some BS… Instead of pacifying the city… I just thought that you guys would like the realities that a lot of us have to face.”

Citizen Reports About ICE Activity in Elizabeth City

During one recent podcast, Morris introduced a subject he described as sensitive.

“We have received reports… I have received phone calls… that there has been ICE silence here in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and I’m not making this up.”

He stressed that Soul Catching News could not confirm the reports with law enforcement and noted that ICE is not required to coordinate with local agencies.

“It would be kind of hard for us to confirm that… because these individuals do not have to answer to the law enforcement here in Elizabeth City…”

Morris urged residents — particularly those who may be vulnerable to immigration enforcement — to prepare documentation.

“Make sure that you guys have your documents or whatever it is that you need to have on you at all times… this is more of a just make sure that you guys have all your documents.”

Morris warned viewers to interact carefully with federal officers.

“Be mindful on how you interact with these individuals… these individuals can snatch you up. They do not need a warrant.”

He said resistance could escalate encounters.

“We don’t want you guys to be taken off of the streets… because you’re out there acting a fool… It’s not worth it.”

Morris encouraged viewers to document encounters if possible.

“Film your interactions. You do have a right… to film your interaction… it’s easier for you to get your footage than to get theirs.”

He closed by acknowledging that not everyone will heed his warnings.

“Do what you will with the information. I know it went in one ear and out of the other with everybody… but I’m telling you, you’re doing yourself a misjustice if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings right now. We’re gonna see you guys when we see you.”

For whatever reason, Elizabeth City Police Chief Eddie Graham posted a photo with a statement about ICE.  

Perhaps that prompted Morris to post, “As we stated, if ICE is in the area, they would not be obligated to let our city law enforcement know anything.

Also, our citizens’ reports are to allow citizens to report what they see. There are citizens who claim to have seen Ice. We posted what citizens said and went as far as saying just make sure you have your documents.

As we stated yesterday, we have not seen Ice Agents but once again it does not mean they aren’t here.”

Morris Defends Soul Catching News Against Critics

Morris repeated a frustration he has voiced in earlier broadcasts: that some residents attack his credibility while still relying on his platform for information.

“We got all types of people… that can’t stand what it is that we do on this news outlet. You can’t stand it. You hate our guts. We’ve been called racist and all that stuff, which is just, oh, so utterly ridiculous.”

He said the criticism often comes from those with “bad hearts.”

“I’m starting to notice that… the bad hearts that some of these people have… a lot more of the people that reside in the world is flocking towards those bad hearts.”

He also said certain city discussions — including the recent Charlie Kirk mural debate — were influenced by information people obtained through Soul Catching News.

“People trying to put up murals and things of that nature couldn’t even get the decision until somebody screenshotted Soul Catching News to them so that they can go and do the wickedness that they do.”

Morris insisted that without his outlet, many residents would lack timely information.

“You guys wouldn’t even know anything that’s going on in the city if Soul Catching News wasn’t reporting on it.”

A Broader Commentary on Faith, Truth, and Community Responsibility

As he often does, Morris turned to a mixture of spiritual language and personal testimony while arguing for accountability.

“Some of you guys are worldly, dressed up, acting like you Christians… Some of you guys love the OD on it… and you play the pity party… That’s mildly mindless zombie, by the way.”

He said he, too, once participated in that cycle before deciding to “grow the hell up.”

Morris argued that truth — not comfort — should shape community dialogue.

“If the truth ain’t wrapped in it, then it ain’t no good to you.”

Calling back to the biblical conflicts between Jesus and religious leaders, he said some residents reject truth because it exposes wrongdoing.

“You just like the Pharisees and Sadducees… Some of you guys… you rejected Jesus… You rejecting them now because you choose to be blind…”

He said he has worked “my butt off” covering Elizabeth City and nearby counties.

“Some of you surrounding areas know I don’t came to touch down in your areas, too, working my butt off for any and everybody.”

But he said he will no longer argue with those who are “not coming for overstanding.”

“They’re coming to reject. They’re coming to rebut. They’re coming to call you all these type of things because they don’t want you to reveal and stand on the truth that you stand on.”

A Familiar Voice in an Intensifying Local Debate

For nearly five years, Morris has styled Soul Catching News as a raw, unfiltered community watchdog — sometimes combative, sometimes celebratory, always conversational. His latest message reflects the duality that has made his platform both influential and controversial: a blend of neighborhood sports announcements, emotional appeals, cultural critiques, and warnings rooted in resident phone calls rather than official statements.

This week, his message spanned nearly every level of civic life — from youth football to political disagreement to federal law enforcement.

And in typical Soul Catching fashion, Morris insisted he will continue reporting exactly as he sees fit, regardless of who objects.

“I have worked my butt off here in Elizabeth City… because I truly love everybody… If you’re not paying attention to your surroundings right now… you’re doing yourself a misjustice.”