Good News Friday: Rare white fawn born near the North Carolina Zoo

In this week’s Good News Friday, we check out a big milestone for NC State, an awesome thing to do with recycled flowers, and a very special visitor at the North Carolina Zoo.

It’s not Friday without Cardinal & Pine’s weekly roundup of good news stories.

In today’s edition of Good News Friday, we check out a major milestone for one of North Carolina’s top universities, as well as a rare birth at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.

For past editions of Good News Friday, click here. 

Random Acts of Flowers

In Asheville, a group of do-gooders is turning leftover blooms into something meaningful. 

Each Monday, volunteers meet at the Asheville Wellness Center to arrange donated flowers from weddings, businesses, and community events. The bouquets are then delivered to hospitals, veterans, and aging facilities, offering a simple reminder of care and connection. They call it “Random Acts of Flowers.”

With just a vase and a pair of scissors anyone can take part in spreading the kindness.

NC State celebrates a record-breaking fundraising year

NC State says that it’s closed its best fundraising year yet, bringing in more than $366 million to support students and campus growth. 

From scholarships to new research facilities, the school says that the gifts are shaping opportunities well beyond Raleigh. Even small donations added up in a big way, helping efforts like the Feed the Pack Food Pantry, an ongoing food drive for members of the university community. 

(Photo via NC State University)

A celebration of North Carolina writers

Wake County Public Libraries is shining a spotlight on homegrown talent with its 2025 “Read Local” series. 

This fall, branches across the county will host author talks, children’s book readings, and writing workshops led by local writers. The free events invite readers of all ages to discover new perspectives and connect with the storytellers who call North Carolina home. 

To keep the celebration going, libraries have also curated special reading lists featuring participating authors and other local voices.

For Cardinal & Pine’s guide to the NC literary trail, go here. 

White fawn roaming the ground at the North Carolina Zoo

This summer, the North Carolina Zoo is basking in a rare new visitor: a tiny white white-tailed deer fawn. 

Born this summer, the fawn appears to be healthy and is residing in a protected, unenclosed area of the zoo in Asheboro. 

White deer are uncommon in the wild, making this birth a special moment for the Asheboro zoo and its visitors. Guests may catch a glimpse of the young fawn exploring its habitat alongside its mother, a small reminder of the quiet wonders found in North Carolina’s natural world.

This summer, staff at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro spotted a rare white fawn. (Photo via North Carolina Zoo)