Sarah Ovaska

Sarah Ovaska

Senior Editor, Cardinal & Pine

is an senior editor and reporter at Cardinal & Pine. A veteran investigative journalist from North Carolina, her byline has appeared at The News & Observer, NC Policy Watch, NC Health News & More.

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Economy The push for higher wages has seen some states, but not North Carolina, raise the minimum wage. (Image via Shutterstock)
Economy Behind the Curve: Why the Minimum Wage in NC Hasn’t Gone Up in Years

North Carolina kept its minimum wage at $7.25 while most other states boosted pay this year.   More than half of the nation’s states — 26 of them — opted to raise their minimum wages in 2022 to address gaps between what people make and what it costs to get by. But North Carolina wasn’t among...

Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska January 11, 2022 8:04 pm EST
North Carolina Students and school staff at Inborden Elementary in Halifax County, North Carolina walk the halls on the first day of in-person classes March 15, 2021. (Image by Billy Ball)
North Carolina NC Could Fund Schools and Help People Get Health Insurance in 2022. Will We Do It?

C&P’s Senior Editor Sarah Ovaska shares her thoughts on what important issues we’ll be talking about in 2022. 

Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska December 27, 2021 10:29 am EST
Food and Drink A special time of year calls for special drinks. Try these alcohol optional seasonal favorites from NC food and drink experts. (The Good Brigade/Getty Images)
Food and Drink Holiday Cocktails to Keep Your Spirits High

A special time of year calls for elevated refreshment. NC tastemakers share recipes for festive, alcohol-optional holiday drinks.

Emiene Wright Emiene Wright Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska December 23, 2021 8:17 pm EST
North Carolina Image via Shutterstock.
North Carolina It’s Like Christmas In Your Car. Here Are 5 Eastern NC Holiday Light Displays You Can’t Miss.

Nothing gets you in holiday spirit like a night of taking in Christmas lights. Read our guide to spots in Eastern North Carolina.

Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska December 10, 2021 11:46 am EST
North Carolina These two runners brought the Thanksgiving spirt at a prior Charlotte Turkey Trot (Image courtesy of Charlotte Turkey Trot.)
North Carolina Work Up an Appetite at One of These Seven NC Thanksgiving Fun Runs

Jumpstart your Thanksgiving morning with a pick from our Top 7 North Carolina turkey trots, 5ks and fun runs.

Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska November 24, 2021 9:44 am EST

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Just try and resist this burger from Cherryville's Shake Shop. Travel Small Towns, Big Burgers: A Guide to NC’s 7 Best Under-the-Radar Burger Spots
COVID is the real war on Christmas. (Shutterstock) Coronavirus Unwrapping Omicron and Delta, the Scary Holiday Presents Nobody Wants
Families have been celebrating Kwanzaa since 1966, when Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the amalgamation of East and West African traditions to help Black people reconnect to their African heritage. (Hill Street Studios/Getty Images) Culture Celebrate Kwanzaa In Person and Online at These Events Across North Carolina
When Matt Oxendine threatened to kill himself, his family called deputies for help. But deputies ended up shooting him to death. Collage from L to R: (1) A text message from Matt's cousin to Robeson County deputies attempting to call law enforcement off shortly before the shooting. (2) Matt with his daughter, Madison. (3) A photo of Matt Oxendine. (4) The Oxendine brothers from L to R, Greg, Marcus, Chesly, Matt. (5) A photo of Matt's car after police shot him 30 times in January. (Collage made by Rebecca Russ) North Carolina A Police Killing, A Different Way of Looking at the Vaccine, and More Memorable NC Stories From 2021
North Carolina Photo via Getty Images.
North Carolina Want to Honor NC’s Military This Veterans Day? Here Are Nine Events Across the State.

North Carolina is home to the 7th-largest military population in the US. That means plenty of chances to honor them this Veterans Day.

Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska November 9, 2021 12:56 pm EST
Healthcare Image via Getty Images.
Healthcare North Carolina Could See Boost in Child Care, Health Care, Paid Leave, and Housing if Congress Acts

The "Build Back Better" legislation, a benchmark for President Biden’s administration, faces opposition from Republicans.

Sarah Ovaska Sarah Ovaska November 4, 2021 5:12 pm EDT