Below, we have a mysterious shipwreck and a plan to take on data centers, but first:

Memorial Day weekend is here. And for the first time in a long time, there’s rain in the forecast for much of North Carolina. 

That might be a bummer for anyone with beach plans. But the state sure needs it. 

Recently, we published a guide with 10 cheap and easy ways to spend Memorial Day weekend across North Carolina. 

From the Asheville splash pad (below) to an Outer Banks pirate tour and fireworks over the ocean, there’s a lot to do. 

The splash pad in front of City Hall in Asheville, NC, is free and features interactive water play and flashing lights. (City of Asheville)

Cardinal & Pine will be taking a break on Monday. But we’ll be back in your inbox Tuesday evening.

Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter: 

One C&P reader sent us this sunset view from a recent Durham Bulls game.  Baseball season is in full swing. Check out the Bulls’ schedule here.

Got a pretty view from North Carolina? Don’t be shy. Send it my way!

If passed, a bipartisan bill in North Carolina would prohibit local tax incentives for data centers and create more regulatory hoops for the companies that want to build them to jump through. (Shutterstock)

A lot of folks are concerned about data centers. That’s because they are big water and power guzzlers. 

In this week’s Good News Friday, C&P contributor Ryan Pitkin takes a look at a bipartisan plan to address local data centers. 

If approved, it would add some hoops for the projects to jump through and some rules about local tax incentives. 

Read about that, and two more pieces of good news, by tapping right here. 

More NC news:

(Graphic by Kelly Lennon/COURIER Newsroom)

Did you know that there’s a branch of government that has the power to override the will of all 170 state lawmakers and even the governor of NC? 

Check out this new Billy Ball Explains NC on where the real power is in our state.

1. Election autopsy says national Democrats should learn from Gov. Stein. WRAL

“Shifting national demographics are moving political power from New York and California to states in the South. And after Kamala Harris lost every swing state in 2024, Democrats are looking for answers on how to compete in the future.”

2. Lawmakers direct funds for teaching civil rights history to conservative group. The Assembly

“The General Assembly earmarked $350,000 for the Clarence Henderson Education Foundation, whose most visible product is a short documentary about Henderson, a Greensboro sit-in participant turned outspoken Republican.”

3. Opinion: Here’s why no one will make North Carolina’s Latino community invisible. Cardinal & Pine

“As the Trump administration targets people under the guise of immigration enforcement, many Latinos in N.C. are celebrating our communities and culture—despite the fear.”

(Jason Schronce/Shutterstock)

This week, we wanted to bring back one of our favorite games for C&P readers. 

Take a look at the photo above and tell us where we are. 

If you’re the first to get it right, you’ll get a shout-out in front of all 170,000 Cardinal & Pine readers in this space next Friday. 

So, where are we? 

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from Vanessa Infanzon, Jessica F. Simmons, Ryan Pitkin, Michael McElroy, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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