North Carolina and Duke’s women’s teams squared off in the Sweet 16 this afternoon. It was close, but the Blue Devils won in a defensive showdown, 47-38. 

These two universities playing each other in the tournament is sort of like spotting a falling star while holding a four-leaf clover. 

Another NCAA tournament update: The Duke men’s team is also officially elite, or rather they’re in the Elite 8, after beating Arizona and old UNC nemesis Caleb Love.

On the men’s side, the Blue Devils’ next matchup is Saturday night against #2 seed Alabama. This should be a battle. 

The Duke women await the winner of the South Carolina-Maryland game, which was tipping off this afternoon. 

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – MARCH 28: Vanessa de Jesus #2 and Jadyn Donovan #4 of the Duke Blue Devils and Alyssa Ustby #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels wrestle for ball in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 28, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Greg Fiume/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Friday is here, and it’s a beaut, North Carolina. But before we get to the news, a quick correction:

In Thursday’s newsletter, I wrote that Beech Mountain was the highest spot east of the Rockies. What I should have said was “highest town.” The highest spot is North Carolina’s own Mount Mitchell. Thanks for catching folks. 

Here’s what you’ll find below: 

There are so many federal funding cuts happening right now, it’s hard to keep up. 

Here’s one worth noting: 

The Trump administration has reportedly pulled funding for a grant that trains healthcare providers to spot domestic abuse. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of death for pregnant women in the US.

The program, Trump officials said, amounts to ‘DEI’ efforts, which are “used to support unlawful discrimination.”

This is part of a massive rollback, about $12 billion worth, in health funding from the federal government. State and local health departments are “in disarray” because of it, Axios reported this week. 

For more on Trump’s cuts to the domestic violence grants, click the button below. 

Tucked away in the historic Tapoco Lodge, The Cheoah Dining Room offers hungry guests unspoiled views of the Cheoah River from its scenic terrace.

Eating is good, but eating with a view is better. 

Fortunately, we live in a state with no shortage of beautiful views and places to eat at while looking at them. 

This week, we published a fun guide to North Carolina restaurants, from a riverside view in Robbinsville to a rooftop landing in the Queen City. Check it out. 

1. Jefferson Griffin expresses regret over participating in ‘inappropriate’ Confederate-themed frat events while at UNC. Anderson Alerts

A photo obtained by Anderson Alerts shows Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin dressed in a Confederate-style uniform. The photo was from a Kappa Alpha fraternity event.

2. NC Health Department loses $100 million in federal funding, experts say more cuts coming. WCNC

NCDHHS says this will impact immunization efforts, infectious disease monitoring, behavioral health and substance abuse services.

3. Freedom Farm fire in Leicester 100% contained after burning 130 acres. WLOS

The fire initially erupted Wednesday afternoon in the Leicester and Dix Creek communities of Buncombe County.

4. With Medicaid cuts looming, healthcare officials say it will increase costs for everyone. Cardinal & Pine

US House Republicans passed a budget bill last month that would almost certainly require steep cuts to Medicaid, and would threaten North Carolina’s recent Medicaid expansion.

Shutterstock

Last week, we went coastal, and you folks were here for it. 

We got a lot of answers really quickly, but the fastest was from Gary Sanders who correctly identified the Currituck Lighthouse, which this year is celebrating its 150th anniversary.  That red brick really makes this lighthouse stand out. 

Here’s a fun one. This destination is not technically all the way in North Carolina. In fact, it’s half in NC and half in Tennessee. 

Where are we? 

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m a NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Cardinal & Pine is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

Send us your feedback and news tips to info@cardinalpine.com