The big news, today, is the thousands of educators marching in Raleigh. 

The underlying tension is teacher pay. In North Carolina, we have some of the most poorly paid educators in America. 

But it’s also about overall public education funding. By that metric, we’re doing really poorly too. How poorly? This poorly. 

This week, one North Carolina lawmaker explained what that funding problem looks like on the ground. Take a look. 

For the latest updates on today’s educator protest—brought to you by the Cardinal & Pine team—check out our social media accounts by tapping the platform of your choice below. 

And make sure you check out the latest Billy Ball Explains NC. We told the real story behind the protests in under 8 minutes. 

North Carolina educators and their supporters were out en masse in Raleigh Friday. (Photo by Dylan Rhoney for Cardinal & Pine)

Thanks for reading the Cardinal & Pine newsletter. Share this email and help us grow!

Here’s what’s in it today: 

Cardinal & Pine reader Janet Montgomery took this spectacular shot from her front porch from lovely Vilas, NC. 

Got a beautiful view from NC? Send it to us!

AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson

It is very rare to see Democrats and Republicans agree on anything. 

Which is why we’re leading this week’s Good News Friday with one actual example of it happening. 

This week’s Medicaid deal between the parties is big news for the millions of low-income and working-class North Carolinians who rely on it. 

That’s not all. Good News Friday takes a look at a new anti-crime tool in Fayetteville and the Carolina Hurricanes’ big momentum in the NHL playoffs. 

Read it here. 

1. Opinion: The Voting Rights Act is dead. Here’s what needs to happen now. Cardinal & Pine

“What happened at the US Supreme Court will affect the maps in one Southern state after another, including here in North Carolina. It will affect races from Congress to your local school board. But it is not the end of the road.”

2. A state-by-state breakdown of America’s gerrymandering arms race. Associated Press

“A back-and-forth volley of congressional gerrymandering in states like North Carolina has changed the electoral battlefield ahead of the November midterm elections.”

3. Opinion: Why Fayetteville passed on a data center moratorium. Fayetteville Observer

“A Fayetteville city lawyer told the City Council that a data center moratorium would be the only way to stop a controversial new data center.”

4. Novartis finalizes new manufacturing facility in Morrisville as part of major US expansion. ABC-11

“Pharmaceutical giant Novartis plans to add a new manufacturing facility in Morrisville, expanding its footprint in North Carolina as part of a broader push to strengthen U.S.-based drug production.”

5. NC lawmakers propose raising tobacco age to 21, adding retail permits. NC Health News

“The proposal would align North Carolina with federal law and most states while adding oversight to tobacco and vape retailers.”

Sassool, a Mediterranean restaurant in Raleigh, is one of 16 North Carolina restaurants we featured in our new guide to spots where kids eat free. (Sassool)

If you’re not feeding children right now, share this guide with a parent you know. 

There was a time when you could find loads of restaurants where kids eat free. It’s hard to find a restaurant like that anymore. Hard but not impossible. 

C&P contributor Britteny Dee has written a guide to the best “kids eat free” spots in NC. Whether you live in the mountains, on the coast, or in central NC, we’ve got you covered. 

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 Ryan Pitkin, Justin Parmenter, Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters, and Britteny Dee.. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

Cardinal & Pine is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.