NC was hot in 2023.
That’s what we can glean from reading the most Googled North Carolinians this year. Why? Because those North Carolinians were some of the most popular people anywhere.
As New Year’s approaches, we’re taking stock of 2023, and the people who made it interesting. Today we published a list of the most Googled people from NC, with an update on what they’ve been up to that’s made them so popular.
Some of these names won’t surprise you. Others will. Did you know NC is home to probably the most popular person on the internet, a person who made the list of Time’s most influential people in the world?
|
Do you know Huntersville, NC, native Renee Rapp? The singer and actress is starring in a remake of “Mean Girls” in 2024. (Shutterstock)
|
Read our list of the most Googled celebrities in NC here.
And here’s what else we have for you this Monday:
|
- Service members in NC will get their biggest pay bump in two decades
-
You know Cheerwine, NC’s signature soda. But do you know its story?
- Something worth driving to: “The Nutcracker” in Raleigh
- We talked about journalism and rural power with “Do Politics Better”
- A convo with an Alamance County mom who jumped into her local school board race
|
You’re awesome, NC. Thank you for reading.
|
|
|
Service members to get biggest pay raise in 20 years in bill heading to Biden’s desk
|
While the pay bump will affect the 94,540 active duty service members in North Carolina, this year’s National Defense Authorization Act is just the latest example of the increasingly partisan landscape of modern American politics. (Photo via Shutterstock)
|
NC has one of the largest military populations in the United States. And when service members thrive, it generally means North Carolinians thrive.
Which means this is big news for NC. A bill heading to President Biden’s desk would give service members the biggest pay raise in two decades. Biden is expected to sign it before the end of the year.
|
|
|
If you’re a North Carolinian, or even just a soda enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard of Cheerwine. (If you haven’t, well, we’ll be taking your North Carolina card.)
This carbonated beverage has become an iconic symbol of the state, but it’s more than just the best drink to pair with barbecue. It also has a fascinating story, straight out of Salisbury, NC. Did you know it’s the first bottled cherry soda in the US? By a wide margin.
|
|
|
Something worth driving to 🚗
|
Image via Carolina Ballet
|
Carolina Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
📍Raleigh, Memorial Auditorium
📅 Now until Dec. 24
This holiday classic always delivers. And the venerable Carolina Ballet is giving it an expansive, local treatment with an accompanying symphony. The show plays over a 10-night stand in Raleigh. Tickets are still available.
|
|
|
We talked with the “Do Politics Better” podcast
|
Image via “Do Politics Better”
|
Recently, I talked about new forms of journalism (like us!), public education, and the struggles of rural NC in a conversation with the NC podcast, “Do Politics Better.”
“Do Politics Better” is recorded by NC lobbyists Brian Lewis and Skye David, with a deep-dive focus on state politics and policy. We come in at about the 11-minute mark.
|
|
|
Nothing but respect for people who get involved in their local communities, which is why we’re sending shouts out to anyone—regardless of party affiliation—who showed up to file for election before Friday’s filing deadline.
That includes Alamance County mother Tameka Harvey (pictured above) who signed up for next year’s race after mold issues temporarily shuttered schools in her community this year.
|
|
|
Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by NC journalist Billy Ball. 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
|
|
|
Copyright © 2023 Courier Newsroom. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
|
|
|
|
