The big news today is ICE, the federal agency in charge of enforcing immigration laws.

Republicans funded a massive increase in the agency’s budget. But their aggressive tactics, including here in North Carolina, have cost them a lot of support in the last 12 months.

As the agency expands, though, they need space to hold the people they detain. Newly unearthed documents show that ICE is considering up to three potential new facilities in NC.

We went deep on the story in today’s episode of Billy Ball Explains NC. Make sure to like and subscribe to us on YouTube. Hop in the comments and tell us what you think about this news.

The latest episode of Billy Ball Explains NC is out now. Tap the image to watch. 

Happy Wednesday. Here’s what else you’ll find in today’s newsletter: 

Cardinal & Pine reader Denise Irons supplied this photo of the moon shining on freshly fallen snow in Hillsborough.

Cool stuff, Denise.

(AP Photo/Annie Rice, File)

A person with measles visited five public places in Wake County on Feb. 5 and 6, Michael McElroy reports in Cardinal & Pine’s Bad Medicine, our ongoing series on health care under the Trump administration.

State and county officials said Tuesday that the person potentially exposed patrons at a gym, restaurant, drugstore, and two Harris Teeter supermarkets to the most contagious disease humankind has ever known.

As McElroy explains, vaccines nearly eradicated measles from the United States, but rising vaccine hesitancy has given it an opening for a comeback—an opening the virus is taking full advantage of.

The country is now seeing the largest number of measles cases in more than 30 years, and South Carolina has the largest outbreak in the United States. Get the latest by tapping the button below.

More from Cardinal & Pine’s Bad Medicine:

1. NC auditor eyes election tech upgrade amid scrutiny and mistrust. WRAL

“North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek, whose office oversees state election administration, is prioritizing the update at a time when some voters have lost faith in election integrity.”

2. GOP lawmakers critical and cordial with Charlotte leaders after high-profile crime. The Associated Press

“The August fatal stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, followed in December by a non-fatal stabbing on the same Charlotte rail system, are among the chief reasons for GOP critiques of area law enforcement.”

3. Longtime firefighter dies in line of duty in North Carolina. WBTV

“Firefighter served more than 45 years with White Level Fire Department in Franklin County.”

Bull riding—leave it to the pros. This week, the state fairgrounds in Raleigh hosts the Raleigh Stampede, a chance to catch some bull riding and other rodeo classics. (YES Market Media via Shutterstock)

I’ve covered rodeos in the past. They’re fun. Often wild. And altogether terrifying for whoever’s sitting on the bull. Which is why it’s a sport best left to the pros. 😂

On Friday and Saturday, the state fairgrounds in Raleigh will play host to a rodeo called the “Raleigh Stampede.”

As Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin explains, the top cowboys and cowgirls of the Southern Rodeo Association will do seven events, including bronc riding, roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.

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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 content from Michael McElroy and Ryan Pitkin. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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