If I had to list my favorite Main Streets in North Carolina, the little town of Oxford would be holding down a spot. 

This week, Granville County town hosts an annual event called CultureFest. It tops the bill in our weekly 3 things happening in NC column. 

CultureFest brings international food, performances, art, and a lot more. It’s a lot cheaper and easier than a plane ticket. 

This year’s event features acts from Asia, Africa, and Europe, plus celebrations of African American and Native American heritage too. 

As always, there are two more things in our “3 things” column, including a really cool story about how your local postal worker is fighting hunger this week. Read it here.

Every year, CultureFest brings the world to rural North Carolina. (CultureFest on Facebook)

This is the Cardinal & Pine newsletter. It is brought to you by your generosity and general all-around coolness. 

Here’s what’s in it today:

George Maynard III shared this dawn photo from Sunset Beach. Has me pining for the ocean. 

Got a view from NC you want to share? Don’t be shy. Send it in!

Naomi Reeves, left, and Finley Thomas, right, are thriving despite their health challenges, in part, because Medicaid has covered expenses parents could not afford on their own.

This week, we are wrapping up C&P’s “Bad Medicine” series—our ongoing look at how budget cuts are impacting healthcare for North Carolinians. 

But first, we’re reporting today on Medicaid, and the people who rely on this joint state-federal program. 

C&P’s Michael McElroy spoke with Bethany Reeves, whose daughter Naomi needed a heart transplant at four months old. 

It’s a daunting procedure for anyone, much less an infant. And even though Naomi is 10 years old now, it still requires regular care to keep her thriving. When Bethany lost her job in 2023, Medicaid made it possible. 

Stories like Naomi’s are important because they expose the problem with the way some federal lawmakers and President Donald Trump are talking about Medicaid, which they equate with fraud and abuse. Here’s why.

More Bad Medicine:

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1. NC burn ban ends in 81 counties: What is and isn’t allowed with outdoor burning in North Carolina. WRAL

“Even when we’re not in a burn ban, some outdoor burning (or open burning) is prohibited in North Carolina.”

2. Gov. Josh Stein orders U.S. and NC flags lowered to half-staff. WLOS

“All flags are ordered at half-staff in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.”

3. State officials, lawmakers press for delay on WakeMed/Atrium deal. NC Health News

“After initial media reports detailed the proposed combination of the Raleigh- and Charlotte-based systems, Wake County commissioners may move to slow down decision-making.”

(EF Stock/Shutterstock)

In case you missed it, today marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week. 

The week feels a little more important these days. We had thousands of teachers in Raleigh on Friday saying they didn’t feel appreciated.

Recently, we published a guide to what North Carolina teachers are saying they’d like this Teacher Appreciation Week. 

Here are some of the very real and practical gifts they could use. Share this with family and friends!

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, Michael McElroy, and Karishma Desai. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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