In the sixth grade, I won my school spelling bee and went to a county competition. There, I got cocky with the word “hundredth” and left out that second “d.” 

In my defense, it really does sound like “hundreth.”

Which is why I feel some love for the little geniuses who will compete in tonight’s finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Morrisville teenager Kushi Gottimukkala is one of nine finalists. Kushi made it all the way to the semifinals last year and is hoping her second try ends in glory.

Here’s how to watch Kushi compete.

Kushi Gottimukkala, 13, of Morrisville, NC, spells her word during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

If you haven’t already, share this action-packed newsletter with your friends and family. It helps us grow! 

Here’s what’s happening today in NC: 

A couple weeks back in this space, we featured a photo of the elusive “blue ghost” firefly in western North Carolina. 

Local nature photographer Nick Holshouser (@pisgahtime on Instagram) shared this pic he snapped of the luminescent creatures in 2025. We’re coming to the end of blue ghost season out west.

For more on them and how to spot them, tap here.

(AP/Allen Breed)

With Election Day less than five months away, many people are wondering how to make their voices heard and get involved in their communities.

We’ve got you covered. Here’s Cardinal & Pine’s weekly guide to getting involved:

🗓 Saturday, May 30

Building Black Wealth (9-11 a.m.)

Host: NC Black Alliance, Advance Carolina

Location: Virtual

This virtual event will encourage the building of Black wealth and support the creation and sustainability of businesses.

Asheville Medicaid Deep Canvassing Training (9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)

Host: Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic 

Location: Provided upon registration

This training will prepare canvassers to have meaningful conversations about Medicaid in the Asheville community.

Rage Against The Regime Gate City BLVD Edition! (11 a.m-12 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Guilford County

Location: 3608 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro

Guilford County Indivisible is holding a protest against the Trump administration.

Alamance Chapter Meeting (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Host: Down Home NC

Location: Down Home NC, 1246 Plaza Drive, Suite A, Burlington

At this monthly chapter meeting, Down Home members will discuss the work ahead in Alamance County. New attendees can learn more about Down Home NC’s work and how to get involved at the local level.

Flip NC Judicial Canvass (12-2 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Guilford County, Flip NC

Location: 3001 Battleground Ave., Greensboro

One of the most important races on the November ballot will be the North Carolina Supreme Court election. In Greensboro, you have an opportunity to speak with your neighbors about the court and why it matters.

🗓 Sunday, May 31

Southern Sundays for Peace: Garner (12-2 p.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: US 70 & Mechanical Boulevard, Garner

Join Engaged Defenders for Democracy in Garner. They will be hosting their weekly pro-democracy protest and invite the community to join them. Positive signs are requested.

Southern Sundays for Peace: Rocky Mount (12-1:30 p.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: Rocky Mount Mill, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount

Join Engaged Defenders for Democracy in Rocky Mount. They will be hosting their weekly pro-democracy protest and invite the community to join them. Positive signs are requested.

Community on Tap: Gaston County (5-7 p.m.)

Host: Red, Wine and Blue

Location: Durty Bull Brewing Company, 126 S. Trenton St., Gastonia

Join Red, Wine and Blue and fellow members of the Gaston County community to meet like-minded people and enjoy local brews.

🗓 Monday, June 1

Tell Fayetteville City Council: Data Center Moratorium NOW! (6:15 pm)

Hosted by: Fayetteville Freedom For All

Location: City Hall, 433 Hay St., Fayetteville

Fayetteville Freedom For All is asking Fayetteville residents to attend a city council meeting to express their support for a moratorium on data centers.

🗓 Tuesday, June 2

Why is my light bill so high? Part 2! (6:30-8 p.m.)

Hosted by: Advance Carolina

Location: Nuestro Barrio Liberation Center, 458 S. Driver St., Durham

Duke Energy is currently proposing rate increases for electricity bills. Advance Carolina is hosting this information session ahead of a June 3 public hearing in Durham. Attendees will learn more about the rate hikes and public testimony at the hearing.

🗓 Wednesday, June 3

ICLT June Social (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible CLT

Location: Suffolk Punch Brewing, 4400 Sharon Rd., Charlotte

At Indivisible CLT’s monthly social gathering, you can enjoy a drink, meet fellow members of the community, or, if you’re trying to get involved, learn more about Indivisible and its work in the Charlotte area.

Check Your Mirrors & Windows: Standing up for Inclusive Classrooms (7-8 p.m.)

Host: Red Wine & Blue, Campaign for Southern Equality

Location: Virtual

After years of book bans and attacks on public schools, Red Wine & Blue is teaming up with the Campaign for Southern Equality to help students have access to diverse books. Join this virtual event to learn more.

🗓 Thursday, June 4

Alamance Hour of Action (4-5 p.m.)

Host: Alamance Hour of Action

Location: 1388 S. Main St., Burlington

In this edition of a weekly peaceful protest, residents of Alamance County will be marching in downtown Burlington in support of democracy.

Cole Park Pop-Up (5-6 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Chatham County

Location: Cole Park Plaza, 11470 US Highway, 15 501 N. 102, Chapel Hill

Residents in Chatham County are making their voices heard through a weekly protest at Cole Park.

How to knock doors and use miniVAN (6-7 p.m.)

Host: North Carolina Democratic Party

Location: Virtual

Are you interested in knocking on doors and talking to voters as part of this year’s midterm elections? The North Carolina Democratic Party is hosting a virtual training on canvassing for both newcomers and those seeking a refresher.

Educators For Strong Schools: Momentum From May Day (7-8:15 p.m.)

Host: Public Schools Strong

Location: Virtual

Building on the success of the May Day rally for public schools in Raleigh, this virtual event will feature speakers from both North Carolina and Michigan who will teach attendees about the importance of union power.

Have an event to add? Email organizing coordinator Dylan Rhoney with details (please send details at least one week in advance).

Join COURIER and 3.14 Action on June 11 for Facts vs. Fiction: The Fight for Science in American Democracy.

Misinformation isn’t just noise. It’s shaping policy decisions that determine who can afford care, which communities are protected, and how our government responds to real-world risks.

This live conversation will examine what’s at stake when facts are ignored and how science-informed leadership has shaped policy on healthcare, climate, agriculture, and public health. At a moment when institutions and public trust are under attack, we’ll explore what happens when decision-making is driven by evidence, what it takes to rebuild trust, and why scientific integrity is essential to democracy.

Stay tuned for more speaker announcements, and don’t miss this conversation.

We Tar Heels often eat cornbread with supper, but cornbread and milk also makes a solid breakfast. (Lynne Ann Mitchell/Shutterstock) 

OK, look: Stereotypes can be awful. They’re boring and easy. They’re mental shortcuts. And very often, they make you look dumb for having them.

But we wanted to look at North Carolina stereotypes that are … actually just kinda true.

C&P contributor Brook Bolen, a born-and-raised western North Carolinian, took on the task. What she came up with hits home.

For example: Our preferred “bread” is “cornbread” and yes it works in salty and sweet settings thank you very much.

Find out what other NC stereotypes are sort of accurate.

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 The Associated Press, Dylan Rhoney, and Brook Bolen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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