We begin—as we do every Friday—with three pieces of actual good news. 

This week, Cardinal & Pine’s “Good News Friday” centers on the three hero cops behind daring water rescues. Among them, in February, Raleigh Police Sgt. M.T. Foran pulled a child out of a frozen pond.

This week’s GNF also features a long-awaited hospital in one western NC town, and a program meant to provide alternatives to jail for people with substance use crimes. 

Get your good news here.

In February, Sgt. M.T. Foran (left) of the Raleigh Police Department rescued a child from the icy waters of the partially frozen Laurel Hills Park. He was honored by the city and Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce (right). (City of Raleigh)

Happy Friday, friends. I’m so grateful you’re reading this newsletter. Here’s what’s in it today: 

As Cardinal & Pine reader Jeri Ruser in Concord points out, the Monarch butterflies are enamored with her azaleas. 

Since October, hundreds of American judges have ruled more than 4,400 times that ICE jailed people illegally. 

A new class action lawsuit in North Carolina calls for a federal court to block immigration agencies from making warrantless arrests without individualized probable cause. 

It comes directly from five men who encountered ICE and Border Patrol during the November immigration crackdown in NC. In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, I broke down what to know. 

More Billy Ball Explains NC:

1. Your guide to ‘No Kings’ protests in North Carolina. Cardinal & Pine

“From Murphy to Manteo, No Kings protests, marches, and rallies are occurring in communities across North Carolina. Whether you live in a larger metro area like Charlotte, or a small town like Morganton, there are events happening in your community.”

2. Federal judge upholds North Carolina’s voter photo ID law. Democracy Docket

“Despite qualifying North Carolina’s voting regulations as severe, they don’t surpass the ‘usual burdens of voting,’ the judge said.”

3. Multiple wildfires are burning across western North Carolina. Here’s what to know. WLOS

“Spring in western North Carolina is historically the most active wildfire season for the region. An excess of fallen trees and debris from Hurricane Helene has also created a long-lasting wildfire risk in many areas of the mountains.”

4. North Carolina mother who was missing for 24 years reunites with daughter. NBC News

“For over two decades, Amanda Smith wondered what happened to her mother, who disappeared 24 years ago in North Carolina. In a twist out of Hollywood, she had an emotional reunion Thursday with her mother, who for years didn’t want to be found.”

Local news is essential for democracy.

Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.

(PJ McDonnnell/Shutterstock)

For the first time in maybe a year, we stumped you with “Where are we in NC?” 

Last week’s photo was of the Faison-Williams House in Duplin County. This historic home, built in 1853, was once commandeered by federal troops during the Civil War. For more on the house and its history, check out this 2024 reporting in the Duplin Times.

No chance we stump you two weeks in a row. Where are we, NC? Be the first to get it right, and we’ll crown you the King of NC Knowledge. 

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 and Dylan Rhoney. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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