This weekend in North Carolina, we are expecting some of the largest protests we’ve seen in some time.

The return of the “No Kings” demonstrations means dozens of NC communities will be buzzing. However you want to protest, we support it at Cardinal & Pine.

C&P’s Dylan Rhoney has compiled a list of 50 local “No Kings” protests across the state, from Manteo to Murphy.

Protesters at the ‘No Kings’ rally in Durham, NC. June 14, 2025. (Dylan Rhoney/Cardinal & Pine)

Stay safe this weekend. And tell them Cardinal & Pine sent you.

Here’s what else is in today’s newsletter:

We can practically smell the pollen in this blooming photo from Amy Wo at the Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem. 

Send us your spring blooms, NC!

The Veterans for Responsible Leadership billboard outside Fort Bragg in Cumberland County. (Veterans for Responsible Leadership)

Last year, Cardinal & Pine went to Fayetteville to talk to veterans and their families.

One of the recurring themes we heard was “no war.” That was also one of the things many Trump voters said they didn’t want when they turned out for the president in 2024. 

We’re at war with Iran now. Indeed, around 2,000 members of the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division, which is based at Fort Bragg, will be deployed to the Iran war zone for possible ground combat.

So a group of veterans in the state is trying to reach many of those North Carolinians, C&P’s Michael McElroy reports, with a series of billboards outside Bragg and other military communities. Here’s what they’re saying about it.

More NC news:

If anything, the Phil Berger-Sam Page election proved just how reliable North Carolina’s elections are. Here’s why. 

1. Gov. Stein calls upon General Assembly to invest $792M into next phase of Helene recovery. WLOS

“According to a news release from Stein’s office, despite efforts from state, local and federal partners, needs remain unmet.”

2. Will Wade one-and-done with NC State basketball, leaves Wolfpack for LSU reunion. News & Observer

“Will Wade made a lot of promises a year ago, when N.C. State introduced him as its new head men’s basketball coach.”

3. UNC should honor its tradition in coaching search. There’s one name that makes sense. USA Today

“Before outgoing athletic director Bubba Cunningham and AD in-waiting Steve Newmark decide on a new coach, they must take strong look at Jerry Stackhouse.”

4. The North Carolina DMV gets a long-awaited computer upgrade. WUNC

“The tech upgrade is one of several new strategies DMV is using to try and cut down on notoriously long waiting times at its offices.”

5. As sports betting booms in North Carolina, so do gambling problems. NC Newsline

“Two years after North Carolina legalized mobile sports betting, counselors say they are seeing the fallout: drained bank accounts, strained relationships and young people — especially young men — spiraling into anxiety and depression after losing more than they can afford.”

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.

North Carolina forward Nyla Harris (2) celebrates after she scored with Maryland guard Addi Mack (3) nearby during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Chapel Hill, NC. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

This time of year, you can never actually get away from the madness. 

We’ve got lots of college basketball to watch over the next couple days, including a few North Carolina-based teams with high hopes, including the UNC-Chapel Hill women (above). 

UNC will have a very tall order when they play the defending champs, UConn, at 5 p.m. Friday. The Duke women will have their own mountain to climb when they take on LSU at 10 p.m. Friday. 

On the men’s side, North Carolina has just one team remaining, but they are the favorites. Top-seeded Duke is scheduled to tip off against St. John’s around 7:10 p.m. Friday night. 

ICYMI, check out our guide to all of the NC teams that made the tournament this year. 

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 Dylan Rhoney, Michael McElroy, and Joey Held. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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