Some important health news, NC. 

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy reported that Mecklenburg County—home to NC’s largest city, Charlotte—has detected traces of measles in local wastewater. 

NC has had five reported cases of the dangerous virus, which can cause death and lifelong complications. But none of them were in Mecklenburg County. It’s a sign that measles might be more widespread than we know. 

South Carolina is in the midst of an outbreak, with more than 300 confirmed cases. It’s one of the largest outbreaks in the country. 

As McElroy notes, the US had nearly eliminated measles, but health officials are blaming vaccine hesitancy for a resurgence. Get the latest on when and where by tapping the button below. 

A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File)

I think it’s the coolest thing ever that you’re reading this newsletter. Here’s what’s in it: 

You might have received a fundraising email from us today regarding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB) dissolution following federal cuts passed by Republicans.

In the email, we incorrectly stated the number of public stations closing. While the CPB did provide funding for more than 1,500 locally-run radio and television stations across the US, that does not mean all of those stations are closing.

The error came from fundraising messaging, not our reporting, and we regret the confusion it caused. Accuracy and trust matter to us, and we appreciate readers who hold us accountable.

We regret the error.

Cardinal & Pine reader Lois Kesty sent us this shot of the holiday finery on the Cape Fear River. 

The holidays are past, but I still love to see it. 

Trays of smoked meat and other barbecue foods at The Improper Pig. (NiceDay)

In 1936, there was a book published named “How To Win Friends and Influence People.” I can save anybody who wants to read that a lot of time. 

The secret to winning friends is showing someone an amazing restaurant they didn’t know about. 

Cardinal & Pine contributor Britteny Dee penned a guide this week to 8 exciting new restaurants opening in 2026. 

From Indian street food in Boone to upscale Mexican in Charlotte and a peak steakhouse in Durham, this guide is going to help you make some buddies. 

ICYMI at Cardinal & Pine:

1. Trump is getting richer. The Southerners who voted for him are getting poorer. The Living South

“For many of the people who voted for him in 2024, Trump has made their lives tangibly harder and he’s getting richer by the minute.”

2. Army Corps of Engineers wants to dredge the Cape Fear River. Environmentalists tally the costs. Inside Climate News

“By the time the Army Corps of Engineers is finished, 35 million cubic yards of silt and sand, plus the creatures that live in it, would be scraped and slurped from the Cape Fear River.”

3. Wake DA, SBI join investigation into Cary finances after town manager resigns. WRAL

“Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman has consulted with the state auditor’s office and the State Bureau of Investigation in examining the town of Cary’s financial mismanagement.”

4. Jim Hunt’s cross to bear. The Assembly

“The four-term Democratic governor and committed church-goer politicked with evangelical fervor. But he still struggled to sway the Religious Right.”

Ride down the ice slide at the Ice Extravaganza in Maggie Valley. (Visit Haywood)

We are just a couple weeks out from Haywood County’s 2026 Ice Fest Weekend. 

Recently, Cardinal & Pine contributor Vanessa Infanzon wrote a guide to this four-day celebration of winter from Jan. 29 through Feb. 1. Haywood County, which is about an hour west of Asheville,  can use the money to continue the region’s ongoing recovery from Helene. 

Expect live ice sculpting, an ice skating rink, a block party, a 5K, games for the whole family, and, of course, food, drink, and music. 

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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 stories from Michael McElroy, Britteny Dee, Inside Climate News, and Vanessa Infanzon. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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