Below, we have this evening’s meteor shower and a guide to microvolunteering in NC, but first:

Folks in western NC were shocked to learn that ICE partnered with federal park rangers. They arrested 13 people enjoying Wilson Creek, a popular swimming hole in Pisgah National Forest.

It’s believed to be the first time federal immigration officers made arrests in one of NC’s national forests. 

We wanted to unpack what this means. In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, Cardinal & Pine broke down why this raid was so unusual, and why we should expect to see more surprising police team-ups like this in the coming days. However, most Americans say they don’t support ICE’s tactics.

Check it out. 

In late July, ICE partnered with federal park rangers in NC. We talked about what that means in a new Billy Ball Explains NC. (Graphic by Luis Castaneda)

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Make sure you do that so we can keep you connected with the latest news.

Here’s what’s in today’s Cardinal & Pine newsletter: 

Today’s View from NC comes from Melanie Woodfield, who photographed this elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. 

If you want to see your photo featured in C&P’s View from NC, send it to us today! 

Now is a really good time to keep an eye on the nighttime sky in NC. (Maciej Wodzyński/Unsplash)

If you’re into shooting stars—and seriously, who isn’t?—this evening is a good time to keep an eye on the sky. 

As we reported in our summer ’26 celestial events guide, the Perseid shower is peaking Aug. 12-13. That’s tonight and tomorrow night. 

We’ve got you covered on when and where to look. Tap here.

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. Jeff Jackson declines to sign Duke Energy Progress rate settlement. WCTI

“North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson says he will not sign a proposed settlement in Duke Energy Progress’ rate case because it would increase residential electric bills by about 6.8% over two years.”

2. Elon Poll: Cooper continues to lead in North Carolina US Senate race. Elon University

“Former North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has an 11% lead over Republican Michael Whatley among likely voters in the race for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Thom Tillis.”

3. State regulators to hold public hearing on North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program next week. WUNC

“The North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program upgrades homes to help them conserve energy. That includes replacing insulation, sealing windows and doors and repairing heating and cooling systems. State regulators are hosting a public hearing Monday on next year’s plan to weatherize low-income homes.”

4. North Carolina’s first microschool high school is giving students a new way to learn. Spectrum News

“Some students in Cabarrus County Schools are starting out the new school year at the district’s first microschool and North Carolina’s first microschool at the high school level. Microschool means a small school within a big school.”

Workers with the National Park Services cleaning up the beach at Cape Hatteras. (NPS)

Microvolunteering is exactly what it sounds like. It’s giving back for people who don’t have a whole lot of free time. 

And not only is it good for your local community, it’s good for you too. As C&P contributor Karishma Desai notes, researchers found lower blood pressure, increased dopamine levels, and longer lifespans in people who do volunteer work. 

Cool. 

Today, we published our new guide to microvolunteering in NC. Desai has  mapped out 9 ways to give back in smaller ways, from cleaning up the beaches (see above) to becoming a social media activist or helping out at a local festival. 

Tap here to read it. 

How do you like to give back? Write us and you could see it featured in an upcoming C&P newsletter.

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 Britteny Dee, Karishma Desai and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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