First things first: 

North Carolina’s US Senate race is one of the most important elections in the country. 

You can tell by the cash Republicans are putting into trying to make the Democratic candidate, Roy Cooper, look like a different person. 

Today, in a new Billy Ball Explains NC, I broke down the wild tactics they’re trying and what I think of Cooper’s chances to win. Watch it here.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe!

The new Billy Ball Explains NC is out. now. Tap here. (Graphic by Kelly Lennon)

One important note.

Cardinal & Pine is getting a glow-up. We’ll be busy rolling out our new website Thursday. Because of that, there’ll be no C&P newsletter on Thursday. 

We’ll miss you, but look for us to be right back in your inbox Friday. Now, here’s what’s in today’s newsletter: 

Much love to Cardinal & Pine reader Lori Artz for this lovely view from Ocracoke Island. 

One of our favorite beaches in NC. 

Send us your view from NC by tapping here.

On May 1, North Carolina educators are planning a large protest in Raleigh. 

They’re doing that because NC’s public education funding and teacher pay are chronically ranked near the bottom of the nation.

At a recent rally, Tamika Walker Kelly, who heads the NC Association of Educators—one of the state’s largest K-12 education advocacy groups—said teachers are leaving in droves. 

Here’s why.

More education news 👇

A recent court ruling in NC has public education reeling.

This is why.

(timothysnyder.org)

This week in North Carolina, you can attend protests, marches, and a conversation with Timothy Snyder, author of “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.” 

🗓 Friday, April 24

Engaged Defenders for Democracy – ICE Is Not Welcome Here! Cary ICE Office (9-11 a.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy
Location: 140 Centrewest Court, Cary

Join peaceful protesters in Cary as they stand on the sidewalk on the corner of Evans and Centrewest Court to protest ICE policies against immigrants outside of their local offices.

Kids Over Corporations May Day Art Build (6-8 p.m.)

Host: Carolina Federation
Location: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., Durham

This is an opportunity to participate in a sign-making event for May Day events happening on May 1.

🗓 Saturday, April 25

Communities Not Cages: National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Host: Disappeared in America
Location: Intersection of Cabarrus Avenue and Market Street, 35 Cabarrus Ave. W, Concord

As part of a national day of action, Disappeared in America is protesting plans by the US Department of Homeland Security to expand its detention program targeting undocumented immigrants and attacking the right to due process.

March For Our Youth (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Host: Action4Equity Winston-Salem
Location: Provided upon registration.

In Winston-Salem, members of the community are marching in support of children’s well-being, education, and mental health.

Raleigh Medicaid Deep Canvass Training (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Host: Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic
Location: (Raleigh) Provided upon registration.

NOTE: Attending this training is required to participate in the Medicaid deep canvass in Raleigh listed later on Sunday, April 26.

This training will prepare canvassers to have meaningful conversations about Medicaid in the community. Both breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees.

Gastonia Pop-Up Protest (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible
Location: Provided upon registration.

In Gastonia, community members are meeting for an hour-long peaceful protest. Attendees are asked to stay positive, avoid profanity, and commit to peaceful protest.

SPEAK OUT NOW CONTINUES! (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Chatham County
Location: Provided upon registration.

Each week, members of the community in Chatham County gather to protest the Trump administration and ICE raids.

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 Saturday protest in Greensboro against the Trump administration.

🗓 Sunday, April 26

Raleigh Medicaid Deep Canvass (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Host: Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic
Location: (Raleigh) Provided upon registration.

NOTE: You must complete the deep canvassing training listed on Saturday, April 25, to attend. 

Planned Parenthood will be having critical conversations with voters in Wilmington about the impact of Medicaid.

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

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy
Location: US-70 and 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.

🗓 Monday, April 27

Barriers to Voting – A Panel Discussion (6-7:30 p.m.)

Host: Common Cause, Carolina Forward, People’s Parity Project
Location: High Point Main Library, 901 N. Main St., High Point 

In High Point, you have the opportunity to hear from a panel of experts about some of the barriers to voting, including the impact that gerrymandering and the closing of polling sites are having on North Carolina.

🗓 Tuesday, April 28

NC Workers’ Memorial Day Service (10-11 a.m.)

Host: North Carolina AFL-CIO
Location: Nash Square, Fallen Firefighters Memorial, 200 S. McDowell St., Raleigh

Join NC AFL-CIO as they honor North Carolinians who have died while working.

Advocacy Day (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Host: North Carolinians Against Gun Violence Action Fund
Location: Provided upon registration.

North Carolinians Against Gun Violence will be advocating for common-sense gun laws at the General Assembly.

How do we push for a healthy North Carolina? (6 p.m.)

Host: Beacon Media, Carolina Forward
Location: Virtual

Moderated by former NC State Sen. Graig Meyer, this event will include a screening of a documentary highlighting the impact the Healthy Opportunities Pilot had on North Carolina. Following the showing of the film, a panel discussion will take place featuring former NC Secretary of Health and Human Services Kody Kinsley.

🗓 Thursday, April 30

In the Know LIVE with Timothy Snyder (12-1 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible
Location: Virtual 

Indivisible is hosting Professor Timothy Snyder, a professor of history at the University of Toronto, for a virtual discussion on the issues impacting the United States. Snyder has written extensively about the history of authoritarianism.

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 on Thursday, April 16, in support of democracy in downtown Burlington. 

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

Host: Indivisible Chatham County
Location: Cole Park Plaza, 11470 US-15 501 N, Unit 102, Chapel Hill

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

May Day Sign-Making Party (6-8 p.m.)

Host: North Carolina AFL-CIO
Location: 1408 Hillsborough St., Raleigh

Join members of the community for dinner and sign-making for May Day events in the Triangle.

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

A plate of fries covered in a tikka masala sauce at Boone’s Chai & Chutney. (Chai & Chutney)

Let’s talk food. 

In case you missed it, we wrote up a guide to the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026. 

From Boone to Winston-Salem, NC’s status as a culinary capital just keeps rising.

Here’s why.

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 and Britteny Dee. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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