As always, Fridays are for good news at Cardinal & Pine. 

Today, we’re putting a microscope on a new proposal from Gov. Josh Stein that would make teacher pay in North Carolina the envy of the southeast. 

The NC General Assembly kicked off its new session this week. They return as the only state legislature in the country to fail to pass a budget last year. 

Stein’s budget plan also makes meaningful investments in public safety, childcare, healthcare, and more. Here’s the latest.

Gov. Josh Stein wants to make teacher pay in NC the envy of the southeast. Plus, a World War II veteran is finally laid to rest. Tap here for Good News Friday. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

We missed you Thursday, but back at you today, North Carolina. 

Our new website is live now. Forgive any bugs as we get the thing moving. We think it’s a big upgrade on C&P’s look and hope you do too.

I know that this is a familiar sight to folks who live around Highlands, NC. Thanks to C&P reader Dave Boyd for sharing. 

Send us your view from NC by tapping here.

This week, I broke down Roy Cooper’s chances in the US Senate election this fall. 

We also took a look why he’s such a big problem for Republicans. Tap here to watch.

Republicans in the General Assembly, including House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger, have previously accused Democrats of lying about needing $319 million to fill the Medicaid gap. On Tuesday they provided just that amount. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson, File)

The biggest story of the brand new state legislative session is this. 

Last year, the state’s healthcare leaders warned that an impending shortfall in Medicaid funding threatened care for many folks. 

As C&P’s Michael McElroy notes, it’s a big shift for GOP lawmakers. 

Last year, many Republicans agreed that new Medicaid funding was needed, but they spent the late summer, fall, and winter of 2025 accusing Democrats, Gov. Josh Stein, and state health officials of exaggerating the problem, and calling the $319 million figure dishonest. 

Here’s why this is so important.

1. Former NC police officer planned to kill Black people in mass shooting at a New Orleans festival, authorities say. WUNC

“Authorities in several states did not name the event, but the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly known as Jazz Fest, runs from Thursday through May 3. The gathering attracted about 460,000 people last year, organizers said.”

2. ‘Historic level of dryness’: NC experts on summer expectations, risk increase from worsening drought. WRAL

“Experts from the North Carolina State Climate Office, NC Division of Water Resources, NC Forest Service and the National Weather Service in Raleigh shared an update on our state’s serious drought Thursday morning after the newly dropped drought monitor showed that conditions are worsening.”

3. North Carolina businesses urged to use new portal for refunds after tariffs ruled illegal. WLOS

“At the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration initiated a series of aggressive tariffs, as well as a 10% baseline global tariff on most U.S. imports.”

Real estate developer Donald Trump holds the World Wrestling Federation Championship belt flanked by Hulk Hogan, left, and Andre the Giant at a news conference, March 15, 1988, in New York. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

Andre the Giant was born in France, but he was a big part of my childhood. 

I had his action figures. I watched him on television. And he was a huge part of “The Princess Bride,” a beloved 1987 fantasy comedy. 

But lots of folks don’t know he lived part of his life in North Carolina. 

A new roadside marker celebrating Andre’s life went up recently in tiny Ellerbe, NC. 

Check out his incredible NC connection here.

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, Michael McElroy, and the The Associated Press. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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