Big goings-on out of the North Carolina Court of Appeals: 

Today, we learned that a 2-1 majority on the appellate court has agreed with Jefferson Griffin’s argument, which sets the stage for Griffin to overturn his 734-vote loss to Democratic Justice Allison Riggs in November. 

Griffin is asking the courts to toss 60,000+ voters who the state has incomplete information on, even though most of those ballots were cast by North Carolinians who were following the rules on Election Day.

Republicans are asking the courts to change the rules about who gets counted after Election Day — thereby giving a Republican the win. 

Judge Toby Hampson, a Democrat on the Court of Appeals, wrote a blistering dissent. 

(Griffin) “has yet to identify a single voter—among the tens of thousands Petitioner challenges in this appeal—who was, in fact, ineligible to vote in the 2024 General Election under the statutes, rules, and regulations in place in November 2024 governing that election.”

“The proposition that a significant portion of these 61,682 voters will receive notice and timely take curative measures is a fiction that does not disguise the act of mass disenfranchisement the majority’s decision represents,” Hampson added.

To find out if you’re one of the North Carolina voters that Republicans are trying to toss, click here. 

Justice Allison Riggs (left) beat Republican Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes in November, but the courts took a big step today to overturning Griffin’s loss. (Photos via Griffin, Riggs campaigns)

Happy Friday, North Carolina. Here’s a sneak peek at what else is in today’s newsletter: 

@cardinalandpine on Instagram

Now that President Trump’s tariffs have expanded to cover nearly every country in the world, the cost of many everyday purchases is expected to go up for North Carolina consumers and small businesses.

Like, so many.

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy, with help from some North Carolina brewers and farmers, will break it down for you in just over three minutes.

Guests enjoy Afternoon Tea at Washington Duke Inn’s Fairview Dining Room; serving tea sandwiches, house made scones, and a variety of sweets. (Discover Durham)

“High tea” or afternoon tea is a thing that came about because, naturally, some folks need something to tide them over in the afternoon. 

After all, dinner can look so far away when you’re bogging down at 2 or 3 in the afternoon. 

Cardinal & Pine contributor Vanessa Infanzon has written a new guide to spots for “high tea” in North Carolina. This isn’t just about tea. You’ll land adorable little sandwiches, macarons, and more if you hit these spots up, including the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club in Durham (pictured above). 

For the guide, click below. 

1. Duke-Houston to meet in Final Four. ESPN

The game will tip off Saturday night at approximately 8:49 pm.

2. Proposed pipeline project would harm North Carolina communities, report finds. NC Newsline

It’s an expansion of an existing pipeline that runs from the Gulf Coast to New York, transporting about a third of the gas used in the country.

3. After six months, five people still missing in NC after Helene. ABC-11

The missing include one person from Avery County, one from Mitchell County and three from Yancey County — all of whom have not been in contact since the Category 4 hurricane hit North Carolina in September, officials confirmed to ABC News.

4. Legislative battle continues over how to address health care costs in North Carolina. NC Health News

The N.C. Senate and House of Representatives have differing ideas on how to make health care more affordable and accessible to consumers.

Shutterstock

Last week’s challenge must have been an easy one.

Because lots of you were quick to respond and identify the observation tower on Clingman’s Dome, which has since been renamed (with its original Cherokee name) Kuwohi. 

But the fastest was Black Mountain resident Rex Matthews who got it in under 7 minutes. Way to go, Rex! 

This week’s challenge should be a little more difficult, but I’m certain one or two of you swashbucklers will get it.

Where are we? Write me and tell me. First one to get it right gets a shout-out here. 

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m a NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Cardinal & Pine is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

Send us your feedback and news tips to info@cardinalpine.com