There’s a new wrinkle in the Jefferson Griffin case.

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court ordered a temporary halt on any state attempts to “cure” ballots caught up in the Griffin case. The courts can be complicated, but here’s what this means in a nutshell: 

It means the 30-day timer has not started on the state Supreme Court’s order for voters to prove they are valid.

This doesn’t mean the federal Court of Appeals is going to side one way or the other. Courts typically put a stop on orders they are planning to review. 

Griffin’s election loss to NC Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs in November is the last uncertified election in America, which makes us special but not in any kind of good way.

During this stoppage, it would be a good time to see if your ballot is one of those being challenged by Griffin, if you haven’t already. You can do that here or by clicking the image below. Pro tip: You should check even if you’ve voted for years in North Carolina with no problems. Plenty of folks just like that are being challenged. 

Yeah, we’re still talking about this. 

More news and a very special announcement below: 

So here’s the deal: 

Cardinal & Pine has existed for (checks watch) five years now. And we’ve never, ever met most of you. Here’s a chance to change that. 

Save the date for May 20. The team will be getting together in Fayetteville to talk about something really important. 

North Carolina is home to one of the largest veteran populations in America. I come from a military family myself. My dad was a career Coast Guardsman. We want to talk about all things North Carolina veterans, including supporting veterans and military families, funding the federal Veteran Affairs office, essential healthcare, toxic burn pit exposure, and contaminated water.

Stay tuned for more details, including how to get free tickets, and which featured speakers and panelists will be there. Share this email with any veterans or military families you know. 

Pauli Murray, second from right, in 1956 with her book, “Proud Shoes.” Photo courtesy of the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University

We learned recently that the Trump administration has pulled funding for the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham. 

The center is located at Murray’s childhood home in North Carolina. In the 20th century, Murray was an influential civil rights leader behind the scenes, doing the legal research that laid the groundwork for desegregating America and building a playbook for the Civil Rights Movement. 

The Trump administration has also pulled some of Murray’s biographical information from a federal parks website, one of many drawbacks targeting information about racial justice. 

This week, I talked about Murray’s big, big life, and what you can do to spread her story. Check it out. 

Read More:

1. NC lawmakers violated the constitution in effort to take elections power from Josh Stein, court rules. WRAL.com

Part of a new law taking power away from Democrats who won in the 2024 elections is unconstitutional, North Carolina judges ruled Wednesday, striking down effort to take control of elections from Gov. Josh Stein.

2. Waste treatment plant catches fire near North Carolina-South Carolina border. WBTV

The fire started around 4:30 a.m. at the South Charlotte Transfer Station off of Westinghouse Boulevard between South Tryon Street and I-77, only two miles from the North Carolina-South Carolina border.

3. Big Lots announces all 219 store reopenings, 50-plus in North Carolina: See all NC openings. Asheville Citizen-Times

After bankruptcy and store closures, Big Lots plans to gradually reopen 219 stores.

The Flat Top trail in Watauga County, North Carolina. (Shutterstock)

On Tuesday, we asked you folks how you spent your Earth Day. Your answers were inspiring.

Robin Hammond joined the League of Women Voters in Wake County for a talk on the effects of plastics in our bodies. 

Cathy Jones celebrates her birthday on Earth Day, and she remembers celebrating it Earth Day for the first time in 1970. 

Reader Becky Plesher talked about volunteering at a local animal park in Burlington, and Becky in Graham said she spent it with a “majestic” white ash tree near her home. 

Thanks for sharing, y’all. 

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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