Below, we have NC reactions to the failed impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, plus a gift guide for people who prefer their local economy to Amazon, but first: 

Republicans lost a lot of elections in North Carolina last week. But there’s one that really sticks out. 

Tricia Cotham is the party-flipping state lawmaker at the center of one of the most befuddling political stories I’ve seen in the last 20 years in North Carolina. 

Republicans called her a hero. Democrats said she was a traitor. But voters in her Charlotte-area district had the final say. 

I unpacked Cotham’s defeat and talked about why my first interview with Cotham—way back in 2016—now seems so telling and meaningful.

Watch the new “Billy Ball Explains NC” here. Make sure to tap “like” and “subscribe” so our content rises to the top. 

Graphic by Kelly Lennon

My colleague pointed out that taking a day off on Wednesday makes it feel like there were two Mondays this week. Weird, right?

I hope it was a very good Veterans Day, NC. 

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s Cardinal & Pine newsletter:

Jennifer Jennette sent this sunset view from Fort Macon. Her pup, Luna Bell, is trying to outshine the sun. 

Do you have a View from NC to share? Send it to us!

Photo: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

The election’s over. And one of the first people to feel the effects of it was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 

It appears, however, that Hegseth has survived an attempt to impeach him for his handling of the war in Iran. 

Some veterans groups and North Carolina leaders are speaking out on the Hegseth impeachment.

Here’s what they had to say.

More at Cardinal & Pine: 

1. 1-4 inches of snow expected in North Carolina mountains Friday. Fox 8 WGHP

“Along westward-facing slopes in the mountains, some accumulating snow is expected with 1 to 4 inches on the ground by Friday midday.”

2. Durham’s water supply dwindles as Triangle municipalities navigate relentless drought. WUNC

“After months of unrelenting drought, the City of Durham now has less than 80 days of easily accessible water left. When including less accessible sources and emergency storage, the city has enough water for just under 150 days.”

3. US Rep. Greg Murphy concedes in NC race against Democrat Raymond Smith. WRAL

“In an interview with WRAL, Smith laid out his priorities for his first term as a member of Congress. Meanwhile, Democrat Chuck Hubbard appears to unseat another Republican in western NC, Rep. Virginia Foxx.”

4. Hubbard appears to have ousted Foxx in NC-05 as provisionals, cured ballots counted. NC Newsline

“In unofficial returns Nov. 3, Democrat Chuck Hubbard held a razor-slim lead of 99 votes over GOP incumbent Virginia Foxx. His lead widened after Tuesday.”

One-on-one time with a murder bird. It’s not for everyone, but I’m game. (Photo via Curtis Wright Outfitters)

Who’s game for a close-up with a bird of prey? Get it? Who?

Sorry, I’ll show myself out. 

Today at Cardinal & Pine, we published a holiday gift guide for North Carolinians who’d rather put their money into their local economy than in Jeff Bezos’ pockets. 

The idea is to spend on North Carolina experiences, rather than some trinket made in China and shipped by a big box retailer.

We split the guide up into gifts for thrill-seekers, introverts, outdoorsy types, animal lovers, foodies, and more. We’ve got art classes, wine tastings, whitewater rafting, and so much more.

Read it here.

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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 Brook Bolen. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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