In today’s Cardinal & Pine newsletter, we have a beautiful overlook view from Boone and a guide to u-pick apples in NC, but first: 

National politics came crashing in North Carolina this week. The president came to Gastonia to stump for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.

For more than 30 minutes, President Trump painted a very bleak portrait of our state. Many of the things he said were flat-out incorrect. It would be charitable to call them “false” and not “lies.” 

It was, in a word, strange.

At one point, Trump appeared to mock NC for needing disaster relief, joking that he would deny funds to the state if Whatley loses in November. In another shocking moment, he called NC “one of the worst” states on crime, which is far from the truth. 

I filmed a new Billy Ball Explains NC to break down the president’s visit, to fact-check some of what he said, and give it proper context. 

Watch the video here. 

President Trump’s rally in Gastonia on Wednesday was a doozy. Here are three things to know about it, in the proper context and with facts. Tap here to watch. (Graphic by Francesca Daly)

Happy Friday Jr., aka Thursday. Here’s what you’ll get in today’s newsletter: 

Today’s View from NC was photographed by C&P reader Amy. It comes from the new overlook at Howard Knob County Park in Boone.

What a view. 

Think you have a better View from NC? Send it to us!

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Thanks, as always, for reading and being part of the Cardinal & Pine community.

Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) nursing students learn how to measure blood pressure in June. Propel NC is expected to help community colleges like BRCC expand course offerings to meet the growing demand for healthcare workers across the state.(Jacob Biba/NC Local)

We’ve published an important story from NC Local, one of our favorite nonprofit news orgs in the state. 

This year’s budget changed the way that our community colleges are funded. Instead of giving them dollars based on hours of instruction, the new model emphasizes teaching that fills roles in the state’s workforce. 

What are the risks and rewards of that big change? And what does it mean for your local community college? 

Read the story here. 

More from Cardinal & Pine:

The son of UNC football coach Bill Belichick has resigned following a university investigation. 

The scandals at UNC seem to be coming fast and furious. I explained how we got here in a new video. Watch it now. 

1. UNC’s Steve Belichick to resign; investigation finds ‘a disregard for Carolina’s values.’ WRAL

“Investigators confirmed to WRAL that they investigated allegations of drug use and sexual relationships within the program. The investigation consisted of about 60 interviews, including one with Bill Belichick, who gave access to staff and facilities.”

2. People’s houses are collapsing into the ocean. FEMA gives them no other option. NPR

“There is no plan to remove most of the threatened houses or to empty them of personal belongings, because of perverse incentives created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).”

3. NC elections director disputes judge’s claim that GOP-led agency is politically biased. NC Newsline

“His statement came after a state appellate judge wrote a blistering assessment of election administration after it shifted to Republican control.”

4. Postal union airs ads in North Carolina defending mail-in voting ahead of midterm elections. WBTV

“Union leaders say they are taking to the airwaves to fight what they call the Trump administration’s ‘efforts to minimize and delegitimize voting by mail.’”

Hendersonville is the perfect place for an afternoon of apple picking. (Natalie Grainger/Unsplash)

As fall comes on, we approach the perfect time for apple-picking. 

To help you get ready, we’ve published a new guide on five of our favorite orchards. 

From Jeter Mountain Farm in Hendersonville to Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, our state has excellent options. 

Read the guide here and share.

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 Karishma Desai and NC Local. It was edited by Crystal Niforos

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