Today’s top story is Charlotte. 

The Queen City is in an uproar after a weekend of federal immigration operations. Border Patrol and ICE agents swept up 130 people, they said, including a church volunteer and street vendors. 

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy reported that federal officials claimed they were targeting violent criminals, but mostly they rounded up people selling flowers, hanging Christmas lights, or going about their day.

Immigrant rights groups, state Democrats, and local officials criticized the raids, claiming that—as in similar operations in Chicago, Portland, and other big cities—very few of those detained in Charlotte had criminal records.

Social media over the weekend was filled with videos of agents breaking car windows, dragging people from their vehicles and pointing guns at passersby.

Nearly every video also showed the public shouting at the masked agents, honking their horns as warnings to area residents, and recording the arrests. Stay tuned to Cardinal & Pine for updates on the situation in Charlotte.

People protest against federal immigration enforcement Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Here’s what else is in today’s edition of Cardinal & Pine: 

Cardinal & Pine reader George Maynard sent us this ascendant view from Sunset Beach. 

We want your views from NC. 

Late Sunday, NC Gov. Josh Stein reacted to the uproar in Charlotte.

Stein, who as attorney general was once NC’s top prosecutor, said that communities want violent criminals arrested, but ICE and Border Patrol operations are mostly bringing in people with no criminal convictions.

Indeed, a review by the conservative CATO Institute this year found that nearly all of Border Patrol’s arrests were of people with no history of violent crime. 

Take a look at what else Stein said of the operations in Charlotte by clicking the button below.

1. Breezy fall weather in NC brings increased fire danger. WXII

“Fire danger remains a bit elevated today and tomorrow thanks to the dry, breezy weather.”

2. NC Medicaid cuts to spur emotional testimony as Republican legislators decline to return. News & Observer

“Republican lawmakers, who control North Carolina’s purse strings, declined to return Monday to take action on Medicaid cuts.”

3. New Bern eye surgeon’s challenge of NC law could upend how health care facilities are regulated. NC Health News

“Ophthalmologist Jay Singleton is challenging the constitutionality of North Carolina’s certificates of need statute.”

4. NC farmer Mary Carroll Dodd on the economic tariffs that continue to roil the US economy. NC Newsline

“One of the most visible and controversial economic policy shifts to be implemented during the first year of the second Trump administration has been the return of big economic tariffs.”

“Winter Wonderlights” returns to Greensboro Nov. 19, giving North Carolinians an early taste of the holidays. (Greensboro Science Center)

We want this newsletter to inform you and help you plan your week, NC. 

To that end, we’re bringing back our weekly “3 things happening” feature to show off the stuff that you should be putting on your calendar. 

Every Monday, we’ll curate three things from around the state, tell you why it’s the bee’s knees, and then tell you how to get there. 

This week, Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin checks out the return of “Winter Wonderlights,” an annual Greensboro light show helping North Carolinians ring in the holidays early. The show starts Wednesday at the Greensboro Science Center. 

There’s also the post-Helene restoration of a historic Marion airfield and a celebration of Black poets in the Queen City. Check it out. 

Reach 200,000+ North Carolinians who care about their communities! Sponsor Cardinal & Pine’s Dec. 6 Special Edition, “How to Get Involved and Give Back this Holiday Season.” Book by Nov. 21, 2025, and save 20% off your placement.

Click here to get started.

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 content from Michael McElroy, The Associated Press, and Ryan Pitkin. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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