This afternoon, something big happened in Washington, DC, that we’ll be talking about for a long time. 

Republicans in Congress convinced the final few holdouts in their party to vote for President Donald Trump’s “One, Big Beautiful Bill.”

It’s a massive tax break and spending cut bill that will, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, explode American debt, force millions of people off of Medicaid, and drastically reduce access to the SNAP program—better known as “food stamps”—among other things.

An estimated 17 million Americans will be forced off Medicaid, and it will likely unravel Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, stripping coverage from more than 600,000 North Carolinians. 

All of the Democrats in Congress, including North Carolina’s, voted against it. All of NC’s Republicans voted for it.

What happens next won’t happen in Congress, or at press conferences or on television. It will happen at people’s kitchen tables, where they’ll talk about losing health care and fresh groceries. It will require a tremendous effort from America’s local news reporters to cover it right.  

Take a look at the latest on this story by clicking below. 

House staffers carry American flags through a corridor outside the House chamber which will be used for a ceremony with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., after final passage of President Donald Trump’s signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Now that the figurative fireworks are over in DC, onward to the literal Fourth of July fireworks (and more) this weekend. 

A reminder: There will be no Cardinal & Pine newsletter tomorrow. We hope you enjoy the break. Here’s today’s news: 

Cardinal & Pine reader Stephanie George of Hillsborough sent us this photo of a garden daredevil snail perched precariously atop her hydrangeas. She’s calling him (or her!) “Snevel Knievel.”

But for real, how did he even get up there? 

Not everyone is here for the loud bangs and booms this Fourth of July. Here’s an alternative. (Shutterstock)

One of the many reasons I adore Cardinal & Pine readers is their thoughtfulness.

Many of you have written me this week to say we need to think about the people and the pets who aren’t too keen on the loud bangs and booms that come with the local Fourth of July fireworks shows. 

You’ve inspired this week’s edition of “Good News Friday”, which arrived early today. We lead with a sensory-friendly North Carolina experience for children and their families at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. 

We also look at a big honor for a Triangle performing arts center and an adorable duck rescue story. 

The US Department of Veteran Affairs has a rundown here on how to help vets with post-traumatic stress get through the day.  And for tips on how to make your pets comfortable during the fireworks, check out this info from the American Kennel Club. 

1. Opinion: Trump isn’t just betraying the Constitution, he’s betraying the Declaration of Independence. Cardinal & Pine

“An illegitimate government bullying the people, refusing to respond to their complaints, and threatening them with extreme and unlimited punishment, without opportunity for redress, if they complain. We’ve been here before, 249 years ago.”

2. North Carolina governor vetoes anti-DEI and transgender rights bills, calling them ‘mean-spirited.’ Associated Press

Gov. Josh Stein “criticized the Republican-controlled legislature for focusing on these measures while they’ve yet to enact a budget for the fiscal year that started this week.”

3. Best art installations in the US: 5 are in North Carolina, 1 in Western NC. Here’s where. Asheville Citizen-Times

“A list of the country’s best art installations in 2025 contained a number of North Carolina locations, including an Asheville-area location in the top 15.”

Shutterstock

We’ve come to a first in this space.

Last week’s edition of “Where are we in NC?” didn’t get a single correct answer. I knew it would happen someday, and that day has arrived.

The correct answer was the West Fork Pigeon River under Triple Arch Bridge near Maggie Valley. Your answers were, as they say, close but no cigar. 

I’m confident that many of you will be able to pinpoint this quirky fountain above. 

Be the first to write me with the correct answer and get a shout-out here next week. 

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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.

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