We’ve got a view from Lake Hickory, the fight against political dark money in NC, and a huge event for rural veterans, but first: 

If you’ve been reading Cardinal & Pine since the beginning, you know about the red wolves. 

This critically endangered animal is down to just a handful in the wild. But there are desperate efforts underway to breed more in captivity. 

This week, we got some great news on that front. 

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham says that five new pups—three males and two females—were born May 5. 

For a look at how they’re doing, tap here.

This week, good news comes in a set of five. Tap here to read this story. (Museum of Life and Science)

Friday is here, and just in the nick of time. Here’s what’s in the Cardinal & Pine newsletter today: 

C&P reader Doug Clark has us daydreaming about Lake Hickory today. 

Got a view from NC you want to see in Cardinal & Pine? Send it to us.

(Graphic by Kelly Lennon/COURIER Newsroom)

If you hate those nasty campaign ads that run every election season, this episode of “Billy Ball Explains NC” is for you.

(Aashish Kiphayet/Shutterstock)

Meet Charlotte Isenberg.

As C&P reporter Jessica F. Simmons writes, Isenberg was 20 when her birth control failed. She had recently enrolled at Appalachian State University. She was the first in her family to go to a four-year college. 

Isenberg posted about it on social media and anti-abortion advocates took her story without her permission and used it to push their message.

She talked to Cardinal & Pine about taking back her story, and why she believes the abortion medication mifepristone—which has been under a legal assault—needs to be protected. 

Tap here to read.

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. Mandatory water restrictions begin Friday for Charlotte Water customers amid severe drought. WCNC

“Charlotte Water is implementing Stage 2 mandatory restrictions under its Low Inflow Protocol, asking customers to reduce non-essential water use to help protect the region’s water supply.”

2. A North Carolina Goodyear plant is the latest victim of Trump’s misguided tariffs and costly Iran war. Reason

“Another example of the flawed logic behind the Trump administration’s tariff policies: You can’t make a tire without rubber, and the U.S. doesn’t produce rubber.”

3. You need to hear this about gerrymandering and the Voting Rights Act. The Living South

Talking with WUNC’s “Due South” about the gerrymandering wars, the Voting Rights Act, and a possible light at the end of the tunnel.

4. Got to be NC Festival: Free agriculture-focused fair underway in Raleigh this weekend. CBS-17

“The Got to be NC Festival is happening this weekend at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The festival is about drawing attention to North Carolina growers and producers.”

(Operation Honor: Rural Salute)

We’re always thinking about our veterans. We have loads of them in North Carolina. But as Memorial Day approaches, the struggles of our vets—especially those in rural areas—take center stage. 

Here’s a cool way to show your support or get connected with services in central NC.

A nonprofit called Operation Honor: Rural Salute is hosting a free community event in Sanford. It will bring together vets, military families, the VA, and local organizations. The goal is to connect rural veterans with support resources and show them some love.

It will also feature a presentation by the Native American Women Warriors Color Guard following the recent federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe. Here are the details:

Operation Honor: Rural Salute®
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: The Pint Sized Pasture in Sanford

Make sure you RSVP here because there are only a few tickets left.

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 Jessica F. Simmons, Ryan Pitkin, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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