North Carolina’s “Port City” has a problem.

According to the folks at NC Ports, the Wilmington Harbor is not deep enough. Its depth, about 42 feet today, prevents larger shipping containers from docking. Without a change, the city will struggle to stay competitive with other shipping cities in the southeast, the ports say.

The $1.3 billion plan to fix that problem, though, is riddled with environmental concerns, including worries about PFAS or “forever chemicals,” environmental habitats, and more. 

Because of those concerns, state regulators are butting heads with the federal engineers planning the project. We’ve published a new look at what’s at stake for Wilmington. 

A protester holds a sign at a Wilmington City Council meeting in 2017 after it became public that DuPont and Chemours had been dumping “forever chemicals” into the Cape Fear River for decades. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

It’s feeling very spring-ish outside. Hell. Yeah. 

Here’s what’s in today’s Cardinal & Pine newsletter:

Elena Gallenberger, an MVP to our View from NC section, gave us this view of the oncoming spring from the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

North Carolina needs nurses.

In 2021, a study by the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC-Chapel Hill projected that North Carolina would face a nursing shortfall of 12,500 registered nurses by the year 2033.

“I’ve never been so worried about a workforce in my life,” Erin Fraher, a Sheps Center researcher, told NC lawmakers during a 2022 presentation.

In a new Bad Medicine report, Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy takes stock of NC’s nursing crisis. The problem is especially concerning when you consider the state’s aging population. This is a must-read. 

More from Bad Medicine, C&P’s series on NC health care:

Every week, Cardinal & Pine helps you get involved.

Here are the celebrations, protests, voter outreach, and advocacy events taking place in a town near you. 

🗓 Saturday, March 7

International Women’s Day – Gathering & Sit In (3-6 p.m.)

Host: Red Wine & Blue
Location: District House of Taps, 1240 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville

Join Red, Wine & Blue in Fayetteville at a celebration of International Women’s Day. The event will allow attendees to make their voices heard, and you will hear from local female leaders and activists.

Pop-Up Rally – Anti Iran/Middle East War & Ice Out Protest! (2-4 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Cary
Location: Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, 110 SE Maynard Road, Cary

In Cary, residents are gathering to protest the Trump Administration’s illegal war in Iran and to oppose ICE operations in the community. 

Rage Against the Regime (11 a.m.-noon)

Host: Indivisible Guilford County
Location: 4203 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro

Join Guilford County Indivisible in Greensboro for a Saturday protest against the Trump administration.

Down Home NC Community Survey Canvass (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Host: Down Home NC
Location: 113 Jolly St., Louisburg

Join Down Home North Carolina in Louisburg on Saturday, March 7, as they go out into the community to speak with their neighbors about the issues concerning them.

International Women’s Day Celebration at Resident Culture (10 a.m.-5p.m.)

Host: Resident Culture
Location: Resident Culture Brewing, 2101 Central Ave., Charlotte

This full-day FREE event celebrating International Women’s Day features a panel of speakers focusing on mental health support, networking opportunities, and includes remarks from local female business leaders. A Q&A will follow. 

Attendees will also enjoy coffee and the opportunity to shop from women-owned businesses.

Signs of Fascism Visibility Event at Peace & Justice Plaza (9:30-11:15 a.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy
Location: 179 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill

Join Engaged Defenders for Democracy as they bring awareness to the Chapel Hill community about the rise of fascism in America and hold signs on the sidewalk.

🗓 Sunday, March 8

2nd Annual Raleigh Women’s Market (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Host: Pomona Pop Ups
Location: Moore Square Park, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh

Celebrate International Women’s Day by supporting women-owned businesses in the Triangle at Raleigh’s Moore Square Park. In addition to supporting female vendors, the market will include women-owned food trucks and music from female artists.

Indivisible CLT Canvass: Justice Anita Earls (1-4 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible CLT
Location: Provided upon registration

Indivisible CLT is hosting a canvass in support of Justice Anita Earls and to raise awareness of the key role the court system plays in North Carolina.

Southern Sundays for Safety: Rocky Mount (noon-2 p.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy
Location: Rocky Mount Mill, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount

Join Engaged Defenders for Democracy in Rocky Mount. They will be hosting their weekly pro-democracy protest and invite the community to join them. Positive signs are requested.

🗓 Monday, March 9

Phone bank to stop dangerous gun bill at UNC-CH (6-8 p.m.)

Host: North Carolinians Against Gun Violence Action Fund
Location: Provided upon signup

At UNC, students and concerned citizens are phone banking in opposition to SB50, a bill that would allow permitless carry to become law.

🗓 Tuesday, March 10

Visibility CLT Pop-up Protest – Speak Up for Free Speech (5-6 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible CLT
Location: University City Boulevard & John Kirk Drive, Charlotte

Join Indivisible CLT for a pop-up protest in support of free speech and the First Amendment. Organizers encourage signs supporting freedom of speech, freedom of the press and other rights granted by the First Amendment.

🗓 Thursday, March 12

G4A Parent Power: Guilford Families Fighting for Our Schools (5:45-7:30 p.m.)

Host: Carolina Federation
Location: 1100 Curtis St., Greensboro

Join parents and community members in Guilford County in support of public education. You will learn how to get involved in the effort to stop cuts to public schools.

Rally for the DPS Budget We Deserve (4:45-5:30 p.m.)

Host: Carolina Federation
Location: Durham Board of Education, 511 Cleveland St., Durham

Join education advocates in Durham in support of public schools as they rally outside the Durham Board of Education.

Sunrise Movement WNC: Monthly Community Meeting (6-7:30 p.m.)

Host: Sunrise Movement
Location: North Asheville Public Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville

If you’re in the Asheville area, you can join the Sunrise Movement in its efforts to fight for policies and candidates who will address the climate crisis. They will discuss endorsements for local elections and the Duke Energy rate hike proposal.

Cary Town Council Meeting (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

Host: Wake Indivisible
Location: Town Council Chambers, 316 N. Academy St., Cary

Wake Indivisible is encouraging members of the community to come out to next week’s town council meeting in opposition to any ICE facilities being built in Cary. The public will have the opportunity to speak directly to the council.

K-Ville in its opening days in 1986. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

I’m not going to lie. I went to school at UNC-Chapel Hill. 

So as the men’s teams at UNC and Duke prepare for another tilt on Saturday, I’ll confess to a begrudging respect for the students who camp outside at Krzyzewskiville, aka K-ville. I admire that, but not the object of their affection.

That said, the rabid student section at Cameron Indoor has a fun history. The students aren’t afraid to make fun of their opponents for, well, just about anything. Beware if your hair is thinning or if you suffer from acne. 

Take a look at this history of the early days at K-ville. 

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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 USA Today via Reuters Connect, Dylan Rhoney, and Michael McElroy. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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