Below, we have another riveting round of “Where are we in NC?” and some good accountability journalism on a key NC candidate and his connection to data centers, but first: 

Good News Friday is one of the oldest and best things we do at Cardinal & Pine. 

This week, our roundup of positive local news stories is headlined, naturally, by the reopening of a critical portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

It comes just in time for fall foliage season in our state. 

Also featured in today’s edition of Good News Friday: Hispanic Heritage Month could not be arriving at a more meaningful time, plus new expanded paid parental leave benefits just kicked in for state workers. It’s a big deal.  

Read Good News Friday here.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous drives in America. A critical portion of the parkway recently reopened after Helene hit the area in 2024. (Shutterstock)

Whoever invented Friday should get a raise. 

Before we get to the rest, I wanted to say a big, humongous “thank you” to the readers of this newsletter. Because of you, we smashed our fall fundraising campaign goals.  

You honor and flatter us. Thank you a million times. 

Here’s what you’ll get in today’s email: 

Thank you to C&P reader Sandra Kellum for sending in this view from the North River in Carteret County. 

Have a better View from NC? Send it to Cardinal & Pine.

Our supporter drive wrapped up on Sept. 30, and we’re grateful to every reader who chipped in. Whether you gave $5 or $500, you helped keep Cardinal & Pine delivering factual, free information to communities across North Carolina.

That support matters more than ever. More than 3,500 newspapers have closed across the country since 2005, and the newsrooms that remain face shrinking funding and growing pressure, including attacks from the federal government. Your support is how we keep doing this work.

If you missed the campaign, it’s not too late. Reader support keeps us going year-round.

You can also help by sharing our newsletter with your friends and family. Let them know why supporting local journalism matters in North Carolina.

Thanks, again, for being part of the Cardinal & Pine community!

Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley looks on as Vice President JD Vance speaks at a rally at Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/Pool Photo via AP)

C&P’s Dylan Rhoney has an important new report on the Republican Senate candidate, Michael Whatley. 

As of this week, about 50 local communities in North Carolina have passed a moratorium to suspend data centers construction. 

The centers, which tech leaders say are needed to power artificial intelligence (AI), have prompted concerns about their impact on the local power grid and water supply. 

Whatley’s connection to the industry is real. According to Whatley’s FEC filings, he’s accepted $27,000 in campaign contributions from partners, executives, and investors affiliated with private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), which co-owns data center company CyrusOne. CyrusOne operates a data center campus in Durham and is building another campus in Lee County.

He’s also disclosed that his family has investments in several companies involved in the data center industry, including Apple, Nvidia, Alphabet (Google), and Microsoft.

Data centers seem to be firing up a curious mix of liberals, conservatives, and independents. Whatley might be finding himself out of step with them. 

Read the story here.

More NC news:

1. What’s new at the 2026 North Carolina State Fair

“Whether you’re salivating over all the foods and rides or the live entertainment and competitions, you’ll find it and more at the 2026 North Carolina State Fair.”

2. This ‘long-shot’ candidate in North Carolina actually has a chance

“North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District is like a ripe piece of fruit for Republicans—there for the picking. At least it is in any normal election.”  

3. The Outer Banks looks for help after another storm traps locals

“Another storm, another washout on the Outer Banks. Plus, the Faith Hedgepeth case and Ava Gardner’s legacy celebrated.”

4. There’s an ice rink coming to this coastal NC town

“Carolina Beach isn’t just for summer fun. Check out what they have in mind this winter.”

Lee Snider via Shutterstock

Last week’s challenge in this space was, it appears, not very challenging. 😂

Many of you correctly named the historic train depot in Burlington. But the fastest was Lillington’s Veronica Madewell. 🏆

Let’s play again, North Carolina. Where are we this week? To the fastest goes all the glory!

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 Ryan Pitkin, Dylan Rhoney, Brook Bolen, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos

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