The bad news is that the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher closed its doors temporarily this week. 

The good news is that, when it returns, this eastern NC attraction has very big plans. 

In today’s edition of Good News Friday, C&P’s weekly roundup of positive news stories, we take a look at those plans. They include a whopping 400,000-gallon shark tank. 

For more on how long the aquarium will be closed and their “transformational” changes ahead, tap here or on the button below. We also took a look at a big jobs announcement and NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s call to crack down on surprise food delivery fees. 

The Southern stingray at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The aquarium has big plans for its renovation. (NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher)

This is the last C&P newsletter of May. We’re already looking forward to the first newsletter of June. 

Here’s what’s in today’s though: 

Longtime Cardinal & Pine reader Melanie Woodfield sent us this photo of the baby swans at Lake Junaluska. 

The lake is one of the most popular spots to visit out in Haywood County. 

If you have a view from North Carolina, don’t be shy, y’all. Send it to us!

(Courtesy of North Carolina Sen. Natalie Murdock)

In May 2018, Denver, NC, resident Tomeka James Isaac was 35 weeks pregnant when she was rushed to the hospital with the life-threatening H.E.L.L.P Syndrome (Hemolysis Elevated Liver Enzymes Low Platelet).

Her son, Jace Alexander, was stillborn.

Afterward, they learned both Isaac’s illness and Jace’s death were preventable.

“No parent should endure that,” Isaac told Cardinal & Pine. “No mother should come that close to losing her life. When we began searching for answers, what we found was devastating. Basic routine care was missed.” 

Isaac’s story was one part of the inspiration for a new North Carolina bill that aims to address the gaps in care. Sen. Natalie Murdock, a Triangle Democrat, is sponsoring it. 

C&P’s Jessica F. Simmons reports what you need to know here. 

More from Cardinal & Pine:

(Graphic by Kelly Lennon/COURIER Newsroom)

Did Trump just give NC Republicans permission to legalize medical cannabis?

In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, we break down the reasons why cannabis is still illegal in NC, despite the vast majority of states legalizing some form of it. And the push to get it over the hump this year in the North Carolina legislature. 

1. White House intervened to get $620M deal for NC company tied to Donald Trump Jr. ProPublica

“About three months before the Pentagon announced plans to lend money to Vulcan Elements, Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm took an undisclosed stake in the company.”

2. North Carolina student comes close to winning national spelling bee. News & Observer

“North Carolina came close on Thursday night to having the best speller in the nation for the first time since 1970.”

3. North Carolina’s newest beach club experience is already selling out. Axios

“A new European-inspired beach club event is bringing an Ibiza-style experience to Carolina Beach this summer.”

4. NC GOP lawmaker removes name from anti-abortion bill after social media outcry. NC Newsline

“A North Carolina Republican lawmaker has taken the unusual step of publicly retracting his sponsorship of an anti-abortion bill. That’s after critics on social media said it would sanction the killing of doctors and nurses who perform abortions, women who have abortions, and even women who use some kinds of contraception.”

If you’ve driven by it, you know it. (J. Michael Jones/Shutterstock)

In last week’s edition, we took you to our rugged coastline, the same coastline that has claimed many ships over the years. 

C&P reader Wendy Richesin correctly identified the wreckage of “Ocean Pursuit” on Nags Head. Alas, the wreckage has been removed since the photo was taken, but it’s still cool. 

We’ve got another eye-catcher this week from the Tar Heel State. No Googling. That’s cheating!

Where are we in NC?

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 and Ryan Pitkin. It was edited by Paula Solis.

Cardinal & Pine is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.