Below, we’ve got NC’s role in “the best year in movie history,” and a troubling new study on gambling addiction, but first:  

Since I’ve been a kid—and I’m 43 years old—people have been talking about getting young people to vote. If only talking about a thing made it so, we’d have figured out youth voters a long time ago. 

That said, there is reason to believe that Gen Z is more interested in voting than previous generations, at least in terms of how those generations voted in their first elections. 

As C&P contributor Ryan Pitkin pointed out in today’s “3 things happening in NC,” in the 2022 midterm elections—the first midterms in which Gen Z voters made up the entire age 18-24 cohort of potential voters—Gen Z voted at a higher rate than Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers did in their first midterm elections.

The nation’s largest Gen Z-led voting group wants to capitalize on that momentum. They’re hosting a youth voting summit Aug. 13-14 in Raleigh. Here’s what to know. 

Students on the East Carolina campus in Greenville, NC. Gen Z voters surpassed expectations in their first midterm election in 2022. A national group aims to build on that this year with a Gen Z voter summit. (Shutterstock)

Summer’s speaking right now. I’d prefer not to listen. Here is what you’ll find in today’s Cardinal & Pine newsletter: 

Millie Hiatt brings us this view from her front yard in Surry County. 

This is just about the cutest thing we’ll see today. 

Got a view from your neck of the woods? Send your photos to C&P’s “View from NC!”

A Gamblers Anonymous member holds a gambling sobriety coin on May 3, 2026. Here’s where NC ranks in terms of gambling addiction. (USA Today via Reuters)

In terms of gambling, North Carolina holds a unique place in the US. 

Its laws are not particularly friendly to betting, a new WalletHub report points out, but the state’s residents are still struggling with gambling addiction. 

When the state opened the doors to online sports betting like FanDuel and DraftKings in 2024, people wondered if the ease of such programs posed a danger. 

Well, this week, WalletHub placed NC among the 10 states with the biggest gambling addiction problem, based on the number of people seeking treatment. 

Here’s what to know. 

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. North Carolina wins 2026 Little League Softball World Series. USA Today

“The squad from Clayton, North Carolina did not get off to a hot start, as they lost their starting second baseman Sophie Catarazolli to injury in the first inning, but Johnston County Little League’s Purple bracket champions clearly rallied behind their teammate, who was seen crying tears of joy in her father’s arms after the game.”

2. ‘Dedicated’ county EMS director dies at North Carolina beach. WBTV

“The director of a North Carolina county’s emergency medical services (EMS) died at a beach over the weekend, officials confirmed.”

3. NC House Republican announces bid for Congress as GOP prepares to replace Edwards. WRAL

“State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, R-Henderson, said in a social media post that she will seek the Republican nomination for the state’s 11th Congressional District, which covers western North Carolina.”

James Bridges’ photograph “Dennis Hopper, Set of Blue Velvet” (the movie was shot in Wilmington in 1985) is in the collection of the Wilmington’s Cameron Art Museum. (USA Today via Reuters)

It’s fun to argue about movies. 

According to one national critic, 1986 was the best year ever in film history, thanks to flicks like “Hoosiers,” “Platoon,” “Top Gun,” “Crocodile Dundee,” and a lot of other memorable movies. 

Today, we published a look at North Carolina’s role in 1986 movies. “Blue Velvet” and “Manhunter” were both made in 1986 and both filmed in Wilmington or “Wilmywood” to the initiated.

I’ve seen “Blue Velvet.” What an unsettling movie, with an amazing performance by a menacing Dennis Hopper. I’ll have to add “Manhunter” to my list too.

In the meantime, take a look at Wilmington’s entries in that 1986 list. Read it here. 

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 and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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