If you’ve been driving on one of a few major highways in North Carolina, you might have noticed a new billboard campaign. 

This month, the “ICE Costs Us” campaign launched in more than 200 places, including at least nine locations in NC. 

Organizers say the point is to draw attention to the financial cost of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. 

In the midst of rising prices and cuts to programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the US budget allocated $28 billion to federal immigration police in 2026. This is more than many countries spend on their entire military. 

Until the end of March, the campaign will try to bring attention to those facts. You can find the billboards in a number of locations, including Durham, Wake County, Halifax County, Charlotte, and on I-85 between Greensboro and Charlotte. 

Via “ICE Costs Us” campaign

Happy Tuesday. The first day of spring is three days away. Here’s what’s in today’s C&P newsletter: 

A tip of the cap to Cardinal & Pine reader Melissa Cox for this view from Manteo. 

Things have taken a nasty—albeit predictable—turn in one of North Carolina’s most important primary elections.

NC Sen. Phil Berger, the most powerful Republican in North Carolina, formally asked on Tuesday for a recount of his primary election against Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, whom he trails by 23 votes.

As C&P’s Michael McElroy reports, Berger said some voters in the district, which covers two counties, had signed sworn affidavits that they’d gotten the wrong ballot and were unable to vote for Berger as they wanted. Then Berger said Page’s team sent text messages to voters warning it was a crime to lie in an affidavit.

The accusation, Page told NC Newsline, is “a desperate attempt to cling to power.” For more on this story, check out these slides on Instagram.

1. Opinion: JD Vance tries to push back against economic reality in NC visit. NC Newsline

“Vice President JD Vance was in North Carolina last week, doing his best to put a happy face on the economic situation in our state. It was and is not an easy sell.”

2. NCAA Tournament: First Four – NC State Gets Texas Again. SB Nation

The Wolfpack men’s team takes on Texas at 9:15 pm Tuesday night. Here’s a breakdown of the two teams.

3. The ingredients behind severe storms — and how they may be shifting. WRAL

“Severe storms threaten North Carolina, as research shows atmospheric conditions fueling tornadoes and thunderstorms are becoming more common across the Southeast.”

Local news is essential for democracy.

Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.

The New Bern Battlefield lantern tour—featuring costumed re-enactors—is March 19-21. (Photo via New Bern Historical Society)

Every week, C&P curates three things happening in North Carolina and tells you what you need to know. 

This week, we dive into the historic New Bern Battlefield Park. The Battle of New Bern was fought in March 1862, less than a year after the fighting started. The undermanned Confederate army was forced to retreat more than 30 miles away to Kinston.

From March 19-21, the park is hosting an evening lantern tour to help us get a little smarter about our history.

As C&P contributor Ryan Pitkin writes, it’s “more than just an educational program. It’s a chance to learn the stories of the civilians, soldiers, formerly-enslaved persons, and others who participated in or were impacted by the battle, all based on letters, diaries, and contemporaneous accounts.”

This week’s guide also features a NC Music Hall of Famer from Mount Holly and a curious Triangle festival centered around a legendary French musician. Check it out and share with your friends and family. 

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, Michael McElroy, and NC Newsline. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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