In November, construction ground to a halt on a new Raleigh city hall. 

The work stopped because, like many industries that are reliant on immigrant labor, Border Patrol and ICE operations in North Carolina frightened workers. 

Because of stories like this, the construction industry is asking for relief from the Trump administration, according to new reporting. The president streamlined the visa process for agriculture this year. That’s because he was facing political pressure over rising food prices created by farm worker shortages. 

Now, more industries want the same treatment. 

For this important reporting on how Trump’s immigration policies are impacting the economy and the workforce, click below. 

Construction on a new City Hall in Raleigh stopped in November as ICE and Border Patrol raids intensified in NC. (USA Today via Reuters)

Meanwhile, the immigrant advocacy group Siembra NC was reporting new apparent ICE encounters in places like Burlington, Durham, Morrisville, and Greensboro, including one person who reported having his car rammed by ICE agents. For the latest, go here. 

You’re one of more than 100,000 North Carolinians reading this newsletter, and we’re grateful for every one of you. 

Here’s what’s in today’s edition of Cardinal & Pine:

Shout out to Lucy Grist for this mesmerizing sunset on the Pamlico River. The shot comes from Washington Park near “little” Washington. 

The landscape for local news is shifting fast. At Cardinal & Pine, our commitment to you—and to North Carolina—hasn’t changed.

Our end-of-year fundraising drive runs through Dec. 16, and your support keeps this work strong.

Your contribution helps us shine a light on the decisions, debates, and leaders shaping North Carolina’s future. We can’t do this work without you.

US Rep. Don Davis in 2024. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)

In October, Republicans in NC’s state legislature created a new Congressional voting map intended to force US Rep. Don Davis out of office and elect a Republican instead. 

They did it because President Donald Trump asked them to. The president wants to protect a Republican majority in Congress by gerrymandering the state some more, even though NC is already considered one of the most gerrymandered states in America. 

A panel of Republican federal judges has already approved the map. 

This week, Davis announced that he would run in the district anyway. “Many feel Washington, DC, isn’t serving their needs,” he said. “The redistricting battle clearly proves it.”

For the latest on this story from Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy, click the button.

1. From parades to tree lightings, 24 can’t-miss holiday events in the Gaston County area. Gaston Gazette

“From carriage rides to parades, Gaston County will host it all this holiday season. Here is a run-down of family events happening in November and December.”

2. Which NC cities are best to retire in? Here’s how they rank. Asheville Citizen-Times

“A new WalletHub listing takes a look at the top 182 US cities to retire in. NC cities didn’t fare too well.”

3. Snow expected in NC mountains. Here’s where and how much. WBTV

“Highest snow totals expected in High Country.”

4. First winter storm of the season in central NC expected Friday. CBS-17

“Central North Carolina once again finds itself on the snow-rain transition line. It is becoming more likely that snow will mix in with cold rain Friday morning, bringing some minor impacts and a lot of excitement as most winter storms do for North Carolina.”

A local wildlife biologist in Maggie Valley removed a toddler’s swing that became entangled in an elk’s antlers. (Frank Kehren/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

This space is called “We ♥️ NC” not “We ♥️ quirky animal stories.”

But at the risk of being pigeon-holed—following yesterday’s tale of a drunken raccoon—Cardinal & Pine contributor Sam Cohen brings us this story of a recent elk rescue in Maggie Valley. 

According to Cohen, locals were worried when they spotted an elk tangled up in a toddler swing. The swing was caught in the elk’s horns.

Experts with the state Wildlife Resources Commission traveled to the scene and safely removed the swing, they say, with no harm to the elk. 

If you witness an elk in distress—whether that’s because it has something tangled in its antlers or it appears to be injured—you’re encouraged to report it to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission through its Law Enforcement branch by calling 800-662-7137 or emailing HWI@ncwildlife.gov.

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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 Michael McElroy, USA Today via Reuters, and Sam Cohen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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