We begin this week with an important story. 

When Helene cut a path through western NC, folks in North Carolina’s forestry offices warned that the downed timber would be a problem. 

In terms of wildfires, fallen trees are fuel. And wildfires are already a point of concern with climate change. 

There’s another problem. The NC Forest Service recently told state lawmakers that the downed trees could make it harder for firefighters to reach the fires, according to NC Newsline. Take a look at this important story and share. 

Two crew members watch smoke coming from a November 2023 wildfire, which spans thousands of acres in the Nantahala National Forest. (USA Today via Reuters)

Hope everyone is staying safe from today’s storms. Here’s what’s in the C&P newsletter: 

A hearty salute to C&P reader (and veteran of The View from NC) Wanda Bullard. 

Wanda sends this shot from Lumber River in Maxton. Locals call it “the honey hole” because of its golden tint. 

DC Studio/Shutterstock

In his State of the Union address last month, President Donald Trump said his administration “lifted” 2.4 million Americans off of food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

The truth, however, is more complicated.

“What we’re experiencing from people that now need our services—they haven’t been lifted away from SNAP benefits, they’ve had their SNAP benefits dragged away from them,” says Tina Postel, CEO of Nourish Up, which runs a network of food pantries in the Charlotte area.

“So having something dragged away from you feels a bit different than having something ‘lifted’ away from you.”

This week, Cardinal & Pine contributor Jessica F. Simmons dug into the issue in North Carolina—where more than 1.4 million people rely on SNAP to buy groceries. And for more on food stamps in North Carolina, check out a recent episode of Billy Ball Explains NC below. 

1. Fourth-generation western NC farmer Jamie Ager talks Congress run, Iran, FEMA. Asheville Citizen-Times

“Ager said that he wants to push for additional federal aid for WNC recovery, bring more oversight of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Operations and he expressed frustration that the war in Iran has received more federal funding as WNC continues to recover from Tropical Storm Helene.”

2. Here’s what Chuck Edwards has to say about Iran war, FEMA reform, more. Asheville Citizen-Times

“First elected in 2022 after ousting then-Rep. Madison Cawthorn during the Republican Primary, Edwards, 65, has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who called him a ‘MAGA Warrior’ in October.”

3. ‘I threw a soda at a girl’ – Michael Jordan on the first time he was called the N-word in North Carolina. Basketball Network

“Michael Jordan grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, at a time when the court ordered the desegregation of Black and white students in public high schools.”

4. Thousands without power across NC due to severe storms. WCNC

“The WCNC Charlotte Weather Impact Team is tracking a line of strong thunderstorms that could create severe weather across North Carolina and South Carolina, including damaging winds, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes.”

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.

Duke forward Cameron Boozer cuts down the net after his team defeated Virginia in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

It’s an exciting time to be a basketball fan. 

On Sunday, we learned which men’s and women’s teams will compete in the NCAA Tournament. They include numerous teams from North Carolina, including—in the men’s tournament—the #1 overall team in Duke University. 

On the women’s side, North Carolina, Duke, NC State, and High Point are playing. Check the brackets and the schedule here. 

And here are the men’s brackets. The big names like Duke, NC State, and North Carolina are there, but so is Queens University in Charlotte, which will be going to the Big Dance for the first time ever. Also, High Point will be returning for the second consecutive year after winning their conference. 

We want to know: Who do you have winning the championship and the men’s and women’s sides? Tap here or on the button below to answer. Make sure to tell us your name and where you’re from. We’ll print selected answers in an upcoming newsletter.

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, NC Newsline, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

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