Cardinal and Pine

Plus: Restoring NC’s film industry Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. More than 37,000 Duke Energy customers lost power during the weekend’s winter weather, mostly in western NC.  That begs the question: Why are winter storms such a danger to power? Part of the problem, of course, is the buildup of ice…

Plus: A snowy view from the Blue Ridge Parkway Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. It doesn’t get any more “wintry” than the last few days in North Carolina. But here’s an opportunity to actually have fun with NC’s cold season. No one does it better than Haywood County, which is kicking…

Plus: Signs of life after Helene Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. Recovery is not a passive thing. It takes time, effort, endurance, and a willingness to deal with big disappointments.  The recovery in Asheville after Helene is still a work in progress. But there are definite signs of recovery. Take the…

Plus: NC elections board blocks voting at HBCU Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. I’m going to begin today’s newsletter with a humble request. Not for money! 😀 As we continue to get our new video series, Billy Ball Explains NC, off the ground, your help can make a big difference. Your…

Plus: NC launches new measles tracking dashboard Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Brook. First of all, hello and Happy National Squirrel Appreciation Day to all who celebrate! Our esteemed senior newsletter editor Billy Ball is out of the office today, so I’m coming to y’all live and direct from Asheville, where it’s…

Plus: 40 years at the Dean Smith Center Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. I try to look at life as an adventure. Meaning I want it to be filled with new things and new experiences. But I don’t know about this one. 😂 Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin takes us…

Inside: The story behind a national holiday Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. Today is one of the most important holidays we have. To me, Martin Luther King Jr. was the most important American of the 20th century. He changed this country. His killing did too. We’ve written about five of King’s…

Plus: Name this NC waterfall Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. One of our favorite things at Cardinal & Pine is “Good News Friday.” Every week, we round up some of our favorite positive stories and bundle them together. This week, Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin picked out some real good vibes…

Plus: Where are the Buddhist monks heading next? Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. Justice for the pickle. The pickle is not just a briny cucumber. It’s not just an afterthought, something to complement your burger or put on the side of the plate. The pickle deserves its own “Rocky”-style training montage.…

Plus: Why Venezuela matters to NC Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. Did you know that North Carolina played a pivotal role in the mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro? The conflict in Venezuela is unpredictable. We don’t know what it’s going to look like. But in a new episode of…