Cardinal and Pine

Plus: Bad farm smells, candy bars, and more with Jamie Ager Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Today, we’ve got a dispatch from the NC Blueberry Festival and the unlikely hero of the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup title, but first: This afternoon, we premiered a fun new segment on YouTube.  There’s a lot of serious,…

Plus: Name this western NC lake. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Today, we’ve got the latest edition of “Where are we in NC?” in addition to maybe the biggest healthcare story of 2026 and a convo with one of NC’s youngest lawmakers, but let’s start with this:  The first time I saw Kemba…

Plus: Free outdoor movies this summer Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Today we’ve got a big vote on data centers and the week in protests, but first: During the pandemic, people got back into drive-in theaters. For obvious reasons.  But there’s always an appeal to catching a movie under the stars. This summer…

Plus: The biggest healthcare story in NC this year Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Today, we have adorable kids giving life lessons and an unbelievable story about NC medical examiners, but first: If it’s Wednesday, we’re releasing a new episode of Billy Ball Explains NC.  Recently, NCLocal reported an alarming new statistic about…

Plus: 5 rural NC hospitals at risk Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Today, we’ve got a trip to Oak Island, an alarming report for rural NC hospitals, and the best places to live in NC, but first: The view from atop Chimney Rock is so gorgeous, so lush and perfect, that it can…

Plus: What’s next for Duke utility bill hike? Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have waterfalls, a key vote on early voting sites, and our NC berry picking guide, but first:  The final public hearing for Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike happened last week. And we can say this definitively: North Carolinians…

Plus: Name this NC fishing hole 👀 Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Who says that Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on anything?  We begin today’s Good News Friday with a bill moving through the North Carolina legislature that tackles social media use among younger children. The legislation, which has the support of both…

Plus: This decorated restaurant rescues animals too Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have a gorgeous view of Lake Santeetlah, a budding election scandal, and an award-winning restaurant that rescues animals too, but first:  We’ve heard a lot about the affordability crisis in North Carolina. But sometimes housing is lost in that…

Plus: NC college grads talk AI Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we’ve got your weekly guide to protests, plus a convo with a recent NC college grad about AI. But first:  It’s been called a reparations fund for domestic terrorists.  Today, in a new Billy Ball Explains NC, we examined what President…

Plus: The Canes represent NC tonight Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. In this newsletter, we try not to tell you things you already know. For instance, you all know your energy bills are soaring. Mine is starting to feel like a ransom note that comes in the mail every month. Today, Cardinal &…