Cardinal and Pine

Plus: Best restaurants, bars in Asheville Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below we have national honors for some western NC restaurants and big political news from Raleigh, but first: In news, every now and then we see North Carolinians come together on surprising issues. This year, it’s been Flock cameras and data centers.…

Plus: Gov. Josh Stein laid into this court bill. Here’s why. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. In today’s newsletter, we’ve got a must-read preview for camping season and 10 of the best Black-owned restaurants in NC, but first: 3 things happening in NC is Cardinal & Pine’s weekly guide to the stories, people,…

Plus: Name this popular camping destination Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have a pioneering program at a North Carolina prison, and a look at the local electric co-ops providing an alternative to Duke Energy, but first:  Little League softball runs through North Carolina. We can say that definitively now, after a…

Plus: Mysterious eastern NC party spot opens up. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have an important update on NC’s cost of living and an awesome opportunity to check out a mysterious eastern NC party destination, but first: Recently, I asked Cardinal & Pine’s readers about Flock cameras. The AI-powered cameras have…

Plus: Tonight’s meteor shower Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have this evening’s meteor shower and a guide to microvolunteering in NC, but first: Folks in western NC were shocked to learn that ICE partnered with federal park rangers. They arrested 13 people enjoying Wilson Creek, a popular swimming hole in Pisgah…

Plus: The big election news of the day Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. We begin Tuesday with the big political news in North Carolina: On Monday night, Republicans in western NC debated well into the evening hours and arrived at a replacement for troubled Congressman Chuck Edwards. They settled on two-term state representative…

Plus: 3 things happening in NC this week. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we’ve got NC’s role in “the best year in movie history,” and a troubling new study on gambling addiction, but first:   Since I’ve been a kid—and I’m 43 years old—people have been talking about getting young people to vote.…

Plus: A Senate candidate’s bizarre post. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, I have a new column on Senate candidate Michael Whatley’s bizarre social media post, as well as in-depth reporting on the secretive deal to push through a $10 billion Amazon data center in NC, but first:  Of all the things we…

Plus: The NC GOP’s fight over sex offenders Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have a developing story about the NC GOP’s conflicted approach to convicted sex offenders within their ranks, and a farewell to a Cardinal & Pine stalwart, but first:  Picnic season will be here again in North Carolina. It…

Plus: The NC-based chain voted ‘best breakfast’ Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Below, we have some major breaking news in the 2026 elections, and a delicious honor for one of NC’s most beloved fast food chains, but first:  Recently, the NC General Assembly unveiled a major new election reform bill. It makes several…