There’s a new book of poetry featuring Helene survivors. One of those poets read her work aloud to us. But first:

We’ve published an important new investigative piece from the nonpartisan news outlet NC Local. 

The publication examined more than a dozen election officials in the state with a history of election conspiracy theories.

For instance, in 2020, western NC man James Davis posted that Donald Trump needed to invoke the Insurrection Act and “save this country.” In 2025, state Auditor Dave Boliek, a Republican who portrays himself as a neutral party, named Davis to lead the Board of Elections in Clay County. 

You need to read this story.

A new investigation by NC Local examines NC election officials who have promoted conspiracy theories and bad information about past elections. (AP Photo/Matt Ramey)

Happy Tuesday, North Carolina. Thanks for reading our feisty little newsletter. Here’s what’s in it today: 

Deanna Tallman Cloer of Statesville sent in this photograph of the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge in Claremont. 

According to the Historical Association of Catawba County, it’s one of just two surviving wooden covered bridges in NC. 

Got a better View from NC? Send it our way!

Local news is disappearing. The pressure on the newsrooms that remain is growing.

More than 3,500 newspapers have closed nationwide since 2005. Journalists and newsrooms face increasing attacks from the federal government, while funding for local news continues to dry up. We can’t keep doing this work without our readers’ support.

We have until Sept. 30 to reach our end-of-month fundraising goal. Help us keep delivering factual, free information.

Early fall is the peak time to catch the endangered monarch butterfly in North Carolina. Here’s how to spot them.

We have arrived at that time of year when the monarch butterflies make their way through North Carolina. 

This time of year, the monarchs are on their way south. They migrate to Mexico to survive the winter months. From late September to mid-October, there’s a good chance you can catch this endangered creature en route. 

For more on how to identify the monarch and separate them from their look-alikes, plus where you should be searching for them, tap here. 

More from Cardinal & Pine:

1. ‘The story is always the same’: NC officials confront broken involuntary commitment system. North Carolina Health News

“A North Carolina father says his family was shut out when his daughter was involuntarily committed after they sought voluntary care. Meanwhile, state officials are convening a committee to recommend changes to the commitment process.”

2. NASCAR driver ordered to pay North Carolina woman $850K after alleged affair. WBTV

“Court records showed driver Jennifer Jo Cobb was sued in Davidson County for alienation of affection and criminal conversation.”

3. N.C. Forest Service warns wildfire risks persist, despite cooler fall temperatures. WLOS

“The Forest Service said in a news release that when building a fire, it’s best practice to keep the fire small, not tall. The Forest Service said there is also still Helene debris that could catch fire quickly.”

4. Wiley Cash, best-selling chronicler of the South, chooses a political side. The Living South

“The best-selling writer from North Carolina says a bigger platform comes with the responsibility ‘to tell hard truths’ about politics, the environment, and race.”

(Video by Dylan Rhoney for C&P)

Here’s to making art out of our struggles. 

Two years ago, Yancey County’s Jennie Boyd Bull survived a mudslide that nearly took her and her home. 

Today, Bull has written a poem about it. It was included the new book, “Had I a Dove: Appalachian Poets on the Helene Flood.”

During a recent conversation with Cardinal & Pine’s Dylan Rhoney, Bull read it aloud for us. 

Watch it here.

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 NC Local, Dylan Rhoney, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

Cardinal & Pine is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.