This week, we wrote about a weekend-long celebration of the Halifax Resolves.

Today, we have more to celebrate. The historic Revolutionary War document, which announced North Carolina’s plans to declare independent from the British, is returning home for the first time. 

Gov. Josh Stein was on hand in eastern North Carolina Thursday. The document—which is just about floweriest “go to hell” you’ll ever read—empowered North Carolina’s representatives to vote for independence while attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

If you’re into good news, get our Good News Friday roundup here. 

This week, Gov. Josh Stein announced that, for the first time in US history, the Halifax Resolves are returning to the place where the historic Revolutionary War document was made. (Photo via Gov. Josh Stein on Facebook)

Happy Friday. It’s beautiful outside. Lots to tell you below: 

C&P reader Betsey Horth set the scene beautifully for this one, photographed at Oak Island. 

Here’s what she said:

“The photo was taken from the Oak Island Pier with a bagpiper playing while the sun set. We were happy to wait for another delicious dinner at Koko Cabana, especially as we lucked into the serenaded sunset.”

Send us your view from NC!

Two Durham children were deported along with their parents this week after a routine check-in with immigration officials, Siembra NC said on Thursday. ⁣

A family of asylum-seekers, including two children, were recently deported after reporting to a routine immigration appointment in Charlotte. 

The family had been living in Durham, but are now in Honduras. 

Protesters spoke out on their deportation, which tracks with an ongoing trend under the Trump administration. Immigration authorities say they are targeting violent criminals for deportation.

But more often than not, ICE is arresting and removing immigrants with no criminal records. Many of them are here seeking asylum from violence in their home country. 

That includes two children, Genesis, 11, and Denis, 8, who had been going to school in Durham. 

Here’s what protesters had to say on the news. 

More from Cardinal & Pine on YouTube:

This is perhaps one of the most important episodes of Billy Ball Explains NC ever. 

If even the slightest predictions for how AI (or artificial intelligence) will change our lives are true, we’re headed for big, big changes. But who in North Carolina is regulating this runaway train? 

Watch here. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share our videos. They help us grow and spread good information. 

1. Duke bought a duplex that housed a thriving community space. Within months, it was gone. Was that a coincidence? Indy Week

“Duke has razed hundreds of homes over the decades to build out its Central Campus. A recent purchase on Swift Avenue is resurfacing questions about what that growth costs Durham.”

2. On gerrymandering, North Carolina and Virginia are two sides of the same coin. The Living South

“For Democrats and Republicans, supporting gerrymandering or opposing it is a question of which side of the North Carolina-Virginia state line you’re on. But there is a way to fix this.”

3. The Trump administration wants to gut coal ash cleanup rules. Associated Press

“’The Trump administration just took a sledgehammer to the health protections in place for toxic coal pollution,” said Lisa Evans, senior counsel at environmental group Earthjustice. “This is yet another handout to the coal power industry at the expense of our health, water, and wallets.’”

“Empire Records” is a bonafide cult classic. But did you know it has NC roots? (USA Today via Reuters)

If you haven’t seen it, “Empire Records” is one of those movies that grows on you. 

When it was released in 1995, it struggled to find an audience at the movie theaters. But in the 31 years since then, lots of folks—including me—have looked back on it with fondness. 

It’s a story about a scrappy little independent record show, and the very eccentric people who work in it. 

But did you know this cult classic has North Carolina roots? Check it out. 

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 Ryan Pitkin, Michael McElroy, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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