Who can argue with a little bit of good news? 

Cardinal & Pine’s recurring Friday series—”Good News Friday“—returns today with an animal that is very, very close to not existing anymore. 

We’ve reported before on the red wolf. Deforestation, hunting, and human development have brought the animal to the brink of extinction. There are multiple ongoing projects to restore this species. Durham’s Museum of Life and Science is among them. 

The Triangle center recently welcomed two new breeding red wolves in hopes of making more pups. Somebody cue the Marvin Gaye songs for them.

Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin wrote about the wolves this week, as well as a new milestone for the Helene relief effort out west. Check it out and share.

NC’s Museum of Life and Science recently welcomed two new breeding red wolves. The goal is to save this critically endangered animal. (Museum of Life and Science)

“Friday” is one of the best words in the English language. Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter: 

Thanks to Jessie Leon, who brought us this view from the Broad River Greenway in Shelby. 

Amid this week’s Border Patrol crackdown in NC, Cardinal & Pine’s Alexis Lawson, a former K-5 educator, talked about “Dreamers.” 

This award-winning book by Yuyi Morales tells her personal immigration story. Morales tells the story of a group of children often referred to as “Dreamers.” As small children, they were brought over illegally by their parents.

They’ve long since become part of their communities. In essence, they are one of the most potent cases for immigration reform. 

Alexis hopped on camera to explain why this story, which has been challenged in some NC schools, is so important.  

There’s been a lot of talk about the American health care system.

It’s fitting. With health care premiums expected to go through the roof in 2026, a lot more folks are going to opt out of health insurance, and that’s not good for anybody. 

No system is perfect, but if we’re willing to look outside our own borders, there are lessons to be learned from other countries like the UK, which has one of the most popular health care systems in the world. 

Check it out in this week’s “Billy Ball Explains NC.” In about 8 minutes, we explain a potential path to ending this nightmare.

1. Charlotte immigration crackdown goes on, Homeland Security says, despite sheriff saying it ended. The Associated Press

“A federal immigration crackdown centered around North Carolina’s largest city of Charlotte appeared to be tapering off Thursday, local law enforcement leaders said, but a Homeland Security official insisted the arrests would not let up.”

2. Federal judges uphold several North Carolina US House districts drawn by Republicans. The Associated Press

“Federal judges will allow some of North Carolina state lawmakers’ gerrymandered US House districts to go on, but this year’s Trump-endorsed redrawing of a Black voting district is still up in the air.”

3. Report: Pesticide banned in 70+ countries widely used in NC. Public News Service

“The chemical paraquat is a quick-acting herbicide used for weed control. Long-term exposure to paraquat has been associated with thyroid cancer, impaired kidney function, childhood leukemia and Parkinson’s disease.”

4. Clean energy jobs in North Carolina continued to rise in 2024, even as renewable energy took a hit. WFAE

“Last year, the number of jobs in North Carolina’s economy grew by about 1%. But growth in clean energy employment outpaced other sectors, according to a new report.”

Bundle up and head to one of these North Carolina Christmas tree farms for a seasonal adventure. (Colin + Meg/Shutterstock)

We’re going to take a break from “Where are we in NC” this week to shout out one of our state’s most purely delightful industries. 

Western NC, particularly around Ashe County, produces some of the prettiest Fraser firs in the world. These fir trees are, of course, the prototype for the Christmas tree. 

This week, Cardinal & Pine contributor Karishma Desai wrote a guide for NC’s best choose-and-cut tree farms. 

Not that you need any more reasons to “shop NC” for your tree, but western NC will be recovering from Helene for a long time. Put your money where your heart is. 

Reach 200,000+ North Carolinians who care about their communities! Sponsor Cardinal & Pine’s Dec. 6 Special Edition, “How to Get Involved and Give Back this Holiday Season.” Book by Nov. 21, 2025, and save 20% off your placement.

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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 content from Ryan Pitkin, Alexis Lawson, and Karishma Desai. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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