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 become a hot topic in North Carolina and elsewhere. 

Police say that the cameras help them catch criminals. But critics characterize Flock cameras as next-level surveillance, ripe for abuse by law enforcement. 

If you feel strongly about Flock cameras in NC, C&P’s Dylan Rhoney has written a brief on how they’re used in NC. 

If you want to find out where Flock cameras are located in NC, and what petitions are out there, tap here.

Who you lookin’ at? Flock cameras—like this one—are all the rage right now, and by that, I mean they’re giving people lots of rage. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

The weekend’s almost here, and schools are gearing up across NC. Here’s what you’ll find in today’s C&P newsletter: 

C&P reader Susan Book photographed this old soul in Cary. 

Do you have a cool View from NC to share? Show it off to C&P’s 120,000+ readers.l 

(Video by Dylan Rhoney/Cardinal & Pine)

No matter what’s on the 24-hour cable news, the thing most Americans are concerned about is the cost of living. 

C&P’s Dylan Rhoney caught up with a national expert on climate. She says national climate policy has a lot to do with how expensive everything is. 

Here’s how. 

More at Cardinal & Pine:

(raphic by Luis Castaneda)

After ICE’s raid in a national forest in NC, is there any such thing as a “safe space” anymore? 

Not anymore, immigration hardliners say, and that’s the point. Watch the new Billy Ball Explains NC here. 

1. NC transportation officials hand out hundreds of laptops as part of rural internet access initiative. CBS 17

“Access to reliable internet remains a crucial issue for many North Carolinians, especially those who live in rural counties. State transportation officials aim to bridge that gap by handing out hundreds of laptops to students and small businesses statewide who complete their online trade courses.”

2. Even as inflation eases slightly, North Carolina families still feel squeezed from all sides. NC Newsline

“Inflation cooled slightly in July thanks in part to a dip in gas prices, but many consumers aren’t feeling any relief.”

3. North Carolina’s Samaritan’s Purse lends a hand after devastating Colombia earthquake. Fox 8

“Samaritan’s Purse, based in Boone, stepped up to the plate to provide critical supplies for victims of a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday.”

4. Remediation of former landfill sites still in limbo despite yearslong parks closures. North Carolina Health News

“The state auditor’s office released a report in July showing limited progress in addressing former unregulated landfill sites.”

The entrance to Walker World Organic Artist Retreat in Castle Hayne. Note the old sign for the Cape Fear Museum at right. (USA Today via Reuters)

A couple weeks ago, we published a story on Walker World, a quirky, somewhat mysterious rental space in eastern NC that’s become one big artsy party. 

Well, here’s some good news for folks who are curious about Walker World. 

The Castle Hayne site is hosting a weekend festival this Saturday, featuring live music, yoga, food trucks, local artists, and more. It’s the sort of place you go to when you’re eager to sing songs around a campfire. 

Here’s what to know.

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

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