Below, we have the NC Peach Festival and one of the best little hot dog stands in America, but first: 

Last week, something weird happened. 

Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, signed a budget written by the Republican leaders of the state legislature. 

There’s a lot behind Stein’s decision. But one of the most important reasons was the changes lawmakers wrote to starting teacher pay in NC. 

In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, we break down what that means for one of the state’s most important professions, and why there’s a big catch to it. 

NC teachers are getting a raise, but there’s a catch. (Graphic by Luis Castaneda)

Happy hump day. Here’s what’s in your Wednesday Cardinal & Pine newsletter: 

We can thank C&P reader Jack Summers for this view from Mt. Pisgah Inn outside Canton!

If you have a view from NC to share, send it to us!

Beginning with the planting of 30,000 peach trees just south of the town by the Candor Fruit Company in 1902, Candor has since come to be known as the Peach Capital of North Carolina. (NC Peach Festival)

When people think of peaches, they think of Georgia. 

But the little Uwharrie-area town of Candor has a case to make. In 1902, a local fruit company planted 30,000 peach trees in the Montgomery County town. 

Today, Candor’s considered the peach capital of NC. This weekend, they host the returning NC Peach Festival. 

Here’s what to know about it. 

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. A swarm of solar ‘bees’ are coming to western North Carolina community hubs. Grist

“Small-scale solar microgrids for Appalachian communities could help keep communities warm and fed during future blackouts.”

2. US Highway 21’s 100-mile yard sale returns July 24-26: What to know. WXII

“Take a break from the interstate and shop along one of NC’s biggest road markets on Highway 21 from July 24-26 from Wytheville, Virginia, to Harmony, North Carolina.”

3. Four litters of endangered red wolf pups born in North Carolina. WRAL

“Red wolves are a critically endangered species and are teetering on the brink of extinction. This year four litters of pups were born in North Carolina.”

The All the Way hot dog at Frontier Food to Go at 2633 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington, N.C. with mustard, chili, and onion. You can also add the house-made slaw. (USA Today via Reuters)

Hot dog stands are, by their nature, kind of a secret.

Technically, anybody could serve a good hot dog. So it’s the toppings and the prices that take a hot dog vendor from ho-hum to humming.  

One longtime hot dog stand in Wilmington was recently crowned as one of the best in America. 

Check it out 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 Ryan Pitkin and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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