If the first few episodes of “Billy Ball Explains NC” lacked for anything, it was holiday cheer. Not a problem for the new one. 

This week, I looked at one of our state’s most delightful exports. North Carolina is the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the country, thanks to the good soil and climate in the state’s high country. We make them green and lush, with that classic conical shape that most of us expect when we pick up a tree for the holidays.

In 2024, Helene wreaked havoc on some farms, but when I looked into the state’s biggest tree farms in 2025, I found a whole lot of optimism. So much so that the state is responsible for some award-winning trees that will be going up in some very high places.

Check out the latest “Billy Ball Explains NC” to watch “The Great NC Christmas Tree Comeback.” Make sure to “like” and share the video, and subscribe so you won’t miss an episode.

The latest “Billy Ball Explains NC” is out now. (Via YouTube)

We’re at the midweek point, and there’s snow in the forecast for some parts of NC. More on that below, in addition to this:

Sherry Murray sent us this photo from Avon, which was one of my favorite vacation destinations growing up. 

Send us your views, NC!

The landscape for local news is shifting fast. At Cardinal & Pine, our commitment to you—and to North Carolina—hasn’t changed.

Our end-of-year fundraising drive runs through Dec. 16, and your support keeps this work strong.

Your contribution helps us shine a light on the decisions, debates, and leaders shaping North Carolina’s future. We can’t do this work without you.

A dramatization of me, every time I get the bill from Duke Energy. (lightpoet/Shutterstock)

As we gear up for Saturday’s special “NC Giving Guide,” I broke down 7 big reasons why everything is so expensive right now in NC. 

There are a lot of reasons, but among them, it’s been a brutal five years for rising grocery prices, thanks to things like the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and, of course, corporate greediness—“greedflation” if you will.

We checked in on how much prices are up, from eggs and bread to utility bills and healthcare premiums. The truth is something to behold. 

Of course, that makes this a really important year for giving back to people in your community. That’s something that North Carolinians and Cardinal & Pine readers are exceptionally good at. 

This Saturday’s Giving Guide will talk about ways to make an impact, but we’d like to hear from you about your favorite charities, nonprofits, and causes. Write to us and tell us what you’re supporting, and why. We’ll pick some to feature in our newsletter, which goes out to more than 100,000 North Carolinians.

1. Anti-abortion canvassing in NC is about to change. Cardinal & Pine

“Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, one of the nation’s largest anti-abortion organizations, will spend $80 million to knock on millions of doors in 2026—putting North Carolina on the front lines of a national abortion fight.”

2. Wintry mix expected Friday in central and western NC. ABC-11

“Snow accumulation is expected to be around an inch or less, with minor ice potential north of the Triangle during the morning hours.”

3. NC pitches $1 billion plan to overhaul rural health system. NC Health News

“State’s proposal for NC’s share of $50 billion in new federal money would create regional hubs, bolster workforce and revive food-as-medicine programs.”

4. Deliberately aggressive immigration tactics in North Carolina sow fear, confusion. Axios

“The aggressive tactics used by immigration agents in North Carolina, which advocates say sow fear and confusion, aim to persuade immigrants to leave the U.S. voluntarily, Border Patrol’s chief recently affirmed.”

Today, we got the above update from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. 

Naturally, our curiosity went into overdrive. We looked into it, and you’ll be happy to know that this was a Virginia raccoon, not a North Carolina raccoon.

When our raccoons get drunk, they have the good sense not to pass out next to a toilet. Gross, bro. 

Yes, it’s true. A raccoon broke into an Ashland, Virginia, liquor store, got drunk, and then took a snooze. (See below.) 😂

According to the wildlife folks, he’s OK. He just needed to sleep it off. 

(Photos via Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter in Virginia)

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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 Jessica F. Simmons. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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