Today, we’ve got a dispatch from the NC Blueberry Festival and the unlikely hero of the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup title, but first:

This afternoon, we premiered a fun new segment on YouTube. 

There’s a lot of serious, grim stuff happening in the world. But there’s also good stuff to talk about, too. 

In our never-ending quest to make the news more … digestible, we’re launching “3 dumb questions (and 1 smart one).” 

It’s just what it sounds like. We talk with important people about silly things, and at least one serious thing. 

Jamie Ager, a fourth-generation western NC farmer running in NC’s hotly contested 11th Congressional District, was game to get us started.

Here’s what he had to say about terrible farm smells, deflated hoop dreams, and why in the world he would try out politics now. Watch it here.

We talked bad farm smells, failed hoop dreams, and candy bars for mature tastes. Watch it here. (Graphic by Desirée Tapia/COURIER Newsroom)

A word of advice: 

Don’t forget to “like” and “subscribe” to our YouTube page so it’s not lost in the ever-mysterious algorithm.

Happy Monday. Here’s what’s in today’s email: 

Big love for C&P reader Lacey Love, who took this incredible view from the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Lacey points out that the lights from a carnival in Spruce Pine were visible in the corner.

If you have a cool view from NC, don’t be shy. Send it to us!

We’re running our Supporter Drive through June 30, and we need your help to keep reporting the local stories that matter most to North Carolina.

Donate today to support Cardinal & Pine. Any amount helps us continue delivering trusted, community-focused journalism.

Not able to give right now? You can still support our work by sharing this newsletter with someone who cares about local news in North Carolina.

Thanks for being part of the Cardinal & Pine community!

Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles at a Carolina Panthers event in 2024. Lyles recently announced that she is stepping down, opening the door for an intense search for a new mayor, at least temporarily, in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Every week at Cardinal & Pine, we pick out three important storylines, events, and happenings. It’s called “3 things happening in NC.” 

This week, we took on a cram-packed week, including our “missing in action” state budget, Juneteenth celebrations, and the rapidly heating up race to name a new mayor in North Carolina’s largest city. 

Read the story here.

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. Gov. Stein proposes phasing out North Carolina’s tax incentives for data centers by 2033. WUNC

“The state offers broad exemptions to data centers that invest at least $75 million into their facilities over a five-year period.”

2. Potential Atlantic storm Arthur could bring rain to western NC. WLOS

“An area of low pressure over northeastern Mexico has the potential to become the first named storm of 2026: Arthur.”

3. North Carolina gains inside track to College World Series finals with 5-2 win over West Virginia. WRAL

“The Tar Heels opened a CWS with two straight wins for the first time in eight appearances since 2006 and need one more win to reach the best-of-three finals next weekend.”

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Mark Jankowski (77) and goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) celebrate after a win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Everyone loves an underdog story. 

Well, everybody except for the overdog, I guess. 

On Sunday night, the Carolina Hurricanes—arguably the best professional sports franchise in North Carolina history—sealed the deal and won their second Stanley Cup in the team’s history. 

The ‘Canes last won it in 2006 behind their relentless captain Rod Brind’Amour. Now, Brind’Amour is the head coach, but the team has the same mentality. 

They did it behind the spectacular play of their backup goalie, a little-known guy named Brandon Bussi. 

Well, Bussi’s not little-known anymore. Today, we published a look at Bussi’s shocking role in making NC sports history. 

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, USA Today Network via Reuters Connect, and The Associated Press. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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