We’re coming to you early this Wednesday to give you the latest on today’s winter storm.

And firstly, I think a journalist should be transparent so I’m going to be that right now: I had no idea they were naming winter storms now. 😂

The storm rolling through North Carolina today has been named “Kingston” by The Weather Channel. Tell your kids to thank Kingston for the day off. 

Now here’s what you really need to know about Kingston:

The biggest impacts of this storm will likely be felt in eastern NC, especially northeastern NC, which could see between 6 to 12 inches.  

Expect a more modest snow in central NC—a few inches at most—and light snow in western NC, like this scene below.

Scenes of wintry abandon in western North Carolina Wednesday morning. (Screenshot via National Weather Service, courtesy of Evan Fisher)

Click the images below to get the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in your region, whether you’re in eastern, central, or western NC. 

Snowmageddon 2025 is looking like a big event in eastern NC, but expect more modest totals today in central and western NC. (Photos via National Weather Service)

Have some pretty images of the snow in your neck of the woods? Send them to me so we can share with Cardinal & Pine’s statewide audience. 

You folks are veterans of winter weather by now, but remember that one of the most dangerous things about a winter storm is the ice that follows on the roads and bridges. 

Ice is hard to spot sometimes, especially if you’re traveling at night or in the dim morning light. So be cool and, if you have to drive, drive slowly. 

Here’s what else you’ll find in today’s newsletter:

Dude, you’re cute, but cool it with the huge tongue. (Photo via the NC Zoo)

Here’s something near and dear to our readers’ hearts: Animal welfare. 

Not every place that shows off cool animals is doing a good job of taking care of those animals. Remember the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville? Inspectors reportedly found more than 50 violations of the Animal Welfare Act there. 

One good way to know if the place you’re visiting can be trusted is to see if they have been endorsed by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the national org that makes sure zoos and other animal parks are taking care of the creatures in their care.

To help you out, we’ve published a new guide to 6 animal parks and aquariums in North Carolina that, according to the AZA, we can trust. 

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Greensboro Coliseum, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Greensboro, N.C. In order to pay for Trump’s planned tax cuts, Republicans in Congress are considering cuts to Medicaid, which funds health care for low-income and working-class people. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

From the good folks at NC Health News, we’ve published a new dive into how a Congressional proposal to cut Medicaid dollars could impact people in North Carolina. 

Medicaid is a national program that, like Medicare (which is for older folks and people with disabilities), connects people with health insurance. Medicaid, however, is designed to help poor and working-class people. 

It’s often on the chopping block with Republicans in Congress. This week, cutting Medicaid is among a list of proposed ways of paying for President Trump’s tax plan. The president’s plan to cut taxes on tips and Social Security often get the headlines, but the largest impact, according to independent analysis of Trump’s stated plans, would be felt by wealthy people and large corporations. 

If Republicans do go the way of cutting Medicaid to pay for the tax cuts, the reduction will be felt by people across the state, but a disproportionate share live in rural North Carolina, according to Health News. 

Santa Claus? Is that you? (Photo via NC Museum of History)

Think today’s snowfall is something? 

In 1899, a gobsmacking 17 inches of snow fell in Raleigh, which is a good way for no one to be able to do anything but sit there and think. 

For more historic snowfalls in NC, check out this cool guide from Our State magazine. Happy snow day, NC!

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m a NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Cardinal & Pine is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

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