Art is the lie that tells the truth. 

I’m paraphrasing a quote attributed to Pablo Picasso. Today’s “Good News Friday” column celebrates a ground-breaking piece of art that’s telling a lot of truth. 

This week, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra director Kwamé Ryan took home a Grammy for his work on “Intelligence”—an opera that tells the true-life story of two Civil War spies. 

Opera is typically thought of as an art form for stuffy white people. But the form has diversified in recent generations. Ryan, who grew up in Trinidad, talked about that in his acceptance speech at the Grammys. 

“As a Black conductor, we’re a small demographic but getting less so one generation at a time,” he said. This is a cool story. Check it out. 

Charlotte Symphony Director Kwamé Ryan conducted the opera “Intelligence,” which told the story of two Civil War spies. (Charlotte Symphony Orchestra)

Happy Friday, NC. I’m grateful you’re reading this newsletter. Here’s what’s in it: 

Shout out to Cardinal & Pine reader Melanie Woodfield, who’s given us a few beautiful views in this newsletter. 

This gorgeous shot comes from the snowy weekend in Waynesville. The mountains do winter the best. 

Are we living in a golden age for health care? Or the opposite? 

Every year, we’re reporting extraordinary medical breakthroughs. But there’s also been a resurgence of vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy theories, capped off by President Trump’s elevation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the top health office in the land. 

Cardinal & Pine’s award-winning team of reporters aims to answer many of the questions with Bad Medicine. Each week, Michael McElroy and Dylan Rhoney will take you inside the system with exclusive stories, explainers, videos, graphics, and in-depth reporting. 

Look for Bad Medicine to launch Monday at Cardinal & Pine. 

In January, we reported in Billy Ball Explains NC on the controversy at North Carolina’s top election board. 

That board, which flipped parties last March, is in charge of preparing for the 2026 elections. But their exclusion of polling places on three NC campuses, including the country’s largest historically Black college, has folks angry. 

Here’s an important update on that story: A group of college students at the three schools—NC A&T University, UNC-Greensboro, and Western Carolina—is suing the state board. Get the latest by tapping the button below.

1. Special prosecutor to get cases of man who says North Carolina religious group beat him in 2013. The Independent

“A district attorney has handed over the criminal cases involving a secretive North Carolina religious group to a special prosecutor.”

2. Cherokee County sheriff steps down after district attorney accuses him of negligence. WLOS

“Sheriff Dustin Smith announced Thursday that he will retire effective Feb. 6, 2026, and will not seek re-election after News 13 obtained a January letter from the district attorney formally asking him to resign, citing negligence, misconduct, and a breakdown of trust inside the sheriff’s office.”

3. As sports betting explodes in North Carolina, does legalization stop cheating or fuel it? WRAL

“In North Carolina, Super Bowl-related wagers are expected to top $76 million based on a report from the Sports Betting Alliance. As betting grows, so does concern about its impact, from addiction to integrity in sports.”

4. Lost and found. The Assembly

“Hurricane Helene swept away many beloved possessions for Western North Carolina residents. Meet the teams working to reunite people with their missing mementos.”

Where are we, NC? Be the fastest to get it right. (Shutterstock)

You folks crushed it when we shared a photo of a speedway two weeks ago. So last week, we aimed to be more challenging. 

It didn’t stop Cardinal & Pine reader Laura Lampley, and a whole bunch more of you, from correctly naming the stairs at Chimney Rock State Park. Honorable mention goes to Bonnie Earnhardt, who came in about 30 seconds later.

Laura, for the next week, you are the official King of NC Knowledge. 

We have another challenge for you this week. Let’s see how well you know your historic NC downtowns. Tell us where we are. Be the fastest, and you’ll be crowned in next Friday’s edition.

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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 Ryan Pitkin. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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