We took off Monday to honor National Indigenous Peoples Day, but Cardinal & Pine is back at you today.

Below, you’ll get an important piece of accountability reporting in a key race for the state Legislature and an exploration of the cool link between Wilmington and one of the world’s most famous paintings, but first:

We have A LOT going on this week. Truly, we could have renamed our weekly preview column “10 things happening.” But we did narrow it down to three, leading, of course, with the return of the North Carolina State Fair and early voting, both of which kick off Thursday.

Heck, why don’t you vote and then go to the fair? You’ll feel great if you do.

C&P contributor Ryan Pitkin gets you ready for both in “3 things happening in NC.” 

The North Carolina State Fair in 2021. The annual Raleigh tradition kicks off Thursday, Oct. 15. (Jason Schronce via Shutterstock)

If you love this newsletter, share it with three friends right now. Here’s what you’ll read at Cardinal & Pine today: 

Julia Johnson photographed this lovely sunset from Rockingham County, NC. 

Got a better View from NC? Send it in right now!

Rep. Mike Schietzelt, a Wake County Republican, defended President Trump’s effort to sow doubt about the 2020 election prior to the attack. (Photo via NC General Assembly)

C&P’s Dylan Rhoney is back with some important accountability journalism from Wake County. 

Rhoney reports that one of the few remaining Republicans representing the state’s capitol county in the state Legislature helped to spread lies about the outcome of the 2020 election. 

We took a look at state Rep. Mike Schietzelt, who represents a district in northeast Wake County. 

From his X account, Schietzelt questioned the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, arguing that state legislatures could choose Trump electors despite the popular vote and called the election “stolen,” while supporting legal challenges to the results.

Schietzelt is running for reelection this November. He faces Democrat Evonne Hopkins. 

Read the story here and share with the folks you know in Wake County.

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. SpaceX launch lights up North Carolina skies. WECT

“A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Tuesday morning on a cargo mission to the International Space Station, and its flight was visible in North Carolina skies.”

2. NC Court of Appeals race may lead to one-party control of the court. Here are the candidates. WUNC

“The results of North Carolina’s Court of Appeals election could determine whether Democrats have any voice at all on the state’s second-highest court.”

3. Isaias’ remnants bring flooding, 840,000 gallon sewage spill to western North Carolina. WBTV

“Morganton official said the sewage spilled in local waterways.”

4. Bipartisan bill aims to close rural NC’s healthcare workforce gaps. North Carolina Health News

“The REACH Act would offer eligible doctors, nurses and other providers a refundable federal tax credit of up to $10,000.”

Historical marker for Wilmington native Anna McNeill Whistler at Third and Orange streets in downtown Wilmington, Sept. 21, 2026. (USA Today via Reuters)

Did you know Wilmington has a direct link to one of the most famous paintings in the world? 

The 1871 painting is called “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1,” but it’s better known as “Whistler’s Mother.” This portrait of the artist’s mother is known around the world, and is the subject of a new documentary. 

It’s often overlooked though that the subject of the painting was born in the Port City. 

Read the story 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, Dylan Rhoney, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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