Today, we’re going to get real about NC’s healthcare woes, the NC Education Lottery, and a guide to this week’s protests. But first: 

Last week, during a virtual event with two of North Carolina’s biggest 2026 candidates, I asked former Gov. Roy Cooper why he chose to make his 2026 campaign about affordability. 

His answer was pretty simple. “We’re hearing from people who just have too much month left at the end of the money,” Cooper told us. 

Today, C&P’s Michael McElroy dug into a new report quantifying just how much of a problem that is. 

As McElroy writes, “the country’s affordability crisis is accelerating, the report says, and the simultaneous cuts to federal and state assistance threaten to ‘rip away’ safety nets when they are needed the most.” 

So what can anyone actually do about it? Here are the takeaways.

More than 10,000 public school teachers and educators marched in Raleigh this month to protest their low pay. (Michael McElroy/Cardinal & Pine)

Here’s hoping today’s showers actually make a difference in North Carolina’s widespread drought. 

Let’s see what you’ll find below in today’s C&P newsletter:

Thanks to C&P reader Erika Tully for supplying this photo from Airlie Gardens in Wilmington.  

Have a view from North Carolina? Send it to us. We’ll show it in front of C&P’s 100,000+ NC readers. 

This year, Cardinal & Pine’s Dylan Rhoney has been traveling the state reporting for our “Bad Medicine” series. Here’s what he learned. (Graphic by Cardinal & Pine)

In journalism, there are these intersections. Stories that, no matter where you go and who you talk to, resonate. 

Healthcare is one of those stories. C&P’s “Bad Medicine” series about state and federal cuts to healthcare took our reporters from one tip of the state to the other. 

Dylan Rhoney says it taught him a lot. “In an age of healthcare advancements, and in a state where growth and opportunities seem readily available, many of the state’s communities are simply being left behind,” he writes.

Today, Rhoney wrote down the biggest takeaways from his reporting on health. Read it here.

More Bad Medicine:

If Cardinal & Pine ever listed our most frequently asked questions, “what the hell happens to the NC Education Lottery money?” might top the list. 

Here’s what happens to it.

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With so much happening in the state, country, and world, many people are trying to figure out how they can get involved in tackling some of the issues most important to them. Across the state, people have the opportunity to meet fellow community members and get involved.

🗓 Friday, May 8

Engaged Defenders for Democracy – ICE Is Not Welcome Here! Cary ICE Office (9-11 a.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: 140 Centrewest Court, Cary

Join peaceful protesters on the sidewalk on the corner of Evans and Centrewest Court to protest ICE policies against immigrants outside of their local offices.

🗓 Saturday, May 9

Register People to Vote at the North Asheville Tailgate Market (8-10 a.m.) and (10 a.m-12 p.m.)

Host: Buncombe County Democratic Party

Location: UNCA Campus Parking Lot P34, 275 Edgewood Road, Asheville

Help your neighbors register to vote.

Rage Against The Regime Gate City BLVD Edition! (11 a.m-12 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Guilford County

Location: 3608 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro

A protest against the Trump administration.

Franklin Community Canvass (11a.m.-2 p.m.)

Host: Down Home NC

Location: 113 Jolly St., Louisburg

Join Down Home North Carolina as they go out into the community to speak with their neighbors about community issues.

WCI Registration Repair at Raleigh Brewing Company (2-4 p.m.)

Host: Wake County Indivisible

Location: Raleigh Brewing Company, 3709 Neil St., Raleigh

Want to make sure your neighbor’s vote counts? Join Wake County Indivisible as they send out letters to ensure everyone’s registration information is up to date.

🗓 Sunday, May 10

Southern Sundays for Peace: Garner (12-2 p.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: US 70 and Mechanical Boulevard, Garner

Engaged Defenders for Democracy in Garner will host its weekly pro-democracy protest and invite the community to join. Positive signs are requested.

Southern Sundays for Peace: Rocky Mount (12-1:30 p.m.)

Host: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: Rocky Mount Mill, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount

Engaged Defenders for Democracy in Rocky Mount will host its weekly pro-democracy protest and invite the community to join. Positive signs are requested.

🗓 Wednesday, May 13

Rowan Down Home Monthly Meeting (6-8 p.m.)

Host: Down Home NC

Location: Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St., Salisbury

Meet Salisbury community members at Down Home NC’s local chapter meeting.

Indivisible Rutherford NC Meeting (6-8 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Rutherford County

Location: Rock Steady Spindale, 239 W. Main St., Spindale 

Meet fellow community members and learn about local issues.

🗓 Thursday, May 14

Alamance Hour of Action (4-5 p.m.)

Host: Alamance Hour of Action

Location: 1388 S. Main St., Burlington

In this edition of a weekly peaceful protest, residents of Alamance County will march in support of democracy. 

Cole Park Pop-Up (5-6 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Chatham County

Location: Cole Park Plaza, 11470 US Highway 15, 501 N, Suite 102

Residents in Chatham County are making their voices heard as part of a weekly protest at Cole Park.

Indivisible Alamance NC Group Meeting (6:30-7:30 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Alamance

Location: Graham Public Library, 211 S. Main St., Graham

Meet fellow Alamance County community members and learn how you can shape the issues that most impact the community.

Education Update: The NC Legislative Short Session (7 p.m.)

Host: Public Schools First NC

Location: Virtual

Attendees will receive updates about the current legislative session from Democratic Reps. Rodney Pierce, Phil Rubin, and state Sen. Joyce Waddell.

New Member Orientation (7-8 p.m.)

Host: Indivisible Charlotte

Location: Virtual

Join community members to learn how you can get involved with Indivisible Charlotte.

PART TWO: Community Conversation | Race, Education, Equity with Dr. Katie Entrocaso (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

Host: Red Wine and Blue

Location: Virtual

Join from anywhere to hear how past decisions are still impacting our communities and state today.

Have an event to add? Email organizing coordinator Dylan Rhoney with details (please send details at least one week in advance).

Duke and UNC have been longtime rivals across athletics. They’re just two of the many ways to support women’s sports across North Carolina. (Debby Wong/Shutterstock)

We are equal opportunity fans of North Carolina sports. But women’s sports always gets the short end of the stick—not just in attention but in real ways like funding or opportunities.  

Today, we published a new guide to supporting women’s sports in the state. 

From the best sports bars to catch them to the best teams and collegiate programs, we’ve got it here. 

Make sure to share this guide with the sports fan you know!

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 Michael McElroy, Dylan Rhoney, and Joey Held. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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