Below, we’re rolling out Cardinal & Pine’s 2026 voter hub, a one-stop shop for all your midterm election needs, and we also have a story about President Trump’s plan to clear logging in national forests, but first:

Good News Friday needs no explanation, but we’ll tell you anyway. It’s Cardinal & Pine’s weekly roundup of positive news stories from around North Carolina. Because we don’t get nearly enough of those stories.

Today, we begin with one of the more inspiring stories of the second Trump administration. Congress has rebuffed the president’s plan to cut funding for the National Endowment of the Arts, and North Carolina stands to benefit. 

Here’s how endowment funds will benefit artists in the Triad. Read Good News Friday here.  

Kids look at internationally-known portrait artist Kehinde Wiley’s work at the NC Museum of Art, Winston-Salem. The museum is receiving a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, despite President Trump’s threats to slash the endowment’s funding. (NC Museum of Art, Winston-Salem)

Friday, you’re looking beautiful. Here’s what you’ll find in today’s all-NC, all-the-time newsletter. 

Cynthia Britt shared this lovely view of Roan Mountain. 

We want to see your view from NC. Send it to Cardinal & Pine!

Layers of Blue Ridge Mountains stretch into the distance as fall colors begin to emerge near Craggy Gardens on Oct. 9, 2025. (USA Today via Reuters)

The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to begin logging in national forests, including forests here in North Carolina. 

Will Hofmann of the Asheville Citizen Times reported this week on the behind-the-scenes workings in Trump’s Department of Agriculture. 

The US Forest Service has begun the process of rolling back protections barring logging and construction on 45 million acres of America’s national forests. That includes forests near NC “hotspots” like Craggy Mountain, Mt. Mitchell, and Graveyard Fields.

Trump’s administration says their logging plan will help to prevent wildfires, but most environmentalists and researchers say that’s a thinly-veiled excuse to allow logging companies into protected places. 

This is a must-read. 

FILE – Poll workers set up ballot-marking machines at an early in-person voting site at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough,File)

In the coming days at Cardinal & Pine, we’re rolling out our 2026 voter hub. 

Think of this as a one-stop shop for election registration, important dates, and all the news that will help you make up your mind this Election Day, Nov. 3. 

But here’s a sneak peek: Here are 6 important dates to know in this year’s midterm elections, beginning with the Sept. 4 distribution of absentee ballots and the Oct. 9 voter registration deadline.

In the meantime, use C&P’s online voter registration portal to make sure you’re registered and ready to vote. 

Share this newsletter with friends and family to help them get ready too!

1. Michael Whatley accepted thousands for Duke Energy as it seeks to raise rates. Tap here.

“Carolina Public Press reported that while working as a lobbyist for CEA, Whatley personally argued in favor of (Duke Energy) rate increases. He also pushed for Duke to pass on costs for coal ash cleanup in eastern North Carolina to its customers. This cost Duke customers $232 million.”

2. How much it takes to be considered ‘middle class’ in NC. Tap here.

“According to SmartAsset’s data, the Tar Heel State ranked No. 36 out of the 50 states for the highest amount of income needed to be considered middle class.”

3. USA Today says these are the best Asheville restaurants, bars. Tap here.

“USA TODAY food writers set off on a collective search for those standout places that offer the full package when it comes to food, drinks, hospitality and vibes, resulting in the annual Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year lists.”

4. Are Democratic Socialists actually taking over in North Carolina? Tap here.

“We explain what Democratic Socialists actually want—free healthcare and college, stronger labor unions, etc.—and the BIG differences between Democratic Socialists and communists. It’s not what you think.”

Brian Logan Photography via Shutterstock

Congrats to C&P reader Chuck Darsie, who nailed it when we shared a photo last week of Lake Fontana. 

You can find the lake between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest. 

I would be remiss not to point out that Chuck was the only person to get it right. 😅

Where are we this week, NC? Fastest one to write me with the correct answer gets the glory!

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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