In North Carolina, hockey used to be a thing you’d look at like it’s out of a National Geographic — something far away and remote, a curiosity. Like, can you believe they slide around on ice and hit things with a stick?

In the nearly 30 years since the Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh and became the Carolina Hurricanes, North Carolina’s NHL team has worked to change that. On Thursday, they took a major step in winning a second Stanley Cup, beating the Washington Capitals and booking a trip to their conference finals.

They’re only eight wins away from being champions. Even if they’re not one of the most financially valuable teams in the league, they are one of its most consistently successful. And they boast one of the loudest fan bases you’ll find in any sport.

Case closed: Hockey is a Southern thing.

Now the ‘Canes await either the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals.

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Happy Friday to all of our loyal Cardinal & Pine readers. Here’s the news:

Only a few more spots remain for Cardinal & Pine’s ‘Voices for Veterans.’
Why Walmart might have to raise prices.
Lawmakers want to expand fishing season, despite overfishing concerns.
Where are we in NC?

Billy Ball,

Senior Editor, Cardinal & Pine

Just four more days till Cardinal & Pine’s ‘Voices for Veterans’

Click the image and book your free seat for ‘Voices for Veterans.’

We’re down to the wire, and just a few seats remain for Cardinal & Pine’s “Voices for Veterans,” a free discussion of the federal cuts to Veteran Affairs.

The Cardinal & Pine team will be there, as well as veterans like Grier Martin, state Rep. Eric Ager, Veteran Affairs nurse Ann Marie Patterson-Powell, and Jay Carey, the NC vet kicked out of a Republican town hall in March. It should be a full-throated conversation about North Carolina’s military families.

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy, who’s spoken to countless veterans during his reporting this year, talked this week about why this panel is so important. Check it out and then register!

Click Here To Register For Free

“We’re wired for ‘Everyday Low Prices,’ but the magnitude of these increases is more than any retailer can afford.”

That’s from John David Rainey, Walmart’s chief financial officer. The big box retailer is reportedly planning to raise its prices as soon as June because of President Trump’s sweeping tariff plan.

For some folks, there’ll be no getting around the price hike. In many rural counties in North Carolina, Walmart is the only spot for groceries. The retailer has 214 stores in the state, and because of the scale of its operation, Walmart has been better equipped to keep prices down than its competitors.

In other words, such a blunt statement from Walmart is significant.

1. NC House begins advancing GOP budget, with votes set for next week. Here’s what’s in it. NC Newsline

“The rapid process Thursday drew frustration from Democrats, who did not have access to the budget’s hundreds of pages until just prior to committee hearings. And their ability to amend the budget was limited by a series of watertight legislative rules that prevented almost all substantive changes.”

2. NC House passes fishing bill expanding flounder, red snapper seasons. What’s next? WUNC

“Both species had extremely short seasons in 2024 because they are considered overfished, meaning the population is too small to sustain itself and could collapse.”

3. Major upgrades coming to North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and Winston-Salem. ABC-11

“The Raleigh campus and galleries will remain open during its construction, but outdoor concerts in the museum’s park will be closed through 2027.”

Where Are We in NC? ❤️

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We finally managed to stump a few of you.

Last week’s edition left a few of you wondering, but Cardinal & Pine reader Glen Peterson was the first to identify the old Brunswick County jail in Southport. This historic jail, which was built in 1904, is a museum now.

Way to get it, Glen!

Take a look at this week’s challenge (it’s a toughie!) and be the first to name it. You’ll get a shout-out in this space next week. Thanks for playing, y’all.

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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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