Scroll down for big news on ICE’s plans for NC and “huge strides” for one western NC town hit by Helene, but first:

When someone dresses up as a superhero, and it’s not Halloween, we tend to dismiss them. They can’t possibly be taking this seriously, we think. 

But what if when they put on that costume, they roam their community doing acts of good—like cleaning up graffiti or helping out after a storm? 

For the last six years, that’s what the Burnsville Batman has been doing in western NC almost every night. He’s become a kind of local celebrity. Naturally, we had to talk. 

In a new “3 dumb questions (and 1 smart one),” we talked to the Burnsville Batman about what western NC needs after Helene, staying cool in a hot Batsuit, and finding his Robin. I found our local Batman to be smart, engaging, and funny—with a delightful western NC accent. 😂

Watch our convo here.

Video @cardinalandpine on YouTube

Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

Cardinal & Pine reader Randy McCoy (and a friend 🐶) shared this photo from Pisgah National Forest. 

Pisgah, like most forests, is a really diverse place to explore, with waterfalls, beautiful peaks, and loads of hiking trails. Thanks for sharing, Randy.

Got a view from NC to share with C&P’s readers? Send it to us!

Advocates gather in front of the NC General Assembly building on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, to call on lawmakers to condemn potential ICE detention facilities in North Carolina. (Ahmed Jallow/NC Newsline)

We’ve reported before on ICE’s plans for North Carolina. For some time, the federal immigration agency has had its eyes on our state. 

Several reports emerged late last week of the Trump administration’s plans to open a mass detention facility in eastern NC. 

They will reportedly be reopening a for-profit prison in Winton that was shut down in the Biden years. The prison was troubled by reports of alleged civil rights violations. 

Here’s the latest.

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. North Carolina places GM Michael Lombardi on administrative leave ahead of Bill Belichick’s second season. CBS Sports

“Lombardi is in charge of managing the roster in Chapel Hill and joined the Tar Heels with Belichick in December 2024.”

2. Law enforcement, prosecutors call on NC House to pass hemp regulations. WUNC

“‘Both bills if they survive, in particular the North Carolina one, puts me out of business and just about every hemp producer in North Carolina,’ said Rick Brownfield of Chatham County-based Rocky River Hemp.”

3. NC attorney general: Last-minute Medicaid rule change will cost counties millions. NC Health News

“The state recently joined a lawsuit challenging the new rule, which would require ‘medically frail’ Medicaid recipients to prove that their illness substantially limits their capability to satisfy an 80-hour-per-month work requirement.”

In a “huge stride” for the Town of Lake Lure’s recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, the Washburn Marina is open for boaters once again, providing easier access to the water and giving the town an economic boost. (USA Today via Reuters)

We’ve reported numerous times on the slow, steady, occasionally maddening recovery from Helene in western NC. 

Here’s some good news out west. 

Lake Lure, a scenic town off the Broad River in Rutherford County, was one of the hardest-hit places. 

There’s still work to be done there, but a local paper reported today on the soft reopening of the Lake Lure marina. Enjoy the Monday dose of optimism. 

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 NC Newsline and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

Cardinal & Pine is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.