Below, we’ve got a celebrated NC chef’s new cookbook, and the latest on a court ruling with major impacts for people who receive food stamps, but first:

We’ve published a fascinating story about the tiny town of Ronda, North Carolina.

Carolina Public Press reports that the Wilkes County town, which straddles the Yadkin River, appears to be in its final days. 

The community has struggled with infrastructure and financial issues. Over the years, it’s spent more money than it has, which is a violation of state budget law. So state leaders are recommending the town formally dissolve.  

Read the story here.

The town of Ronda, North Carolina, is rich in history, just not much else. (Photo by Frank Taylor/Carolina Public Press)

It’s sweater weather out there. 

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s C&P newsletter: 

C&P reader Lowry Reed captured this mysterious photo from Little Switzerland at the Big Lynn Lodge, one of the prettiest places to stay in NC’s mountains. 

“I never get tired of the view,” Reed told us. We can see why.

Do you have a great View from NC? Send it in!

Support local journalism today.

Cardinal & Pine is here to bring you the local stories that matter most to North Carolina, from decisions made at the State House to the issues shaping communities across the state.

Through Sept. 30, we’re raising funds to keep that work going. If you value this newsletter and want to support independent local journalism, chip in today.

Every contribution helps us keep reporting the stories that too often go uncovered. Thanks for reading and for being part of the Cardinal & Pine community.

In a challenge to a USDA-enforced SNAP policy included in Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, a federal judge ruled against the Trump administration, Cardinal & Pine’s Jessica F. Simmons reports.

The new policy retroactively penalized states if they failed to comply with mandated SNAP changes within a 120-day window from the time the law was passed, even though federal guidance wasn’t issued until months later.

In the lawsuit, North Carolina officials argued the penalties, if left standing, could saddle the state with a $420 million SNAP cost share and threaten aid for about 1.4 million people.

The court found USDA could not start the state’s 120-day transition clock before issuing key implementation guidance.

For more on SNAP benefits in North Carolina, and how they’ve been altered by the Trump administration, go here. 

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. UNC chancellor backs Bill Belichick after investigation, says support comes with expectations. WRAL

“The University of North Carolina concluded its investigation into the Tar Heels’ football program last week. Chancellor Lee Roberts and athletics director Steve Newmark made their first public comments Thursday in Chapel Hill.”

2. Nor’easter pounds North Carolina coast, with dangerous surf and erosion hitting the Outer Banks. WXII

“NCDOT cameras show significant swells washing over onto the highway. Dunes have collapsed, leaving the road exposed to the Atlantic’s eroding waters.”

3. Youth psychiatric hospital opens in Hendersonville to fill regional gap in teen mental health care. NC Health News

“The $30M facility, which opened Sept. 9, added 23 beds in western North Carolina for youth ages 13 to 17 experiencing mental health issues.”

Chef Meherwan Irani, co-founder of Chai Pani, has authored the cookbook, “No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World: At-Home Recipes from the Streets, Truck Stops, Villages, and Palaces of India” (Ten Speed Press).

Asheville chef Meherwan Irani says his new book has a tongue-in-cheek title.

Irani is the co-founder of Chai Pani, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant.

The book—“No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World: At-Home Recipes from the Streets, Truck Stops, Villages, and Palaces of India”—is, in its way, an homage to Indian culture.

Irani said it’s “the most Indian thing in the world to claim to be ‘No. 1’ and ‘the best.’”

His cookbook has more than 100 recipes, including snacks, grilled sandwiches curries and chutneys, and Chinese-Indian fusion stir-fries. There’s a lot to love.

Tap here for more.

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 Jessica F. Simmons, USA Today Network via Reuters Connect, and Carolina Public Press. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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