Why do people immigrate illegally? Why don’t they just get in line? Why don’t they “do it the right way?”

If there were a “FAQ” page on illegal immigration, these would be the first questions asked. They lie at the heart of the matter. But too often, these questions aren’t answered when journalists cover the issue.

That’s because the immigration system is complicated. But in the latest edition of “Billy Ball Explains NC“—which premieres every Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Cardinal & Pine’s YouTube channel—we make it simple.

Becoming a US citizen is time-consuming and potentially expensive. Under the second Trump administration, the process has become more complicated than ever, and stacked against people coming from poorer countries or fleeing violence at home.

Despite that, there’s a lot of evidence that immigration, the legal and the illegal kind, offers a lot of perks for the American economy—whether you like it or not. Let’s break it down.

“Billy Ball Explains NC” premieres every Wednesday at 3 p.m. on YouTube. 

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Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

Reader Melanie Woodfield snapped this gorgeous wintry shot from Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. 

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North Carolina state Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) speaks while North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) listens at a news conference reviewing Tuesday’s general election results at state GOP headquarters in Raleigh, NC, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)

It’s almost Christmas, and NC doesn’t have a state budget. In fact, we are the only state in America without a budget. 

Why’s that matter? Because when government agencies don’t have reliable funding, services are lost or delayed. It’s a big deal, made more pressing by the state’s Medicaid funding shortfall.

When you consider that both chambers of the legislature are run by the same political party, that stalemate is even more remarkable. 

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy reported this week on the pressure on the Republican-controlled legislature to come to an agreement on a budget. That pressure’s coming from the right, too. Take a look.

1. Gov. Josh Stein reverses Medicaid cuts, but warns NC Republicans to stop dragging their feet. Cardinal & Pine

“Court rulings do not change the fiscal realities that caused the cuts in the first place, Stein said. The fund is still rapidly approaching a devastating fiscal cliff, and the Republican legislature has still done nothing to avoid it.”

2. Greensboro Farmers Curb Market nears its 152nd year in operation. Cardinal & Pine

“As the oldest farmers’ market in Greensboro, it has outlasted countless shifts in the region’s economy, from the rise of grocery chains to the spread of suburban shopping centers, all while fostering direct connections between local growers and the community they feed.”

3. Cherokee chief opposes possible Lumbee federal recognition via defense bill. WLOS-13

“The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina could soon have federal recognition through a defense spending bill.”

4. Scientists say the forever chemical TFA could cause irreversible harm. In eastern NC, it’s everywhere. Inside Climate News

“The discovery of TFA in blood and water samples raises questions about Chemours’ role in adding to the pollution burden.”

(Durham Downtown)

Wherever you look, it’s coming up holidays right now. Here’s one way to enjoy them in central NC.

Recently, we published a traveler’s guide to Durham, the fast-growing and fun northernmost point in the Triangle that is Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. 

On Saturday, Dec. 13, Durham plans to hold their holiday parade, rain or shine. The fun starts at 10 am downtown. Wool E. Bull, the mascot of the Durham Bulls, is the official parade marshal. P.S. It’s a good idea to bring your own chair and blanket. 

For more holiday parades and events in NC, check out Visit NC’s pretty comprehensive event calendar. 

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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, Stacy Rounds, and Vanessa Infanzon. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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