This is potentially a big win for North Carolina. 

A federal judge recently ruled that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) broke the law when it reneged on a commitment to its disaster mitigation grant program. 

In April, the Trump administration abruptly canceled those grants. Federal funds were frozen in many ways at the start of the new Trump administration as the president and his allies shuffled their funding priorities.

While presidents always bring their own funding goals, it’s not typical for them to cancel already promised grants.

The program is intended to help states prepare for the next big storm. In NC, the time between tropical systems is really just the preamble to the next one. FEMA was committed to $200 million in spending across NC.

To find out what projects in what counties are impacted by the news, click here or on the button below. 

NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson speaks during a press conference on the steps of the Haywood County Courthouse, April 14, 2025. He joined 19 other states in suing FEMA over the canceled Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. (USA Today via Reuters)

Happy Tuesday, NC. Here’s what’s in today’s Cardinal & Pine newsletter: 

Cardinal & Pine reader Doug Clark gets the credit for this amazing view from Chimney Rock.

Give us a thumbs up if you’re OK, Santa. 

Today is the absolute, final day of Cardinal & Pine’s winter fundraising drive. 

Thanks to your generosity, we have crushed our $4,500 quarterly goal. Your money helps us continue to give North Carolinians straightforward, easy-to-understand reporting about what’s happening across the state. 

Of course, you still have time to give. Thanks for all you do, NC. 

(Michael McElroy/Cardinal & Pine)

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy reports an astonishing new story about the Democratic primary for one state House of Representatives seat in eastern NC. 

Michael Wray, a former 10-term state Representative who is running for his old seat, is facing claims that he once told a fellow lawmaker to “watch out for the Blacks.” Wray is fiercely denying it. 

In 2024, Wray, a white man, lost in the Democratic primary by just 34 votes to Rodney Pierce, a local educator. Pierce is now in the state legislature representing Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties.

Meyer, who’s served in the legislature with both Wray and Pierce and is supporting Pierce for reelection, wrote in a recent Substack post that Wray once offered him advice about making it over at the legislature.

Among his recommendations? “‘Now, you know, you gotta watch out for the Blacks,’” Meyer says Wray told him.

That’s not the only claim against Wray, which captures a divide among the Democrats in an NC voting district with a large population of Black residents. Check out McElroy’s reporting here or by clicking the button below.

1. EPA hasn’t released completed PFAS health review; NC scientists want to know why. WRAL

“Reports show EPA completed a PFAS toxicity assessment in April but hasn’t released it. A group of North Carolina scientists and physicians is urging Rep. Greg Murphy to push for its publication.”

2. FEMA planned changes for disaster aid. NC local leaders say they’re ‘unhelpful’ and ‘tone deaf.’ NC Newsline

“North Carolina’s emergency management chief says the state has ‘significant concerns’ with planned changes to Public Assistance program.”

3. NC reentry program turns to tiny homes to help women leaving prison. NC Health News

“Benevolence Farm’s expansion comes as more than one in four people in North Carolina leave state prisons homeless — a gap the state aims to close through new reentry housing efforts.”

(Sean Paveone via Shutterstock)

Recently, we asked you for your tips on the best places to buy groceries in Greensboro.

One of our many goals at Cardinal & Pine is to make life easier for our readers. With close to 90% of Americans reporting that they’re feeling stressed about grocery prices, we know it’s top of mind.

We started with Greensboro, that great “Gate City” in the Triad.

Included in our Greensboro Grocery Guide are tips on the best farmers’ markets, international shopping, holiday meal shopping, and the best free food resources in the region.

Take a look and share with anyone you know in the Greensboro area.

Do you want to support Cardinal & Pine’s mission while showcasing your products or services to an engaged audience of 200,000+ subscribers?

Contact advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

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, USA Today via Reuters, and Stacy Rounds. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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