“We won.” 

This week, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that he and 33 other attorneys general—Democrats and Republicans—claimed victory in a major lawsuit against Live Nation. 

Live Nation is the company that owns Ticketmaster.

That will probably be welcome news to anyone who’s bought tickets recently. You start out with one price for your seat. By the end, the company’s tacked on one arbitrary fee after another. 

“Every fan who’s watched prices pile up on a concert ticket just got proof they were right to feel mistreated by a monopoly,” Jackson said about the suit. “That’s exactly what was happening.” 

Here’s why this could mean cheaper tickets for all of us. 

This week, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that a jury agreed with him and 33 other attorneys general that Live Nation had an illegal monopoly on entertainment ticketing. Here, singer-songwriter Jewel performs at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre in Charlotte, a Live Nation venue. (Jeff Hahne for QC Nerve)

For more good news from around North Carolina, including a big jobs win for eastern NC and a planned Disney community in Chatham County, tap here for Good News Friday. 

Oh happy day, it’s Friday. Here’s what’s in Cardinal & Pine’s newsletter today:

Who doesn’t love this sunset over the Yadkin River? C&P reader Annette Nickerson sent it from her yard in East Bend. 

Got a view from us to see? Tap here. 

(Governor Josh Stein’s office/Flickr)

Today is the final day of Black Maternal Health Week. 

It’s important because the simple truth is that in many states—including North Carolina— pregnancy is riskier for Black women than white women. 

C&P’s Jessica F. Simmons reports that North Carolina Sen. Natalie Murdock, a Black woman, is leading the fight to make pregnancy safer. 

Murdock has worked on a few bills on this front, including something she’s calling “Momnibus 3.5.” Here’s what’s in it.

More NC news:

I know what you’re thinking. 

What do my local Congressional reps have to do with the war in Iran and my gas prices? A lot, actually.

1. How gerrymandering impacts admissions to NC’s most prestigious high school. WUNC

“One of the most influential factors on whether a student will get into the NC School of Science and Mathematics, however, is determined before admissions professionals even look at their applications.”

2. North Carolina Zoo stuck in limbo with Asia Continent ready to open, no state budget to hire staff. Fox 8

“The North Carolina Zoo’s new Asia Continent is all but ready to open, but one thing is getting in the way: the North Carolina state budget.”

3. How Jessie Helms paved the way for Trump. The Assembly

“The straight-laced U.S. senator, who died in 2008, would have been scandalized by Trump, but the two men shared many political attributes.”

4. How much water do data centers use in North Carolina? Drought raises new concerns. WRAL

“Large facilities can use millions of gallons daily for cooling, much of it lost to evaporation. Local leaders and utilities are weighing impacts on supply, planning and oversight as demand grows.”

Introverts will enjoy the solitude Salvo Beach offers. (Cvandyke/Shutterstock)

Chances are, in North Carolina, there’s a beach for everyone. 

Some folks want a party. Others just want to chill and get some isolation. Since we’ve officially hit the time of year when the water’s warm enough for a splash, we’re here to help you figure out which kind is your kind in North Carolina. 

C&P contributor Brook Bolen has written a guide to the 12 best beaches in NC. Make sure to read and share! 

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, Ryan Pitkin, Michael McElroy, and Brook Bolen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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