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Plus: NC teachers buckling under rising costs Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. No matter how many times you’ve seen a fireworks show, when the first one goes off, it’s like the first time.  The novelty is renewable. It’s a little scary. Hell on dogs and small children. And, usually, thrilling.  As…

Plus: Phil Berger’s big, big tone shift. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. Naturally, people are asking “what’s next” in North Carolina’s most surprising primary outcome of last week—the GOP primary between the legislature’s most powerful politician, Phil Berger, and a local sheriff named Sam Page.  At the end of Election Day, Berger trailed…

Plus: NC braces for cold, cold weather Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. We begin with the big news. Sunday night, we learned that some Democrats have agreed to a plan to reopen the government. It’s a small number—seven Democrats and one independent who tends to vote with Democrats—but it’s enough to…

Plus: The Clydesdales are coming to New Bern Share with a friend Hey, it’s Brook. Billy is out today, so I am stepping in to help out with the newsletter. And if you’re anything like me and your brain and soul are beyond saturated with bad news, I’m happy to share a story that made…

Plus: Storms leave thousands without power. Share with a friend Hey, it’s Billy. We begin this week with an important story.  When Helene cut a path through western NC, folks in North Carolina’s forestry offices warned that the downed timber would be a problem.  In terms of wildfires, fallen trees are fuel. And wildfires are…

And why they will matter so much in 2026. Share with a friend     Hey, it’s Billy. We need a name for this time of year. Kwanzaa is on Day Five. But folks who celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah are in the in-between. No “Stranger Things” pun intended. You’re looking for things to do, but…