Billy Ball
@billyball.bsky.social
Founder, TheLivingSouth.com; Senior Editor @CardinalandPine;
Seen On: @TheAtlantic @washingtonpost @MSNBC, others. @UNCHussman grad. Journalism is the best job ever.
Seen On: @TheAtlantic @washingtonpost @MSNBC, others. @UNCHussman grad. Journalism is the best job ever.
Pinned
Billy Ball
@billyball.bsky.social
· Jul 5
Why a lighthouse? Because it fits how I see thelivingsouth.com. I want it to be a beacon, illuminating a way home, a light on a stormy sea.
If you haven't signed up already for this free, independent journalism made for and by the South, hop on board. This should be fun!
If you haven't signed up already for this free, independent journalism made for and by the South, hop on board. This should be fun!
Thread alert 🧵
Here's why we're doing "Billy Ball Explains NC."
The point of these YouTube videos—aside from bringing facts to a medium that's light on those—is to speak with an audience that's getting too much of their information from the Joe Rogans and the Ben Shapiros.
Here's why we're doing "Billy Ball Explains NC."
The point of these YouTube videos—aside from bringing facts to a medium that's light on those—is to speak with an audience that's getting too much of their information from the Joe Rogans and the Ben Shapiros.
December 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Thread alert 🧵
Here's why we're doing "Billy Ball Explains NC."
The point of these YouTube videos—aside from bringing facts to a medium that's light on those—is to speak with an audience that's getting too much of their information from the Joe Rogans and the Ben Shapiros.
Here's why we're doing "Billy Ball Explains NC."
The point of these YouTube videos—aside from bringing facts to a medium that's light on those—is to speak with an audience that's getting too much of their information from the Joe Rogans and the Ben Shapiros.
Reposted by Billy Ball
Premiering right now.
Go like and subscribe, NC! 👇
Go like and subscribe, NC! 👇
Premiering right now on YouTube 👇
North Carolina Republicans went bonkers over a book about a gay Santa. Let's talk about why they're so fired up.
It might not be what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V_...
North Carolina Republicans went bonkers over a book about a gay Santa. Let's talk about why they're so fired up.
It might not be what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V_...
NC Republicans OUTRAGED over LGBTQ-friendly children's book about Santa
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Premiering right now.
Go like and subscribe, NC! 👇
Go like and subscribe, NC! 👇
Premiering right now on YouTube 👇
North Carolina Republicans went bonkers over a book about a gay Santa. Let's talk about why they're so fired up.
It might not be what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V_...
North Carolina Republicans went bonkers over a book about a gay Santa. Let's talk about why they're so fired up.
It might not be what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V_...
NC Republicans OUTRAGED over LGBTQ-friendly children's book about Santa
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Premiering right now on YouTube 👇
North Carolina Republicans went bonkers over a book about a gay Santa. Let's talk about why they're so fired up.
It might not be what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V_...
North Carolina Republicans went bonkers over a book about a gay Santa. Let's talk about why they're so fired up.
It might not be what you think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3V_...
Astonishing.
At thelivingsouth.com, I wrote about President Trump replacing the special "no-fee" day at the National Park Service with, among other things, a special day scheduled for his own birthday.
At thelivingsouth.com, I wrote about President Trump replacing the special "no-fee" day at the National Park Service with, among other things, a special day scheduled for his own birthday.
December 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Astonishing.
At thelivingsouth.com, I wrote about President Trump replacing the special "no-fee" day at the National Park Service with, among other things, a special day scheduled for his own birthday.
At thelivingsouth.com, I wrote about President Trump replacing the special "no-fee" day at the National Park Service with, among other things, a special day scheduled for his own birthday.
December 16, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Astonishing.
At thelivingsouth.com, I wrote about President Trump replacing the special "no-fee" day at the National Park Service with, among other things, a special day scheduled for his own birthday.
At thelivingsouth.com, I wrote about President Trump replacing the special "no-fee" day at the National Park Service with, among other things, a special day scheduled for his own birthday.
I represented Cardinal & Pine on PBS North Carolina's "State Lines" today.
We talked about the healthcare hurdles ahead in North Carolina and the 2026 election. 🔗 in the thread to watch it now online. You can also watch it in primetime this evening on PBS NC.
We talked about the healthcare hurdles ahead in North Carolina and the 2026 election. 🔗 in the thread to watch it now online. You can also watch it in primetime this evening on PBS NC.
December 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I represented Cardinal & Pine on PBS North Carolina's "State Lines" today.
We talked about the healthcare hurdles ahead in North Carolina and the 2026 election. 🔗 in the thread to watch it now online. You can also watch it in primetime this evening on PBS NC.
We talked about the healthcare hurdles ahead in North Carolina and the 2026 election. 🔗 in the thread to watch it now online. You can also watch it in primetime this evening on PBS NC.
Reposted by Billy Ball
Republicans control both chambers of the NC legislature, but have failed to pass a budget 6 months after it was due. Even conservatives are losing their patience.
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/09/n...
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/09/n...
NC Republicans face criticism from the right as they slap each other over a stalled budget
As a winter storm shut down schools across the Triangle this week, Republican leaders in the General Assembly were still bickering over the state budget that
cardinalpine.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Republicans control both chambers of the NC legislature, but have failed to pass a budget 6 months after it was due. Even conservatives are losing their patience.
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/09/n...
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/09/n...
This week at The Living South, I wrote about the big problem with America's immigration police.
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-blatant-...
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-blatant-...
The blatant partisanship and bigotry of immigration police
Law enforcement's power is derived from a bargain with the people they serve. That bargain has been irretrievably broken by ICE and Border Patrol.
www.thelivingsouth.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
This week at The Living South, I wrote about the big problem with America's immigration police.
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-blatant-...
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-blatant-...
How about some good news?
Everywhere I looked, western NC's Christmas tree farmers are feeling optimistic, after Helene damaged thousands of trees in 2024.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4p7...
Everywhere I looked, western NC's Christmas tree farmers are feeling optimistic, after Helene damaged thousands of trees in 2024.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4p7...
The Great NC Christmas Tree Comeback
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
How about some good news?
Everywhere I looked, western NC's Christmas tree farmers are feeling optimistic, after Helene damaged thousands of trees in 2024.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4p7...
Everywhere I looked, western NC's Christmas tree farmers are feeling optimistic, after Helene damaged thousands of trees in 2024.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4p7...
Reposted by Billy Ball
🤑 7 reasons why everything’s too expensive right now, and one reason for why giving to others is more important than ever. Like actually, truly, life-savingly important.
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/03/7...
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/03/7...
7 big reasons why everything is so expensive right now in NC
Groceries are too expensive. The social safety net is weaker than ever. And people in NC communities could really use your generosity this year.
cardinalpine.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:18 PM
🤑 7 reasons why everything’s too expensive right now, and one reason for why giving to others is more important than ever. Like actually, truly, life-savingly important.
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/03/7...
cardinalpine.com/2025/12/03/7...
I despise forced gratitude. This isn't that. But I want to talk about something I saw this month that's making me give thanks for the people of the South. (link in thread)
Every Tuesday, I'm writing about the South for free at The Living South.
Every Tuesday, I'm writing about the South for free at The Living South.
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 AM
I despise forced gratitude. This isn't that. But I want to talk about something I saw this month that's making me give thanks for the people of the South. (link in thread)
Every Tuesday, I'm writing about the South for free at The Living South.
Every Tuesday, I'm writing about the South for free at The Living South.
Reposted by Billy Ball
For 4 days from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, the “We Ain’t Buying It” movement wants Americans to avoid shopping at Amazon, Home Depot, and Target.
Here's what to know. 👇
Here's what to know. 👇
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
For 4 days from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, the “We Ain’t Buying It” movement wants Americans to avoid shopping at Amazon, Home Depot, and Target.
Here's what to know. 👇
Here's what to know. 👇
Reposted by Billy Ball
The first thing Border Patrol agents asked 18-year-old Fernando Vazquez was “Where are you from?”
Read how a U.S. citizen in Cary was handcuffed and detained amid the immigration crackdown in North Carolina:
Read how a U.S. citizen in Cary was handcuffed and detained amid the immigration crackdown in North Carolina:
‘They basically just kidnapped me’: US citizen taken by Border Patrol in Cary • NC Newsline
As Border Patrol agents swept the Triangle area, a construction worker born in the U.S. was among those detained.
ncnewsline.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The first thing Border Patrol agents asked 18-year-old Fernando Vazquez was “Where are you from?”
Read how a U.S. citizen in Cary was handcuffed and detained amid the immigration crackdown in North Carolina:
Read how a U.S. citizen in Cary was handcuffed and detained amid the immigration crackdown in North Carolina:
Reposted by Billy Ball
Important thread alert, NC. Keep reading. 👇
Border Patrol says they’re targeting “the worst of the worst.”
But the News and Observer reports that a woman they arrested in Raleigh, Fatima Issela Velasquez-Antonio, is 23, a high school graduate, a homeowner, with two traffic violations on her record.
Border Patrol says they’re targeting “the worst of the worst.”
But the News and Observer reports that a woman they arrested in Raleigh, Fatima Issela Velasquez-Antonio, is 23, a high school graduate, a homeowner, with two traffic violations on her record.
November 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Important thread alert, NC. Keep reading. 👇
Border Patrol says they’re targeting “the worst of the worst.”
But the News and Observer reports that a woman they arrested in Raleigh, Fatima Issela Velasquez-Antonio, is 23, a high school graduate, a homeowner, with two traffic violations on her record.
Border Patrol says they’re targeting “the worst of the worst.”
But the News and Observer reports that a woman they arrested in Raleigh, Fatima Issela Velasquez-Antonio, is 23, a high school graduate, a homeowner, with two traffic violations on her record.
(Share) Every Tuesday, I'm publishing my take on something important in the South at The Living South. This week, the topic was obvious.
Whatever their intentions, ICE and Border Patrol agents are acting less like cops and more like white terrorist groups.
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-south-bo...
Whatever their intentions, ICE and Border Patrol agents are acting less like cops and more like white terrorist groups.
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-south-bo...
The South has seen masked kidnappers before
ICE and Border Patrol agents are acting less like cops and more like the white terrorist groups that plagued the South for generations.
www.thelivingsouth.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
(Share) Every Tuesday, I'm publishing my take on something important in the South at The Living South. This week, the topic was obvious.
Whatever their intentions, ICE and Border Patrol agents are acting less like cops and more like white terrorist groups.
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-south-bo...
Whatever their intentions, ICE and Border Patrol agents are acting less like cops and more like white terrorist groups.
www.thelivingsouth.com/the-south-bo...
I wrote about the feds coming to Charlotte 👇
Trump has been exposed for what he is: a false populist, lifted to the White House by working-class voters he doesn’t appear to care about. The Border Patrol invasions are meant to distract voters from these truths.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
Trump has been exposed for what he is: a false populist, lifted to the White House by working-class voters he doesn’t appear to care about. The Border Patrol invasions are meant to distract voters from these truths.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
Trump's latest Border Patrol deployment will fail for all the same reasons
When the show’s over, what federal agents will leave behind is predictable.
www.ms.now
November 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I wrote about the feds coming to Charlotte 👇
Trump has been exposed for what he is: a false populist, lifted to the White House by working-class voters he doesn’t appear to care about. The Border Patrol invasions are meant to distract voters from these truths.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
Trump has been exposed for what he is: a false populist, lifted to the White House by working-class voters he doesn’t appear to care about. The Border Patrol invasions are meant to distract voters from these truths.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
One of the many problems spinning out of the decimation of local media:
Political coverage is dominated by national storylines. Bet you a $100 more liberals in NC know Zohran Mamdani more than they know the Democrats who won in NC.
Political coverage is dominated by national storylines. Bet you a $100 more liberals in NC know Zohran Mamdani more than they know the Democrats who won in NC.
What Democrats' domination of the 2025 elections tells us.
"Billy Ball Explains NC" premieres every Wednesday right here on YouTube. Make sure you're following Cardinal & Pine on YouTube so you won't miss an episode.
✏️ @billyball.bsky.social
🎥 Melanie Duran
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKwg...
"Billy Ball Explains NC" premieres every Wednesday right here on YouTube. Make sure you're following Cardinal & Pine on YouTube so you won't miss an episode.
✏️ @billyball.bsky.social
🎥 Melanie Duran
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKwg...
What Democrats' domination of the 2025 elections tells us — and what it doesn’t.
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
One of the many problems spinning out of the decimation of local media:
Political coverage is dominated by national storylines. Bet you a $100 more liberals in NC know Zohran Mamdani more than they know the Democrats who won in NC.
Political coverage is dominated by national storylines. Bet you a $100 more liberals in NC know Zohran Mamdani more than they know the Democrats who won in NC.
Reposted by Billy Ball
Well, that’s a new one.
November 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Well, that’s a new one.
On Sunday night, seven Democrats and one independent made everyone forget for a minute that the least popular person in America is President Trump.
North Carolina didn’t have any high-profile elections last week, but the results still offer a glimpse of how voters feel about the state of things during President Trump’s second term.
Cardinal & Pine's Michael McElroy breaks it down. 👇
Cardinal & Pine's Michael McElroy breaks it down. 👇
November 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
On Sunday night, seven Democrats and one independent made everyone forget for a minute that the least popular person in America is President Trump.
One more thing:
The SNAP freeze isn't JUST about the shutdown. This year's Republican budget bill—the "Big, Beautiful Bill"—included a $186B cut to SNAP.
It was one of many programs, including Medicaid, that got budget reductions to pay for Republican tax cuts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gu...
The SNAP freeze isn't JUST about the shutdown. This year's Republican budget bill—the "Big, Beautiful Bill"—included a $186B cut to SNAP.
It was one of many programs, including Medicaid, that got budget reductions to pay for Republican tax cuts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gu...
Who's really getting food stamps in NC? | Billy Ball Explains
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
One more thing:
The SNAP freeze isn't JUST about the shutdown. This year's Republican budget bill—the "Big, Beautiful Bill"—included a $186B cut to SNAP.
It was one of many programs, including Medicaid, that got budget reductions to pay for Republican tax cuts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gu...
The SNAP freeze isn't JUST about the shutdown. This year's Republican budget bill—the "Big, Beautiful Bill"—included a $186B cut to SNAP.
It was one of many programs, including Medicaid, that got budget reductions to pay for Republican tax cuts.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gu...
Putting on my education reporter hat (I did that for a long time 😅):
Early childhood ed is the game. You take it out and the pieces break down, not just for the children but for the parents too.
Early childhood ed is the game. You take it out and the pieces break down, not just for the children but for the parents too.
Several child care centers closed this week.
That's because federal funding for Head Start programs didn’t materialize due to the government shutdown. Keep reading. 👇
That's because federal funding for Head Start programs didn’t materialize due to the government shutdown. Keep reading. 👇
November 6, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Putting on my education reporter hat (I did that for a long time 😅):
Early childhood ed is the game. You take it out and the pieces break down, not just for the children but for the parents too.
Early childhood ed is the game. You take it out and the pieces break down, not just for the children but for the parents too.
It's not who you think.
Who's really getting food stamps in North Carolina. 🤔
"Billy Ball Explains NC" premieres every Wednesday on our YouTube channel. Follow us there so you won't miss an episode. 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gu...
"Billy Ball Explains NC" premieres every Wednesday on our YouTube channel. Follow us there so you won't miss an episode. 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gu...
Who's really getting food stamps in NC? | Billy Ball Explains
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
It's not who you think.
In March 1965, eight days after police beat votings rights activists senseless on Alabama's Pettus Bridge, a reluctant President Lyndon Johnson told Congress there was a new legislative priority: Protecting voting rights.
Keep reading. This is important today. 👇
www.lbjlibrary.org/object/video...
Keep reading. This is important today. 👇
www.lbjlibrary.org/object/video...
The American Promise
Excerpt: LBJ's Voting Rights Speech "The American Promise". President Lyndon B. Johnson's special message to a Joint Session of Congress urging the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
www.lbjlibrary.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
In March 1965, eight days after police beat votings rights activists senseless on Alabama's Pettus Bridge, a reluctant President Lyndon Johnson told Congress there was a new legislative priority: Protecting voting rights.
Keep reading. This is important today. 👇
www.lbjlibrary.org/object/video...
Keep reading. This is important today. 👇
www.lbjlibrary.org/object/video...
👋 Every Tuesday, I'm writing about the South. I don't do paywalls, so sign-up is free. Please share.
This week, I wrote about the single most important bill of the 20th century, and what we have to do to save it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/saving-the-v...
This week, I wrote about the single most important bill of the 20th century, and what we have to do to save it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/saving-the-v...
The Voting Rights Act changed the South. Here's how to save it.
The Voting Rights Act, perhaps the most important piece of legislation in the 20th century South, is a shadow of its former self. Restoring it is an existential matter.
www.thelivingsouth.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
👋 Every Tuesday, I'm writing about the South. I don't do paywalls, so sign-up is free. Please share.
This week, I wrote about the single most important bill of the 20th century, and what we have to do to save it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/saving-the-v...
This week, I wrote about the single most important bill of the 20th century, and what we have to do to save it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/saving-the-v...
Springsteen's most popular album could be a concept album about today, with the irony that the alienated, working-class men he sang to have adopted fascism as an ethos.
This album was about complicated patriotism. People still don't get it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/why-born-in-...
This album was about complicated patriotism. People still don't get it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/why-born-in-...
Why 'Born in the USA' could be the soundtrack of America, again
In the north, south, the midwest, and the west—anywhere someone has ever felt like they were getting ripped off—"Born in the USA" spoke directly to the same disaffected white men who are voting for Pr...
www.thelivingsouth.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Springsteen's most popular album could be a concept album about today, with the irony that the alienated, working-class men he sang to have adopted fascism as an ethos.
This album was about complicated patriotism. People still don't get it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/why-born-in-...
This album was about complicated patriotism. People still don't get it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/why-born-in-...