Cardinal and Pine
@cardinalandpine.bsky.social
Where NC gets good info—we are a left-leaning news outlet putting facts first.
Our award-winning newsletter >> cardinalpine.com/newsletter/
Follow @billyball.bsky.social
Our award-winning newsletter >> cardinalpine.com/newsletter/
Follow @billyball.bsky.social
Reposted by Cardinal and Pine
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.
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 4:22 PM
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...
The longest shutdown in US history seems close to an end.
Seven Democrats and an independent who normally votes with Democrats broke from the party line to help pass an initial Senate bill that clears the way for the government to reopen. Keep reading. 👇
Seven Democrats and an independent who normally votes with Democrats broke from the party line to help pass an initial Senate bill that clears the way for the government to reopen. Keep reading. 👇
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The longest shutdown in US history seems close to an end.
Seven Democrats and an independent who normally votes with Democrats broke from the party line to help pass an initial Senate bill that clears the way for the government to reopen. Keep reading. 👇
Seven Democrats and an independent who normally votes with Democrats broke from the party line to help pass an initial Senate bill that clears the way for the government to reopen. Keep reading. 👇
Well, that’s a new one.
November 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Well, that’s a new one.
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 4:06 PM
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. 👇
One more thing 👇
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 2:36 PM
One more thing 👇
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 4:21 PM
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. 👇
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 3:44 PM
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...
Reposted by Cardinal and Pine
👋 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...
While Republicans in D.C. are blocking renewed Affordable Care Act subsidies, NC is passing along steep rate hikes for health care coverage.
🔗below for the approved Affordable Care Act rate increases 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/11/04/a...
🔗below for the approved Affordable Care Act rate increases 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/11/04/a...
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
While Republicans in D.C. are blocking renewed Affordable Care Act subsidies, NC is passing along steep rate hikes for health care coverage.
🔗below for the approved Affordable Care Act rate increases 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/11/04/a...
🔗below for the approved Affordable Care Act rate increases 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/11/04/a...
In North Carolina, because of gerrymandering, you could argue we're not even a democracy anymore, but we're not powerless to stop it.
Here's the latest "Billy Ball Explains NC." Please share 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5fS...
Here's the latest "Billy Ball Explains NC." Please share 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5fS...
Rigging the 2026 election | Billy Ball Explains
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
In North Carolina, because of gerrymandering, you could argue we're not even a democracy anymore, but we're not powerless to stop it.
Here's the latest "Billy Ball Explains NC." Please share 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5fS...
Here's the latest "Billy Ball Explains NC." Please share 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5fS...
Reposted by Cardinal and Pine
The name on this is mine, but this stuff is a team effort. It takes a lot of work from editor Kim Lawson, graphic designer Desirée Tapia, video editor Melanie Duran, and a lot of eyes and ears to tell me what works and what doesn't.
2nd "Billy Ball Explains NC" 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5p_...
2nd "Billy Ball Explains NC" 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5p_...
Why some politicians might literally be making you sicker
YouTube video by Cardinal & Pine
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The name on this is mine, but this stuff is a team effort. It takes a lot of work from editor Kim Lawson, graphic designer Desirée Tapia, video editor Melanie Duran, and a lot of eyes and ears to tell me what works and what doesn't.
2nd "Billy Ball Explains NC" 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5p_...
2nd "Billy Ball Explains NC" 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5p_...
Who TF is Billy Ball (@billyball.bsky.social) and why is he trying to explain North Carolina? 🔥
For the full video series, click the 🔗 in the thread below.
For the full video series, click the 🔗 in the thread below.
October 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Who TF is Billy Ball (@billyball.bsky.social) and why is he trying to explain North Carolina? 🔥
For the full video series, click the 🔗 in the thread below.
For the full video series, click the 🔗 in the thread below.
Good protests—like the “No Kings” demonstrations in North Carolina—can be silly, loud, rambunctious, and disorganized. They can be disruptive and even dumb. But they are never, ever pointless.
👇
cardinalpine.com/opinion/prot...
👇
cardinalpine.com/opinion/prot...
Opinion: Yes, protest still matters in America, but what comes after ‘No Kings’ is crucial
Good protests—like the "No Kings" demonstrations in North Carolina—can be silly, loud, rambunctious, and disorganized. They can be disruptive and even dumb. But they are never, ever pointless.
cardinalpine.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Good protests—like the “No Kings” demonstrations in North Carolina—can be silly, loud, rambunctious, and disorganized. They can be disruptive and even dumb. But they are never, ever pointless.
👇
cardinalpine.com/opinion/prot...
👇
cardinalpine.com/opinion/prot...
Important 🧵 North Carolina, please share
There are more than 91,000 active duty military members based in North Carolina, and they have more than 66,000 kids to feed and clothe. Keep reading 👇
There are more than 91,000 active duty military members based in North Carolina, and they have more than 66,000 kids to feed and clothe. Keep reading 👇
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Important 🧵 North Carolina, please share
There are more than 91,000 active duty military members based in North Carolina, and they have more than 66,000 kids to feed and clothe. Keep reading 👇
There are more than 91,000 active duty military members based in North Carolina, and they have more than 66,000 kids to feed and clothe. Keep reading 👇
Crucial.
white reactionaries disenfranchising black voters to secure political power? that’s a jim crow. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
The Supreme Court Case That Could Hand the House to Republicans
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Crucial.
Reposted by Cardinal and Pine
In September, following the killing of Charlie Kirk, I wrote about the way social media has broken political dialogue in the US, and what we can actually do about it.
Recently, I appeared on Spectrum News 1 NC's "Capitol Tonight" to talk about it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/video-how-to...
Recently, I appeared on Spectrum News 1 NC's "Capitol Tonight" to talk about it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/video-how-to...
Video: How to fix social media in America
Talking with "Capitol Tonight" about the relatively simple fix that could make social media much better in America.
www.thelivingsouth.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In September, following the killing of Charlie Kirk, I wrote about the way social media has broken political dialogue in the US, and what we can actually do about it.
Recently, I appeared on Spectrum News 1 NC's "Capitol Tonight" to talk about it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/video-how-to...
Recently, I appeared on Spectrum News 1 NC's "Capitol Tonight" to talk about it.
www.thelivingsouth.com/video-how-to...
Important 🧵, North Carolina, please share 🙏
👨🏽⚕️⚕️Former NC Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled a first-of-its-kind program in 2024 that, as of today, has wiped out $6.5 billion in medical debt, state leaders say.
Keep reading the thread to find out what to know. 👇
👨🏽⚕️⚕️Former NC Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled a first-of-its-kind program in 2024 that, as of today, has wiped out $6.5 billion in medical debt, state leaders say.
Keep reading the thread to find out what to know. 👇
October 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Important 🧵, North Carolina, please share 🙏
👨🏽⚕️⚕️Former NC Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled a first-of-its-kind program in 2024 that, as of today, has wiped out $6.5 billion in medical debt, state leaders say.
Keep reading the thread to find out what to know. 👇
👨🏽⚕️⚕️Former NC Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled a first-of-its-kind program in 2024 that, as of today, has wiped out $6.5 billion in medical debt, state leaders say.
Keep reading the thread to find out what to know. 👇
Important 🧵 alert, please share:
An impasse among GOP leaders in the General Assembly has delayed passage of a formal budget and caused a Medicaid $$ shortfall, but NC GOP lawmakers say their priority when they return next week will be keeping Republicans in power in Washington in 2026. More 👇
An impasse among GOP leaders in the General Assembly has delayed passage of a formal budget and caused a Medicaid $$ shortfall, but NC GOP lawmakers say their priority when they return next week will be keeping Republicans in power in Washington in 2026. More 👇
October 15, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Important 🧵 alert, please share:
An impasse among GOP leaders in the General Assembly has delayed passage of a formal budget and caused a Medicaid $$ shortfall, but NC GOP lawmakers say their priority when they return next week will be keeping Republicans in power in Washington in 2026. More 👇
An impasse among GOP leaders in the General Assembly has delayed passage of a formal budget and caused a Medicaid $$ shortfall, but NC GOP lawmakers say their priority when they return next week will be keeping Republicans in power in Washington in 2026. More 👇
#Breaking in North Carolina:
North Carolina Democratic leaders have called on state Rep. Cecil Brockman to “resign immediately,” after news broke on Thursday that he’d been arrested and charged with raping a 15-year-old.
cardinalpine.com/2025/10/09/n...
North Carolina Democratic leaders have called on state Rep. Cecil Brockman to “resign immediately,” after news broke on Thursday that he’d been arrested and charged with raping a 15-year-old.
cardinalpine.com/2025/10/09/n...
NC Rep. Cecil Brockman charged with raping a 15-year-old; fellow Democrats demand he resign
Brockman, a Guilford County Democrat, was also accused in court documents of trying to contact the juvenile victim after the alleged rape. Democrats called the accusations “unconscionable and incompat...
cardinalpine.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
#Breaking in North Carolina:
North Carolina Democratic leaders have called on state Rep. Cecil Brockman to “resign immediately,” after news broke on Thursday that he’d been arrested and charged with raping a 15-year-old.
cardinalpine.com/2025/10/09/n...
North Carolina Democratic leaders have called on state Rep. Cecil Brockman to “resign immediately,” after news broke on Thursday that he’d been arrested and charged with raping a 15-year-old.
cardinalpine.com/2025/10/09/n...
The federal government shut down last week, and though it may take time to see the worst effects, time is ticking.
If the gov't doesn’t open in the next two weeks, a major federal program that helps mothers provide their young children nutritious food, could run out of money.
Keep reading 👇
If the gov't doesn’t open in the next two weeks, a major federal program that helps mothers provide their young children nutritious food, could run out of money.
Keep reading 👇
October 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The federal government shut down last week, and though it may take time to see the worst effects, time is ticking.
If the gov't doesn’t open in the next two weeks, a major federal program that helps mothers provide their young children nutritious food, could run out of money.
Keep reading 👇
If the gov't doesn’t open in the next two weeks, a major federal program that helps mothers provide their young children nutritious food, could run out of money.
Keep reading 👇
Watching the government shutdown felt like this. 🫠
October 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Watching the government shutdown felt like this. 🫠
Reposted by Cardinal and Pine
My latest:
In 21st century America, our politicians take their cues from social media, and not the other way around. It's made debate more performative, less nuanced, and much, much dumber.
The right-wing debate around Iryna Zarutska is a perfect example.
👉 www.thelivingsouth.com/iryna-zaruts...
In 21st century America, our politicians take their cues from social media, and not the other way around. It's made debate more performative, less nuanced, and much, much dumber.
The right-wing debate around Iryna Zarutska is a perfect example.
👉 www.thelivingsouth.com/iryna-zaruts...
September 25, 2025 at 8:59 PM
My latest:
In 21st century America, our politicians take their cues from social media, and not the other way around. It's made debate more performative, less nuanced, and much, much dumber.
The right-wing debate around Iryna Zarutska is a perfect example.
👉 www.thelivingsouth.com/iryna-zaruts...
In 21st century America, our politicians take their cues from social media, and not the other way around. It's made debate more performative, less nuanced, and much, much dumber.
The right-wing debate around Iryna Zarutska is a perfect example.
👉 www.thelivingsouth.com/iryna-zaruts...
The state will cut Medicaid reimbursement rates on Oct. 1 without additional funding, and though the General Assembly unanimously passed two separate bills to try and solve the problem, Republican infighting derailed the effort.
Click 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/24/h...
Click 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/24/h...
September 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The state will cut Medicaid reimbursement rates on Oct. 1 without additional funding, and though the General Assembly unanimously passed two separate bills to try and solve the problem, Republican infighting derailed the effort.
Click 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/24/h...
Click 👇
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/24/h...
😍We've got directions to North Carolina's most jaw-dropping autumn drives, including stops at Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Mountain, and Hanging Rock. 🔗 below.
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/19/f...
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/19/f...
‘Ooh’ and ‘ah’ at fall foliage on North Carolina’s prettiest autumn drives
Drink in the fall foliage on these scenic drives throughout North Carolina.
cardinalpine.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
😍We've got directions to North Carolina's most jaw-dropping autumn drives, including stops at Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Mountain, and Hanging Rock. 🔗 below.
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/19/f...
cardinalpine.com/2025/09/19/f...