Cardinal and Pine
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Our award-winning newsletter >> cardinalpine.com/newsletter/
Follow @billyball.bsky.social
The coalition of grassroots organizations behind the effort is encouraging consumers to support local small businesses in their communities for their Thanksgiving and holiday shopping instead.
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The coalition of grassroots organizations behind the effort is encouraging consumers to support local small businesses in their communities for their Thanksgiving and holiday shopping instead.
Organizers pushing the boycott argue these companies have profited from the worst policies pushed by the Trump administration, stayed silent despite its attacks on immigrant communities, and followed along with its attempts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Organizers pushing the boycott argue these companies have profited from the worst policies pushed by the Trump administration, stayed silent despite its attacks on immigrant communities, and followed along with its attempts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
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. 👇
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.
The bill faces another formal vote in the Senate, then must be approved by the US House and signed by President Trump.
But Senate procedural rules were the only real option Democrats had to block a funding bill, so now that the party splintered, there is little they can do to stop final passage.
But Senate procedural rules were the only real option Democrats had to block a funding bill, so now that the party splintered, there is little they can do to stop final passage.
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The bill faces another formal vote in the Senate, then must be approved by the US House and signed by President Trump.
But Senate procedural rules were the only real option Democrats had to block a funding bill, so now that the party splintered, there is little they can do to stop final passage.
But Senate procedural rules were the only real option Democrats had to block a funding bill, so now that the party splintered, there is little they can do to stop final passage.
The Democrats faced criticism for dropping the effort to protect healthcare subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Without subsidies, premiums will double or triple for tens of thousands of North Carolinians and nearly 160,000 people in the state could lose insurance entirely.
Without subsidies, premiums will double or triple for tens of thousands of North Carolinians and nearly 160,000 people in the state could lose insurance entirely.
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The Democrats faced criticism for dropping the effort to protect healthcare subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Without subsidies, premiums will double or triple for tens of thousands of North Carolinians and nearly 160,000 people in the state could lose insurance entirely.
Without subsidies, premiums will double or triple for tens of thousands of North Carolinians and nearly 160,000 people in the state could lose insurance entirely.
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.
Over the next two election cycles, North Carolinians, including plenty of Trump voters, will continue to be hit hard by Trump’s SNAP cuts, Medicaid cuts, rising grocery costs, and soaring Affordable Care Act premiums.
And then they will vote.
And then they will vote.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Over the next two election cycles, North Carolinians, including plenty of Trump voters, will continue to be hit hard by Trump’s SNAP cuts, Medicaid cuts, rising grocery costs, and soaring Affordable Care Act premiums.
And then they will vote.
And then they will vote.
Local elections in North Carolina are non-partisan, meaning candidates don’t have party affiliations listed on the ballots.
But both state parties made endorsements, and there’s little distance between local and national politics when the consequences of federal policies besiege communities.
But both state parties made endorsements, and there’s little distance between local and national politics when the consequences of federal policies besiege communities.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Local elections in North Carolina are non-partisan, meaning candidates don’t have party affiliations listed on the ballots.
But both state parties made endorsements, and there’s little distance between local and national politics when the consequences of federal policies besiege communities.
But both state parties made endorsements, and there’s little distance between local and national politics when the consequences of federal policies besiege communities.
Voters in Charlotte and Greensboro ousted the lone Republicans on their city councils, and several towns chose Democrats over longtime Republican mayors, including Burlington, Graham, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Voters in Charlotte and Greensboro ousted the lone Republicans on their city councils, and several towns chose Democrats over longtime Republican mayors, including Burlington, Graham, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest.
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. 👇
In North Carolina, roughly 19,500 children are enrolled in Head Start. Working families represent the vast majority of children enrolled in Head Start.
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In North Carolina, roughly 19,500 children are enrolled in Head Start. Working families represent the vast majority of children enrolled in Head Start.
Head Start is a federal program established in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, and provides child care to children from low-income families.
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Head Start is a federal program established in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, and provides child care to children from low-income families.
These providers have closed:
1. East Coast Migrant Head Start Project
2. Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Inc. temporarily closed in Rowan, Davidson, and Cabarrus counties.
3. Southeastern Community Action Partnership closed locations and emphasized the shutdown would delay services.
1. East Coast Migrant Head Start Project
2. Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Inc. temporarily closed in Rowan, Davidson, and Cabarrus counties.
3. Southeastern Community Action Partnership closed locations and emphasized the shutdown would delay services.
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
These providers have closed:
1. East Coast Migrant Head Start Project
2. Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Inc. temporarily closed in Rowan, Davidson, and Cabarrus counties.
3. Southeastern Community Action Partnership closed locations and emphasized the shutdown would delay services.
1. East Coast Migrant Head Start Project
2. Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Inc. temporarily closed in Rowan, Davidson, and Cabarrus counties.
3. Southeastern Community Action Partnership closed locations and emphasized the shutdown would delay services.
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. 👇
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...
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.
For more on this important, developing story, follow this account and share to keep your friends and family in the loop.
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
For more on this important, developing story, follow this account and share to keep your friends and family in the loop.
Here's what US Congressman Don Davis, a veteran of the Air Force from North Carolina, has to say about it.
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Here's what US Congressman Don Davis, a veteran of the Air Force from North Carolina, has to say about it.
Democrats are holding out their support on a new budget until Republicans extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that help tens of millions of Americans get health care.
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Democrats are holding out their support on a new budget until Republicans extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that help tens of millions of Americans get health care.
President Trump said the Pentagon would tap undesignated funds to ensure military members got their Oct. 15 paychecks, but it won’t be enough to cover Oct. 31 paychecks.
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
President Trump said the Pentagon would tap undesignated funds to ensure military members got their Oct. 15 paychecks, but it won’t be enough to cover Oct. 31 paychecks.
The federal government shutdown is beginning to affect the public, but it’s also serious business for federal workers, who will go without paychecks for the duration.
October 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The federal government shutdown is beginning to affect the public, but it’s also serious business for federal workers, who will go without paychecks for the duration.
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 👇
The program, which helps people with significant medical debt, impacts a quarter of NC residents and has surpassed expectations, says @joshsteinnc.bsky.social.
October 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The program, which helps people with significant medical debt, impacts a quarter of NC residents and has surpassed expectations, says @joshsteinnc.bsky.social.