Billy Ball
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Founder thelivingsouth.com. Senior Editor @CardinalandPine. Bylines @TheAtlantic @washingtonpost @MSNBC. @UNCHussman grad. Journalism is the best job ever.
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Articles by Billy Ball
8 trails near Shelby to explore during North Carolina’s fall
The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing color, the skies are clear and it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy time in nature. With its location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cleveland County has multiple options for getting outdoors and experiencing the fall season. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a casual stroller or somewhere in between, there is a trail for everyone within a short drive of Shelby.
This popular North Carolina brewery is opening its own pizzeria
Highland Brewing’s new in-house pizzeria will make a fall debut at the East Asheville brewery’s campus. Oscar’s Pizza, named after Highland Brewing‘s late founder, Oscar Wong, will be open with a limited menu Nov. 13-15 during the 30th Anniversary Cold Mountain weekend at 12 Old Charlotte Highway. It will be the first taste of what’s to come before it opens with regular hours and a complete menu in November, Thanksgiving week. The grand opening event will be hosted in December.
Inside Wilmington’s plans for a ritzy transformation of Thalian Hall
In the past, when Wilmington’s historic 1858 Thalian Hall has undergone major renovations, the shows didn’t always go on. During a visit to the Hall in late September, however, patrons bought tickets to upcoming performances at the box office while, perhaps unbeknownst to some of them, the clatter of construction filled the former Wilmington City Hall offices and council chambers/ballroom just a few feet away.
Dark sky locations to watch the Orionid meteor shower in North Carolina
The Orionid meteor shower, which has technically already begun, is considered one of the most beautiful and bright meteor showers of the year. And there is plenty of time to view it. Here’s everything people in North Carolina ― and the rest of the U.S. ― will want to know about the shower. The Orionid shower began Sept. 26 this year. Earth will be passing through the meteor stream in space until Nov. 22.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis calls vote for Pete Hegseth the ‘biggest regret of my career’ in a new book
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis says in a new book that his deciding vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in January 2025 is the “biggest regret of my career” and that he also “should’ve stopped” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary in the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Michael Jordan makes $10 million commitment to UNC School of Social Work in honor of his mother
Six-time NBA champion and former North Carolina Tar Heels star Michael Jordan has made a $10 million commitment to the UNC School of Social Work in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan. It’s the largest single gift in the School of Social Work’s history and will expand the reach and impact of the Global Social Development Innovations Center, according to a release Monday. The center will be renamed the Deloris P.
Wilmington’s Enchanted Airlie usually sells out. Here’s how to get tickets
To get tickets to one of the Wilmington area’s most popular annual holiday attractions, you’ve got to plan early. In other words, if you sleep on getting tickets to Enchanted Airlie you probably won’t be going, as the event sells out every year. The spectacular display of holiday lights in Wilmington’s gorgeous, historic Airlie Gardens includes seasonal music, hot beverages and more.
3 things happening in NC: State legislature calls special session as gas prices soar
“3 things happening in NC” is Cardinal & Pine’s weekly guide to the people, storylines, and events driving the news this week in North Carolina. Here’s what you’ll find this week: Why are NC lawmakers calling a special session? It’s the gas prices, stupid. NC Board of Elections asks voters to confirm citizenship before elections, but then what? Biketoberfest returns to Charlotte for 12th year Republicans are becoming all the more nervous as we near the midterm elections.
99% oppose Trump plan to log national forests. Here’s why it may happen anyway, including here in NC
From the back seat of an old Cessna 182 plodding along at 4,000 feet above the ground, Western North Carolina‘s forests look endless — eternal even. Up close, their federal protections may not be. For 25 years, a federal rule has kept new roads and most commercial logging out of some of the wildest corners of America’s national forests, including more than 152,000 acres across WNC’s Pisgah and Nantahala national forests. Now, that protection could disappear nationwide.
Opinion: Fayetteville plan for a major sports complex is the right move
City Council members are pursuing bond money to pay for a major sports complex on McArthur Road in north Fayetteville — a project that has been a long time in the making and is expected to be an economic draw. I am here for it. The project is well in line with what this community has said it wants, dating back years. Staff presented to the council at its Sept.
What’s next for the $28 billion hemp THC industry fighting to save itself from a federal ban
In a commercial kitchen outside Raleigh, North Carolina, Nicholas Hohns spreads a blue-green goo into a gridded mold, making one of his company’s signature products: potent THC gummies, featuring the primary intoxicating compound found in marijuana. It’s a business he might soon have to give up.
WorldAtlas names 10 ‘off the grid’ towns in North Carolina to visit
A new list from WorldAtlas highlighted 10 North Carolina towns ideal for an “off the grid trip,” with eight of the 10 locations in the Western region of the state.
Why researchers spent 3 nights chasing bats across eastern North Carolina
In late August 2026, dozens of volunteers fanned out in the middle of the night across Pender and neighboring counties for the first time in a decade to gather data on one of North Carolina’s least seen and misunderstood animals. Bats are an intricate and vital part of North Carolina’s environment, especially along the state’s coastal plain. But they have an unwarranted reputation that for many can be hard to shake.
5 takeaways from western NC’s Helene recovery committee
by Lilly Knoepp, NCLocal September 30, 2026 The N.C. governor’s advisory committee on Helene recovery met in Mars Hill to mark the second anniversary of the storm and assess the recovery process. “You all live in your communities. You know that the work isn’t over. That’s why you’re here because you want to do everything you can for your neighbors, your friends, your family members, your business community,” Gov. Josh Stein said as he addressed the committee and attendees on Friday.
The federal government spent $20M on ads glorifying Donald Trump
The Department of Homeland Security has tapped $20 million to pay for the campaign-style ads glorifying President Donald Trump that have drawn widespread criticism from Republicans and Democrats as a blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars that likely runs afoul of anti-propaganda law.
Jamie Ager, Jennifer Balkcom offer competing NC ‘mountain values’ in unique ads
by Christine Zhu, NC Newsline September 30, 2026 Both major party candidates for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District debuted new ads in the Asheville media market this week. The political commercials couldn’t be much more different, yet they’re competing to appeal to the same rural community.
There’s an ice rink coming to this North Carolina beach town
As colder weather approaches, a new winter attraction is coming to a New Hanover County beach town. Carolina Beach Town Council approved funding for an ice-skating rink at a meeting on Sept. 8. The rink, proposed by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, will be located on a lot between Carolina Beach Avenue South and Cape Fear Boulevard between Silver Dollar and Hurricane Alley’s.
Gov. Josh Stein visits Marshall’s community art piece 2 years after Helene
Gov. Josh Stein was at Zadie’s Market/Old Marshall Jail in Marshall Sept. 27 to celebrate the community’s response to Tropical Storm Helene on the 2-year anniversary of the historic storm. Zadie’s and Old Marshall Jail owner Josh Copus, a local ceramic artist, and team started working on the community brick project on the one-year anniversary of Helene at the historic jail, built in 1905 and closed in 2012 when inmate facilities moved. It now serves as a boutique historical hotel and restaurant.
After Helene, Asheville’s River Arts District rebounds with women-led music festival
Nearly a year in the works, Asheville’s first music festival in the River Arts District since Tropical Storm Helene will take over Foundy Street on Saturday, Oct. 3, led by a group of women determined to prove the storm couldn’t drown out the city’s music scene and creative spirit.
Opinion: Former NC GOP leader on why he’s voting against a constitutional amendment to limit the income tax
Editor’s Note: Paul “Skip” Stam is a former majority leader and Speaker Pro Tempore of the NC House. He served eight terms in the state legislature as a Republican. Government should tax only to raise money for its essential functions. I support a thorough review of expenditures each year. A goal I share with proponents of this amendment is a mechanism that will restrain state government from overspending. Does this amendment actually restrain spending? Why is it a constitutional amendment?
These NC election officials promoted conspiracy theories about 2020 outcome, Jan. 6 riot
by Ryan Oehrli, NCLocal September 28, 2026 Local election board members across North Carolina have promoted conspiracy theories, including the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from President Donald Trump. Some who shared false claims even chair county election boards, which make important decisions about Sunday voting, polling locations and voting hours. Traditionally, election administration in North Carolina was largely a nonpartisan, uncontroversial job.
It’s peak monarch butterfly season in North Carolina. Here’s how to spot them
Monarch butterflies are known for their unique migration patterns, and in North Carolina, peak months for monarch migration activity is here once again. Monarch Watch explains that North America’s monarchs travel up to 3,000 miles during their migrations and are the only butterfly species known to make such extensive, two-way migrations yearly.
10 Asheville restaurants and hotels with amazing fall views
Autumn’s ready to put on a colorful show for locals and tourists to “ooh” and “aah” over as the trees turn from lush green to vibrant, warm, multicolored hues. You won’t have to look far to see the beautiful landscape that will transform the city’s neighborhoods, rural roadways, and hiking trails into breathtaking backdrops from the highest to the lowest elevations in Western North Carolina.
Trump is underwater in NC, despite visit. Here’s what the numbers say about him and Michael Whatley
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump recently visited North Carolina, and amid the president’s campaigning for Republicans in the midterms, a new round of approval rating polls is in for the president. Trump’s visit to North Carolina was intended to show his support for U.S. Senate candidate Republican Michael Whatley. Whatley said on social media that he was “thrilled” to welcome Trump to his home in Gastonia.
3 things happening in NC: The Outer Banks looks for help after another storm traps locals
“3 things happening in NC” is Cardinal & Pine’s weekly guide to the people, storylines, and events driving the news this week in North Carolina.
Why two NC constitutional amendments on the ballot could be devastating
Two proposed amendments to the North Carolina constitution have the potential to radically disrupt revenue for local governments while making handouts to corporations and the wealthy permanent, according to an analyst with the NC Budget and Tax Center. North Carolinians will vote in November on the amendments, which would modify existing tax policy.
6 texts, 5 calls, 38 mins: Records reveal Michael Whatley’s work as Helene ‘recovery czar’
Six text messages and five telephone calls totaling 38 minutes — that’s all public records show of Tropical Storm Helene recovery czar Michael Whatley’s direct engagement with the senior state official helping coordinate regional recovery over the course of roughly one year.
Wilmington film festival honors city’s horror movie history
Wilmington and horror films go way back. From cheesy cult classics (“Silver Bullet”) and reputable thrillers (“I Know What You Did Last Summer”) to big-name franchises (“Halloween Kills”) and truly terrifying screamers (“The Conjuring”), some of the best-known horror titles of the past 40 years were made in the Port City. Since 2024, Wilmington has also had its very own horror film festival, and from Oct.
12 great pumpkin patches in the Wilmington area
Fall is right around the corner, and with it will come all the fall festivities and decor you’re used to. If you’re looking to get into the fall spirit, there’s perhaps no better way than to go ahead and grab a pumpkin — or a few. The official start of fall comes after the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22. That’ll put us just over a month away from the season’s first major holiday: Halloween. For those planning to carve a jack-o-lantern, it’s almost time to prepare where you’ll source your pumpkin from.
Why the small town of Ronda, North Carolina, appears headed for dissolution
by Mackenzie Thomas, Carolina Public Press September 22, 2026 Ronda, a small town situated along the Yadkin River in Wilkes County, has been on the North Carolina Local Government Commission’s Unit Assistance List for just over a decade. In that time, the LGC has highlighted concerns including late audits, budget violations and deficits in the town’s water system, according to LGC records. On Aug.
Is kratom legal in North Carolina? What to know after Ole Miss deaths
Authorities investigating the deaths of two separate University of Mississippi students that occurred on the same day confirmed that packaged kratom was found during their investigation. As reported by the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network, the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics team in Oxford, Mississippi, said the kratom was purchased from a retail store and was found as investigators worked to determine what happened to the students.
NC judge rules Chatham County data center can go forward despite moratorium
by Christine Zhu, NC Newsline September 22, 2026 A Chatham County data center project will move forward despite the county’s moratorium, following a court decision. In February, Chatham County commissioners enacted a year-long moratorium on new data centers. The ban remains in effect until Feb. 11, 2027, or until new zoning regulations are adopted — whichever comes first. But it won’t stop at least one new data center from getting underway.
Asheville chef releases ‘No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World’
Chef Meherwan Irani traveled to his hometown of Ahmednagar in central Maharashtra, India, to share news of his debut cookbook with diners, chefs and home cooks in the boldest way possible: a brightly colored, 30-foot-tall billboard unveiled live and streamed to social media audiences. It also surprised his mother, who taught him to cook, making it a full-circle moment.
Opinion: Cumberland County schools should follow Wake’s lead on book bans
Back in 2023, challenges to school books were nearing a fever pitch nationwide. In Cumberland County Schools, more than 80 books fell under review after challenges by two people. Two books were removed from the libraries: “Push” by Sapphire and “Sex is a Funny Word” by Cory Silverberg. I wrote then, and believe as strongly now, that our school system gave up ground it should not have. Book bans are bad and are against learning. Historically, the side backing them is never the right side.
A new Wilmington bar doubles as a museum of local film history
“Dawson’s Creek” started it all. That was the show that first inspired Patrick McCarthy and ultimately led to a new Wilmington bar and museum that celebrates the city’s film industry. He and Tyler Christensen held a soft opening for the Hollywood East Brewseum at 1202 Market St., Wilmington on Sept. 18. “I used my graduation money in high school to buy memorabilia from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ when that ended,” McCarthy said.
Wake County commissioners clear the way for Atrium-WakeMed combo at contentious meeting
Key Takeaways: Wake commissioners voted 5-2 to clear the way for Atrium and WakeMed to combine after months of debate and public opposition. The deal changed substantially in the final days, with better terms for Wake County. Some of the final contract language still has to be written. The final vote was delayed by repeated disruptions from opponents, prompting the chair to temporarily clear the chamber.
How Asheville’s ‘No Rent for Slumlords’ ordinance could help renters
Asheville activists cheered the city’s Sept. 8 passage of “No Rent for Slumlords,” a legal measure meant to keep tenants from paying for unsafe living conditions. City Council unanimously backed the new ordinance, which forbids landlords from collecting rent on those properties until they bring conditions up to the minimum housing code.
What to know about mail-in voting for the 2026 midterms
This week, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s plans to impose new rules for mail-in voting for the midterm elections in November. In a March executive order, President Donald Trump had instructed the U.S. Postal Service to create rules for election officials sending mail-in ballots to voters. If a state didn’t comply with the new rules, the Postal Service wouldn’t deliver the ballots to voters.
Atlanta Falcons stadium employee caught celebrating with Panthers star Bryce Young
Mercedes-Benz Stadium really does seem to belong to Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. On Sunday, Young helped lead his Panthers to a dominant win over the host Atlanta Falcons. The former No. 1 overall pick completed 23 of his 36 throws for 287 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-3 victory.
3 things happening in NC: Charlotte school board in crisis mode over potential investigation, extortion allegations
“3 things happening in NC” is Cardinal & Pine’s weekly guide to the people, storylines, and events driving the news this week in North Carolina.
Conservationists in NC just saved 121 biodiverse acres next to Chimney Rock State Park
When ecologist Owen Carson was asked to survey a potential conservation property on the edge of Chimney Rock State Park, he was excited. “I knew I would be walking into something pretty special,” he says. There were rare plants he hoped to find, like one species of “cryptic, ancient fern.” There were rocks with the right kinds of crevices for salamanders. There was diversity of terrain—boulders, ravines, cliffs, seeps, and streams—that might support a wide variety of natural communities.
This NC restaurant was just named one of the best in the U.S. by the New York Times
Among 50 picks from the New York Times for the best U.S. restaurants of 2026, one North Carolina location stood out. A team of 16 critics traveled the country to choose this year’s best restaurants, which are unranked and consist only of locations that were not included on previous lists. About 10 locations on the list were located in the southern region of the U.S., including one restaurant in North Carolina. Here’s what the New York Times found in this year’s search.
Two years after Helene, a county-by-county breakdown of recovery in western NC
On Sept. 27, 2024, Tropical Storm Helene turned Western North Carolina’s “normal” into “nightmare.” Roads vanished. Bridges buckled. Water and sewer systems failed. Electronic communications went silent. Homes became unlivable, businesses lost everything and exhausted volunteers pushed deeper into rural Appalachian communities that could no longer reach the outside world. Countless lives were affected. More than 100 people died.
18 things to do in Wilmington for the last weekend of summer
We finally made it. The last, official weekend of summer is upon us, as fall officially begins Sept. 22. And, while I hope you had a great summer, the fun doesn’t have to stop. This weekend’s Wilmington-area events are proof of that. From a bawdy, puppet-powered musical and a touring Netflix comic to a ton of live music and a range of festivals there’s a ton going on, so let’s get into it. Read on for the full list.
A private equity firm hiked the rent at this Asheville trailer park
Carol DeAngelis first learned Aug. 7 that her mobile home park near Asheville had been purchased by COARE Communities. A day later, she attended a meeting held at the mobile home park, where a representative from COARE told her that her lot rent would rise from $350 to $850, an account confirmed by two other tenants who attended the meeting. DeAngelis, who owns her mobile home but pays rent for the property it stands on, was shocked.
Why this rural Wilmington area could be NC’s next development hotspot
As New Hanover County’s rural neighborhoods are transformed into bustling suburbs, a quiet area north of Porters Neck is poised to be the next development hotspot. It’s no secret that New Hanover is uniquely limited on available land. At 192 square miles of land area, it is the second smallest county in North Carolina. Development efforts are underway on several large tracts, including the largest singular parcel in the county at Sledge Forest.
What does NC’s new community college funding model mean for schools, students and employers?
by Jacob Biba, NCLocal September 14, 2026 When North Carolina lawmakers finally passed the long-delayed budget this summer, they changed how the state’s 58 community colleges are funded. Previously, two-year schools received money largely based on how many instructional hours students took. Community college leaders said it was to a school’s advantage to enroll degree-seeking students who would likely take more hours than someone in job-training courses.
Gas prices surge in NC, with more increases on the way. Here’s why
The American Automobile Association has reported that the price of gas is rising in NC—despite the fact that September is generally a time of year during which gas prices fall due to decreased gasoline demand. As reported by USA TODAY on Sept. 11, Iran and allies have continued to ramp up operations to disrupt major oil shipping lanes in the Middle East on which much of the world relies. In response to President Donald Trump and Israel’s Feb.
A fire broke out at the Asheville Flat Iron Hotel. Here’s what to know about the iconic building
Flames burst from the roof of the Flat Iron Hotel in Asheville the night of Sept. 14. A fire started in a metal exhaust vent around 10:45 p.m., according to the Asheville Fire Department, causing the hotel to be evacuated. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The blaze is the latest chapter in the Flat Iron’s century-long history. Here are five things to know about the building and its place in downtown Asheville.
The US Supreme Court blocks Trump rule limiting mail voting
by Jacob Fischler, NC Newsline September 14, 2026 The US Supreme Court on Monday kept in place a lower court’s order blocking President Donald Trump’s embattled plan to place new restrictions on mail voting for this year’s midterm elections. The unsigned, one-paragraph order upheld a Massachusetts federal court’s injunction on a U.S. Postal Service rule until after Nov. 3 and did not decide whether the rule itself was lawful.
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