iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This is a cool thing. In an exclusive interview for @cardinalandpine.bsky.social, the NAACP told me that they have recruited more than 12,000 local volunteers to get NC's Black communities politically involved. Keep reading the thread.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

In a new Billy Ball Explains NC for Cardinal & Pine (🔗 in thread), we talked about being a theater kid, sitcom families (remember "TGIF"), and the breakneck speed of the news. Helfrich had a lot to say about feeling overwhelmed and trying to be a "human" connection to politics through it all.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

North Carolina teachers are FINALLY getting a raise, but there's a big catch. At Cardinal & Pine, we broke it down in a new Billy Ball Explains NC + plus the big picture for public schools now that the budget is final. Watch it 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM9h...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

People in 49 states know much, much more about a candidate in Maine than they do about their own local candidates. We need a local news revolution in this country.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Geriatric millennial post I'm 43 and my eyes said they can't take the news cycle anymore without some help. 🥸

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

No remorse. This is the face of a stone-cold biter.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

The dominos are falling and our democracy is sick. You can really see it in the South, where the destruction of the Voting Rights Act is going to wreak havoc. This week, I talked about it on @wunc.org's "Due South." It airs Wednesday, May 13 around 12:40 pm on WUNC.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

In the story of America, land has mostly moved one way—out of Native hands, and into the hands of white people. But recently, leaders in one western North Carolina town came to a remarkable decision. A new Billy Ball Explains NC has the story for Cardinal & Pine. 🔗 is in the thread.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Ok, believe it or not, here's your teaser for the new Billy Ball Explains North Carolina. The 🔗 is below. Your likes and views make a big difference. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gth...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

According to Forbes, since the start of his presidency, Trump's net worth has more than doubled—from $2.3B in 2024 to $6.7B by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, many of the folks who voted for him are in a worse financial predicament than ever. Tap 👇 www.thelivingsouth.com/trump-is-get...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

With all the news that's buzzing around right now, this is an important 🧵: Whenever the United States military moves, the South pays attention. Of the 10 states with the most active duty military personnel, 6 are in the South—Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Three years ago today, I lost my little boy. Jackson was a dream and I think about him every single day. No matter our daily battles, never forget the most important thing is the way you show your love to the people who matter.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

At Cardinal & Pine, we can and will continue to make content for the same people on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and elsewhere, but the point was never to just preach to the choir.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

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.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

For those tempted to dismiss this as an administrative curiosity, don't. It is intentional, part of an easily traceable pattern in the Trump administration. In public, Trump honors King because he has to. In actual practice and policy, he's undermined King's legacy many times over.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

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.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

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.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

There is no reason to believe in ICE and Border Patrol in the way we might local cops. Their power is derived not just from guns and uniforms, but from a bargain with the people they serve. They are supposed to work within certain boundaries. The boundaries are gone. The bargain is broken.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Here's the takeaway: Law enforcement isn't supposed to lie to us. They aren't supposed to wear masks, attack journalists, or beat up people exercising their constitutional right to protest. Law enforcement has limits and a code. They are not supposed to be ideologues.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

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.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Don’t have time to read? 👂 Listen to the incredible story of K-pop, an emerging K-pop star from the South, and, of course, “K-pop Demon Hunters” at the 🔗 below 👇 www.thelivingsouth.com/audio-nathan...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

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...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Most of us know bone-deep that there is something wrong with social media. I wrote about what we can do about it recently for my pet project, The Living South (link in the thread), and tonight, I'm on Spectrum News' "Capital Tonight" talking about it. Show airs at 7 pm.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

This weekend, I thought about a lot of things and wrote about it. One of the few things left and right can agree on right now is that we're being played by social media companies. There is a solution. 🔗 below. www.thelivingsouth.com/the-case-for...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

In 2024, I wrote a lot and went on tv talking about the lies Trump was telling about disaster relief in western NC after Helene. Some time has passed and a few things are clear. I wrote about them @cardinalandpine.bsky.social. Click and pls share 👇 cardinalpine.com/opinion/opin...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Important thread alert: We need our media to meet the moment. This story from WCNC in Charlotte, which reads like a re-written press release from the Trump administration, leaves out the context that federal officials have funded just a small percentage of Helene recovery in western NC.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

This is what it's like sometimes to work in journalism.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

I try not to write about myself when I write about public figures. But this week, when I wrote about @roycoopernc.bsky.social's entrance into the Senate race for @msnbc.com (link in the thread) while representing @cardinalandpine.bsky.social, I decided to include this bit.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Public service announcement: Don't use Google's AI function to fact-check things.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

In some places, public broadcasting is the only game in town if you're looking for local news. They are especially crucial in rural regions that are reeling from a disaster, like in western NC, where locals relied on public radio dispatches to learn about the latest after Helene. 🔗 in thread 👇

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

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!

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Hi y'all, please share. I'm doing a new thing every Monday at Cardinal & Pine, curating the most interesting events, protests, and news of the week. Reading requires a subscription to our free, award-winning newsletter, but that's so worth it. CLICK 👇 cardinalpine.com/2025/06/16/3...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

My super cool daughter, Charlotte, accompanied me to tape PBS North Carolina's "State Lines" today, where I represented Cardinal & Pine. She got to hang out in the control room too. Episode link is in the thread. Airs statewide tonight at 8:30 pm on PBS NC and 9 pm on the North Carolina Channel.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Today in @cardinalandpine.bsky.social's 100% free, 100% essential NC newsletter, I wrote about NC's rural doctor crisis, CDC cuts, summer heat ahead, and an inflatable dinosaur costume contest. I also asked readers to ID this random NC alleyway. Sign up to answer👇 cardinalpine.com/newsletter/?...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

And by Republicans, I don't mean the average Republican voter sitting at home, I mean the Republicans in office, like NC Sen. Thom Tillis, who sat by while President Trump put this guy and his chainsaw in charge of people's healthcare and benefits. 📸 (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

On "Capitol Tonight," this evening at 7 pm on Spectrum News 1 North Carolina 📺 I got the chance to talk about thelivingsouth.com and my new story on Isaac Villegas, one of several North Carolina ministers who's used their church to shelter undocumented people. Link for the story in the thread below

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Something else we say in the South, "Why are you hitting dogs?"

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

For two years, NC pastor Isaac Villegas sheltered Rosa del Carmen Ortez Cruz (pictured on the right, below) in a small room in his church as Trump immigration officials sought to deport her. My new story on the church as immigration sanctuary. Click to read 👇 www.thelivingsouth.com/this-nc-past...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Isaac Villegas is a North Carolina pastor who, for two years, helped to shelter an undocumented woman after the Trump administration sought to separate her from her family. I really enjoyed telling his story. Link in the thread! Sign-up for The Living South is 100% free.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

This weekend at thelivingsouth.com, we'll tell the story of Christian pastor Isaac Villegas, author of "Migrant God," who's used his North Carolina church to provide sanctuary for undocumented people. As immigration raids ramp up, it's a crucial story. 👏 Sign-up is free at thelivingsouth.com.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Isaac Villegas is the pastor of a NC church that sheltered a woman for two years while the Trump administration tried to deport her. This week for The Living South, I talked to Villegas about the church's history of offering sanctuary during troubled times. Sign-up is free at thelivingsouth.com

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

I'll buy a beer for lucky #200. Or a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice. 😂 thelivingsouth.com

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

We're watching one big, overdue celebration for Black culture in the South and I'm here for it. 🎉 Read my essay 👇 Sign-up is free! www.thelivingsouth.com/rhiannon-gid...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Meet terminal democracy. NC Republicans, who've gerrymandered NC to ensure power, are now grifting a duty that's been held by the governor of NC for 100 years. The intent's to overturn Jefferson Griffin's loss in the 2024 election & keep gerrymandering.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

For thelivingsouth.com, I talked to @bakarisellers.bsky.social about optimism, his daughter Sadie's life-saving transplant, growing up in the South, and of course, Trump. I'll publish our convo this week. If you haven't already, now's as good a time as any to sign up. It's free!

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

True story: For TheLivingSouth.com, I talked to Tennessee public school teacher Bryan Kerns about his class, a one-of-a-kind wildfire prevention class for high schoolers. I've never seen anything like this in a high school before. www.thelivingsouth.com/meet-the-pub...

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

This week for thelivingsouth.com, Bryan Kerns, Tennessee's "Teacher of the Year." ❤️ Kerns, who's from Kingsport, Tenn., taught math for more than a decade before launching a one-of-a-kind program that teaches prescribed burning to high school students—which is key to preventing wildfires. 🔥

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

This is an important point from @hcrichardson.bsky.social's latest. For generations now, the people who want to dismantle government have argued that they are the constitutionalists, the patriots.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

For thelivingsouth.com, I got to talk to one of the most dynamic leaders in North Carolina, @abreezeclayton.bsky.social , about the Democratic Party's national struggles (and its relative success in NC). Sign-up is free, but to support my work, there's an option for a $4 monthly subscription.

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Billy Ball @billyball.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

The truth is it's a small world with big people in it. 👋 While researching my latest story for thelivingsouth.com, on the filmmaker/genealogist/writer Chris Haley, I learned that his uncle, the great Alex Haley (author of "Roots," "The Autobiography of Malcolm X"), spent time near where I grew up.

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