Here’s the thing: 

Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains is safe. There’s a reason this NC-Tennessee destination is the most visited national park in America. 

But a recent uptick in bear encounters—including a couple of pilfered backpacks—has park officials acting.

Here’s what they’re doing.

A black bear walks across a road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Staff is warning visitors not to feed bears following a recent uptick in reported incidents. (USA Today via Reuters)

Happy Tuesday, North Carolina. Glad you’re reading this feisty little newsletter. Here’s what’s in it today: 

Big shoutout to C&P reader Chris Rains, who took this lovely photo from Davis Island on Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Want to share your view from NC? Send it my way.

Former Gov. Roy Cooper told a crowd of a couple of hundred supporters at an April 9, 2026, rally in Durham that he will stand up to insurance companies and oppose the Trump administration’s tariffs if elected to the US Senate. (Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

What’s the opposite of a charm offensive? 

That’s what Republicans are planning in order to eat away at former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s support before this November’s pivotal US Senate race. Late last week, I wrote about their plans.

And I’ll go into greater detail in a new Billy Ball Explains NC episode Wednesday. Set a notification here so you’ll know when it goes live. (Tap the bell for notifications and change it to “all.”)

Here’s another way Republicans plan to go after Cooper—with an overtly partisan “investigation.”

1. Woman banned from Chuck Edwards’ McDonald’s after marching band protest. Hendersonville Times-News

“After playing a couple of songs, the protesters left when an employee told them they had called the police.”

2. Video: Dust devil tears through NC baseball game. NBC News

No one was injured in the little “dust-nado.”

3. NC lawmakers nearing deal to fund Medicaid as short session kicks off. WRAL

“Republican legislators plan to approve Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s $319 [million] Medicaid ask. They also plan to add guardrails and oversight to target fraud and waste.”

4. North Carolina officials to charge adults who allegedly ‘stood by’ teen fight that became mass shooting. The Guardian

“Two teenagers were killed and five others wounded in Winston-Salem after pre-planned fight in park.”

The Historic Cheese House in Banner Elk plays off the surrounding autumnal tones. The structure, built in 1917 and originally home to an award-winning cheddar cheese operation, is now owned by Lees-McRae College. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

A recent guide to the best weekend-long destinations has North Carolina on the brain. 

The list, which was published by WorldAtlas, includes 12 North Carolina spots, including beautiful spots like Banner Elk, Manteo, and more. 

Let’s take a look at the North Carolina destinations.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and NC Newsline. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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