Below, we have the best gluten-free and vegan bakeries in NC, plus a check-in from the final days of NC’s crucial Senate race, but first:

Asheville chef Katie Button is known for her award-winning Spanish restaurant, Cúrate Bar de Tapas.

But on Oct. 27, she’ll be releasing a new cookbook, combining Spanish and Southern flavors.  

Here’s the inside scoop on the book here.

Chef Katie Button, of Cúrate Bar de Tapas in Asheville, has released a new cookbook marrying Spanish and Southern traditions. (USA Today via Reuters)

Happy Thursday, North Carolina. Early voting began today. 

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s newsletter:

Greg Bucci took this photograph from the Deep Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

I expect those colors will be turning brown and red really soon. Thanks for sharing, Greg!

Got a View from NC? Send it to Cardinal & Pine. 

Roy Cooper speaks to supporters in Greensboro, Oct. 14, 2026. (Dylan Rhoney/Cardinal & Pine)

We are 19 days away from the midterm elections in North Carolina. And Senate candidate Roy Cooper is making his final pitch. 

On Monday, Cooper was in Greensboro. C&P’s Dylan Rhoney reports that Cooper’s message in the Gate City was focused, as it has been, on rising costs. 

Cooper also talked about the concerns surrounding AI and data centers, as well as the war in Iran. The Senate candidate and former governor criticized President Trump’s opposition to greater federal regulations on AI.

“I think it’s gonna be important for us to get independent, knowledgeable people together and to put guardrails in place to protect people,” Cooper said. 

For more on Cooper’s closing message in NC, tap here. 

More from Cardinal & Pine:

Graphic by Kelly Lennon

Most voting rights and progressive groups—including Common Cause NC, Progress NC, and more—are urging folks to vote against all three of the constitutional amendments on the ballot. 

We broke down the case against them in a new Billy Ball Explains NC. Share this video far and wide. 

1. NC State Fair food vendors riled up over new overall revenue fee that’s in addition to booth rental cost. ABC-11

“Vendors are now being charged a 15% fee of their overall revenue, in addition to the standard rent they pay for booth space.”

2. Invasive Joro spiders spread across western NC. WLOS

“Big, brightly colored and about the size of your palm, Trichonephila clavata or Joro spiders are becoming a familiar sight across western North Carolina.”

3. Watch PBS North Carolina’s comprehensive series of election specials. PBS NC

“‘State Lines’ presents one-on-one interviews with major party candidates, and ‘Black Issues Forum’ will offer two specials examining local stories that illuminate broad political concerns.”

Order the frontline fudge brownie at the Bravory Bakehouse in Southern Pines. (Bravory Bakehouse)

We’ve got the perfect guide for every North Carolinian looking for gluten-free and vegan options. 

It can be really hard to find good options among NC’s restaurants. Try finding bakeries that fit the mold.

C&P contributor Vanessa Infanzon said she recently committed to a gluten-free diet. So this guide collects everything she’s learned about the best options, from Bravory Bakehouse in Southern Pines (see the brownies above) to JP’s Pastry in Benson. 

Share this guide!

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 Dylan Rhoney, Vanessa Infanzon, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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