Today, we’ve got North Carolina’s preferred Halloween candy—and it’s a weird one—plus a check-in from the State Fair, but first:

Hey, North Carolina. If you were planning to vote by mail this year, stop what you’re doing for a second and watch this video. Not all ways of voting are equal.

In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, we broke down why mail-in voting might be riskier for some folks. Especially as we get closer to Election Day. 

It has to do with national cuts to the US Postal Service, and new state rules that are causing local election officials to reject more mail-in ballots. 

Check out our new Billy Ball Explains NC and share with your friends and family! 

Not all ways of voting are equal this year. Let me explain. Watch the new Billy Ball Explains NC here. (Graphic by Kelly Lennon)

Thank you for reading the Cardinal & Pine newsletter. You make it all possible. Here’s what’s in it today: 

Deanna Tallman Cloer brings you this lovely sunset from Mitchell Community College in Statesville, NC.

Thanks for the vibes, Deanna. Got a better View from NC? Send it our way.

Josh Ramsey, an employee at the Oxford Tobacco Research Station, smokes a cigarette as he carries a bundle of tobacco leaves for the annual tobacco stringing contest at the State Fair in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

There was a time that tobacco was North Carolina’s top crop. These days, it ranks below corn and soybeans, but it’s still closely tied to the culture. 

That’s probably why the crop stars at the State Fair, which wraps up in Raleigh this Sunday.

During the fair, local farmers showed off old techniques for harvesting and curing tobacco. It was even part of a competition. 

Read the story here.

For Cardinal & Pine’s guide to this year’s State Fair—and what’s new—tap here. 

More at Cardinal & Pine:

1. Exclusive: Thousands of North Carolina ballots set to be rejected after GOP imposed strict new rules, data shows. Democracy Docket

“Thousands of North Carolina midterm ballots are set to be rejected over minor technical issues after a federal court upheld strict new Republican-backed rules for mail voters, according to data shared exclusively with Democracy Docket.”

2. Sibelco to invest ‘hundreds of millions’ in North Carolina semiconductor manufacturing. WLOS

“A major investment is headed to North Carolina by Sibelco, with one federal official saying it will support semiconductor manufacturing.”

3. Coast-hugging nor’easter churns up high waves, strong winds. The Weather Channel

“Coastal flood alerts are in effect for parts of coastal North Carolina, where anywhere from 1 to 4 feet of inundation is possible. High surf advisories are also in place across the North Carolina coastline, with waves potentially reaching up to 14 feet.”

This eccentric treat is among the top three Halloween candy picks this year in NC. Really?? (Shutterstock)

In North Carolina, we always gotta stand out, right? 

A new candy “study” (what is a candy study, really?) ranks the top Halloween candies by state. 

There are some pretty predictable picks. Who doesn’t like M&Ms? 

But when it comes to at least one pick in North Carolina’s top three Halloween candies, we were surprised. Your hint is above. 

For more on NC’s top Halloween candy, and what people really think about candy corn, read the story here. 

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 the Associated Press and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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