Midterm Watch: Donald Trump rallied in Greenville for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley and other GOP candidates as North Carolina early voting surged—ballots cast were about 38% ahead of the same point in 2022, with Democrats leading the turnout. A federal judge let new mail-ballot rules stand, drawing concern about rejected ballots. Chip Investment: Trump said the Pentagon would invest $1.5 billion in North Carolina chip production, as officials touted new manufacturing plans. Jobs: Pfizer announced layoffs at its Rocky Mount and Sanford facilities but has not said how many workers will be affected or when cuts will happen. Rocky Mount Growth: Buc-ee’s is planning a 74,000-square-foot travel center near I-95, with 120 fueling positions, 200 jobs and more than $60 million in private investment, pending approvals. Public Safety: A 68-year-old Gastonia woman was killed by a stray bullet while sitting on her porch; police said she was not the intended target and had made no arrests as of Tuesday. Helene Recovery: Western North Carolina is set to receive more than $870 million in federal road-repair funding.