Hello, Monday. It's Ashley. What a Sunday night for Bryce Young and the Panthers — 329 yards and two touchdowns.

🌧️ Weather: Showers. High 74. Low 52.

🎉 Happy birthday to our member Shawn Sluder!

Today’s newsletter is 1,034 words — a 4-minute read.

Some big GOP spenders are giving up on North Carolina and prioritizing other states.

Why it matters: It's a sign that Republicans believe Michael Whatley can't win and that the seat will flip to Democrats, who need four pickups to regain control of the Senate.

Driving the news: Several key Republican super PACs have canceled October ad campaigns in North Carolina as polls show Whatley several points behind former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

By the numbers: Last month, Republicans spent $53 million on North Carolina's Senate race, while Democrats spent $44 million, the firm AdImpact tracked.

• PACs backing the candidates had reserved ads totaling over $33 million for each candidate in October.

Yes, but: That calculation was made on Thursday.

The latest: On Friday, Senate Leadership Fund said it would redirect money meant for Whatley, Semafor and other national outlets reported.

• It's a major blow for the campaign. Senate Leadership Fund dropped $17 million on North Carolina in September, nearly a third of Whatley's total, according to AdImpact analysis.
• The PAC paid for the misleading ad that tied Cooper to a South Carolina murder suspect's release from prison, The News & Observer reported.

State of play: Neither Prosperity Action nor Old North Action plan to spend in North Carolina in October, Politico reported.

• Money is needed in races in Kansas, Texas and Alaska, a GOP operative told the publication, calling Whatley "a good man who took one for the team."

The bottom line: It's been over a decade since a Democrat represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are bracing for that to change this election cycle.

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💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Marketing Manager at Northwood Ravin

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Confluence returns this month.

Why it matters: Charlotte's fourth annual music industry conference is bringing a festival approach to this year's event by expanding its live music offerings with Confluence Music Fest.

What they're saying: This type of music festival is a little different than Charlotte is used to, Confluence and Confluence Music Fest organizer Rick Thurmond tells Axios.

• The goal isn't to be Lovin' Life, but rather to connect more music fans and people in the music industry to more artists and venues.

What to expect: More than 45 artists will perform this week, Oct. 8-10. In addition to Confluence's traditional showcase format for emerging and independent artists, there will be an outdoor festival on Saturday, making it three days of live music.

• The new outdoor festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, will take place at Suffolk Punch South End (2911 Griffith St.) from 2-10pm. There will be six bands performing. It's free to attend as long as you register. Full schedule
• After the festival, there will be an after party at DeepCuts HiFi (2433 South Blvd.) featuring DJ Emma Way (yes, Axios' Emma Way). RSVP for the free party here.
• Live music venues include: Petra's, The Evening Muse, Rabbit Hole, The Music Yard, Neighborhood Theatre, Snug Harbor and Amos' Southend. These locations highlight Plaza Midwood, NoDa and South End, with the goal of people being able to walk from one venue to the next.
• Artists include Ripe, Rising Appalachia and Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, to name a few.

Yes, and: Confluence itself remains a daytime music industry conference. It runs Oct. 7–9 featuring panels, workshops and networking events.

Keep reading

🏈 The Panthers beat the Lions 32-26 last night at Bank of America Stadium. It was their first Sunday Night Football win since Oct. 25, 2015 when they beat the Eagles 27-16. (Athletic)

👨‍🍼 Daddy Duel, a competition by nonprofit Father Movement, is coming to NoDa Brewing Company on Oct. 10 from 11am-2pm. (Instagram)

🏥 New Medicaid rules are now in effect in North Carolina, and Charlotte health advocates warn the changes could ripple through local care access and costs. (WCNC)

🏗️ A wave of land deals are setting up new apartment and mixed-use projects from South End to Stallings, signaling more growth (and construction) ahead for the Charlotte area. (CBJ)

From preseason NBA basketball, to getting crafty at Camp North End, there's plenty to do in Charlotte this week.

🧠 Monday: Play trivia at Birdsong Brewing. | Free | 7pm | Details

🏀 Tuesday: Head to Spectrum Center for the Hornets' first preseason game. They take on the Nets. | $22.75+ | 7pm | Details

🧶 Wednesday: Get crafty at That's Novel Books' Novels & Needles Craft Club at Free Range Bar at Camp North End. | Free | 5:30pm | Details

🩰 Thursday: See Charlotte Ballet's Black Box Series. | $30+ | 7:30pm | Details

📚 Friday: Learn about Charlotte's history at the "Historic Maps of Charlotte" book launch party at Troubadour Booksellers. | $10+ | 8pm | Details

News you can use from our partners.

• 📽️ "Dune: Part Three" lands in Charlotte on Dec. 17. Experience it on the largest screen in the Carolinas at the Charlotte IMAX Dome Theatre. Get tickets.

Hockey season is back, and it packed new snacks.

State of play: The Charlotte Checkers return to Bojangles Coliseum on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7pm for their home opener vs. the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Dig in: New concession items include:

🍔 Greazy Cheeze ($15): two beef smash patties, two slices of bacon, caramelized onions, white cheddar cheese curds, American cheese, on a potato bun with tarter sauce.

🌭 The "Shorty" ($29): 2-foot hot dog, bacon jam, sport peppers, beer cheese, Flamin' Hot Funyun Dust and Korean mayo.

🧀 Chubby Mac ($10): macaroni and cheese, fried pork belly, crispy onion straws, and Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, served with two potato wedges.

Yes, and: There's also a build-your-own Chubby Express:

🍚 Choose your base: white rice, lo mein noodles or a mix of the two.

🍗 Choose your protein: sesame chicken, Mongolian beef or tofu stir-fry.

😋 Top it off with an optional egg roll.

If you go: Tickets start at $29.12+.

🍿 I'm excited for the latest adaptation of "Sense and Sensibility" and very sad I'll miss the Independent Picture House book club discussion about it on Oct. 15.

👨‍🍼 Alexis thinks all the fathers in the area should sign up for the Daddy Duel this Saturday.

🌱 Melissa, who edited this newsletter, is enjoying a tofu bowl from Naked Farmer.