When President Trump and Vice President JD Vance visit North Carolina, they have a few favorite spots.

Why it matters: The administration is already on the campaign trail ahead of this fall's midterms, and Republicans hope the purple state of North Carolina will deliver some victories for Republicans.

State of play: Tracking Trump's and Vance's visits since taking office in 2025 shows they're throwing a lot of energy into appearances at military installations and in the 1st Congressional District.

• Two-thirds of their publicly reported trips have been to Rocky Mount and Fort Bragg, an Axios analysis shows.
• The others were to the mountains after Hurricane Helene and to a suburb of Charlotte after a high-profile fatal stabbing.

Between the lines: Politicos are closely watching the U.S. Senate race for the seat Republican Thom Tillis is vacating when he retires, as well as the battle over the 1st, where the Democratic incumbent is newly vulnerable because of redistricting.

🏘️ Rocky Mount

Driving the news: Both Trump and Vance have visited Rocky Mount — the largest city in the redrawn 1st District and a short drive to former Gov. Roy Cooper's hometown — to deliver economic messages.

• Vance visited Friday, and his speech veered heavily into crime and immigration.

What they're saying: Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson tells Axios that the visits are all about the congressional race.

• "We're a swing district. I know that we've changed the maps a little bit to favor Republicans, but it's still going to be mighty close," he says.

The intrigue: Laurie Buckhout, the Republican candidate facing incumbent Democrat Don Davis, was given a speaking slot Friday after she secured a primary victory.

• Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley spoke at both appearances and was photographed on Air Force Two with Vance on Friday.

Keep reading for the full list

Men and women in many U.S. cities feel notably different about their personal safety, per new Gensler survey data.

• And that trend can be seen in the Triangle, where 78% of men say they feel "safe" or "very safe," compared to 71% of women.

How it works: That's based on results from Gensler's survey of about 13,500 residents across 27 major U.S. cities conducted between July and November 2024.

• The design and architecture firm's research wing recently published City Pulse 2025: The Magnetic City, a look at how city residents feel about many different issues.
• The Triangle boasted one of the highest percentages of residents expressing they feel safe.

The bottom line: Perceived and actual safety can sometimes be two different things — but city leaders need to address both.

• Sofia Song, global leader of cities research at Gensler's Research Institute, tells Axios: "Safety shapes how people experience a city, and our data shows that when women feel secure moving through the city, satisfaction with the city rises across the board."

📱 A new study finds that North Carolina middle and high school students spend around two to three hours of the school day on their phones. (WUNC)

• The study was done before new state restrictions on phone usage in schools took effect.

💧 Raleigh will resume water service disconnections after a five-month pause to implement a new payment portal. (WRAL)

After two decades in charge, Jennifer Tolle Whiteside is stepping down as CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation. (Triangle Business Journal 🔒)

💵 Someone in Raleigh is stashing cash around the city and posting hints on social media. (News & Observer)

Brigid Washington, a Raleigh-based author of two cookbooks on Caribbean food, thought her next project would be another cookbook.

• But instead, her agent convinced her she should write a memoir about her experience in culinary school and an exploration of her Trinidadian roots.
• It's already drawing interest from critics this spring.

Why it matters: Washington's new book, "Salt, Sweat and Steam," comes out on April 28.

• The book explores the harsh reality of moving from Raleigh to New York to study at the Culinary Institute of America, where she met and interviewed famous chefs like Jerome Bocuse and Thomas Keller.

We talked with Washington for our latest Local Limelight conversation. The Q&A has been edited for Smart Brevity.

🧑‍🍳 What is it about chefs that we as a find so fascinating? I think it's because chefs are engaged in a process that is a thrice-daily necessity for literally every human being on the planet. And how that process creatively plays out — be it fast casual or fine dining — will always be compelling and exciting.

🎓 How did you end up in the Triangle? I came for undergrad at N.C. State. At the time, I had an aunt and uncle living in Charlotte, so North Carolina was my top pick.

🍽️ What is your favorite place to eat in the Triangle? Bombolo, Ajja, Peregrine, Longleaf Swine and any of the Crawford restaurants.

📖 What is your first read in the morning? The Bible; a classic that's always current.

📚 What is the last great book you read? "Stay True" by Hua Hsu.

🏝️ Where should someone in the Triangle go for Caribbean food? Chef Lemar Farrington is a talented chef who works wonders in his smart and thoughtful interpretation of Caribbean cuisine. Literally anything he makes.

Keep reading for more questions and answers

Bean Traders, one of the most popular coffee shops in south Durham, has opened a second location in Research Triangle Park.

Why it matters: The coffee shop is taking over a space vacated earlier this year by the cafe Fare & Fellow at the Park Point development in Research Triangle Park.

Driving the news: Bean Traders is still in soft opening mode at the new space, so while it's serving its signature drinks and pastries, the final touches are still to come.

Stop by: 4001 N.C. Highway 54, Suite 2150

Hours: It's only open weekdays.

• Hours are 7am-noon for now, and 7am-3pm starting next week.