Here's what you need to know today.

The remnants of Helene smashed into the North Carolina mountains last September, killing more than 100 people and causing an estimated $60 billion in damage. Chimney Rock, a hamlet of about 140 named for the 535-million-year-old geological wonder that underpins its tourism industry, was hit particularly hard.
Eight months later, most of the surviving businesses on the village’s quaint Main Street are still construction sites.
Village Mayor Peter O’Leary had optimistically predicted that downtown would open in time for Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer tourist season. He now realizes that was too ambitious.

Your Weather Planner

Soggy and cool weather remains with us today for the western part of the state. We will see rain more often than not today and tonight, and even when there isn’t measurable rain falling, drizzle will remain.

We are in the midst of a Carolina wedge, and that means our temperatures will not move much at all today or tonight. Most areas will be in the 50s. That wedge will erode tomorrow, and warmer afternoon highs will return for the remainder of the week.

A few showers or storms could pop up tomorrow, but then better scattered storm chances return later Thursday and especially Friday.

Get the full forecast of areas around the state:
Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains


Watch the latest local news and get your Weather on the 1s.

Around North Carolina

1. Under fire, CMPD chief to retire

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings will retire at the end of the year, he announced on social media. He has been with the department since 1992. Jennings has faced criticism in recent months, including over a six-figure settlement from the city after a former city council member sent threatening messages to the chief. 

2. FEMA denies Stein's request for help in Helene recovery program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state's request for reimbursement on a Helene recovery program, according to a statement from Gov. Josh Stein. The program would fully reimburse the state for costs associated with removing debris that the storm left behind.

3. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences 'Butterfly Room' reopens

A Southern two-toed sloth, ornate wood turtles and hundreds of butterflies are featured in the Living Conservatory at the Raleigh museum. The seasonal exhibit is always a crowd favorite. The “Butterfly Room” sees, on average, about 1,200 visitors a day.

4. Raleigh police publicly release video from deadly October crash

The Raleigh Police Department on Friday evening publicly released videos related to a fatal October crash that prompted an investigation into State Highway Patrol troopers’ response. Tyrone Mason, 31, died in the single-car wreck about 2:30 a.m. Oct. 7 on Capital Boulevard near Wake Forest Road in Raleigh.

Around The Nation

1. Federal judge blocks Trump administration from barring foreign student enrollment at Harvard

2. Trump threatens 50% tariffs on EU and 25% penalties on smartphones as his trade war intensifies

3. Billy Joel diagnosed with brain condition, cancels tour dates

Editor's Pick - 'Everything was taken': Local beekeepers rebuild after Helene

The state of North Carolina is said to be home to more hobbyist beekeepers than any other state in the country. The state's beekeeping association has more than 4,000 members, more than states like California and Texas. Although pesticides and mites have threatened the honey bee population in recent decades, Helene made a direct hit on some local beekeepers in the North Carolina mountains last fall.