Good evening, North Carolina. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook. 

Your Weather Planner

After a few clouds roll in overnight, we’ll get mild morning lows. Friday will be partly to mostly sunny and dry, with temperatures well above average. Winds will pick up during the afternoon, with gusts of 20-25 mph.

Expect more clouds than sunshine Saturday, but still breezy and warm.

Rain overspreads the state Sunday, then showers and thunderstorms are expected Monday.

Get your full forecast: Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains


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

Today's Big Stories

1. 'Rapid fire progression' expected as crews work to contain forest fires in western N.C.

Crews have started to make progress on the Black Cove Complex, which includes the biggest wildfires in Polk County, in the mountains southeast of Asheville. The fire is now listed as the "highest priority fire" in the United States, which gives crews there higher priority to get more resources and people to help fight the blaze.

2. Top lawyer job at alma mater UNC prompted Newton's departure from N.C. Senate

Republican state Sen. Paul Newton, who resigned this week from the General Assembly, is the next chief attorney for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

3. Four N.C. teams head to the Sweet 16. Here's who, when and how to watch

North Carolina is sending four teams, including the Duke men's and women's teams and the women of N.C. State and North Carolina, after round two of the NCAA Men's and Women's Tournaments came to an end earlier this week.

4. Tying It Together: Taking a timeout from politics to talk North Carolina's basketball blue bloods

Jeff Tiberii, host of Due South on WUNC radio, just released “The Magnificent Seven: College Basketball’s Blue Bloods.” He joins us to talk about the state's influential teams and shares some incredible stories about the people who make it so special.

Your Notes for Tomorrow

  • NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional Sweet 16 round games
  • NCAA Men's Basketball South Regional Sweet 16 round games
  • International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security
Jack Britt High School senior Nigel Cooper is part of the engineering program, has been student body president, is on the football team and started a nonprofit — he's also this week's Spectrum News 1 High School Scholar.