Good morning, North Carolina! Here's what you need to know today.

The Big Story

Orion returns to Earth with splashdown in Pacific

The Orion spacecraft splashed down off the coast of Baja California on Sunday after a 25-day mission to the moon and back. Orion in its return trip was moving at about 25,000 mph, and the nearly 11-foot-tall craft experienced temperatures of about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Orion capsule is part of the Artemis mission, which ultimately aims to return humans to the moon. The uncrewed mission to orbit the moon was intended in part to test the Space Launch System and the Orion's ability to safely return to Earth.

Your Weather Planner

Sunshine will return for the start of the workweek. Temperatures will drop into the 30s and 40s for most of the state as a result of the clearer skies and light winds that are expected this morning. We'll be dry with highs in the 40s and 50s in the afternoon and mostly clear to partly cloudy skies.

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

Around North Carolina

1. Family, supporters rally to demand justice for Shanquella Robinson

A Charlotte family wants arrests made in the death of their loved one, Shanquella Robinson. They organized a rally at Little Rock AME Zion Church in Uptown Charlotte nearly two months after Robinson was found dead at a resort in Mexico. 

2. National Gingerbread House Competition winners revealed

The winners of the 30th annual National Gingerbread House Competition, dubbed the largest contest of its kind, are being showcased during the 12 days of Gingerbread in Asheville. This year’s event had 219 competitors from all over the nation, as well as Canada and Guatemala.

3. Police departments across N.C. work to bridge staffing gaps

Sworn officer staffing shortages are an issue across the state, and departments are using various methods to bridge gaps. Greensboro Police Lt. Holly Pate said her department is trying to reduce the number of calls while stretching resources to keep residents safe.

Around The Nation

1. Officials: Lockerbie bomb suspect is in U.S. custody

2. Paul Silas, 3-time NBA champion, coach of teams including Charlotte, dies at 79

3. Biden called gay marriage 'inevitable' and soon it'll be law

Editor's Pick - Uncle Cheesecake's North Carolina style

Daniel Gray is known as Uncle Cheesecake, a nickname from his goddaughter that he took for his business. He owns two bakeries, Uncle Cheesecake and Babycakes, both in High Point, and says what make his cheesecake stand out is that it is lighter and not as sweet as the New York-style confection.