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

The Big Story

The EV industry is investing billions in N.C. That means big changes for parts of the state

Communities between the Triangle and Triad, south of Interstate 40, are poised for major changes this decade. It’s already started.

Wolfspeed is working on a new semiconductor factory in Siler City. Vietnamese electric car maker Vinfast plans to build a massive plant in Chatham County. In nearby Liberty, Toyota plans an EV battery factory. 

Just those three companies could bring more than 11,000 jobs to what is now a largely rural swath of the North Carolina Piedmont. It’s an investment of more than $14 billion.

It’s been part of a long-term strategy by the state’s leaders, both Republican and Democrat, to bring new clean energy and advanced manufacturing jobs to North Carolina.

Your Weather Planner

Temperatures and humidity levels will rise a bit Friday ahead of a weak cold front that moves through during the afternoon with a chance for a few showers and thunderstorms.

Seasonable temperatures with low dew points will be with us this weekend, but no rain is expected. Monday will be the beginning of a soggy and unsettled period.

Get your full forecast:
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Around North Carolina

1. North Carolina legislature increases penalty for utility damage after substation shootings

The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate in a rare display of bipartisanship. It comes as a direct response to substation shootings in Moore County that cut power to about 45,000 homes and small businesses for nearly a week.

2. Charlotte realtor says housing market thriving, despite months of rising interest rates

The Federal Reserve decided not to raise interest rates this month. A Charlotte realtor says interest rates are not really impacting the city's housing market. A financial planner says you should make long-term financial decisions based on personal circumstance, not federal policy. 

3. UPS driver recognized for 50-year safe-driving record

Mabry Young Sr. is the first Greensboro UPS tractor-trailer driver to attain a 50-year safe-driving record. He's a member of the company's "Circle of honor," an elite group of UPS professional drivers who have delivered packages for 25 years or more without an accident.

Around The Nation

1. Supreme Court preserves law that aims to keep Native American children with tribal families

2. Study estimates nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults diagnosed with depression

3. Number of Americans filing for jobless claims elevated for second straight week

Editor's Pick - Busy beach, busy business: Carolina Beach shop is ready for vacationers

With school out for the summer, many people are heading to the beach for a vacation. Many businesses along the coast rely on summer tourists for a successful year. Pleasure Island Rentals in Carolina Beach does nearly all of its business during the summer and only does business as needed in the offseason. “Since graduation, school is out, we take off 100%,” Pleasure Island Rentals GM Bryan Sartin said. “Usually, it’s weekends, and now it’s every day.”