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

The Big Story

‘Sends some serious messages’: Raleigh increasing some parking fines from $30 to $200

Parking fines in downtown Raleigh are seeing a steep hike this weekend. The city council recently approved fees to jump to $200 during overnight hours. Some officials said a $30 fine was not enough to prevent illegal parking. By comparison, the city of Charlotte charges $100 for a similar violation. However, one downtown Raleigh business owner believes that increase is too harsh and could have negative impacts.

Your Weather Planner

Today looks to be the first day of the summer where widespread temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s will be recorded. Cooler numbers at the coast and in the mountains are likely, but we'll all have to deal with another hazy day with wildfire smoke.

More heat is on the way Friday, but as humidity starts to build back in, scattered showers and storms will be possible.

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

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Around North Carolina

1. N.C. lawmakers give final OK to ban on gender-affirming care for trans children

The GOP-written measure, which would bar medical professionals from providing hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgical gender transition procedures to anyone under 18, now heads to Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to veto it.

2. U.S. Forest Service proposes recreation fee changes for 2 areas in N.C.

For those traveling the trails on bikes and horses in parts of the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests, fees would be $5 per day or $30 for an annual pass. The public can provide input on the proposed changes for 60 days. 

3. N.C. Rep. Deborah Ross looks to bring back proxy voting

At the height of COVID-19, many members of the U.S. House were allowed to cast votes when they were not in Washington. But some lawmakers were accused of abusing proxy voting, and the rule was eliminated. Now a Triangle lawmaker wants to bring it back in certain circumstances.

Around The Nation

1. Madonna postpones upcoming tour due to 'serious bacterial infection'

2. Dangerous heat spreads across the South and Central U.S.

3. Airline delays and cancellations are bad. Ahead of the holiday weekend, they're getting worse

Editor's Pick - 'Relief': Program providing JCSU students free child care

A historically Black university in Charlotte has taken steps to ease the financial burden of child care for parents trying to obtain a degree. Jessica McDonald, 32, a mother of three, has returned to Johnson C. Smith University to finish her degree in psychology. She says the program was the financial resource she needed to balance family, financial and educational responsibilities.