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

Your Weather Planner

Showers and storms linger through the evening with some not tapering off until midnight. Be prepared for downpours and storms producing frequent lightning with a marginal risk for hail and damaging winds. After the rain ends, we'll be mostly dry through sunrise with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the middle to upper 60s at the coolest point of the night.

We'll be mostly dry Thursday morning with temperatures quickly climbing to the 80s in the afternoon. Stray showers and thunderstorms will be possible, especially in northern parts of the coastal plain. Damaging winds and large hail will be possible with any of these storms, though most of the region will stay dry.

Hotter weather is expected by the end of the workweek.

A cold front will then come through Saturday, bringing another slight chance for showers and storms.

Get the full forecast for areas across the state: Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains

Today's Big Stories

1. $23.5 million contract aims to help eroding beaches, offer safeguards to coastal properties

A contract awarded to Norfolk Dredging Co. will help mitigate coastal erosion and protect property against storm damage, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said. Costs will be shared with the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, the corps said.

2. EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on so-called forever chemicals in drinking water

Limits on three types of PFAS, including GenX substances found in North Carolina, will be scrapped and reconsidered by the Environmental Protection Agency, as will a limit on a mixture of several types of PFAS. The agency will keep limits on the two most common types of the chemicals, called PFOA and PFOS, but it will extend by two years the deadline for utilities to comply.

3. New power transformer plant to bring 330 jobs to Wayne Co., Stein says

Gov. Josh Stein announced another large business expansion in North Carolina on Wednesday. Prolec-GE Waukesha Inc., which makes power transformers, will spend $140 million to build a second plant in Goldsboro. Earlier this week, Stein said Wake County would be home to a $700 million Genentech drug manufacturing plant.

4. 'It’s different than anything': Campers head to North Wilkesboro prior to All-Star Race

North Wilkesboro will soon welcome thousands of fans for its third year in a row hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race since the historic track reopened. But campers already are traveling from across the globe to snag a spot near the track for Sunday evening’s race. 

5. Tying it Together: Long-serving director talks about getting ousted from Republican-controlled elections board

Karen Brinson Bell, who was recently removed as executive director of the North Carolina Board of Elections, talks about her ouster, leading state elections through a pandemic and natural disaster and her own future.

Your Notes for Tomorrow

  • The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. in Game 5 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
  • PGA Championship golf at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte
  • President Donald Trump continues trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates
  • U.S. Supreme Court hears birthright citizenship case
  • 44th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service
  • Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue published in the U.S.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department recently bought the Deep Trekker’s REVOLUTION ROV for more than $120,000 with federal funding and aims to use it to speed rescues during underwater emergencies. “It's a big resource for us,” Capt. Barry Smith said. “Inside the city, I think there are 470 lakes or ponds. There are a lot of opportunities for people to have an emergency.”