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 pleasant day with low humidity, we'll see the coolest temperatures we have in the forecast for the next seven days. Under mostly clear to partly cloudy skies, temperatures will bottom out in the 50s to lower 60s by sunrise. Some inland sections of the coastal plain could end up in the 40s Saturday morning.

Temperatures will be warm Saturday but not as hot as what we've had recently with highs in the 70s to lower 80s in the afternoon. After a mostly sunny morning, we'll see more clouds in the afternoon.

Scattered showers are possible Sunday, and Memorial Day will likely start out wet with highs in the 70s.

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

Today's Big Stories

1. Businesses preparing for rise in staycationers during holiday weekend

A recent survey finds less than half of people in the country plan to travel during the warmer months. Finances and lack of interest were some of the major reasons cited for families’ staycation plans. North Carolina businesses and venues are preparing for more families staying home to save money.

2. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences 'Butterfly Room' reopens this weekend

A Southern two-toed sloth, ornate wood turtles and hundreds of butterflies are featured in the Living Conservatory at the Raleigh museum. The seasonal exhibit is always a crowd favorite and sees, on average, about 1,200 visitors a day.

3. Charlotte City Council member pleads not guilty, asks for jury trial

The City Council member indicted on fraud charges involving COVID-19 relief funds pleaded not guilty and asked for a jury trial during her first appearance in court Friday. Tiawana Brown and her two daughters are accused of submitting at least 15 applications with false information and false documentation to get about $124,000 of COVID relief money. 

4. Federal judge blocks Trump administration from barring foreign student enrollment at Harvard

In its lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Boston, Harvard University said the government's action violates the First Amendment and will have an "immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders." The temporary restraining order was granted by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs.

5. Tying it Together: Former N.C. superintendent on the state's longest disputed election

Tim Boyum is joined by June Atkinson, the first woman elected state superintendent of public instruction. While many today might think the 2024 state Supreme Court race was one of North Carolina’s longest ever, Atkinson didn’t take office until August of the year after her first election.

Your Notes for the Weekend

Saturday

  • The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Florida Panthers at 8 p.m. in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs
  • ACC Baseball Tournament semifinals at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
  • President Donald Trump delivers West Point commencement address
  • Third anniversary of shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two adults dead

Sunday

  • Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway at 6 p.m.
  • ACC Baseball Tournament championship at noon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
  • Indianapolis 500 at 12:45 p.m.
  • Fifth anniversary of death of George Floyd
  • PBS National Memorial Day Concert
  • Jerusalem Day in Israel
  • Venezuela parliamentary and regional elections
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at Princeton University
On Memorial Day weekend, cities, communities and towns across the state are holding a day of remembrance. But there are still plenty of festivals and fireworks going off to highlight the extended holiday weekend.