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

Your Weather Planner

Skies will be partly cloudy tonight with any isolated shower chance ending. It will be warm and humid.

Friday will be hot and humid with partly cloudy skies. There will be that small shower and storm chance in the afternoon and early evening. There is also a small chance for a storm or two to be strong to severe with gusty winds being the main severe weather threat.

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

Today's Big Stories

1. N.C. lawmakers leave after passing Helene aid package, DEI bans but still no budget

The state legislature has wrapped up the chief portion of its annual session by passing another Helene relief measure. But lawmakers in the House and Senate have been unable to agree on a two-year budget by July 1. Legislators may return next month as negotiations continue.

2. Arson, homicide suspected after 3 bodies found inside burning Wake Co. home

A house fire where a man and two teenagers were found dead inside is now being investigated as an arson and homicide, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. The victims were found with apparent gunshot wounds. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause of death, and the fire is also still under investigation, but authorities think it was intentionally set.

3. Very little relief from the heat forecast for the next several days

In late June, hot weather is expected in North Carolina, but this week has been dangerously hot. The rest of the week will technically not be quite as hot, but it will still feel that way.

4. At least 30 arrested after ICE operation at Kings Mountain business

The Immigration Customs Enforcement operation happened at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, a fire protection equipment supplier. The search warrants stemmed from a suspected fraudulent document used to employ people who were not authorized to work in the United States, ICE said.

5. Celebrities like Zayn Malik, Scarlett Johansson urge Congress to reject Medicaid, SNAP changes in Trump bill

More than two dozen people in the entertainment industry signed onto a letter sounding the alarm against proposed changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program being pursued in President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill. Details of the legislation, dubbed the “one big, beautiful bill” by Trump, are being worked out by congressional Republicans who are in a time crunch to pass it. The open letter was shared by the nonprofit Feeding America and urges members of Congress to reject cuts to the programs.

Your Notes for Tomorrow

  • Federal Reserve Board releases annual bank stress test results
  • NHL Draft, hosted by the Los Angeles Kings. The New York Islanders hold the first pick
  • Bruce Springsteen releases seven “lost” albums
  • “F1” starring Brad Pitt released in theaters
She is known to many North Carolinians as the woman behind “Every woman wants a Bailey’s Box.” Ann Bailey, co-founder of Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and Nash county’s first female business owner, recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She was surrounded by friends, family, staffers and customers whose lives she’s touched.