Here's what you need to know today.

The average cost of child care in the United States last year was over $13,000 according to Child Care Aware of America. In North Carolina, that number was $22,000.
Some companies are working toward adding more child care benefits. Women’s undergarment company Cakes Body is now offering up to $36,000 yearly in child care help to eligible employees.
They hope to see other companies follow suit for this benefit for their employees.

Your Weather Planner

Another hot and humid day with feel-like temperatures near 100 degrees is on the way Tuesday. Ahead of an approaching cold front, expect higher storm chances beginning late Tuesday. An isolated severe storm is possible that may produce damaging winds and areas of flash flooding.

We'll see higher shower and storm chances Wednesday as a front slowly makes its way into eastern North Carolina. That front will not bring any cooler air, though. Highs will still be around 90 to the low 90s for the Fourth of July.

Get the full forecast of areas around the state:
Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains


Watch the latest local news and get your Weather on the 1s.

Around North Carolina

1. Who’s next?: N.C. political landscape shifts as Tillis won’t seek reelection

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis will not be seeking reelection. His eventual exit will leave a key U.S. Senate seat vacant heading into 2026. Tillis says it was a "not a hard choice" to leave his post and spend more time with his family at the end of his term. Democratic and Republican challengers are expected to mobilize and drum up support ahead of the primaries next year.

2. 8 charged in $21M Medicaid fraud scheme spanning Carolinas

Federal authorities announced charges Monday against eight suspects in a 7-year Medicaid fraud scheme spanning North and South Carolina that stole more than $21 million. The U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina also announced a Charlotte woman is facing charges of health care fraud and money laundering. The cases are part of a “national health care fraud takedown” that the Justice Department hailed Monday as the largest in history.

3. Man accused of killing Wake County deputy pleads guilty to federal charge after prison escape

One of the men accused of killing a Wake County deputy has pleaded guilty to a federal charge. Alder Marin-Sotelo and his brother, Arturo Marin-Sotelo, are both accused of killing Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd during a traffic stop in 2022. Alder Marin-Sotelo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist or instigate escape after his escape from a Virginia prison. For that he faces up to five years in prison.

Around The Nation

1. Senate's long day turns to night as GOP works to shore up support on Trump’s big bill

2. Trump to visit 'Alligator Alcatraz' on Tuesday, DeSantis says

3. Illegal fireworks cause more injuries requiring hospitalization, report warns ahead of July 4

Editor's Pick - How AI is reshaping your dental visit

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of the dental routine at one North Carolina practice, where new tools are helping dentists document and diagnose more efficiently and potentially catch problems sooner. The National Institutes of Health estimates that AI applications could reduce annual health care costs in the United States by $150 billion in 2026.