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

Your Weather Planner

The system that has kept cool air with us Tuesday will break down, allowing for a warmup that will take us to the end of the week. A few showers or thunderstorms could pop up Wednesday, but a better chance of scattered thunderstorms returns Thursday and Friday.

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

Today's Big Stories

1. Hurricanes avoid another sweep, stave off elimination by beating Panthers 3-0 in Game 4

Frederik Andersen returned to the net and stopped 20 shots for his fifth career playoff shutout, Logan Stankoven got the only goal Carolina needed and the Hurricanes won their first Eastern Conference finals game in nearly 20 years by beating the Panthers. Carolina cut Florida's lead in the series to 3-1. Game 5 is Wednesday in Raleigh.

2. Insect-eating Venus flytraps thrive in the Carolinas as hikers peek into their native ecosystem

Some of the most unique living things in the world — plants that supplement the nutrients they get from sunlight by digesting ants, flies and spiders — are found only in a small part of North and South Carolina. A park ranger is showcasing Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants with a weekly hike at Carolina Beach State Park on the southeast North Carolina coast.

3. CMPD chief gets $300k settlement with retirement: read the full agreement

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings released the full text of his $300,000 settlement with the Charlotte City Council after he announced his retirement at the end of the year. The chief has been criticized over the settlement, and the Fraternal Order of Police is in the process of holding a no confidence vote on Jennings. 

4. CDC no longer recommending COVID vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a video posted to social media that there is no clinical data to support repeated COVID-19 booster shots for children. The updated recommendation moves the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “one step closer to realizing President Donald Trump’s promise to make America healthy again,” Kennedy said.

5. Final boarding call for free bags at Southwest as airline abandons a cherished perk

It's the last day to book a flight on Southwest Airlines without being hit with a fee to check bags after the airline abandoned a decades-long luggage policy that executives had described last fall as key to differentiating the budget carrier from its rivals.

Your Notes for Tomorrow

  • The Carolina Hurricanes face the Florida Panthers for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals of the Stanley Cup at 8 p.m. in Raleigh
  • 600th day since the start of the Hamas-Israel conflict, after Hamas launched attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023
  • George Santos' campaign treasurer sentenced after pleading guilty to filing fraudulent fundraising reports
  • OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting
  • 18th annual Television Academy Honors
A group of firefighters drove more than 1,500 miles from Mexico to get training at Guilford Technical Community College. The school held an international fire pump operations training designed to provide firefighters guidance on how to perform tasks and help them get supplies they need to be more effective.