Chapel Hill will replace its traditional Fourth of July fireworks with a 300‑drone light show at Chapel Hill High School, a move tied to resident feedback and climate goals.

A multi‑day heat event hits Raleigh July 1–6 with highs in the mid‑90s to low‑100s and heat indexes up to 105°F. Wake County will open cooling centers when the index tops 100°F.

Lawmakers' draft budget includes millions for PFAS testing and mitigation around fire stations, funding tests, temporary water and gear‑cleaning pilots to protect firefighters.

Sen. Ted Budd and several North Carolina lawmakers say they may block the White House’s $87.6B supplemental unless Congress adds new Helene recovery money. Gov. Josh Stein has asked for roughly $10–$10.2B to finish rebuilding western North Carolina.

The Durham school board voted to require quarterly, school-level budget reporting and a searchable salary database after pressure from educators. New public files will show pay, contracts and spending.

FBI Charlotte joined state and local law enforcement after inmates briefly seized control of the Bertie‑Martin Regional Jail. Authorities say officers are safe and investigations are ongoing.

Raleigh-based Martin Marietta is poised to combine with Lhoist North America in a roughly $13.5B deal that would expand its specialty-minerals footprint.

An 18-year-old driver died after his car left Arco Corporate Drive in Raleigh, struck trees and caught fire; a juvenile passenger is expected to be OK.

A USPS rural letter carrier, Brandi Byrd Reynolds, was found dead in Hays; a Roaring River man has been arrested and inspectors are assisting the probe.

A Burlington woman was arrested after police say she drove two people suspected in a Durham homicide to Greensboro. She is jailed without bond as investigators probe the case.

A vehicle struck a tree on West Martin Street early Saturday, killing one person and closing the block between Harrington and Dawson while police investigate.

NWS warned of 60-mph gusts and penny-sized hail for parts of the Piedmont Friday evening.

Three men have been taken into custody after Wilmington police linked them to multiple gang-related shootings. The investigation remains active as authorities seek tips.