Hot, dry afternoons through Friday push fire danger up while a statewide burn ban stays in effect. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday — have a backup plan.

County commissioners deferred a $173M school bond that would fund a Parkwood High rebuild and other projects, prompting leaders to warn of continued classroom crowding. The district says it will keep pushing for funding while timelines are redrawn.

State and local burn bans mean no campfires at MerleFest this week; the festival will proceed with adjusted camping rules.

Moore County's school board voted to dissolve its police department and hand SRO oversight to the county sheriff to ensure a dedicated officer at every campus.

Smoke was reported at a Sardis Road North restaurant Wednesday; Charlotte firefighters, including Engine 29 and Battalion Chief 07, were on scene. No injuries or cause have been reported yet.

Dashcam shows a speeding car strike a woman's SUV on I-485 near Pineville; the driver fled and authorities had not identified them.

Family-owned Breakfastime plans three new locations across the Triad and Charlotte suburbs, including a Kernersville site at 1510 Abbotts Creek Circle slated for late 2026.

Union County detectives say they intercepted a planned meetup and arrested a Lancaster man accused of exchanging explicit images with someone he believed was a child.

Crown & Tide, from Priya Bala and Ricardo Richardson, will open out of City Kitch in Wesley Heights in early May, spotlighting chargrilled blue crabs and grilled seafood plates.

A person who fired at officers through a Hendersonville Road strip‑mall door was shot by police and later died at Mission Hospital; the N.C. SBI is investigating.

A traffic stop on I‑85 near Townville turned deadly Monday when a Pennsylvania driver opened fire on deputies, leaving one deputy critically wounded and the driver dead. SLED has taken over the investigation.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade plans a fourth North Carolina location at 951 Trade St NW in downtown Winston‑Salem, promising arcade games, pizza, a full bar and a large patio. The company is targeting late summer 2026.

CMPD says a weekend Operation Queen City Safe sweep led to 21 arrests, nine guns seized and about 613 grams of suspected narcotics north and west of Uptown.