Here's what you need to know today.
An initial report by federal investigators reveals details of the flight of a small plane that crashed earlier this month in Lee County, killing a family of four.
The single-engine Cirrus SR22T was traveling from Merritt Island, Florida, to Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford on July 7 when it began having communication and engine problems.
A National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report released Thursday says the plane stopped transmitting while it was in Florida. Although the pilot told an air traffic controller the aircraft was having electrical problems, he said it wasn’t an emergency and that he would continue to his destination, investigators said.
Your Weather Planner
We saw more heat and humidity Thursday, but even hotter daytime highs are in the forecast Friday. A Heat Advisory has been issued from late morning to early evening.
Along with the hot temperatures, we'll see a slightly greater chance for afternoon and evening showers and storms. Some storms will be capable of strong winds, moderate to heavy rain and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms will continue through the weekend, along with hot daytime temperatures.
Get the full forecast of areas around the state: Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains
1. Prodded by lawsuits, N.C. seeks to tighten voter ID records for 200,000 people
North Carolina election officials are taking steps to tighten voter registration records in the pivotal swing state. The State Board of Elections launched an online database Thursday of voters being asked to add their driver’s license numbers or partial Social Security numbers to the state records.
2. Four Burlington families trapped in homes after Chantal caved in their driveway to the outside world
Four families in Burlington are trapped in their own neighborhood, held back by damage from Tropical Storm Chantal. Their only road leading to the outside road caved in, making it impossible for vehicles to get out or in. When floodwaters came rushing in almost two weeks ago, Darrell Wagoner, one of the residents who lives off Jordan Meadows Drive, said it was an event he never expected.
3. 'I don't know how long it's going to take': Mebane business owners work to recoup loss after closings
Mebane businesses are still recovering after storm damage to the local water treatment plant led the city to issue a code red alert and shut many of them down for days. On July 7, the city of Mebane asked businesses that do not provide essential services to remain closed to reduce water use, but by July 9, all businesses except grocery stores, health care facilities and pharmacies had to cease operations when the city moved to its highest level of restrictions.
1. Trump checked for swelling in legs, diagnosed with common condition in older adults
2. Nationwide protests planned against Trump's immigration crackdown, health care cuts
3. Connie Francis, whose hit songs included 'Who's Sorry Now?' and 'Pretty Little Baby,' dies at 87
LGBTQ+ young people who are having thoughts of suicide will no longer be connected with specialized counselors when they call the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Since 2022, LGBTQ+ youth have had the option to "press 3" when they called the lifeline to be connected with counselors who understood the challenges they faced. The federal government ended the service on July 17 as part of spending cuts. LGBTQ+ advocates fear this will put thousands of young people in danger.