Today is the first day a Real ID compliant license — or another acceptable document — is needed to board a commercial aircraft in the U.S.

Why it matters: If you aren't Real ID compliant, you may experience longer wait times at the airport, TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez tells Axios.

What to expect: If you show up at a TSA checkpoint without a Real ID, you may have to undergo additional screening. This can range from answering questions to confirm your identity to a personal search, Velez says.

• "The good news is that 81% of passengers already use their Real ID or another acceptable form, so we do not expect there to be any inconveniences or wait times at all," Velez says.

Between the lines: A Real ID is necessary if you frequently fly commercial, visit nuclear sites, military bases and certain federal facilities, North Carolina DMV spokesperson Marty Homan tells Axios.

The bottom line: If you aren't flying domestically any time soon, you don't need to rush to the DMV, Hamon says.

Go deeper: About half of North Carolinians don't have a Real ID

It's nearly summer, and we live in one of the finest states in the land for beach season, so we've rounded up a list of North Carolina's best coastal destinations.

A few favorites include:

Oak Island: Great for hard-core beach lovers who enjoy sitting in the sand all day and marveling at one of the few East Coast beaches where, during spring and fall, you can catch a sunset over the water.

Wrightsville Beach: If your group is the type to want to pair a relaxing beach day with a late night of bar hopping, Wrightsville Beach is the way to go.

Carolina Beach: Just south of Wilmington, Carolina Beach feels like a postcard from a midcentury beach town.

Full guide: The best beaches in North Carolina

Eggroll Company, the popular food-truck-turned-food-stall, is moving to a bigger spot at Camp North End this summer.

Why it matters: The change "is reflective of the incredible growth we've experienced as part of the Camp North End community," owner Daphne Alexander said in a statement.

Between the lines: If you've visited their Camp North End food stall recently, you may have had to wait in a long line only to be turned away.

• Last month, they sold out six days in a row, drawing crowds in part because of a recent viral review from North Carolina-based influencer Rashad Mooreman (AKA Mr. Chimetime).

Details: The new 1,569 square foot space will be at 301 Camp Road, next to Free Range Bar.

• Its hours of operation will be Wednesday-Saturday from 11am to 7pm and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.

Camp North End guide

🛍️ Plaza Midwood boutique CLTCH will close at the end of the month. Until then, everything is 50% off. (Charlotte Magazine)

🌳 Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is seeking community input for a new park project in NoDa that'll add a dog park and may include repairs or expansion of existing trails. (Survey)

💉 2.94% of Charlotte Mecklenburg School students have religious vaccine exemptions this year. (Charlotte Ledger 🔐)

🚨 A North Carolina man was arrested and charged with operating a global child exploitation ring. (WSOC)

🛒 Walmart is remodeling 41 stores across North Carolina, including a few in Charlotte: 9820 Callabridge Ct., 8800 East W T Harris Blvd and 3850 E Independence Blvd. (WBTV)

💼 Check out the fresh open positions in Charlotte.

1. Police Records Technician at Town of Matthews.
2. Bus Driver at Charlotte Latin School.
3. Licensed Aesthetician at dermani MEDSPA.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Charlotte metro area homebuyers have to earn nearly $50,000 more a year than renters to afford their monthly housing payments, according to a recent Redfin report.

Why it matters: A "triple whammy" of rising home prices, high mortgage rates and a shortage of houses for sale is making it harder for renters to make the leap to homeownership, per the report.

Driving the news: The median home price in the Charlotte metro area recently rose 2.6% from a year earlier to around $393,532, with mortgage rates hovering near 6.5%.

• And the median monthly rent was up 1% to roughly $1,484.

By the numbers: You need an annual income of around $105,974 to afford a mid-priced home in the Charlotte metro area — roughly 78.5% more than the $59,360 needed to afford a mid-priced apartment, the real estate site found.

Share this story with your Realtor

Carolina Theatre is paying tribute to the years it was dark with a film series, screening nostalgic blockbusters from the era following its closure.

Why it matters: Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" will lead the series. It was the final movie the theatre showed in 1978 before shuttering for 50 years.

Catch up quick: Over the past decade, Foundation for the Carolinas has worked to renovate the 1927 Carolina Theatre. It reopened in March.

If you go: Tickets are $10 and available at TheCarolina.com.

See what's playing at the theatre

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

• Mother's Day Pop-Up at Isabella + Noble Collective tomorrow: Join Isabella + Noble Collective for a special Mother's Day Pop-Up. Shop vases with fresh flowers, enjoy coffee from Roaming Spirits, plus handmade stationery + pottery.
• The Contemporaries Wrap Party at McColl Center tomorrow: Celebrate Year One of The Contemporaries, McColl Center's art collecting community. Connect with members, enjoy drinks, and hear the reveal of next year's commissioned artists. Free and open to all.
• District One Spring Market at Disc Plaza Thurs-Fri: Spring vibes are in full bloom and they are teaming up with local businesses to bring the Uptown community a day of music, seasonal bites, and more.
• The $20 Sale at Nothing New Fri-Sun: Shop hundreds of vintage & secondhand garments al priced at $20 and all buy 2 get 1 free, t-shirts, shorts, dresses, tops, jeans, accessories, and more. Coffee, craft beer, food, also on site.
• Carolina Clay Matters Spring Pottery Festival at Camp North End - Ford Building Sat: Discover the ceramic artistry of 100+ local artists at the Spring 2025 Pottery Festival. This annual event brings together seasoned professionals and emerging ceramicists from the Charlotte area.
• Live at The Amp at The Amp Ballantyne May 9-Sept 12: Enjoy a community concert on the second Friday of each month May through September. $15.
• SouthTown Wake Park Beginners Day at SouthTown Wake Park Sat: Beginners Day is the best opportunity to learn to wakeboard and experience SouthTown Wake Park. All activities are discounted, the cables are running slower, and they have extra coaches on site. $10.
• Spring Festival at Gaston ReStore Sat: Visit Gaston ReStore for a day of activities, music, food, and games. Celebrate mom with a personalized book cutout, pet adoption, or a unique gift from the ReStore.
• Little Sugar Green Greenway Cleanup Sat: Bring your family out to volunteer with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services. Volunteers will help to clean up Little Sugar Creek and support healthier streams and better habitat for wildlife.
• Carolina Voices presents Cabernet Cabaret 2 at The Carolina Theatre at Belk Place May Sat-Sun: Cabernet Cabaret pairs bold vocals, Broadway hits, and a glass of something fabulous. Enjoy on Mother's Day weekend as two beloved Charlotte icons unite for a night of music, stories, and celebration. $37-$57
• Mother's Day Home Tour at Briar Farm Sun: Tour 3 stunning Briar Farm homes in Fort Mill—one featured in Southern Living. Enjoy local coffee, take a free family photo & enter to win a Visual Comfort light fixture.
• Queen City Clappers Cup at Norfolk Hall May 14: Join WeGo Golf & Elevate Lifestyle for the Queen City Clappers Cup brought to you by Drink Delta and RNG Golf Club. Presented by The Happy Camper and NeverMissed. $15-$100.
• Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward May 17-18: Explore Historic Fourth Ward, with cocktails. This walkable, self-guided event showcases private gardens and rooftop terraces, with live music and complimentary food and beverage tastings. $30.
• The Charlotte Singers Free Spring/Summer Concerts at Providence Presbyterian Church, May 18 and Christ Lutheran Church Chapel, Jun 1: A Little Country, A Little Pop and All that Jazz. These concerts will showcase songs famously performed by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Simon and Garfunkel, Paul McCartney, Manhattan Transfer and more.
• An Evening with PHILANDANCO! - The Philadephia Dance Company at Knight Theater May 28: Experience the internationally celebrated PHILADANCO! in a rare Charlotte appearance. Don't miss the artistic brilliance of this dance company for an unforgettable evening out. $35 plus fees.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Cock-a-doodle-doo. A new, feathered neighbor landed on Central Avenue yesterday morning, and he's already turning heads.

Why it matters: The Painted Rooster, a new chicken and beer restaurant opening soon, is introducing fresh public art to Plaza Midwood — a neighborhood some say has lost its quirky touch in recent years.

Details: The rooster is 10 feet tall, made of cast metal, and weighs around 2,000 pounds.

• Look closely at the base: The concrete is mixed with crushed glass recycled after St. Patrick's Day weekend at Innovation Barn by local businesses, such as The Workman's Friend.

Keep reading to find out how The Painted Rooster owner bargained for the statue