Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is turning up the heat on Republican lawmakers' sweeping plan to expand school choice.

Driving the news: In a television ad airing statewide beginning today, Cooper reiterates his claim that North Carolina Republicans are seeking to "choke the life out of public education" by granting "millionaires" tax cuts and vouchers for their children's private education rather than providing greater raises for public school teachers and more funding for the state's public schools.

Why it matters: The move is one of several Cooper has made in recent weeks as part of an effort to paint the Republican-led legislature — and numerous bills it has passed since securing a supermajority — as "radical."

Yes, but: The proposal would expand the state's voucher program to low-income families in addition to "millionaires" by providing children who qualify for free and reduced lunch — or families of four with a household income of $55,000 or less — with up to 100% of the average state allocation per student of more than $7,000.

• As household income rises, the voucher amount decreases.

State of play: State Rep. Tricia Cotham's decision to change her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican last month handed the GOP a veto-proof supermajority in the legislature and stripped Cooper of what little leverage he had left in his final two years as governor.

• With Democrats now unable to uphold the governor's vetoes, Cooper has resorted to using his platform in hopes of ginning up public pressure on the Republican legislature.

Between the lines: When Republicans advanced legislation restricting abortions after 12 weeks — one of their first major policy proposals since seizing a supermajority — Cooper toured the state, led a rally and spoke on national television in early May in an effort to pressure a handful of moderate Republicans to block the bill from becoming law.

• Now, he's running a similar play again.

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The Atlantic hurricane season, which officially kicks off today, is set to feature a tug of war between a developing El Niño in the Pacific and unusually warm waters throughout the Atlantic, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.

Why it matters: NOAA forecasters predict that scenario could create a near-normal hurricane season.

• But as North Carolina has learned repeatedly, it only takes one bad storm, landing at one bad time in one bad location, to alter a region forever.

Between the lines: A developing El Niño in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean would typically indicate a below-average Atlantic hurricane season is likely.

• However, heading into this summer, sea surface temperatures in most of the Atlantic are unusually warm.
• That would suggest an unusually active season lies ahead.

What they're saying: For now, NOAA is threading the needle between the two influences, in addition to others.

• “It’s kind of like a clash between those big factors,” said NOAA hurricane seasonal forecaster Matt Rosencrans at a recent press conference.

Go deeper: Unpacking 2023's hurricane season forecast

🎳 Village Lanes, a bowling alley that has been a fixture in East Durham since the 1960s — and one of the last in the state to still have wooden lanes — permanently closed last month. (Indy Week)

The City of Durham fired its solid waste management director after it emerged he lied about his resume. (N.C. Newsline)

⛳ A PGA Tour Superstore is opening at 601 E. Six Forks Road in July. (Triangle Business Journal 🔒)

🥐 Cafe Carolina in the Village District will move from its longtime location into the former SoCa space in the district this summer.

The Soccer Tournament, a seven-on-seven soccer tournament in which 32 star-filled teams compete for $1 million, kicks off today at Cary's Wake Med Soccer Park.

Driving the news: The tournament will run for the next four days, with the championship taking place on Sunday.

• The tournament is winner-takes-all, meaning second place gets $0.

Why it matters: The Triangle has long been a hotbed for the sport, but the tournament will be one of the region's highest profile soccer events yet.

Participating teams traveling to North Carolina include:

• Players from Wrexham AFC, the Welsh team owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney;
• U.S. Women's team coached by Mia Hamm;
• Team Dempsey, coached by Clint Dempsey and featuring former U.S. soccer players Jermaine Jones, Eddit Johnson and Chris Wondolowski;
• And a team of former West Ham United players.

View the full list of participating teams here.

How to watch: Single-day tickets start at $35.

• If you can't make it to Cary, the tournament is streaming on Peacock.

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✔ Check out our Local Job Board.

1. Healthcare Principal Architect at CPL.
2. Sr. Business Development Associate at Science 37.
3. Tax Principal at Clifton Larson Allen.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

🎤 June 3: Irish singer Dermot Kennedy comes to Red Hat Amphitheater.

🪩 June 3: Electronic dance venue The Fruit hosts a '90s-themed rave.

🎹 June 6: Pianist Bruce Hornsby and his band visit Meymandi Concert Hall.

🎸 June 16: Asheville alt rockers Wednesday play The Cat's Cradle.

🎙 June 7: Coastal Credit Union Music Park hosts a throwback extravaganza featuring TLC, Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston.

🌲 June 14: Folk rocker Noah Kahan plays Red Hat Amphitheater.

🎸 June 16: Pop-punk legend All Time Low counts us in at The Ritz.

🤠 June 16: Country music star Dierks Bentley performs at Coastal Credit Union Music Park.

🥁 June 24: Iconic hip-hop group Souls of Mischief comes to the Pour House Music Hall.

🎸 June 24: Peter Frampton comes alive at Red Hat Amphitheater.

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