https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315813720.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/883c67e9-b085-4c75-bf3d-4ba46481f15a/3_th.jpg Where are the best birthday deals in Charlotte? What readers told us Here's a few of my favorite birthday freebies in Charlotte. Shoutout to CharlotteFive readers for sending these in — my stomach and my wallet thank you. If you have more birthday freebie suggestions, shoot me an email at emoore@charlotteobserver.com. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315813720.html/video-embed 66 2026-05-20T09:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article315809758.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9e7e5579-d1f8-4b75-9b89-f9a83c9c44ed/1_th.jpg Boat flips, leaving four people in North Carolina inlet Four rescued after boat flips near Lockwoods Folly Inlet on North Carolina coast. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article315809758.html/video-embed 53 2026-05-19T14:16:39Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314692452.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6d3af4f3-a215-4f63-b473-ac98db30cd4a/3_th.jpg CMPD chief touts usage of drones, real‑time intelligence to enhance public safety Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson addressed state lawmakers, stating that the CMPD is utilizing drones as a “force multiplier” in the city’s efforts to combat crime. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314692452.html/video-embed 62 2026-02-13T20:00:48Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315806378.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f503291e-694d-4c20-89fb-545a423fb365/2_th.jpg 'Marriage loving' divorce attorney to host matchmaking mixer Nicole Sodoma, a divorce attorney at Sodoma Law in Charlotte, hosts the Fresh Start Social mixer. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315806378.html/video-embed 36 2026-05-19T19:52:46Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314297422.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d3f383ba-af18-4862-907e-e89944f11c46/1_th.jpg The price differences in your 2025 Charlotte grocery carts The Charlotte Observer's annual grocery price comparison has crowned a new leader for the lowest prices in the city. As grocery bills continue to strain local budgets, the survey highlights staggering price disparities between discount chains and specialty markets. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314297422.html/video-embed 47 2026-01-13T10:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315816705.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/eed3fbf6-0d1b-4103-92be-82246b4ed53c/1_th.jpg American Airlines prepared for summer holiday travel American Airlines will be operating over 70,000 flights throughout its hubs this summer season. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315816705.html/video-embed 66 2026-05-20T09:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315815262.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/132cfe30-4f09-44c3-8201-e0dfc00551cd/3_th.jpg Rock Hill mom wants answers after daughter killed in shooting at home After 19-year-old Camariya Tidwell was shot and killed outside her family’s Rock Hill home, her mother says the days leading up to the death weren’t met with enough police protection. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315815262.html/video-embed 65 2026-05-19T20:02:04Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article312147854.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4abe0375-bdb7-475e-93b1-fe926313ad9c/2_th.jpg Painted Charlie Kirk message on Charlotte school rock under investigation A Charlie Kirk tribute at Ardrey Kell High School prompted an investigation. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article312147854.html/video-embed 50 2025-09-17T18:07:53Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315819040.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8d1efc8e-0f7e-4123-9187-ef487eb88d14/2_th.jpg New wholesale bakery Boulangerie Copain to open in Charlotte next month Restaurateur Jim Noble is opening Boulangerie Copain, a massive new wholesale bread production facility that will supply his restaurant group and local businesses. The 10,000 square-foot facility on North Church Street will feature two of the largest deck ovens French manufacturer Bongard has ever produced. The bakery will use a 30-year-old sourdough starter and source flour from Lindley Mills in Graham, North Carolina. Noble Food & Pursuits restaurants including Noble Smoke, Roosters, and Copain will get fresh bread daily, plus the facility will supply The Ballantyne Hotel, Kimpton Hotel, The Westin Hotel and Summit Coffee. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315819040.html/video-embed 9 2026-05-19T23:56:47Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315826823.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/878e5168-4197-4b00-963f-95ce7df30e9e/1_th.jpg Charlotte's newest bakery has Oprah-approved cookies. How were they? I was invited to preview the space and try the menu at Maman, a new bakery in Plaza Midwood, ahead of its official opening on Wednesday, May 20. Here's how it was (spoiler: the food was delicious). https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315826823.html/video-embed 132 2026-05-20T14:57:20Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315799196.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/fe9a68bd-5951-4c8f-bed1-07f013447619/2_th.jpg Security video contradicts police account in Gastonia shooting Surveillance footage from Jakob’s Food Market — shared by Gastonia Police — shows the moments before officers shot a Gaston man holding what was later described as a fake gun. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315799196.html/video-embed 200 2026-05-20T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315827899.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d7f68a2c-e924-4b35-8014-3db9997358d1/1_th.jpg Gastonia PD handles active police situation Gastonia police department closes a couple of streets as they navigate an active police situation. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315827899.html/video-embed 24 2026-05-20T16:17:06Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article315765343.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/0114beed-85eb-4ed6-84d5-25e4de959a10/1_th.jpg Titanic exhibition opens at Park Expo and Conference Center Charlotte Observer reporter Joe Marusak and visual journalist Jeff Siner get a sneak preview of the Titanic exhibition that opens at the Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, NC on Friday, May 14, 2026. The exhibition is North America's largest touring exhibition. The exhibition will run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article315765343.html/video-embed 341 2026-05-15T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315829227.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/88ebccc4-006c-463f-93a0-27b55a062337/1_th.jpg Catawba Two Kings Casino opens first phase in Kings Mountain; couple among first to gamble Jasmine Cheek and spouse Subia King place bets during the opening of the first phase of the Catawba Indians’ Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315829227.html/video-embed 41 2026-05-20T19:02:26Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315828514.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8fce681b-90c3-46f3-b0c9-0cdbd2110544/1_th.jpg Two Gastonia neighbors shot at each other near a school Reports indicated someone was barricaded with a weapon near downtown Gastonia, and that shots were fired. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315828514.html/video-embed 12 2026-05-20T17:25:20Z no