https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717981.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ccb8dc1c-f43e-4a9c-9c7c-c9547d0f853d/1_th.jpg NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen diagnosed with CTE, first known case in stock car racing Fred Lorenzen, the 1965 Daytona 500 champion known as “Fast Freddie,” was posthumously diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE by researchers at Boston University. His family shared the diagnosis and announced a $1 million donation to establish a helpline for drivers and families. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717981.html/video-embed 85 2026-10-21T17:22:18Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717781.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e9830ac8-2ccf-4ebf-b8d4-0ca2ce96fbbb/1_th.jpg First known case of CTE in a NASCAR driver NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen has been diagnosed posthumously with CTE. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717781.html/video-embed 101 2026-10-21T18:31:25Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317699231.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6f2bc864-4f73-49f9-b9e6-d8bfe1de97b3/2_th.jpg As thousands flock to Lake Norman’s ‘paradise,’ traffic and growth spark concerns After decades of rapid population growth — 8,600 to nearly 55,000 since 1980 — Mooresville is saying “enough” to developers and their proposals for the Lake Norman town. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317699231.html/video-embed 83 2026-10-20T14:42:32Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article317705145.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/2a7d60c1-83e0-4fd5-bab3-d306a0e7488b/1_th.jpg Walmart begins drone deliveries in Charlotte Walmart is the latest retailer launching drone deliveries in the Charlotte region beginning on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Seven local Walmart stores will be offering the service utilizing the Wing drone service. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article317705145.html/video-embed 35 2026-10-21T10:02:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317689387.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/97271b7e-0a91-4a7d-bf9c-d9151e18f14a/1_th.jpg CMPD names 6 officers cited for termination over racist text messages The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified six officers accused of exchanging racist messages, including jokes about stopping Black drivers. Four resigned after being cited for termination; the FBI has been asked to investigate potential civil rights violations, and prosecutors are expected to review cases tied to the officers. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317689387.html/video-embed 80 2026-10-19T20:53:03Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-things-to-do/article317682274.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/3d2eb926-931a-44ac-a18e-061ef49df014/1_th.jpg I Went Halloween costume shopping in Charlotte — and found a Bigfoot connection I stopped by Morris Costumes in Charlotte to find my Halloween costume, but what started as a costume-shopping trip turned into a look at one of the city’s most fascinating family businesses. Since the 1960s, the Morris family has helped people transform into someone else, growing from a single rack of costumes in a home basement into a business that has supplied Hollywood productions, created a costume tied to the infamous Bigfoot footage and now makes mascots for Bojangles. Meet the family behind the Charlotte staple and discover how a love of make-believe became a decades-long legacy. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-things-to-do/article317682274.html/video-embed 60 2026-10-20T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article317683180.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8bd87265-b973-4116-9d58-3dba7b03ad61/1_th.jpg Michelin-recommended Kindred reopens in Davidson Kindred, the Michelin-recommended restaurant from chef Joe and Katy Kindred, reopens in Davidson with a fresh new look but the same cozy feel — and classic dishes. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article317683180.html/video-embed 26 2026-10-19T14:21:33Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317654063.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/515eb174-91e4-41fd-8ddb-0175381d0773/1_th.jpg Mary Ramsey breaks down the 2026 voter guide Local government accountability reporter Mary Ramsey breaks down The Charlotte Observer's 2026 election guide. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317654063.html/video-embed 112 2026-10-19T12:17:45Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317701643.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f3f6f844-e721-4a3a-9d19-c7c89b440f81/1_th.jpg The Day The Balloon Crashed 50 years later, The Charlotte Observer investigates the fatal hot-air balloon crash of 1976, which killed three men in uptown Charlotte. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317701643.html/video-embed 627 2026-10-21T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article317677443.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b485ba00-9a52-4627-9dc6-fe53f2ffa472/1_th.jpg Talking Preps: The Week 10 high school football preview show What are the biggest games this week? Who were the top performers from Week 9? Get all that and more on Talking Preps. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article317677443.html/video-embed 5916 2026-10-19T16:00:00Z no