https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article317325264.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/a5737b2e-d6c0-4464-ab81-d150b4d1e52a/1_th.jpg Southern Living's Luncheon with Legends Southern Living brought together five of the South’s most celebrated pitmasters Sunday, Sept. 20 for the Luncheon with Legends at The Hunter Farm in Weddington. The event, presented in partnership with CRVA, was organized by Charlotte’s Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ, who gathered the other pitmasters the magazine named as the future of Southern barbecue. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article317325264.html/video-embed 45 2026-09-21T18:24:41Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317323389.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b48ad027-9ceb-4bc5-b3b6-9c2d4f20f0d6/1_th.jpg Trump says he had “a little free time” to campaign for Whatley in Gastonia Speaking at a Gastonia rally for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, President Donald Trump claimed crime has reached its “lowest number in recorded history.” https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317323389.html/video-embed 52 2026-09-21T17:22:34Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article317331920.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/0969a766-b7c0-4df7-afe9-5671316928e7/1_th.jpg Citizens yell as Charlotte City Council decide to revive I-77 South toll lane project Charlotte restored its support for the Interstate 77 South toll lane project on Monday, September 21, 2026 caving to a pressure campaign from state lawmakers despite lingering concerns. The Charlotte City Council voted 7-4 during a raucous meeting to reverse its previous stance against the project and direct the city’s delegate on the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization to vote in favor. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article317331920.html/video-embed 45 2026-09-22T03:37:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317325927.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/68e72846-b565-4f7a-9b76-def9e3c77752/1_th.jpg DA requests SBI investigation into CMS finances The request comes as the CMS board prepares to vote on Chair Stephanie Sneed’s leadership role and possibly release an investigation report involving Superintendent Crystal Hill. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317325927.html/video-embed 72 2026-09-21T19:59:54Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article317317260.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4a3f3b7e-1162-4949-978d-7630c6aa9f9e/1_th.jpg Talking Preps: The Week 6 high school football preview show We review the biggest games of last week, celebrate the players of the week and break down the best games in the state for Week 6. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article317317260.html/video-embed 4926 2026-09-21T16:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article317324168.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9bf3bfa4-7d3e-4c29-8067-d6ac03200f6d/1_th.jpg 4-year-old Charlotte boy was asleep in bed when killed by stray bullet Four-year-old Caleb Flax was killed by a stray bullet as he slept in his family’s north Charlotte home, relatives say. The shooter remains at large. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article317324168.html/video-embed 159 2026-09-21T16:17:28Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article317316733.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/75d965ac-9855-461e-bd56-7e0a5c5d910e/1_th.jpg Panthers coach Dave Canales calls 34-3 win over Falcons "unbelievable" Dave Canales praises positive plays, offensively and defensively, in today's Panthers victory over the Falcons. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article317316733.html/video-embed 78 2026-09-20T21:37:19Z no