https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316441529.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7a8730bf-f058-4ad4-b475-67882fcf3ff8/1_th.jpg A New Yorker with an aversion to 'thick chicken' tries Charlotte tenders Everyone has a favorite chicken tender spot, but could someone identify the best one without seeing the restaurant? We had a New Yorker do a blind taste test of chicken tenders from Zaxby's, Bojangles, Cook Out and Publix to see which chain came out on top. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316441529.html/video-embed 175 2026-07-10T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316450263.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/bf205932-e37d-4f2a-aab9-d3dfcb3c6e2b/1_th.jpg Carolina ice cream shop features oversized treats The Crazy Mason, an ice cream shop that got its start in Myrtle Beach, offers big portions of sweet treats and Instagram-worthy backgrounds for snapping photos. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316450263.html/video-embed 51 2026-07-10T10:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316450164.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8d0a7a01-43ed-457d-a128-182a46b8001d/1_th.jpg Charlotte Fire rescues 10 ducklings from storm drain Firefighter Duckwall with Charlotte Fire rescued 10 ducklings from a storm drain in northeast Charlotte Thursday morning. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316450164.html/video-embed 11 2026-07-09T21:00:43Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article316449408.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/78534cdf-6261-4074-8a93-99dd79556b97/1_th.jpg Sweet Lew's hosts "Top Chef" barbecue party Sweet Lew's BBQ owner Lewis Donald, who was featured on the barbecue episode of "Top Chef's" Charlotte-filmed Season 23, hosted the winners for an April cookout at the Belmont-neighborhood restaurant. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article316449408.html/video-embed 36 2026-07-09T20:30:58Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather/article316465423.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/974f0e1c-6e73-4cb8-a84e-bf16fa21bd5b/1_th.jpg Late afternoon storm on Friday knocks out power for thousands across Charlotte A late afternoon storm with strong winds knocked down power lines and left thousands throughout Charlotte without power. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/weather/article316465423.html/video-embed 63 2026-07-10T21:18:18Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316447825.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d273be91-79b6-45a8-b5c5-af2dad552470/1_th.jpg “Time is of the essence”: New Charlotte mayor on next steps for I-77 tolls Charlotte Mayor Robert Harrington says the city must move quickly to understand a new state budget provision that could force municipalities to repay millions for opposing the addition of toll lanes on I-77 South. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316447825.html/video-embed 48 2026-07-09T19:04:17Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article316428747.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/51c38ee7-d851-49b2-a3e4-51d7152cdae8/1_th.jpg Panthers minicamp injury update: Wharton, Ekwonu rehabs lead list of offseason ailments The Carolina Panthers wrapped OTAs and minicamp with few major setbacks, but they’re monitoring key injuries to Turk Wharton, Ikem Ekwonu, Jonathon Brooks and Trevin Wallace, plus minor issues for Tetairoa McMillan and Thomas Incoom. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article316428747.html/video-embed 117 2026-07-09T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316448804.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c7ec4faf-5795-48ef-8f89-16db539ae79d/2_th.jpg Charlotte Douglas, airlines still negotiating long-term lease; mayor says carriers “aren’t going anywhere” Lease talks between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its partner airlines are ongoing after an extension, with the mayor pushing back on concerns that American Airlines could pull out. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316448804.html/video-embed 74 2026-07-09T19:40:31Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article316444891.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c3ba65fc-be4d-493c-b452-3cffe49b824b/2_th.jpg Hornets' Liam McNeeley, Sion James look ahead to Summer League Charlotte Hornets' second year players Liam McNeeley and Sion James talk about their preparations for the NBA Summer League and expectations for the team this season. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article316444891.html/video-embed 66 2026-07-09T18:50:46Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316448049.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/de6e6056-66a0-4bec-91fb-74994dace119/2_th.jpg Charlotte transportation committee rejects West Craighead rail stop despite community push The Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority’s Planning and Capital Project Delivery Committee voted 5-4 against recommending the stop that Sugar Creek residents and advocates say could be transformative for the North Inner Area. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316448049.html/video-embed 69 2026-07-09T19:00:52Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316448255.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/12555299-d7c1-44d8-bed3-4d5340c4dd61/2_th.jpg The Greek Eats & Sweets now open in Mooresville The Greek Eats & Sweets is now open in Lake Norman, offering family recipes and other traditional Greek fare — including gyros. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316448255.html/video-embed 60 2026-07-09T19:08:19Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article316415024.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/76efb006-a838-4e32-bd1b-6f6a9d74a109/2_th.jpg Brady Christensen discusses versatility with Panthers NFL free agent Brady Christensen played all five positions on the offensive line during his five years with the Carolina Panthers. He reflected on his versatility this summer in a conversation with The Charlotte Observer. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article316415024.html/video-embed 47 2026-07-07T17:22:49Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316433516.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/1ebc873f-0cc6-45b1-aa96-5377cc6bcc4c/1_th.jpg Charlotte FC’s Pep Biel lauds MLS growth Charlotte FC midfielder Pep Biel, a former standout in Germany, Greece and Denmark, says MLS has grown “year by year” and feels like the best place for him right now. The 29-year-old was named a coach's pick for the MLS All-Star Game after posting seven goals and four assists. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316433516.html/video-embed 74 2026-07-08T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316433225.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/cf4532b8-d64a-4a00-9127-ab3c8c8bbc64/1_th.jpg Charlotte set for MLS All-Star spotlight as soccer’s U.S. interest grows With the World Cup returning to North America, former U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola says soccer could see another surge. Charlotte hosts the MLS All-Star Game and Skills Challenge later this month, bringing global stars and rising World Cup talent to town. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316433225.html/video-embed 84 2026-07-08T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article316425547.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/871e96f1-50b5-46bb-8c43-356cac7b3959/1_th.jpg What's the spiciest dish at Charlotte restaurants? I tried one of them Charlotte Redditors pointed me to Curry Gate II, where many claim the level 10 chicken curry is one of the city's spiciest dishes. Armed with a love of Hot Cheetos and a little too much confidence, I decided to see if I could handle the heat. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article316425547.html/video-embed 56 2026-07-08T12:06:31Z no