https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316886626.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ca54a3e7-a940-4911-ac19-be230ff44507/1_th.jpg Charlotte in the 1990s - Independence Blvd. then and now Take a look back at the Observer’s photos from the 1990s, pulled from our archives. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316886626.html/video-embed 75 2026-08-15T10:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316861181.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4cfa0861-f03b-4ef7-8f4b-5987107bb452/1_th.jpg Inizio’s newest Charlotte location holds up tradition Inizio Pizza Napoletana opened its fifth location over the summer, and the Charlotte-based restaurant is still going strong. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article316861181.html/video-embed 56 2026-08-14T09:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article316878509.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/003951e8-02fc-478b-acfd-480a7d3bc0ac/1_th.jpg Bets taken on how long former CMS athletic director Vick Hamilton would last When Vicki Hamilton started her role as CMS' first woman to be athletic director, her male colleagues took bets on how long she would last in the position. This weekend she is being inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article316878509.html/video-embed 75 2026-08-14T09:15:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article316870283.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/bbb797cf-10ed-4d47-bbc4-fe79ff036e76/2_th.jpg Talking Preps returns: new season kicks off Aug. 17 with Monday shows, postgame Fridays Charlotte Observer’s Talking Preps is back for a new season starting Monday, Aug. 17. Catch the weekly show on charlotteobserver.com at noon, plus a Monday night stream at 7 p.m. on Observer social channels and YouTube, with additional weekly spin-offs. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article316870283.html/video-embed 59 2026-08-14T01:11:01Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article316878970.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f7d66c75-362b-4bd4-99f4-4325d2180fcb/1_th.jpg Vicki Hamilton tells story of how CMS middle school athletics got a surprise donation When CMS middle school athletics was short of funding, then athletic director Vicki Hamilton received a surprise donation that saved the program. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article316878970.html/video-embed 275 2026-08-14T10:15:36Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316873809.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9a793ee7-16ec-46eb-8641-c284fcab0e0e/1_th.jpg Panthers sign former Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller Carolina is adding veteran tight end Darren Waller after a brief retirement and an injury-marred 2025 season. Here are three things to know about what the move could mean for the Panthers’ offense. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article316873809.html/video-embed 88 2026-08-13T20:54:13Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article291303735.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/cccaf1be-fb59-4766-ac85-a05713666ea0/1_th.jpg Video: 2 Gals Kitchen At 2 Gals Kitchen in downtown Concord, NC, you can have lunch that feels very demure, very mindful, very flavorful. The restaurant is known for its award-winning burgers. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article291303735.html/video-embed 46 2024-08-22T16:52:55Z no