https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315584785.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/3e80bb89-0c97-4788-8409-36cfe81ab16e/1_th.jpg POV: You’re back in the 2007-08 Charlotte area drought In 2007-2008, Charlotte suffered its worst drought. It lasted more than a year, leaving Charlotte with a nearly 15-inch rainfall deficit in 2007. This timeline revisits the moments that defined the drought across the Charlotte region. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315584785.html/video-embed 102 2026-04-30T14:23:02Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314304968.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/adaeba9a-d6cb-45ae-9b84-2c35b199df06/1_th.jpg 911 calls detail plane crash that killed Greg Biffle, six others Iredell County released multiple 911 calls from the morning of the plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport that killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his family and three others last year. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314304968.html/video-embed 263 2026-01-13T17:23:19Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315577544.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/248d1d95-57c8-48e7-ad74-999cd43951e1/2_th.jpg Dale Earnhardt’s legacy is alive and well in Kannapolis, NC On what would have been Dale Earnhardt’s 75th birthday, Kannapolis residents reflect on the racing legend’s deep hometown roots, enduring influence, and the family legacy that still shapes the community. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315577544.html/video-embed 84 2026-04-30T09:45:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314870373.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/23c2a9af-20e3-4add-bfe8-9a2739cca2f4/1_th.jpg I-485 express toll lanes set to open; officials preview direct connector in south Charlotte State DOT, Turnpike Authority, and city leaders—including Mayor Vi Lyles—toured the Johnson Flyover Bridge before the I-485 express lanes open, highlighting direct connectors and more predictable travel times. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article314870373.html/video-embed 61 2026-02-28T00:26:23Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315584400.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c9c64a26-da7d-4b1c-9985-aea0fb052b00/1_th.jpg Carowinds marks 10 years of big additions — from Plants vs. Zombies to Copperhead Strike From pioneering interactive 3D experiences and major waterpark upgrades to new lands, festivals, and headline coasters, Carowinds’ 2016–2026 decade is packed with standout moments. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315584400.html/video-embed 270 2026-04-30T13:56:09Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315558494.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/70cc399a-4609-4e7a-9929-eb24a936b74c/2_th.jpg Take a look at Market on Morehead with Rail Trail, Jumbotron views Market on Morehead is bringing room for a crowd, high-tech touches and an upscale menu to the area where uptown and South End Charlotte connect. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315558494.html/video-embed 27 2026-04-29T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315573519.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/975590e6-bb0a-4aba-9d46-269da04b3491/1_th.jpg Orrman’s Cheese Shop hosts Raclette Night at Charlotte shop Orrman’s Cheese Shop is hosting its regular Raclette Night in Charlotte, featuring the Swiss-French tradition of melting raclette cheese and scraping it over boiled potatoes with charcuterie, pickles, and bread. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315573519.html/video-embed 12 2026-04-29T16:38:59Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315576465.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ec25359a-3450-4724-996b-5ed6fa3b4cc8/1_th.jpg Batman of Charlotte turns TikTok fame into community work Whether it’s volunteering to pick up trash off the streets or battling members of his rogues gallery, Batman of Charlotte — D.J. Jones — is trying to make his city a better place. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315576465.html/video-embed 105 2026-04-29T19:19:49Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315575830.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c5583ac9-6b31-4b03-9baf-69cbe5db768e/1_th.jpg Cats in carriers are being abandoned on US 74 in western NC, sheriff says The Polk County Sheriff's Office seeking help finding the person who is abandoning cats in carriers along U.S. 74. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315575830.html/video-embed 31 2026-04-29T18:40:51Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315567960.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/94025fcb-cf7c-4cbf-a217-5bf14e855965/1_th.jpg Parents push for crosswalk on busy Tyvola Road near Collinswood Language Academy A Collinswood Language Academy parent is urging Charlotte leaders to add a crosswalk on Tyvola Road, saying the busy stretch is unsafe for families trying to walk or bike to the school and its athletic field. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315567960.html/video-embed 28 2026-04-29T00:43:46Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article314814196.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/83c31c52-24ee-4635-a38f-030b7f892bf8/1_th.jpg Protesters demand pause on I-77 toll project at Charlotte City Council meeting Hundreds of residents filled the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Monday, February 23, 2026, to protest the proposed expansion of I-77 toll lanes. Residents and community advocates urged city leaders to prioritize public transparency and halt the project, which many fear will displace families in historically Black neighborhoods like Clanton Park and McCrorey Heights. Holding signs and chanting in the council chambers, protesters successfully pushed 10 of the 11 council members to support a pause on the $3.2 billion project pending further community review. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article314814196.html/video-embed 2841 2026-02-27T22:09:06Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315572676.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/3fca51d7-7d5a-466c-bd40-97162bd80f1f/2_th.jpg CMS board rejects superintendent’s $2.1B budget, demands revised draft in two weeks After voting down Superintendent Crystal Hill’s proposed $2.1 billion budget, the CMS board ordered a new version within two weeks. Hill asked for specific guidance on what to amend, but Board Chair Stephanie Sneed said details would be addressed later and adjourned the meeting. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315572676.html/video-embed 141 2026-04-29T15:29:59Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article315568688.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6c5a4e54-d682-49e8-af62-18a49648b34a/2_th.jpg WATCH: Ardrey Kell girls soccer stops Ballantyne Ridge, eyes 6th straight league title Junior Mina Agajan's second half goal broke up a tight game and lifted Ardrey Kell past Ballantyne Ridge and moved the Knights two wins away from a sixth straight conference title. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article315568688.html/video-embed 171 2026-04-29T10:05:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315564724.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/2da51225-08cb-418e-86e3-c8b5bde00b0a/2_th.jpg Charlotte-to-Broadway pipeline finds its newest star in spicy ‘Cats’ revival Harrisburg native Bryson Battle, a Blumenthal Arts Blumey Awards alum, is making his Broadway debut in “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315564724.html/video-embed 88 2026-04-29T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315559409.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7f1cfeeb-33b4-4d56-9fad-38dfb3262805/1_th.jpg A review of the 'big back food' at Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen We tried “big back food” at Gouda’s Loaded Kitchen in Charlotte. Here’s what $25 gets you at this loaded fries and comfort food spot. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315559409.html/video-embed 83 2026-04-29T10:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315565868.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b7e05997-3318-46c3-8fdf-443d4c9386a9/1_th.jpg Cabarrus parents dispute book bans during school board meeting Speakers on both sides of the book-ban debate urged the board to change how library materials are handled. A few parents framed the dispute as a fight over transparency, while others cautioned that new rules could signal “no confidence” in educators and librarians. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315565868.html/video-embed 217 2026-04-28T21:34:31Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article297320584.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/427170a9-56dd-4516-acf0-620d527a069b/5_th.jpg COVID fraud in North Carolina: A $15M heist The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a multi billion-dollar industry of fraud, with over 30 people charged in North Carolina alone. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article297320584.html/video-embed 58 2024-12-18T23:27:35Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315560182.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b775d640-cff9-4f95-a13b-fd05695cd16b/1_th.jpg Driver killed when car hits Pineville library Surveillance video captures deadly crash into Pineville government complex. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315560182.html/video-embed 15 2026-04-28T15:16:54Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315558533.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ad360436-6813-472f-a1fa-94731c24beb3/1_th.jpg Masked people take over I-77, set off fireworks and spark fear in drivers People in masks shut down I-77 in Charlotte on Sunday night in a street takeover, one of several in the region involving younger people. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315558533.html/video-embed 122 2026-04-28T13:06:39Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315571999.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/321e81ae-82e8-4846-9a4e-02c7f0b34ff4/1_th.jpg Quail Hollow mansion for sale The Quail Hollow mansion of the late LendingTree founder Doug Lebda is for sale for $15 million. The high-profile Charlotte executive died in an all-terrain vehicle crash in October 2025. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315571999.html/video-embed 23 2026-04-29T14:36:59Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315165159.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/de528341-6333-42cb-8070-4d85788bfac2/2_th.jpg McKinnon Galloway shares how becoming deaf pushed her to help others McKinnon Galloway shares her story about how becoming deaf later in life pushed her to help others in her situation. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315165159.html/video-embed 168 2026-04-28T13:23:15Z no