https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315861924.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c787276b-74bf-4a22-91f2-c87b364f3eae/1_th.jpg Audio of 911 call made for Kyle Busch on Thursday, May 21 Audio from the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office details the call made from GM Charlotte Technical Center for Kyle Busch on Thursday, May 21. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315861924.html/video-embed 139 2026-05-22T21:00:26Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article315860127.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/953eb462-2ff5-43e8-9be9-126d69c66e1e/1_th.jpg Kyle Busch fans in shock following drivers death NASCAR fans have begun to arrive at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC on Friday, May 22, 2026. For Kyle Busch fans they are in a state of shock over the unexpected death of their driving hero. Busch passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from a severe illness. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article315860127.html/video-embed 105 2026-05-22T19:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article315854403.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/90408655-69c7-4e14-88fe-914e962b11d0/1_th.jpg Pork belly, brisket & more: A look at Chop Chop Red Pot Chop Chop Red Pot, which started as a food truck, officially opened inside The Market at 7th Street last month. I was invited to try some menu items, like smoked pork belly, whiskey braised collard greens, and potato wedges with BBQ and hot sauce aioli. But the brisket was the star. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/video/article315854403.html/video-embed 86 2026-05-22T12:17:10Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315864529.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/230eb80b-e2af-4c93-b780-b0be610798c3/1_th.jpg "No doubt, first ballot hall of famer," says NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell of Kyle Busch NASCAR CEO speaks fondly of the legacy of the late Kyle Busch, who died suddenly on March 21. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315864529.html/video-embed 60 2026-05-23T09:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315844897.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/524f89b9-e10d-46a8-8304-dc8a56d389f9/1_th.jpg Malcolm Graham on I-77 vote to rescind: '(NCDOT) lost trust with me.' At the Local News Summit on Thursday, May 21, District 2 councilman Malcolm Graham talked about what changed for him as he decided to vote to rescind the NCDOT plans for I-77 South earlier that week. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315844897.html/video-embed 217 2026-05-21T21:28:34Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article315843897.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d369345b-9d70-42b0-991f-af02942202ed/1_th.jpg Rare bear sighting confirmed in north Charlotte Rare black bear sighting reported in the Highland Creek area of Charlotte, NC Wildlife Resources Commission says. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article315843897.html/video-embed 16 2026-05-21T18:11:17Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315843541.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c7aa5fe7-9669-4a17-83ea-372508b695f5/2_th.jpg Tillis: End 'bogus investigation' of Fed Chair Powell so he can vote in Warsh Sen. Thom Tillis said in a committee hearing Tuesday morning that he will not confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve System unless an investigation into the current chairman is dropped. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315843541.html/video-embed 80 2026-05-21T17:48:49Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article315842765.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d7792925-3d2d-43b4-9564-256bfbccf8ec/1_th.jpg Wegmans Ballantyne store opening on October 14th Wednesday, October 14th is the grand opening of the Wegmans Ballantyne store. The new store will allow customers to enjoy all the traditional departments that they have come to know and love plus the businesses first outdoor playground for children. Store manager Patrick McGuinness discusses the new store as ongoing construction provides the backdrop on Thursday, May 21, 2026. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article315842765.html/video-embed 91 2026-05-21T17:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article258314413.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/bc9295ae-d74c-46ca-9dec-9be7f2707fac/1_th.jpg GreenLife Remedies owner explains Delta-8 and other hemp-derived THC products — and why regulation matters GreenLife Remedies owner explains Delta-8 and other hemp-derived THC products — and why regulation matters https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article258314413.html/video-embed 110 2026-05-21T17:18:21Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315829227.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/88ebccc4-006c-463f-93a0-27b55a062337/3_th.jpg Catawba Two Kings Casino opens first phase in Kings Mountain; couple among first to gamble Jasmine Cheek and spouse Subia King place bets during the opening of the first phase of the Catawba Indians’ Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315829227.html/video-embed 41 2026-05-20T19:02:26Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315827899.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d7f68a2c-e924-4b35-8014-3db9997358d1/1_th.jpg Gastonia PD handles active police situation Gastonia police department closes a couple of streets as they navigate an active police situation. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315827899.html/video-embed 24 2026-05-20T16:17:06Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article257301617.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/95c393d4-1f30-4272-9c3c-68aaf3e3e3af/4_th.jpg Charlotte’s tree canopy at risk as building boom accelerates, UNC Charlotte ecologist warns As Charlotte grows, its prized tree canopy is shrinking. In January 2022, then-UNC Charlotte ecologist Doug Shoemaker said Charlotte could still find “middle ground” between growth and planning to protect its prized tree canopy. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article257301617.html/video-embed 77 2022-01-16T11:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315830399.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/af35056e-96cc-45ca-ba91-271b4908194a/1_th.jpg Breakfast, burgers + Yemeni coffee at new Charlotte cafe Crazy Burger on Charlotte's Central Avenue pairs breakfast and burgers with traditional Yemeni coffee. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315830399.html/video-embed 27 2026-05-21T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315864234.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/d3744f09-b3fe-4f99-9105-c4806c707861/1_th.jpg Corey Day prepares to drive the truck originally intended for Kyle Busch Corey Day prepares to start on the pole in the No. 7 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article315864234.html/video-embed 43 2026-05-23T00:30:53Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315828514.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8fce681b-90c3-46f3-b0c9-0cdbd2110544/1_th.jpg Two Gastonia neighbors shot at each other near a school Reports indicated someone was barricaded with a weapon near downtown Gastonia, and that shots were fired. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article315828514.html/video-embed 12 2026-05-20T17:25:20Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article208155759.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7568bbc6-c467-47fa-ba05-0bb2770d127f/2_th.jpg Whistleblower says he was fired from Mecklenburg Health Department Dell Adams, a health technician at Mecklenburg County for more than a decade, said he was fired after raising red flags about the agency in 2018. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article208155759.html/video-embed 39 2018-04-06T19:08:09Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article315765343.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/0114beed-85eb-4ed6-84d5-25e4de959a10/1_th.jpg Titanic exhibition opens at Park Expo and Conference Center Charlotte Observer reporter Joe Marusak and visual journalist Jeff Siner get a sneak preview of the Titanic exhibition that opens at the Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, NC on Friday, May 14, 2026. The exhibition is North America's largest touring exhibition. The exhibition will run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article315765343.html/video-embed 341 2026-05-15T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315826823.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/878e5168-4197-4b00-963f-95ce7df30e9e/1_th.jpg Charlotte's newest bakery has Oprah-approved cookies. How were they? I was invited to preview the space and try the menu at Maman, a new bakery in Plaza Midwood, ahead of its official opening on Wednesday, May 20. Here's how it was (spoiler: the food was delicious). https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315826823.html/video-embed 132 2026-05-20T14:57:20Z no