https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article315725597.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/706e9569-c61c-431b-bc6f-141d0dc561ef/1_th.jpg 400-pound gator took on group of men in tug-of-war, NC video shows Multiple officers were needed to pull a 400-pound alligator from its hiding place near Sunset Beach, NC. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article315725597.html/video-embed 75 2026-05-12T16:38:07Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article288925676.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/00722b43-54cc-4c9f-9822-8a6a4c4b4153/2_th.jpg Yes, there are rattlesnakes in Charlotte. Here’s where they hide. Where rattlesnakes could be lurking nearby if they find a place to conceal themselves https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article288925676.html/video-embed 45 2026-05-12T20:10:16Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article315429176.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/153d6a8b-0ce4-4091-bf0f-a74f966759cd/1_th.jpg Vinyl store owner explains why listeners still buy records Hardy Boys Records and Comics co-owner Dean Hardy explains the “deep desire” music fans have to connect with artists by buying vinyl—especially as streaming pays musicians so little. He also details how Record Store Day spotlights independent shops, introduces listeners to new music, and builds community as fans line up overnight. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article315429176.html/video-embed 65 2026-05-11T09:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315708569.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/acaddebf-c59d-401f-99c9-6e8aacfcece8/2_th.jpg Charlotte resident talks about being displaced in the 1960s Darnell Ivory talks about what it was like when she and her family were displaced in the 1960s. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315708569.html/video-embed 191 2026-05-11T12:14:07Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article315697058.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7cbe6b8e-90f9-496a-ab64-33a14199125c/2_th.jpg Panthers' DeVonta Smith on why he fit in Carolina's defense Carolina Panthers cornerback DeVonta Smith, previously of Alabama and Notre Dame, discussed his decision to sign with the team after going undrafted in April. The interview took place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 following rookie minicamp practice. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article315697058.html/video-embed 80 2026-05-12T08:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article315709137.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/c04576bd-e9fa-497d-9837-bad4ed85f7bf/1_th.jpg UNC Charlotte to end gender-affirming housing this fall, citing federal guidance UNC Charlotte will stop offering gender-affirming housing starting next semester, assigning on-campus housing based on sex assigned at birth rather than gender identity. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article315709137.html/video-embed 43 2026-05-11T12:55:40Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article315697049.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7bd2240c-f930-474b-b8c5-5fad6c4a6a31/2_th.jpg Undrafted Panthers QB Haynes King leans on maturity, leadership after rookie minicamp King, who went undrafted in April, says being an older newcomer has helped him handle the NFL learning curve and lead in the huddle, following Carolina’s final day of rookie minicamp May 9, 2026. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article315697049.html/video-embed 29 2026-05-11T09:30:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article312367298.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/6d090588-24d2-4563-85bc-8b7ba92b4ef7/2_th.jpg 20 Years Later, 'Roofman's' North Carolina communities are still divided on Jeffrey Manchester The story of Jeffrey "Roofman" Manchester highlights a split between his two lives: the armed robber who broke into McDonald's through the roof, and "John Zorn," the "nice guy" he posed as after escaping prison. The upcoming film adaptation is igniting a moral debate about the nature of such an enigmatic individual. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article312367298.html/video-embed 370 2026-05-12T14:12:30Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315708555.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/59400b85-8b49-4e58-ac87-49962eb9a345/2_th.jpg Former Charlotte residents talk about being displaced by I-77 in the 1960s Esther Carter-Buie and her daughter Gwen Carter-Adamson talk about what it was like when they were displaced by I-77 in the 1960s. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315708555.html/video-embed 118 2026-05-11T12:14:25Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article315693563.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/a6ecaf7e-2c4d-4850-9e05-0036394540ff/1_th.jpg Ardrey Kell tops Hough in the 8A baseball playoff Ardrey Kell defeats Hough, 5-4 in extra innings during the 8A NCHSAA baseball playoff. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article315693563.html/video-embed 32 2026-05-10T02:03:51Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315684343.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4ef2301c-f691-47db-9f0b-2e3849a85d9a/1_th.jpg Is baked banana pudding too far? I asked a Charlotte chef I asked CharlotteFive readers whether baked banana pudding should ever be served warm, and the responses ranged from "it's tradition" to "this is ancestral trauma." To settle the debate, I asked a Charlotte chef who serves his own baked version of the dessert to weigh in. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article315684343.html/video-embed 127 2026-05-11T09:30:00Z no