https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article317734090.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ac801138-d61e-47fe-912f-d49e735c9689/2_th.jpg The Talking Preps Interview: Ethan Royal Hough High School Hough High QB Ethan Royal, a Marshall commit, is up next on the Talking Preps interview https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article317734090.html/video-embed 252 2026-10-22T17:02:07Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317735824.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7f04c782-38d0-45ca-98d6-084f823b4c04/2_th.jpg Charlotte dedicates newly renovated Washington Heights park Charlotte dignitaries, family and community leaders gathered at the L.C. Coleman park Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 in Washington Heights to dedicate the newly renovated park that was built initially in the 1970s. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317735824.html/video-embed 101 2026-10-22T18:13:09Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317738161.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/9ed85fe1-7fac-4130-9972-89ece3e5c401/1_th.jpg The flavors of Uruguay come to new restaurant in Mooresville Cafe Rio de la Plata offers food from Uruguay and food influenced by the community in Mooresville, NC. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317738161.html/video-embed 41 2026-10-23T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317753693.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/30ec7537-6c4f-4260-bfeb-9d7b5fbd7c4f/1_th.jpg ICE agents detain U.S. citizen in Charlotte Atilio Portillo was stopped in his work truck on Wednesday morning by ICE agents who broke his truck's windows, pointed guns at his head and forcibly removed him from his vehicle. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317753693.html/video-embed 105 2026-10-23T20:38:40Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317701643.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f3f6f844-e721-4a3a-9d19-c7c89b440f81/1_th.jpg The Day The Balloon Crashed 50 years later, The Charlotte Observer investigates the fatal hot-air balloon crash of 1976, which killed three men in uptown Charlotte. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article317701643.html/video-embed 627 2026-10-21T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article317720255.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/114fe148-014a-41ac-974c-1c9c23d6a011/1_th.jpg Does restaurant atmosphere matter when dining out in Charlotte? Let us know Great food is important, but does a restaurant’s atmosphere make or break your dining experience? From lighting and noise levels to attentive waitstaff, several factors can influence where we choose to eat. We want to hear from Charlotte diners: Does ambiance matter, or is good food all you need? Vote in our poll and let us know what you think. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article317720255.html/video-embed 53 2026-10-23T09:00:00Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717781.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e9830ac8-2ccf-4ebf-b8d4-0ca2ce96fbbb/1_th.jpg First known case of CTE in a NASCAR driver NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen has been diagnosed posthumously with CTE. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717781.html/video-embed 101 2026-10-21T18:31:25Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717981.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ccb8dc1c-f43e-4a9c-9c7c-c9547d0f853d/1_th.jpg NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen diagnosed with CTE, first known case in stock car racing Fred Lorenzen, the 1965 Daytona 500 champion known as “Fast Freddie,” was posthumously diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE by researchers at Boston University. His family shared the diagnosis and announced a $1 million donation to establish a helpline for drivers and families. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article317717981.html/video-embed 85 2026-10-21T17:22:18Z no https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article317705145.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/2a7d60c1-83e0-4fd5-bab3-d306a0e7488b/1_th.jpg Walmart begins drone deliveries in Charlotte Walmart is the latest retailer launching drone deliveries in the Charlotte region beginning on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Seven local Walmart stores will be offering the service utilizing the Wing drone service. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article317705145.html/video-embed 35 2026-10-21T10:02:00Z no