News + Opinion

Flying Spirit: A Review of Charlotte’s Newest Budget Airline

A play-by-play of our editor's first ride

Emma Way,

Life Lessons: Interior Designer Quintel Gwinn

Her all-black female firm focuses on community

Shameika Rhymes,

As Violent Crime Rises in Charlotte, Explanations Stay In the Shadows

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney, discussing a sharp rise in violent crime this year with reporters Thursday, took aim at Mecklenburg County’s reformed system of pre-trial detention.

Greg Lacour,

A Savior For the Excelsior Club?

The venerable but decaying Excelsior Club, a mainstay of Charlotte’s black community since 1944, is under contract with a buyer, says the real estate broker negotiating a potential sale.

Greg Lacour,

Get to Know Ivo Sandrea, the Ballantyne Hotel’s New Executive Chef

The Ballantyne Hotel has hired Chef Ivo Sandrea to head up the resort’s food and beverage team. Sandrea will oversee the menu at Gallery, its signature restaurant.

Taylor Bowler,

Meet the Mint Hill Artist Who's Drawn Dennis the Menace for 25 Years

Marcus Hamilton’s comic strips have told the story of an ageless troublemaker

Cheryl Spainhour,

Reality Shows Filmed in Charlotte Spotlight Marriage

Get to know families behind To Have and to Hold Charlotte

Shameika Rhymes,

Frank Barrows: In Memoriam

The legendary Charlotte Observer editor and writer contributed gorgeous and informative sports writing to Charlotte magazine. Here are those stories

Magazine Staff

Along the Way, The Podcast: Episode 1

Chasing Gizmo: What I learned when the dog got loose

Michael Graff,

A Tour of NASCAR Driver Angela Ruch's Uptown Penthouse

The Xfinity driver and her husband, Mike, have a new reality show, a new baby, and a newly-renovated suite overlooking uptown

Taylor Bowler,

Event to Celebrate Charlotte Checkers’ AHL Championship Win

On Saturday night, the city’s own Charlotte Checkers won the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup, defeating the Chicago Wolves in Game 5. A free public celebration is now planned for Monday night at 7 p.m. at Bojangles’ Coliseum. With admission…

Andy Smith,

Justin Harlow Won’t Seek Re-Election

Justin Harlow, the Charlotte City Council’s youngest member, announced Friday that he won’t seek re-election.

Greg Lacour,

New Planned Parenthood Facility Near Uptown Opens

Forty-nine years ago, in 1970, Sarah Bryant sat in her living room and talked on a red phone, offering referrals and information to women and families. Her calls built the foundation of the Charlotte chapter of Planned Parenthood and North Carolina’s…

Casey Moss,

Q&A: Doctor-Turned-Author Kimmery Martin on Her New Book

COURTESY The Charlotte doctor-turned-author will release her second book, The Antidote for Everything, early next year. We caught up with her ahead of the book’s Wednesday cover reveal to discuss urology jokes, Kung Fu mastery, bourbon, and other weighty subjects…

Taylor Bowler,

A Night Out in … SouthPark

Our date night series continues

Jared Misner,

At Long Last, and After Years of Squabble, I-77 Toll Lanes Are Here

After more than four years of one of the most contentious infrastructure projects in North Carolina’s history, a section of the Interstate 77 toll lanes project will open Saturday.

Greg Lacour,

Riley Howell Foundation Fund Honors Student Killed at UNCC

A DAY or two after the April 30 shooting at UNC Charlotte, as Natalie Henry-Howell learned the details of how her 21-year-old son, Riley, tackled the shooter, likely saved multiple lives, and was killed in the process, she turned to…

Jodie Valade,

Charlotte to Host 2020 ACC Baseball Tournament

The ACC baseball tournament will be hosted in Charlotte in 2020, at BB&T Ballpark. The Charlotte Knnights, the Charlotte Sports Foundation, and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority are the local organizing committee for the event (and also are the team…

Andy Smith,