Top articles shared by Charlotte Observer journalists

Highlights YouTube: The battle with TV is already over Man had smoke, rum before nearly drowning Dolphins may concede state dollars crime A judge on Thursday granted a $100,000 bond to the man accused of killing four in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 - but Willie Dumel won't be getting out jail anytime soon.

The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more.

Local and regional breaking news coverage of Charlotte, N.C., the latest on the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte 49ers and UNC Tar Heels, weather updates, traffic, crime, local events, lifestyle, opinion, national news and blogs.

A fire that destroyed a building used to cook oysters at Bowens Island Restaurant early Monday morning is under investigation.

Posted on 07/30/2012 @ 01:15 AM On this Friday, Aug 3, the Charlotte in 2012 Host Committee will celebrate the release of its 30th Carolina Stories video by holding a screening of the entire Carolina Stories video series at the Camden on Park Avenue South End (located right next to the Common Market on South Boulevard) at 7pm.

Jimmy Margiotis of Plaza-Midwood landmark John's Country Kitchen tells us he's heard the rumors, too, but no, he and his mother, Margaret, are not closing the place. He is, however, working on opening a new place: a pizza restaurant, with Philly cheesesteaks and more (but no plans for breakfast), at the former Carmela's at Carmel Commons.

Imagine a fabric that grows...a garment that forms itself without a single stitch! The fashion that starts with a bottle of wine... Micro'be' fermented fashion investigates the practical and cultural biosynthesis of clothing - to explore the possible forms and cultural implications of futuristic dress-making and textile technologies.

The second Charlotte American Roadside plans a grand opening event June 9 at 5821 Fairview Road at SouthPark, becoming the flagship store of the brand and putting corporate offices next door, according to chairman and CEO Rich LaVecchia. (The first area location is uptown and opened in October.)

Buy a burger at The Liberty on May 28 -- which happens to be National Burger Day -- and you'll get one free. The offer is good all day long, on any of the restaurant's burgers (including the pub burger at right), and the restaurant's Matt Pera says Southern Living recently named the "Crunch Burger" (with pimento cheese, bacon, salt & vinegar chips) among its "Best Burgers in the South" listing.

Have you tried Kobe beef in America in the last two years? Larry says: No. You haven't. This Forbes writer goes through the issue of Kobe's reality and reputation, and posits that the very specific beef's reputation has been stolen, here .

The Department of Communication Studies will hold its second annual celebration week Monday, April 16, through Friday, April 20. Throughout the period, there will be information booths set up in the breezeway of the Colvard Building. Other events include a research poster presentation by graduate students from 10 a.m.

North Texas women's basketball coach Karen Aston met with Texas officials for two days this week about the vacant Longhorns job, according to two people with knowledge of the interview. Aston met with Texas women's athletic director Chris Plonsky and university President William Powers on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on...

Changing of the guardPanthers re-sign Geoff Hartgartner and release Travelle Wharton. Free agency under wayTight end Jeremy Shockey among 11 to become free agents when new league year began Tuesday. Panthers tender contractsCarolina retains rights to exclusive rights free agents Richie Brockel, R.J. Stanford and Seyi Ajirotutu.

By Scott [email protected] Scott Fowler is a national award-winning sports columnist for The Charlotte Observer. ASHEVILLE One milestone at a time, Davidson's basketball team is getting beyond Stephen Curry. On Saturday night, in a 73-54 quarterfinal victory over Furman that was never in doubt, Davidson won its first Southern Conference tournament game since Curry turned pro a year early in 2009.

By Ely [email protected] As the Charlotte Bobcats continue to struggle on the court, team executives say the business is doing better than last year. The Bobcats say attendance at home games at Time Warner Cable Arena is up 12 percent so far this shortened season, compared to a similar period last year.

There was no enthusiasm gap among Republicans in Charlotte on Thursday night. More than 300 Mecklenburg County party activists turned out for precinct meetings that signaled the start of an election year that for many Republicans holds as much promise as opportunity.

WASHINGTON - The president of Belmont Abbey College joined other religious leaders on Capitol Hill this morning and charged the Obama administration with attempting to punish religious groups for following their convictions. The religious leaders and experts testified before a House oversight committee in opposition to a proposed federal mandate requiring church affiliated employers to cover birth control in their health plans.

February 16, 2012 at 7:16 am PT Although they are doing it in different ways, Apple and Microsoft are aiming for a similar goal with their next desktop operating systems: to make the computer more like the phone. Apple on Thursday announced its plans for Mountain Lion.