3D imaging and AI of fossil beaks suggest finned octopuses up to about 62 feet long once patrolled Cretaceous seas. The jaws show heavy wear consistent with crushing hard prey.

Etihad will expand Charlotte–Abu Dhabi nonstop service from four weekly flights to daily this summer after a strong March launch, boosting one‑stop access to India and Asia.

A Morganton man was arrested after a traffic stop turned up a trafficking amount of methamphetamine; bond was set at $100,000 and court is scheduled for May 11.

Michael Gavin Smith was arrested after a multi‑agency probe and is being held on a $1 million secured bond while facing multiple felony child‑sex charges.

Investors led by Sandee Road Ventures bought the 98‑unit Sharon Oaks in Oakhurst and say they’ll preserve rent limits while spending about $1.1M on repairs.

Crews battled a heavy structure fire Friday morning on the 27100 block of Tuckaseegee Road; officials issued only an initial alert.

The Panthers used the 19th overall pick on Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, adding a long-armed, athletic rookie to a unit hit by injuries. The selection mixes upside and development needs.

A Mecklenburg County deputy was arrested after a domestic call at his Mint Hill home and fired the next day. Records show he faces an assault-on-a-female charge and was released on a $5,000 bond.

Federal sign‑offs freed $319M in BEAD funds to launch builds that the state says will reach more than 93,000 homes, businesses and community sites, prioritizing rural and mountain areas.

A Thursday-night shooting in Concord’s Hartsell Park left one person dead and another hospitalized. Concord police say the scene is under investigation and there's no ongoing threat.

AJ Sankofa is turning his Optimist Hall stall into a four‑seat tasting counter, pairing inventive multi‑course plates with wine and showcasing dishes like lion’s mane and coffee‑roasted squash ravioli.

A Lancaster County planning panel denied a conditional‑use permit for a proposed mosque on Harrisburg Road after neighbors raised traffic and compatibility concerns. The county council will decide May 11.

Sunny and warm Friday with highs near 86°F. Code Orange air quality alert and burn bans in effect; showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday.