Mecklenburg County's new 91‑acre Ezell Park opened in Mint Hill with a sprayground, pickleball courts, trails and public art.

A 9-foot alligator wandered through Southport lawns and driveways on Memorial Day before specially trained officers captured and relocated it to a less-populated area.

Six black bears were killed in Buncombe County after repeated home break‑ins tied to food‑conditioned animals. State necropsies found human‑related waste in most of the bears.