Living

Christmas Abbott: Being a ‘badass’ is about so much more than half-naked pics

Christmas Abbott transformed herself from chain-smoking alcoholic into Raleigh-based fitness guru who just published her second book: “The Badass Life.”

Living

A former Panther paid for her degree. Now she’s using it to teach history – but with Twitter and lively (sometimes NSFW) commentary

Elexus Jionde’s raw and assertive posts about black history, culture, racism and sexuality win praise from mentor and former Panther star Steve Smith and recent N.C. Teacher of the Year James Ford. Where does she want to go with them?

Basketball

Family tattoo night: See how the Currys celebrated the Warriors’ 2017 NBA title

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, family members and a teammate marked the team’s 2017 NBA title with a “house call” from a tattoo artist.

College Sports

He sat behind Duke’s bench at Cameron for 37 years - and Coach K shook his hand before each game

Steven Mitchell, who sat behind the Duke basketball bench at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham for 37 years, was born with Down syndrome in 1954 and died on June 4, 2017.

Other Sports

1 year after missing Rio, Madison Kennedy is taking swimming destiny into her own hands

Madison Kennedy’s unorthodox approach to training didn’t get her to the Olympics last year. But that hasn’t stopped her from swimming against the tide. At all.

Religion

How Ruth Graham shaped the ministries of Billy Graham – and their son Franklin

Ruth Bell Graham died 10 years ago this month. But her influence lives on.

Crime

Ex-Charlotte preacher who wrote ‘Please Don’t Repo My Car’ indicted on tax charges

Former Charlotte preacher William Coontz, who wrote the book ‘Please Don’t Repo My Car,’ was indicted on tax charges Thursday.

Home & Garden

Mockingbirds combine big personality, amazing talent

I like mockingbirds. They are the most outgoing of birds, highly visible with an in-your-face attitude.

Nation & World

A drone took this epic mountaintop proposal to new heights

They were alone on a mountaintop, and he still managed to capture this special moment.

Living

Game tips: 'Angry Birds Evolution,' how to get more gold coins

If you're struggling to up your Gold Coin game in "Angry Birds Evolution," we've got the help you need.

Living

Students use art to tackle important issues

Fox Valley area students offered their take on important issues through art at an exhibition in Batavia.

Living

Ken gets a makeover: Barbie's boy toy now has a man bun, cornrows and a 'dad bod'

Look out, world. Barbie's beau, Ken, has had a makeover, and people on social media can't decide whether they'd swipe right on him.

Health & Family

Parents @ Play: You're a real doll

From the soft and cuddly, to things a little more exotic, there are dolls for everyone to love this summer. Here's what's new and exciting in the wonderful world of dolls.

Home & Garden

Bring the man cave into the light with these ideas

While the dark, dingy man cave with the mismatched recliners has gone the way of videotapes and TV antennas, new homes come with options that the man-of-the-house will love. Here's a look at new ways to find rooms for guys to hang out.

Home & Garden

On Gardening: Pineapple lily easy to grow, exotically beautiful

Once you start growing the pineapple lily, you'll wonder why you haven't been growing it for years. Sparkling Burgundy was the first one to intrigue me at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens as it was thriving in what I might normally consider extreme conditions. It was and still is growing in full sun, practically no attention from horticulture staff and zero irrigation. Yet, every year it is there blooming with a Shoal Creek vitex, fire bush, and torch lily in a unique combination.

Religion

Muslims fast in Ramadan to practice compassion and self-restraint. Terrorists see it as a time to step up violence

For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year. Families travel to mosques for nightly prayers, give charity to those in need and wake up before dawn to break fast – traditions meant to encourage self-reflection, compassion and piety. Ramadan is in short a chance to become closer to God.

Living

Landstown High student buried Mom just days before graduation

One of Erykah Johnson's biggest supporters throughout her schooling has been her mother, Carolyn Johnson. Mom was a Navy veteran and a teacher at heart. Although she encouraged her "little girl" in all her endeavors, she made it clear that education came first.

Living