Cartel Member Connected to NC Arrested

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that 42-year-old Emmanuel Martimiano Leon-Soto, a high-ranking member of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested Tuesday in Arizona on drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy charges linked to Guilford County.

Leon-Soto, of Naco, Mexico, is the final defendant to be arrested out of 38 individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024. The Sinaloa Cartel, which Leon-Soto allegedly helped lead, was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. Department of State earlier this year.

Leon-Soto is accused of distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride in North Carolina and other states, and is one of 10 defendants also charged with laundering drug proceeds.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for the drug charges and up to 20 years for money laundering. As of April 22, 32 of the 38 defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

Federal Appeals Court Grants Stay to Riggs

A federal appeals court granted Democratic state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs a stay and injunction Tuesday, halting the vote-curing process endorsed by the state Supreme Court to resolve 1,675 disputed ballots in her race against Republican Jefferson Griffin. Riggs currently leads Griffin by 734 votes.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split 2-1 on the ruling, which temporarily blocks enforcement of the state court’s decision and gives Riggs time to pursue her federal appeal. Her lawsuit alleges that the state Supreme Court’s actions violated voters’ constitutional rights to due process and equal protection.

The case now moves to U.S. Chief District Judge Richard Myers, who will consider legal arguments from both sides. The ruling also comes amid calls for Griffin to concede the race by RightCount Action and former Republican North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory.

Disney Makes Asteria Land Purchase

Disney spent $23.3 million to acquire 217 acres in Pittsboro last month, marking the first step in a broader plan to develop its 1,500-acre Asteria “Storyliving” community.

Asteria will include around 4,000 single-family and multifamily homes, including some for residents age 55 and older. Home sales are expected to begin by 2027.

Planned amenities include a clubhouse, wellness center, community garden, and an extensive trail system.

According to its website, Asteria will be designed by Imagineers and staffed by cast members who work together to create a “beautiful haven where people dream of living, with delightful architecture, amenities, and activities.”

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➤ Western NC: As of Tuesday evening, the Haoe Lead Fire was 3,103 acres and was 29% contained, the Bee Rock Creek Fire was 2,085 acres and was 50% contained, and the Sam Davis Road fire was 400 acres and was 85% contained. (See Details)

➤ Triad: Gov. Josh Stein is offering up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the three unsolved murder cases. (More)

➤ Nash County: Murder suspect and federal fugitive Donald Fields—wanted in Connecticut and New York—shot and killed himself Tuesday after running into a rural wooded area when U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest him. (See Details)

➤ Greenville: The North Carolina Department of Health Services issued an alert after Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) particles were detected through routine wastewater testing conducted on March 25, March 28, and April 8. (More)

➤ Duke University President Vincent Price joined 184 colleges, universities, and scholarly societies in signing a letter that condemns “unprecedented” threats to higher education by the federal government. (More)

➤ Charlotte partnered with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to launch an electric vehicle carshare program on Wednesday designed to serve residents in one of the city’s “Corridors of Opportunity.” (More)

➤ Statewide: A Catawba College-YouGov survey of 1,000 North Carolinians revealed split views on national democracy, with 35% optimistic, 35% neutral, and 30% pessimistic. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 3 is tomorrow night. (More)

➤ UNC will open the 2026 football season in Dublin, Ireland, with a non-conference matchup against TCU. It’s the first time the football program has scheduled an international game. (More)

➤ A North Carolina judge denied four college football players’ request for an additional year of eligibility on Tuesday. The plaintiffs argued the NCAA’s eligibility rules restrict their NIL earning potential. (More)

Yesterday‘s Results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis closed one of his two Greenville locations Friday, citing the city council controversy over the large American flag at his still-open Red Banks Road location. (More)

➤ Greensboro’s Piedmont Triad International Airport is rumored to be in the running for California-based JetZero’s expansion, potentially bringing 10,000 jobs to the region. (More)

➤ North Carolina economic officials canceled a multimillion-dollar incentive for Invitae Corp. after it failed to comply with grant reporting requirements. The company had planned to expand in Morrisville but declared bankruptcy in February 2024. (More)

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➤ The Great Smoky Mountains synchronous firefly viewing lottery for vehicle reservations will open online May 2-5. Viewings typically occur in late May or early June, but this year’s dates have not yet been announced. (More)

➤ Wake Audubon is asking people to turn off unnecessary lights at night as bird migration surges in Central North Carolina this week. Bright lights can disorient the birds, causing injury or death. (More)

➤ Award-winning North Carolina chef Vivian Howard will open Theodosia, a new restaurant at the Sanderling Inn in Duck, on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. The restaurant will feature locally-sourced, seasonal cuisine. (More)

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Which Disney character describes how you feel about Asteria being built in North Carolina?

1. Mickey Mouse: “Hot dog!”
2. Donald Duck: “I can’t stand it!”
3. Goofey: “Gawrsh!”
4. No one speaks for me!

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you attending a concert this summer?

1. Those days are over: 40%
2. Waiting for the right band: 22%
3. Already bought my ticket: 19%
4. I only watch them on TV: 19%

What makes synchronous fireflies different from other fireflies?

Show me the answer