Immigration Crackdown Legislation Advances

The North Carolina House advanced three bills targeting illegal migrants on Tuesday that, if passed, would expedite deportations, increase criminal punishments, and more closely scrutinize who receives taxpayer-funded benefits.

By a vote of 70-45, the House approved HB 318, which expands deportation eligibility to include more unauthorized immigrants accused—but not convicted—of crimes, including all felonies and misdemeanors involving impaired driving.

House Bill 318 also strengthens requirements for sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when holding inmates for potential deportation.

House Bills 261 and 690 are likely to be voted on later this week. HB 261 would impose longer prison sentences on unauthorized immigrants convicted of felonies if they’ve previously re-entered the U.S. illegally. HB 690 would require state and local governments to verify citizenship for anyone receiving or applying for public benefits.

Arrests Made in Garner Kidnapping

Garner police have arrested and charged Paola Duran Duran, 25, and Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, in connection with the Garner kidnapping of Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus and her daughter, Grecia Salome Alejandro-Benetiz, Monday night.

Both suspects face two counts of first-degree kidnapping and one count of second-degree kidnapping.

Just after 7 a.m. Tuesday, a Wake Forest resident called 911 to report that a woman and baby came to her home asking for help. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were the kidnapped victims identified in an AMBER Alert they had issued around 2 a.m. Both the mother and baby were found unharmed.

Garner Police, the SBI, and the FBI are still actively investigating as the search remains active for a third suspect.

NC Cities Among Top Places to Live and Retire

The 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live rankings list Charlotte at No. 5 and Raleigh at No. 6 among 150 major cities nationwide based on quality of life, value, desirability, and job market.

U.S. News used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, and its own metrics to create the rankings, which highlight Charlotte’s strong banking economy and Raleigh’s research and technology industry and college rivalries.

Raleigh also ranked No. 6 on U.S. News’ Best Places to Retire list, which analyzes happiness, affordability, health care quality, retiree taxes, desirability, and job market indexes.

Travel + Leisure ranked Cary, a suburb of Raleigh, as the No. 1 Best Place to Retire in the U.S. for 2025, based on the town’s affordability and “perfect weather.” See the full list here.

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➤ Statewide: On Wednesday, U.S. Chief District Judge Richard Myers gave parties two extra days—until May 2—to submit legal arguments in the state Supreme Court ballot challenge case before he issues a final ruling. (More)

➤ Statewide: The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality selected seven projects statewide that will receive $20 million-plus for electric grid infrastructure improvements. (See Details)

➤ Wilmington: Cape Fear Coastal Aviation filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration alleging “unlawful, discriminatory, and unfair ejectment actions” by sublessor Modern Aviation before its lease was terminated without cause. (More)

➤ Greensboro: Yolonda Hill Robinson, wife of former North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, missed a deadline to repay the state more than $101,000 in operating cost discrepancies related to her now-closed nonprofit, Balanced Nutrition, Inc. (See Details)

➤ Ocracoke Island: The 2026 North Carolina Senate budget proposes adding vehicular tolls to the currently free state ferry system that would implement a $20 fee for vehicles under 20 feet long and a $40 fee for vehicles over 20 feet long. (More)

➤ Kitty Hawk: A new DMV license plate office is expected to open in mid-August following the December closure of the Manteo DMV office, which operated for over 30 years. (More)

➤ Pinehurst’s No. 4 golf course will close this month for restoration of the surfaces on the greens and will not reopen until Aug. 7. (More)

➤ UNC head football coach Bill Belichick is dealing with the fallout of a “disastrous” interview involving his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. Insiders are worried about Hudson’s influence on the coach, and a former player even suggested the Tar Heels fire him. (More)

➤ Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is attempting an NFL comeback with the Carolina Panthers after being sidelined for a year due to an autoimmune condition. (More)

➤ UNC-Wilmington’s baseball team upset No. 13-ranked NC State 6-3 on Tuesday, snapping the Wolfpack’s seven-game winning streak. (More)

➤ Sign up here in one click to receive NIL Wire to stay up-to-date on everything related to name, image, and likeness in college sports. 

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ A new report attributes North Carolina’s agricultural labor shortage to rising wages in competing industries, immigration policies resulting in the decline of Mexican migration, and an aging farmer population. (More)

➤ Local governments in western North Carolina can apply for up to $1 million in grants to help small businesses recover from Hurricane Helene, thanks to a new $55 million state infrastructure program. (More)

➤ A federal appeals court upheld a $2.5 million judgment against ex-BK Racing owners Ronald Devine and Michael DiSeveria for hiding a $9 million lien during a 2016 NASCAR charter sale to Front Row Motorsports, which is based in Iredell County. (More)

➤ A new map based on U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that North Carolina’s top 2024 imports were chemicals and medicine, with an import value of $28.3 billion. (See Map)

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➤ This year’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park synchronous firefly viewings will take place May 29-June 5. Applications for the highly competitive ticket lottery open tomorrow, May 2, at 10 a.m. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, registration for May and June Walking with Lemurs tours of Duke Lemur Center’s Natural Habitat Enclosures opened yesterday. Registration begins May 6 for July tours, June 3 for August tours, and July 1 for September tours. (More)

➤ Charlotte’s second annual Lovin’ Life Music Festival is May 2-4 in Uptown and features three stages with performances by Gwen Stefani, Third Eye Blind, Switchfoot, Weezer, and other prominent bands. (See Details)

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Should tolls be imposed on North Carolina ferries?

1. I suppose
2. Absolutely not
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite kind of slider?

1. Beef: 28%
2. Barbecue: 20%
3. What’s a slider? 15%
4. Ham: 14%
5. Poultry: 12%
6. Other: 11%

What is North Carolina’s flagship state trail?

Show me the answer