NC Man Arrested for Global Exploitation Ring

A High Point man was one of two arrested and charged last week with operating a global child exploitation ring known as 764. Prasan Nepal, 20, nicknamed “Trippy,” was arrested in North Carolina on April 22 and appeared in federal court Tuesday. His case is being transferred to Washington, D.C.

Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, known as “War,” was arrested and charged with the same crimes on April 28 in Greece.

An affidavit unsealed Wednesday refers to 764 as a “violent online network that seeks to destroy civilized society through the corruption and exploitation of vulnerable populations, which often include minors,” with goals of “social unrest and the downfall of the current world order, including the U.S. Government.”

The DOJ alleges the defendants exploited at least eight minors across multiple jurisdictions between 2020 and 2025. If convicted, they both face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Court Allows BOE Appointments Change

A North Carolina Court of Appeals unanimously blocked a lower court ruling Wednesday that had favored keeping State Board of Elections appointment authority with the governor, rather than transferring it to the state auditor.

The order cleared the way for Auditor Dave Boliek to appoint the board’s five members from slates of candidates provided by the state Democratic and Republican parties as early as yesterday.

Gov. Josh Stein called the ruling “a threat to our democracy” and alleged it will help “steal a seat on the Supreme Court,” in reference to the disputed race between Democrat Allison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin, which Riggs leads by 734 votes.

Stein’s attorneys asked the state Supreme Court to temporarily halt the decision late Wednesday.

House Passes Ban on DEI in State Agencies

Along party lines and amid protests, the North Carolina House passed a bill Wednesday that would prevent state agencies from promoting, supporting, funding, implementing, or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the workplace.

HB 171, which now goes to the Senate, also bans DEI-focused training sessions and calls for periodic agency audits. Any state employee who violates the law could lose their job.

The North Carolina Senate approved its own bill last month that would ban public colleges and universities from endorsing “divisive concepts” and “discriminatory practices.”

If combined, the bills will enforce DEI limitations at colleges and universities, public schools, state agencies, and local governments. Gov. Josh Stein is expected to veto the legislation, which Republicans may struggle to override since they lack a supermajority in the House.

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Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things.

Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are nine of those perks.

➤ Statewide: NCDOT announced that former business owner and state lawmaker Paul Tine will become the new commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on May 6. (More)

➤ Garner police have charged and are still searching for a third suspect, Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez, in connection with the kidnapping of a mother and her 1-year-old daughter late Monday night. (More)

➤ Hoke County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested 32-year-old Jonathan Oxendine on Wednesday, a man accused of escaping Alcohol Law Enforcement agents on April 1 after leading them near a possible homemade explosive device. (More)

➤ Triad: Over 100 local veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War participated in the 2025 Triad Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to view monuments honoring their service. (More)

➤ Triangle: UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State confirmed that the federal government restored Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records for all international students whose visas were previously revoked. (More)

➤ Central NC: Triangle hospitals all received an A or B from nonprofit watchdog Leapfrog Group’s spring report on hospital safety grades, while Granville Medical Center in Oxford received a D. (See Details)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Taylor Hall to a three-year, $9.5 million contract on Wednesday. The former MVP was acquired in a January trade. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers added British accountant-turned-defensive end Mapalo Mwansa to the team through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. (More)

➤ Five Duke Lacrosse players earned All-ACC honors for the 2025 season, including a Co-Defensive Player of the Year selection for junior Aidan Maguire. (More)

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

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➤ Holly Springs officials plan to add restaurant and retail options on a 2.5-acre undeveloped site next to Ting Stadium, part of the larger Ting Park complex with a baseball stadium, soccer field, pickleball courts, batting cages, and more. (See Details)

➤ Walmart will remodel 41 North Carolina stores this year to add new displays, expand departments with new items, and improve pharmacy areas. Online pickup and delivery services will also be expanded. (See Stores)

➤ Duke University is considering a staff hiring freeze, the elimination of vacant positions, and a voluntary separation program as part of university-wide realignment and cost-cutting efforts. (More)

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➤ The Ava Gardner Museum announced the immediate termination of a federal grant that had been funding the digitization and preservation of its collection through August. Daily operations will not be affected. (More)

➤ Downtown Hendersonville’s annual Bearfootin’ Art Walk on May 7 will feature 20 new works of “bear art” that will remain on Main Street through Oct. 25 as part of an online auction that opens Sept. 25. (More)

➤ Nags Head is No. 14 on U.S. News’ 2025 list of the 20 Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S. thanks to plentiful fishing opportunities and free or low-cost attractions such as lighthouses, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. (See Rankings)

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If you could build a vacation home, what kind would it be?

1. Beach house
2. Mountain cabin
3. Lake cottage
4. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Should tolls be imposed on North Carolina ferries?

1. Absolutely not: 35%
2. I suppose: 34%
3. Not sure: 31%

What North Carolina city was the state’s first general hospital located in?

Show me the answer