FBI, CMPD Raid Charlotte Drug Hotel

Federal agents and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested 10 people at the Garden Inn & Suites on Reagan Drive on Wednesday, closing out a six-month investigation into what U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson called a “farmers market for drugs and guns.”

The hotel, just off I-85 in north Charlotte, logged 590 calls for service between January 2024 and May 2026. Five suspects face federal charges covering drug trafficking and firearms offenses, while six others face state-level drug and illegal firearm charges.

Among those arrested was Marcus Logan, 39, the hotel’s own head of security. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Prosecutors are also seeking to seize the property, alleging the Garden Inn served as a distribution hub for fentanyl, cocaine, and illegal firearms. Investigators expect additional charges to follow.

NC’s Best Employers 2026 List Released

Business North Carolina released its Best Employers 2026 rankings, spotlighting companies across the state that lead on workplace culture, pay, benefits, and flexibility.

Compiled through employee surveys, the list spans four size categories from small to extra large. Topping each tier: Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, Bobbitt, Barringer Construction, and Skanska USA Building. Three of the four category winners come from the construction industry. 

Companies across the state were evaluated on employee engagement, work environment, leadership effectiveness, and compensation. 

In February, Forbes published its list of America’s Best Employers and included North Carolina’s Bank of America, Wake Forest University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University Health System, and FirstHealth on its list of large employers. The midize employers list included Epic Games, Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, and Brighthouse Financial.

NC Gets New Medical Schools

North Carolina is gaining new medical schools at Methodist University in Fayetteville and on a new Wake Forest campus in Charlotte, as the state races to address a physician shortage projected to exceed 7,725 by 2030.

Methodist University’s Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine begins its first 64-student class in July, becoming the state’s sixth medical school. The program was designed to serve Southeastern North Carolina and would be anchored in the Sandhills and surrounding counties.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine launched its Charlotte campus last year. Both programs prioritize placing graduates in underserved rural communities.

Meanwhile, UNC-Wilmington plans to open a seventh medical school in either the fall of 2029 or 2030, and is exploring the creation of both a four-year and three-year accelerated medical degree track.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Josh Stein and state prison officials are urging the General Assembly to extend pay raises to all prison employees—not just corrections officers—as budget negotiations continue. (More)

➤ Statewide: Rep. Ben Moss, a Republican co-sponsor of House Bill 1232—which would classify abortion as first-degree murder—removed his name from the bill following constituent feedback. (More)

➤ Henderson County: Heavy rains and flash flooding washed away thousands of dollars in crops, including corn, soybeans, and young apple trees, dealing another major blow to farmers still recovering from Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Wake County: State Sen. Terrence Everitt’s abrupt resignation leaves Republicans needing to win two of three toss-up special elections to preserve their Senate supermajority and veto-override power over Gov. Josh Stein. (More)

➤ Durham: Sixteen teams are competing for North Carolina High School Athletic Association girls soccer state championships at Durham County Memorial Stadium through May 30, with games across multiple classifications available to watch via livestream. (More)

➤ Duke University: Researchers unveiled Argus, a 20-legged robot with omnidirectional vision and movement, using “dynamic symmetry” to navigate rough terrain, survive damage, and potentially aid future search-and-rescue missions and exploration. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Hurricanes can clinch their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 2006 with a Game 5 win tonight at the Lenovo Center. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. on TNT. (More) 

➤ UNC-Wilmington women’s basketball coach Nicole Woods nearly drowned last week after pulling her 8-year-old nephew from a rip current at Wrightsville Beach. She was revived with CPR and a defibrillator and has since been cleared by doctors. (More) 

➤ Four North Carolina schools open NCAA baseball tournament regional play today: UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, and East Carolina. UNC is the No. 5 national seed and hosts in Chapel Hill. (See Bracket)

➤ NC State was one of just 10 schools in the country that played in a football bowl game, made the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and reached a baseball regional this year. (More)

➤ Kyle Busch’s death certificate confirmed that the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion died of bacterial pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. He was cremated in Mooresville shortly after his death on May 21. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | Soccer | NCAASB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ The Raleigh-Cary area ranks fourth among large U.S. metros for small business performance, trailing only Miami, Austin, and Washington D.C., according to a new CoworkingCafe study citing North Carolina’s tax climate and the Triangle’s workforce. (More)

➤ Capital Group will lease 196,940 square feet at One Independence Center in Uptown Charlotte for its East Coast hub, creating 600 jobs by the end of 2031 as part of a $60 million investment. (More)

➤ Arizona-based homebuilder Taylor Morrison is developing the largest-ever residential project in Alexander County—nearly 500 homes on 215 acres along Lake Hickory—signaling continued growth spillover from the Charlotte and Hickory regions into the Western Piedmont. (More)

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➤ A Charlotte woman became the first to complete the America 250 NC Lighthouse Challenge, visiting all 10 of the state’s historic coastal lighthouses in a yearlong tribute to America’s 250th anniversary. (More)

➤ Charlie Barefoot & Sons, the longest-running vendor in North Carolina State Fair history, won’t return in 2026, ending a 76-year tradition. The family cited minor health issues and “the reality that comes with age” as reasons for leaving. (More)

➤ Several “U-Pick” blueberry orchards in Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties will soon open for the 2026 season—some as early as June 1—with most staying open through July or August. (See List)

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Have you ever picked fresh blueberries?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet
4. Can’t remember

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you invested in gold, or do you own any gold bars?

1. No: 60%
2. Yes: 19%
3. Not yet: 13%
4. I inherited some: 8%

What five states are ahead of North Carolina in blueberry production?

Show me the answer