Couple Charged for Hiring 240 Illegal Workers

Michigan couple Moises and Raquel Orduna-Rios face federal charges for allegedly employing over 240 undocumented workers across North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, and New York, building a $74 million plumbing business under the name Orduna Plumbing.

Many workers were sent to job sites throughout North Carolina, installing pipes on major projects while living in overcrowded motels and being paid in cash or through accounts controlled by the company.

Federal raids in Charlotte and other cities uncovered seized passports, fake IDs, and text messages from the owners about payroll issues, vehicle maintenance, use of company credit cards, and moving to new housing locations to be “less visible to law enforcement.”

Charges include harboring and employing unauthorized individuals for financial gain, conspiracy to bring in and transport such individuals, and money laundering. The couple has not commented publicly.

55 New Troopers Join NC Highway Patrol

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol graduated 55 new troopers Monday from the 166th Basic Highway Patrol School at The Shepherd’s Church in Cary. The ceremony capped a rigorous 15-week academy.

Gov. Josh Stein commended the graduates’ dedication, stating, “It takes a special person to work in law enforcement,” and thanked them for their commitment to protecting the public.

Chief Justice Paul Newby administered the oath, while Col. Freddy L. Johnson Jr. praised their character and drive to serve.

The curriculum emphasized firearms proficiency, vehicle operations, crash investigation, emergency response, physical fitness, de-escalation, and state law. Starting Dec. 10, the troopers will begin field training at assigned stations statewide.

NC Thanksgiving: Dry, Crisp, and Travel-Friendly

As North Carolinians prepare for Thanksgiving gatherings, forecasts signal a crisp, mostly dry holiday weekend with a sharp temperature plunge following showers Tuesday night into early Wednesday.

Thanksgiving Day will feature partly sunny skies across North Carolina with daytime highs ranging from the upper 40s in the mountains to the mid-50s along the coast. Overnight lows will drop to the upper 20s to low 30s statewide.

No widespread precipitation or winter weather is expected Thursday through Saturday, supporting favorable road and air travel conditions on major routes, including I-40, I-85, and I-95.

Black Friday will be colder, with highs in the lower 50s and lows in the mid-to-upper 20s. Forecasters note breezy conditions may develop, but should not significantly impact travel.

Children are hungry. Let’s change that.

Food.

For those of us who have enough, it’s an easy need to fill. But millions of children go hungry. Their bodies can’t develop, much less their minds. They need a miracle.

You can be their miracle. Your compassionate gift of $30 brings a nutritious meal to three children every school day for one month.

Anita knew hunger firsthand. She loves to sing and aspires to a career in the music industry. She wants to do well in school, but hunger used to distract her and hold her back. That was before Convoy of Hope came to her village in Nepal. 

“My family and I didn’t trust outside organizations, because they would leave after a short period of time,” Anita remembers. “But Convoy has done so much. They didn’t just give us food; they taught us to grow it ourselves.” 

Many children are going to bed hungry tonight.

But you can change that.

You give. Convoy delivers. And hundreds of thousands of children are fed. 

➤ Statewide: The North Carolina Department of Transportation is distributing more than $185.6 million in Powell Bill funds to 508 municipalities for street maintenance, repairs, and infrastructure, including relief for 110 communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Unionized health workers rallied Thursday, demanding collective bargaining rights, a $25-per-hour minimum wage, safer working conditions, and an end to what they call a culture of fear and retaliation. (More)

➤ Wake County: Benji Martin Jr., accused of fatally shooting WakeMed officer Roger Smith on Nov. 8 inside Garner’s WakeMed facility, was released from the hospital Friday and taken to jail. He made his first court appearance yesterday. (More)

➤ Angier: A 4-year-old boy suffered severe injuries—including head lacerations, abrasions, and lost teeth—after falling from a moving white Dodge truck and being dragged along the road, prompting an ongoing sheriff’s investigation. (More)

➤ Carteret County: The fourth round of Operation Find Out resulted in 11 arrests for drug-related offenses, including methamphetamine trafficking and possession with intent to sell, with secured bonds ranging from $5,000 to $1,050,000. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Mpox cases are rising due to a new strain, with 10 reported in the area since October. Formerly called monkeypox, the virus spreads through close contact, causing fever, aches, lesions, and rash. (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Carolina Panthers lost to the San Francisco 49ers 20-9 last night on Monday Night Football. Quarterback Bryce Young struggled, throwing for just 169 yards in and turning the ball over twice on interceptions. (More)

➤ Men’s Basketball AP Poll: Duke moved up one spot to No. 4 this week, while UNC and NC State both climbed two spots to No. 16 and No. 23, respectively. (See Poll)

➤ A former Carolina Panthers cheerleader claims she was cut from the team this year for being transgender. “I appreciate everything that they’ve done for me, but I feel like I was done wrong,” said Justine Lindsay, who had been with the Panthers since 2022. (More)

➤ Front Row Motorsports performance director Johnny Roten died last week at age 60. The Wilkes County native worked in NASCAR-related jobs for decades, starting on Junior Johnson’s team. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAW Soccer Tournament | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect your home and your wallet this season with ServicePlus Home Warranty’s Black Friday Sale. Right now, get 60% off plus two months free coverage for appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and more. Avoid expensive surprise repairs, enjoy 24/7 claims support, and lock in one of their best deals of the year before the offer ends. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Nags Head will present bids on Dec. 3 for its beach nourishment project, which will place sand on the beach from 2919 South Virginia Dare Trail to the town line near Cape Hatteras National Seashore. (More)

➤ American Airlines’ regional carrier SkyWest Airlines will take over two routes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Shenandoah Valley Airport near Staunton, Virginia, starting Feb. 3, and Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg, West Virginia, starting Feb. 10. (More)

➤ Power management company Eaton will expand its Middlesex aerospace facility by 40,000 square feet in Nash County with a $6.8 million investment, adding 30 jobs at an average salary of $58,566. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Unlock Amazon’s Early Black Friday Deals now and snag deep discounts on electronics, home essentials, and gift-worthy tech before the rush. From headphones to smart gadgets, the biggest savings of the year are live—no waiting, no frenzy. Shop smart early and beat the crowds to the best steals. (SHOP NOW)

Your compassion feeds hungry kids.

Anita was hungry constantly. She needed to do well in school, but couldn’t because hunger was a distraction.

That was before a friend like you helped send Convoy of Hope to her village in Nepal. Now, she is thriving in school—and planning a career in music or maybe starting her own business. She is free to dream about her future!

That’s the lifesaving difference your compassion makes through Convoy of Hope. Your donation of $30 provides a nutritious meal for three children every school day for one month.

Anita now has enough to eat, but so many more children don’t. With your help, they will. Because when you give, Convoy delivers. And hundreds of thousands of children are fed.

➤ North Carolina ranks 33rd in U.S. college affordability, where average annual tuition costs consume 44.5% of median household income, placing it just below states like Oregon, Ohio, Missouri, and Tennessee, which fall within the 45-60% range. (See Rankings)

➤ The 31st Cucalorus Film Festival concluded Sunday in Wilmington after five days of screenings at Thalian Hall, Jengo’s Playhouse, and the Wilson Center, drawing thousands of attendees and showcasing new independent films and filmmakers. (More)

➤ Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme is offering a Peanuts-themed holiday collection that includes Snoopy Cookies & Kreme, Charlie Brown Ornament, Christmas Wreath, Santa Belly, and Holiday Sprinkle doughnuts. The treats will be available in special character boxes starting Nov. 29. (See Doughnuts)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ If you think dizziness is harmless, think again—new MRI research shows vertigo often starts with a hidden process that damages grey matter and increases the risk of memory loss, tinnitus, and fatigue. If you’ve felt lightheadedness or confusion, you need to see this video revealing the “ticking time bomb” affecting 87% of Americans.

What’s your favorite Peanuts holiday TV special?

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
3. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
4. Other
5. None

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you visited Jockey’s Ridge?

1. No: 37%
2. Yes: 36%
3. Not yet: 27%

What is Front Row Motorsports’ biggest win in history?

Show me the answer