Indiana
Indiana Beauty Queen Arrested In Mexican Cartel Drug Bust
![Indiana Beauty Queen Arrested In Mexican Cartel Drug Bust](https://static.outkick.com/www.outkick.com/content/uploads/2024/05/Indiana-Beauty-Queen-Glenis-Zapata-Arrested-In-Mexican-Cartel-Drug-Bust.jpg)
Life can come at you really fast sometimes. One minute, you’re a beauty queen taking home a title in Indiana without a care in the world. The next you’re a flight attendant caught up in a Mexican cartel drug bust.
That’s the situation Glenis Zapata currently finds herself in. The 34-year-old was crowned Miss Indiana Latina back in 2011. She’s now facing accusations of using her job as a flight attendant to move drug money out of Chicago.
A federal indictment alleges that Zapata moved drug money from Chicago to the southern states and into Mexico. She’s been charged with two counts of money laundering.
The charges are the result of claims that she was involved in a $170,000 cash transport on August 7, 2019, and at least $140,000 on September 10, 2019.
The former beauty queen is one of 18 suspects that were arrested alongside one of the DEA’s most wanted fugitives, Oswaldo Espinosa. He’s the alleged ring leader of a multi-million dollar Mexican drug trafficking ring.
Miss Indiana Latina Got Mixed Up With The Cartel
Zapata and two bank tellers were among the latest to be arrested as a part of the investigation over several years into Espinosa’s alleged operation. One of those bank tellers was Zapata’s sister, Ilenis Zapata.
If you’re thinking that Miss Indiana Latina 2011 doesn’t look like your average member of a drug trafficking organization, you’re correct. That’s reportedly by design, according to the indictment.
Espinosa purposely recruited people from 2018 to 2023, like Zapata, who would fly under the radar while conducting their alleged criminal behavior. That makes sense from their point of view.
What doesn’t make sense is taking down a former beauty queen with the alleged ring leader? She’s the perfect candidate – who was obviously mixed up with the wrong people – to flip into a witness.
Not just any witness, a star witness. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt here. It’s entirely possible they haven’t gotten that far with her yet, but she’s not the one that needs to have the book thrown at them.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Indiana
Pastor Micah Beckwith is Indiana GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, beating Mike Braun’s pick
![Pastor Micah Beckwith is Indiana GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, beating Mike Braun’s pick](https://www.wfyi.org/files/wfyi/articles/original/beckwith-supporters-bs.jpg)
Micah Beckwith won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor by 63 votes out of more than 1,700 cast at the Indiana Republican Party state convention on June 15, 2024.
Brandon Smith/IPB News
Ultraconservative pastor Micah Beckwith scored a stunning upset Saturday to become the Indiana Republican Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
Beckwith defeated gubernatorial nominee Mike Braun’s pick for running mate at the state GOP convention in what Braun is calling a “bump in the road.”
Braun likened having a running mate who wasn’t his first choice to dealing with “feisty” employees or customers in his business. And he said it’s clear that he’s in charge.
“My running mate can say whatever he wants,” Braun said. “If it doesn’t make sense or it doesn’t resonate, remember: I’m going to be the governor.”
On stage in the wake of the vote, Braun welcomed Beckwith to the ticket.
“Everything you believe in, I have as well,” Braun said.
Beckwith, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist, said he looks forward to working with Braun. He said he’s not going to be “divisive” or a “flamethrower.”
“I want to be a unifier. I want to extend an olive branch,” Beckwith said. “I want to make sure that people are heard. I think the conservative movement, the grassroots movement that I’m a part of — I believe they feel unheard.”
Beckwith built his campaign on the idea of being a check and balance to the governor. And he said the convention result further exposed divisions in the Republican Party.
READ MORE: You asked what role state party conventions play in Indiana. We’ve got answers
Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text “Indiana” to 765-275-1120. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues and the election, including our project Civically, Indiana.
Beckwith beat state Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) for the nomination by 891 votes to 828.
Delegates also officially nominated incumbent Todd Rokita as the GOP nominee for attorney general. He was unopposed at the convention.
Rokita took to the stage in boxing gloves and vowed to continue to be a fighter in the office.
“We have to take these gloves off, because the radicals won’t stop,” Rokita said.
Democrats will choose their nominees for attorney general and lieutenant governor next month.
Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org.
Indiana
BREAKING: LSU Baseball Lands Commitment From Indiana State Pitcher Luke Hayden
![BREAKING: LSU Baseball Lands Commitment From Indiana State Pitcher Luke Hayden](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1999,h_1124,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/lsu_country/01j0emja61057engxc62.jpg)
Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball staff continue their hot streak in the NCAA Transfer Portal after adding their fourth pitcher this offseason: Indiana State’s Luke Hayden.
Hayden, a right-handed pitcher who shined for the Sycamores in 2024, is Baton Rouge bound with a chance to become a pivotal relief pitcher for the Tigers next season.
During the 2024 season, Hayden tallied 91 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched with a 3.81 ERA. The Indiana State stud adds to the Tigers’ impressive Transfer Portal haul, becoming the fifth addition in the last seven days.
Johnson and Co. have now reeled in Indiana State’s top two players from a season ago in both Hayden and slugger Luis Hernandez.
Hernandez revealed his commitment to LSU earlier in the week with the Tigers adding the electric power-hitter.
Hayden is the fifth transfer to announce his commitment to LSU.
BREAKING: Here come the Tigers… Jay Johnson and the Tigers land another Transfer Portal commitment: Luke Hayden.
The Indiana State star is Baton Rouge bound with a chance to make an impact for #LSU.
The 2024 Numbers: The Tigers are rolling. pic.twitter.com/dIwyrNbKMP — Zack Nagy (@znagy20) June 15, 2024
78 IP
3.81 ERA
91 strikeouts
47 BB
A dive into the five Transfer Portal commitments:
Chandler Dorsey: South Florida
On Monday, LSU secured its first portal commitment after South Florida relief pitcher Chandler Dorsey announced he would be taking his talents to Baton Rouge.
The right-handed relief pitcher announced on social media:
“Blessed to announce my commitment to LSU to further my academic and baseball career,” Dorsey said via Instagram. “I want to thank God, my family and coaches who helped me throughout this journey! Geaux Tigers!”
Dorsey announced his intentions to depart South Florida after two years with the program.
During the 2024 season, the prized righty went 2-1 with eight saves and a 3.60 ERA (12 ER/30.0 IP) with a 1.20 WHIP. He also racked up 41 strikeouts on the season during year two with the Bulls.
Now, he’s Baton Rouge bound as the first commitment for LSU during the offseason after seeing nine departures over the last eight days.
Luis Hernandez: Indiana State
Hernandez revealed his commitment to Johnson and Co. on Tuesday with LSU adding a key piece to the lineup for the 2025 season.
After three years with the Sycamores, Hernandez entered the portal with a chance to find a change of scenery.
Now, he’s Baton Rouge bound with Johnson finding a talented power hitter to replace the likes of Tommy White and others.
The utility slugger finished his career with Indiana State batting .315 across his three years with the program. In 578 career at-bats, Hernandez tallied 182 hits, 118 runs, 32 home runs, 120 RBIs and has drawn 48 walks.
In 2024, he pieced together his most impressive year yet. Hernandez raked in 23 home runs with a .359 batting average and 76 runs batted in.
He has the chance to be a key component to what the Tigers do in 2025. A player who has played in the infield, catcher and served as designated hitter, Hernandez is a utility piece for LSU come next season.
Zac Cowan: Wofford
The All-SoCon right-handed pitcher went 10-2 with 124 strikeouts and 29 walks in 110 innings at Wofford this spring. Cowan also boasts a 3.35 ERA after dismantling opponents during the 2024 season with the Terriers.
It’s another big-time addition to the pitching rotation for Johnson and Co. as he continues working through Transfer Portal evaluations.
Now, he brings in an ace who’s proven he can compete at the highest level.
Cowan, who was one of the most sought-after transfers in the portal, will now head to Baton Rouge with the chance to earn a starting slot alongside several prominent arms.
Cowan is the third addition for LSU this offseason, joining South Florida right-handed pitcher Chandler Dorsey and Indiana State slugger Luis Hernandez.
Deven Sheerin: Mount St. Mary’s Pitcher
Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball staff remained hot in the NCAA Transfer Portal on Friday night after adding a commitment from Mount St. Mary’s Deven Sheerin.
The electric right-handed pitcher is fresh off of a dominant first season of college baseball after dismantling opponents in year one.
Sheerin logged a 4.76 ERA in 2024 with 109 strikeouts, 32 walks, 10 HBP and 37 earned runs in 70 innings pitched. The numbers speak for themselves, but Sheerin’s arsenal pitches has proven to be what makes him so lethal.
As just a freshman, his fastball has been clocked at 98mph while hovering in the 95mph range routinely.
The addition is another impressive one for Johnson and the Tigers, but the key factor here is that Sheerin won’t be eligible for the MLB Draft until 2026, meaning he’ll be in Baton Rouge for at least two seasons.
It’s a dynamic piece for the Tigers, and now with Sheerin in the mix, LSU has now secured a trio of immediate impact pitchers for the 2025 season.
Other LSU News:
LSU Baseball: Tigers Secure Commitment From Wofford Ace Zac Cowan
BREAKING: LSU Lands Commitment From Indiana State Slugger Luis Hernandez
LSU Baseball: Jay Johnson Reacts to Paul Mainieri Being Hired By South Carolina
Join the Community:
Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Country: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.
Indiana
Indiana Grown: Drift Botanicals
![Indiana Grown: Drift Botanicals](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/15/BACKGROUND-Drift-Botanicals.png)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each and every Saturday, WISH-TV highlights a local company together with our partners at Indiana Grown.
This week, Kelly Conway, and her daughter, Iris, with Drift Botanicals join News 8 at Daybreak.
Focused on environmentally sustainable cleaning and eliminating plastic waste, Drift Botanicals offers plant-based cleaning supplies.
Kelly shares with News 8 the importance of organic cleaning and how their business started.
“I actually got started when the kids were little and I was cleaning houses,” she said. “I knew right away I wanted to make my own cleaning products because conventional products aren’t always the best. I really wanted clean ingredients, I wanted them to be safe and effective cleaners, and I wanted sustainable packaging.
All of Drift Botanical’s cleaning products come in refillable glass bottles. They have several “refill stations” for their products in central Indiana, including one on Indianapolis’ northwest side.
The Conways also share their process of growing and steam distilling their own essential oils.
“Part of really clean ingredients is we wanted to scent our products, but we didn’t want to use synthetic fragrances,” Kelly said. “So, my husband and I got to wor. He’s a great gardener, so we grow all of our own plant materials and we steam distill them into essential oils and use those to scent the products.”
They also discuss their recognition by Better Homes & Gardens as one of the best glass cleaners.
To learn more, watch the full interview above.
-
News1 week ago
Israel used a U.S.-made bomb in a deadly U.N. school strike in Gaza
-
World1 week ago
France to provide Ukraine with its Mirage combat aircraft
-
World1 week ago
World leaders, veterans mark D-Day’s 80th anniversary in France
-
World1 week ago
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 833
-
News1 week ago
Nonprofit CFO Accused of 'Simply Astonishing' Fraud
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Insane Like Me? – Review | Vampire Horror Movie | Heaven of Horror
-
Politics1 week ago
George Clooney called White House to complain about Biden’s criticism of ICC and defend wife’s work: report
-
Politics1 week ago
Newson, Dem leaders try to negotiate Prop 47 reform off California ballots, as GOP wants to let voters decide