The owner of La Conexion, the Triangle's first Spanish-language newspaper, will sell the 13-year-old publication to a Raleigh advocate for immigrants' rights.

The paper's founder and owner, Michael Leary Sr., announced the sale to Raleigh lawyer Terence McEnally III in Wednesday's edition. Leary's open letter to readers said publishing a weekly newspaper was a thrill and adventure that had turned into a "heartache."

The weekly tabloid caters to a readership of Latin American immigrants, some of whom arrive in this country illegally. The free weekly doles out news and advice on deportations, raids, arrests, crime and other issues of concern.

But amid a backlash against illegal immigrants, the paper has suffered.

La Conexion and the region's other free Spanish-language weekly, Que Pasa, are competing for the same advertisers amid a general slump in the newspaper business.

Additionally, some businesses are unwilling to advertise because they don't want to be seen as catering to Hispanics at a time that illegal immigration has become a political flash point, Leary said.

The paper has lost advertising from the auto industry as a result of a state law that prohibits illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses. Ads have also fallen off for insurance, tires, stereos, alarms and auto parts, Leary said.

McEnally hopes to revive La Conexion and use it as a bully pulpit for Hispanic causes. McEnally was among La Conexion's first advertisers. He specializes in representing Hispanic clients in traffic cases and other matters.

"It's not robust; it needs some help," McEnally said. "Things are tough for the readership of this particular newspaper because many are undocumented."

The sale price was not disclosed. The deal is expected to be closed this month.

The newspaper prints 20,000 copies a week and is distributed within a 70-mile radius of Raleigh, Leary said. Its competition, Que Pasa, which began publishing in the Triangle in 2002, claims a weekly print run of 30,000 copies.

During the transition to new ownership, Leary will continue as an editor. Operating a newspaper and related events was draining for a father of two young children, he said. A one-time restaurant cook and manager, Leary has not decided on his next business venture.

In this week's La Conexion, McEnally was adamant about promoting the rights of immigrants and Hispanics.

"I don't care what they say or how members of my race regard me, in part because I feel a part of the Hispanic community," McEnally is quoted as saying in Spanish. McEnally, 42, learned Spanish in a Berlitz language program. His wife is from Peru.

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