Christensen:  If Republicans lose the governor's race this year, they may have some rude denizens of the Dean Dome to blame.

At a string of public hearings that starts Tuesday in Lumberton, state highway engineers will ask Eastern North Carolina residents what they think about a novel and ambitious proposal to give Interstate 95 a long-needed overhaul - and to cover the $4.4 billion cost by collecting tolls electronically from its drivers.

A radio documentary series produced out of Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies, aim to examine how hot-button issues are approached at the community level.

Some labels on a graphic Saturday were incorrectly worded. The graphic should have indicated that 58 percent of those state employees who were laid off were female and 40 percent were minorities.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Etheridge said Friday this was "a defining moment" in North Carolina's history, and that he could provide the leadership that would keep the state in its preeminent position in the South.

North Carolina, with 15 electoral votes, is likely to be among the most hotly contested swing states in 2012. And the statewide fundraising race could end up being as close as the one for votes.

Republican leaders in the state House of Representatives said Friday that they're reviewing a complaint by a civil liberties group about prayers in the General Assembly but that they believe the group is out of touch with the concerns of North Carolina residents.

Women and minorities were disproportionately hit by the budget cuts to state government last year, according to data provided by the state.

A Wayne County judge has ruled that a convicted murderer must be taken off death row because he meets state criteria for mental retardation.

Two stray cats scheduled to be euthanized by Wake County won their freedom Thursday after local and national feline advocacy groups took the county to court.

Erskine Bowles said Thursday that he would not run for governor, but other Democrats moved to fill the void with former Congressman Bob Etheridge announcing that he would seek his party's nomination.

State Rep. Joe Hackney, a 32-year veteran lawmaker and former speaker, said Thursday he would not seek another term, becoming the latest in a string of top Democrats to announce retirements in the past week.