54.9 The number of record-breaking inches of snow recorded this winter, as of Wednesday, at Reagan National Airport outside Washington. The previous Washington record of 54.4 inches was set in 1898-99
$80 billion The amount the Congressional Budget Office says the United States could save over the next decade by ending private loans to college students and moving to a direct government program
8.24 The market share of new homes sold in Wake County at price points of $400,000 and above in 2002
22.83 The market share of new homes sold in Wake County at price points of $400,000 and above in 2008
$600,000 The prize money won by Raleigh ad agency 5 Point Productions for having its Super Bowl ad for Doritos place No. 2 in a popularity contest
2,400 The number of calories in the dozen doughnuts consumed by the rule-following runners among the 6,000 who participated in the Krispy Kreme Challenge last Saturday
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Here in the Bible Belt, there are few things that people find more entertaining than organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). We've read our Holy Book and we know God gave us dominion over creation. 
Rick Santorum is back! Is Herman Cain next? Do you think Rick Perry is kicking himself for dropping out of this race? Paging Sarah Palin! 
Two years ago, while delivering his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama looked the Supreme Court justices in the face and told them they were wrong to have allowed special interests to spend without limits on campaigns. Keep up with the latest opinions from the News & Observer, delivered straight to your inbox, for free!
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