From the Editor:  There's a pill that reduces your risk of diabetes, high-blood pressure and some cancers.

From the Editor:  In Sunday's profile about our Tar Heel of the Year, education reporter Jane Stancill writes that the honoree has "serious credentials and the exuberance of a schoolgirl."

From the Editor:  Robert Willett, a veteran photojournalist at The News & Observer, was cooking dinner for his wife and two daughters recently when he heard from Scott Sharpe, our director of photography.

From the Editor:  After WakeMed extended a hostile bid to buy rival Rex Healthcare earlier this year, we invited leaders from both organizations to The News & Observer to discuss WakeMed's offer.

From the Editor:  Tony Debo, a former WTVD sports reporter and anchor, survived a helicopter crash nearly 20 years ago after a Friday night high school football game in Wilmington.

From the Editor:  Durham DA Tracey Cline says Judge Orlando Hudson used The N&O to undermine her. Which was news to me, as I've never met Hudson or communicated with him. If The N&O is going to be part of a clandestine conspiracy, I want to be in the loop.

From the Editor:  When Chapel Hill police officers handcuffed and detained a News & Observer reporter last weekend, their actions were rare for the Triangle - and unnecessary.

From the Editor:  Maybe it's good that the football coaches at State and Carolina argued about which has the stronger team academically.

From the Editor:  Amy Dunn's three children have heard it from her many times: "If it's not on sale or we don't have a coupon, we're not buying it."

From the Editor:  The 850 people of Concrete, Wash., had been without their own newspaper since the Concrete Herald folded in 1991 after 90 years.

From the Editor:  Lee Buono is a neurosurgeon. A patient, thrilled that Buono had restored his speech, urged Buono to call the person who inspired him to enter medicine.

From the Editor:  Durham District Attorney Tracey Cline has a problem with facts. She races by them like a reckless driver through a red light.

From the Editor:  Cars. Cash. Prostitutes. Academic fraud. Scandal after scandal in college sports threaten the integrity of universities and the jobs of the people who run them.

From the Editor:  Michael, a boy who grew up in New York City, wanted a dog. For years. He even gave his parents a PowerPoint presentation about why he should get a puppy.

From the Editor:  "I am a 78-year-old still-grieving widow," said the handwritten letter from Joan Coogan of Morehead City that arrived in July two years ago. "Barry Saunders is such an innovative, entertaining writer. My husband was most impressed with his writing. ... I had to laugh at today's article."