YOU DON’T SAY...

"Tis the season for lots of unfounded rumors."
Rep. Susi Hamilton, rejecting speculation that she isn’t seeking reelection this year.
WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 1/22/12

Governor's Race

Erskine Bowles is out; Bob Etheridge is in.

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Hackney Retiring

Former House Speaker Joe Hackney announced Thursday that he is retiring from the General Assembly after more than 30 years.

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Debt Recommendations

The latest version of a debt affordability study issued by State Treasurer Janet Cowell again concludes that North Carolina has exhausted its debt capacity for another fiscal year.

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Buzzing Beekeepers

North Carolina beekeepers want the state Department of Agriculture to put some sting in honey labeling rules, but department officials say it isn't clear that they have that authority.

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Coleman Running

State Personnel Director Linda Coleman has announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor.

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ACLU Letter

The North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said Thursday that the General Assembly should stop opening its session with religion-specific prayers, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision not to intervene in a case involving prayer at government meetings.

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Clary's Job

Gaston County leaders have tapped former Rep. Debbie Clary to be their new lobbyist. Clary, a Cleveland County Republican, will start work Monday as a county employee.

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McCrory Campaigning

Republican Pat McCrory told a Hendersonville crowd Wednesday that he’s running to put an end to the “culture of corruption” in state government and revive an ailing economy.

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Insurance Rates

Auto insurance rates will not rise in 2012 after the insurance industry decided against asking for any rate hikes.

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Promoting Education

State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison urged board members Thursday to to champion public education as lawmakers increasingly question the value of taxpayer-funded schools.

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GPS Tracking

A high-ranking law enforcement officer in the state Division of Motor Vehicles says his superiors planted a hidden tracking device in his state-issued car in hopes of finding something to use against him in a long-running personnel dispute.

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Fracking Regulation

Speakers from the American Petroleum Institute, the lobbying arm for the oil and gas industry, said Thursday that the energy industry's self-policing standards should serve as a model for how North Carolina can regulate natural gas exploration and "fracking."

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Suspensions and Dropouts

Suspensions and dropouts were down in North Carolina schools during the year that ended last summer, according to a new report.

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Eugenics Town Hall

A town hall on the state’s now-defunct eugenics program was punctuated by tense moments and tears.

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Custody Battle

Former Sen. Julia Boseman, the state’s first openly gay legislator, is waging a second child-custody fight with a second former partner.

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Shuler Out

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler said Thursday that he will not seek reelection this year.

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Off Death Row

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

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