WRAL-TV

Here's the link to watch the debate live.

When Republicans in the Legislature tied extending jobless benefits for the unemployed with an outrageous Continuing Resolution, they knew Governor Perdue would be forced to Veto the bill. They also knew their little trick would be confusing for many, and maybe even some media folks. But we're now in week 5, and when I saw this comment over at The Pulse, I came to the realization that confusion is still the rule, and not the exception:

I think it is despicable what Governor Purdue has done, or NOT done for choice of better words.

This was reported in the N&O this morning.

Laura Leslie, who has covered state politics and government at WUNC for more than six years, is joining WRAL as a multimedia reporter. Her last day at WUNC is today, and she'll start at WRAL on Friday.

In her new role, Leslie will continue coverage of the legislature and state politics. Leslie said she'll focus mostly on expanding WRAL's online coverage, including webcasts and podcasts, as the General Assembly prepares to return to Raleigh.

North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner, Wayne Goodwin, and the Department of Insurance are going after yet another person charged with illegally dropping health insurance for employees of a small business.

I know we homo sapiens think we are the center of god's universe, but can we please stop with the practice of interpreting everything around us in terms of human emotion? Especially when it comes to the weather.

I don't expect much from news in TV land, and my expectations are always fulfilled. Like today when WRAL-TV in Raleigh finally got around to a story blogs and newspapers have been covering for months. It's about Beverly Perdue and Richard Moore going head to head for the chance to live in the North Carolina Governor's mansion.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue hopes to crash the boys' club that has been the North Carolina Governor's Office in two years.

From Richard Caswell in 1776 to Gov. Mike Easley, all of the state's cheif [sic] executives have been men. But political observers say Perdue is well positioned to break that streak in 2008.

I won't comment on the merits of this case, but simply point out the obvious: this is what life looks like when you have a big fat target on your back like Jim Black does.

This story on WRAL-TV this morning, reports on alleged campaign finance irregularities by Rep. Thomas Wright (D) of New Hanover County. The whole thing seems stinky to me, but that's not the point. The point is that the story leads with Jim Black who is only tangentially (if at all) involved in the case.

A frequent critic of state House Speaker Jim Black accused one of Black's allies Tuesday of breaking elections law by delaying the disclosure of more than $41,000 in campaign donations. Joe Sinsheimer filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections asking officials to investigate campaign finance reports of Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover, for the first three quarters of this year.