RALEIGH, N.C. – An environmental regulator in North Carolina state government has traveled to the federal courthouse where prosecutors are seeking information about former Gov. Mike Easley.
Assistant Secretary for Environment Robin Smith left the Raleigh courthouse Thursday morning but declined to say whether she had testified before a grand jury.
The Department of Environment and [...]

The Consul General of France in Atlanta, Pascal Le Deunff, will visit North Carolina in December, his first visit to the Tar Heel State since his September appointment.
While here Dec. 1 through 3, Le Denuff will bestow the Legion of Honor upon three American WWII Veterans from North Carolina; meet with elected officials, university [...]

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina officials on Thursday said they were rescinding decades of good behavior credits that had been awarded to dozens of violent inmates – prisoners who thought they were going to be freed because of a quirky 1970s law that limited a life sentence to 80 years.
Gov. Beverly Perdue said the [...]

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A group in a North Carolina city is continuing its efforts to overturn a state law prohibiting local governments and the state from bargaining with unions.
The Fayetteville Observer reported that the Fayetteville chapter of a statewide coalition called Hear Our Public Employees will sponsor the meeting tonight at the Cumberland County [...]

BY Kim Genardo
NBC17
RALEIGH, N.C. — The rush is on to lose weight and stop smoking.
During the State Employees 2009 Health and Wellness Expo at the North Carolina Fairgrounds Wednesday, among the most crowded booths — weight loss plans, fitness memberships and healthy eating options.
State workers and those covered under the State Health Plan will pay [...]

RALEIGH, N.C.  – North Carolina state government has at least $620 million at its disposal so far to close any budget hole this fiscal year.
State budget director Charlie Perusse (pur-ROOS’) and the General Assembly’s top economist gave legislative leaders Wednesday an update on the state’s financial picture through October.
Perusse’s office estimates it will have $469 [...]

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  – A state lawmaker in North Carolina has pleaded guilty to contempt of court for missing a client’s trial in 2007.
The Charlotte Observer reported that a judge ordered Mecklenburg County Rep. Nick Mackey to pay $262 in court costs Tuesday, entering what’s called a prayer for judgment continued. That allows defendants to plead [...]

RALEIGH, N.C.  – A political operative who guided former Gov. Mike Easley’s two campaigns for North Carolina’s top office testified before a federal grand jury that’s hearing more about the Democratic governor.
Jay Reiff arrived with attorney Michael Weisel shortly before 9 a.m. and left before noon. Weisel says his client answered all the questions from [...]

RALEIGH, N.C.  – The health insurance plan for North Carolina state employees is still paying out more claims than budgeted for the first three months of the fiscal year.
Lawmakers received State Health Plan data Thursday showing paid medical claims are 4 percent higher than expected through Sept. 30.
That’s better compared to an 8 percent increase [...]

RALEIGH, N.C. – The prosecutor handling the campaign finance case of former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley says he wants to decide by February whether to seek criminal charges against the two-term Democrat.
Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly told The Associated Press on Thursday he understands Easley and the public want resolution in the matter [...]