Cover

• Why does conservative talk radio con-tinue to thrive, especially in North Caro-lina? The answer is part Rush inspiration; and part public participation. One example of conservative chat’s influence resulted in the recent Taxpayer Tea Party at the legis-lature, which was led by WPTF’s Jerry Agar. Page 1

North Carolina

• Almost anywhere you go in North Caro-lina, you are likely to find a local conserva-tive radio talk show on the air. Page 4
• The state auditor’s review of the Aviation Division of the Department of Transporta-tion revealed several irregularities in a grant for airport improvements. Page 5
• The Department of Public Instruction raved about the state’s performance on na-tional math tests, but close analysis should temper their enthusiasm. Page 5

Education

• A few NC counties are working to re-duce dropout rates. Page 6
• Paige Holland trumpets the work of edu-cation leader Linda Harrell. Page 7
• Proofreading textbooks, and the NEA’s position on gays, mark school reform news from around the country. Page 8
• Early childhood initiatives are leading to mandatory school attendance for very young children in some areas. Page 8
• An interview with Rhonda Bridgers, prin-cipal of Raleigh’s PreEminent Charter School. Page 9

Higher Education

• Will higher education, offered on the Internet, be eventually attainable for free? Page 10
• A study found that UNC tuition, despite increases, was still a bargain compared to other state universities. Page 11
• George Leef says that by looking at how other states cut their university budgets, North Carolina might learn something. Page 11
• UNC-Chapel Hill offered a summer in-doctrination course on “diversity.” Page 12
• Some colleges are requiring students to have personal digital assistants. Page 12
• A U.S. Supreme Court ruling could have a major impact on Title IX implementation on college campuses. Page 13
• Another U.S. Supreme Court ruling hurts the cause of race-based preferences in cam-pus admissions. Page 13

Local Government

• North Carolina is home to many minor league baseball teams, and most receive benefits from taxpayers. Page 14
• Sam Staley says regulations can unneces-sarily strangle new businesses. Page 15
• The Heritage Foundation releases a study on the successes of competitive contracting for governments. Page 16
• An interview with Wake County Com-missioner Kenn Gardner. Page 16
• Tax dollars for beach renourishment and public-funded international mayoral trips top the local government news. Page 17

Learning Curve

• Reviews of Making Patriots by Walter Berns and The Revolutionary Writings of John Adams by C. Bradley Thompson. Page 18
• Reviews of Coming Out of the Woods by Wallace Kaufman and Antitrust after Microsoft by David Kopel. Page 19

Opinion

• Editorials on welfare reform and toll roads. Page 20
• Editorials on bike helmets and posting the Ten Commandments. Page 21
• Andrew Cline proposes that state legislators complete N.C. State’s Econom-ics 201 course. Page 22
• Michael Walden debunks myths about the minimum wage. Page 23

Parting Shot

• A report on the terrorist tactics practiced at the Taxpayer Tea Party. Page 24