Cover

• Parton project attracts political firepower
• Dolly Parton comes to brother’s defense

North Carolina

• Apparent conflicts of interest engulf theater project, Page 3
• CCS consultant admits report had no cost-benefit analysis, Page 4
• N.C. forestry leader sees environmental upside, Page 4
• Residents reject Raleigh restrictions on land use, Page 5

Education

• Education issues will face legislature, Page 8
• Charter schools fare better on school violence reports, Page 9
• Kristen Blair commentary: Johnny won’t read, Page 9
• Durham Nativity School breaking barriers, Page 10
• Big-ticket bond referendum has Guilford officials at odds, Page 11

Higher Education

• Balance sought in campus security and liberty, Page 12
• Jay Schalin commentary: Respect the rule of law, Page 13
• Jane Shaw commentary: We sympathize, to a point, Page 13
• Bats in the Belltower, Page 14
• Community college board taps Ralls as Lancaster replacement, Page 14
• Good news on historically black colleges and universities, Page 15

Local Government

• Critics target ‘smart growth’ commissioners, Page 16
• Skybus using N.C. incentives to push European air model, Page 17
• Chad Adams commentary: ‘Wishful thinking’ governance, Page 17
• Local Innovation Bulletin Board, Page 18
• From Cherokee to Currituck, Page 18
• USDA loan program competes with local business, Page 19

Learning Curve

• Book Review: Robert Morgan’s Boone: A Biography, Page 20
• Troy Kickler commentary: Nothing beats being armed with a good quote when needed, Page 21
• Short Takes on Culture, Page 22
• Book Review: Steven G. Calabresi’s Originalism, Page 22
• Book Review: James R. Gaines’ For Liberty and Glory, Page 23.

Opinion

• Paul Chesser commentary: N.C. slumbers through primaries, Page 24
• Editorial: Beware study committees, Page 24
• Editorial: Drive your own health care, Page 25
• Editorial: School solution? Cut taxes, Page 25
• John Hood commentary: Why we should fight for freedom, Page 25
• Michael Walden commentary: Assessing dueling health care approaches, Page 26
• Marc Rotterman commentary: Immigration the new third rail of American politics, Page 27
• Letters to the editor, Page 27

Parting Shot

• CJ parody: Parton joins Highway Patrol to defuse scandals, Page 28