Cover

• Taxpayers fund Easley coastal trips
• State response lags behind water needs

North Carolina

• Change in ‘Code Orange’ benchmark raises ozone worries, Page 5

Education

• Making their mark at home and abroad, Page 8
• College applicants find 2008 to be a tough year, Page 9
• Terry Stoops commentary: School choice abroad, Page 9
• Charter parents organize to meet threats, Page 10
• Wake diversity busing plan runs up against diesel costs, Page 11

Higher Education

• UNC budget likely to grow, but by how much? Page 12
• Pope Center contest to choose best freedom of inquiry courses, Page 13
• Jane Shaw commentary: Fresh air in college rankings, Page 13
• Bats in the Belltower, Page 14
• Center advises donors on how to ensure money used wisely, Page 14
• How students contributed to the college loan crisis, Page 15

Local Government

• Revitalization now means restaurant subsidies, Page 16
• Yanceyville Police Department left hanging by COPS grants, Page 17
• Chad Adams commentary: A consultancy solution, Page 17
• Local Innovation Bulletin Board, Page 18
• From Currituck to Cherokee, Page 18
• Revision of annexation laws growing as legislative issue, Page 19

Learning Curve

• Book review: Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: A Political Marriage, Page 20
• Troy Kickler commentary: County names honor the rich history of defenders of liberty, Page 21
• Book review: Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt, Page 22
• Book review: Nanny State, Page 23

Opinion

• Michael Lowrey commentary: War and perception, Page 24
• Editorial: A school-standards shell game, Page 24
• Editorial: End front-end regulation, Page 25
• Editorial: Unwise energy tax breaks, Page 25
• John Hood commentary: Look to South Carolina, Page 25
• Michael Walden commentary: Will N.C. do better this time around? Page 26
• Becki Gray commentary: Decisions of legislators tell much about their priorities, Page 27
• Marc Rotterman commentary: Making the case for an early N.C. primary, Page 27

Parting Shot

• Highway Patrol replaces police dogs with Yorkies (a CJ parody), Page 28