August is prime vacation time, which means many of us will be spending time with a book or two. George Leef, research director with the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, recommends two books for liberty-minded readers. Leef discusses “Please Stop Helping Us,” which delves into affirmative action, and “Convention Center Follies,” which details the poor policy decision made by many local officials who decide to invest public money into money-losing convention centers. That’s followed by a talk with well-known writer and blogger Jim Geraghty, who compiles “The Campaign Spot” blog for National Review Online. During a recent visit to the John Locke Foundation, Geraghty offered Carolina Journal Radio his Washington perspective on the major 2014 election campaigns, including the importance of the North Carolina U.S. Senate race pitting incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan against Republican challenger Thom Tillis. Then we turn to the recent session of the General Assembly. North Carolina lawmakers have changed state law to allow Fayetteville to move forward with a revived red-light camera program. You’ll learn why some state senators endorsed the idea reluctantly. They hope to ban red-light cameras across the state in the future. Next is a look at the economy. Ever since the onset of the Great Recession, people have been focusing on the importance of helping people find and keep jobs. Daniel Alexander, regional director of the group Jobs For Life, explains how local, faith-based efforts can contribute to the job search process. And finally, Rick Henderson, managing editor of Carolina Journal, reveals the results of a recent state audit of the City of Tarboro. The audit uncovered numerous violations and irregularities involving the former town manager.