Carolina Journal has spent more than 25 years exposing government boondoggles. CJ recently revisited two of the most prominent ill-fated projects that left taxpayers on the hook. Editor-in-Chief Rick Henderson discusses the 10-year anniversary of the failed Randy Parton Theatre in Roanoke Rapids and the 25-year anniversary of the disappointing Global TransPark surrounding the Kinston Airport. America faces numerous foreign policy and national security threats. Van Hipp tracks them as chairman of American Defense International Inc. During a recent visit to Raleigh, Hipp spelled out his key concerns about interlocking threats from North Korea, radical Islam, and other sources. The term “efficiency gap” has cropped up in recent years during national discussions about gerrymandering and electoral redistricting. A recent debate over new N.C. legislative maps included an interesting exchange about the efficiency gap and its role in helping guide legislative mapmakers. You’ll hear highlights. State lawmakers recently voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill to expand the availability of credit insurance. You’ll hear highlights from the N.C. House’s debate on the measure. Supporters said it would enable more people to insure purchases of items such as all-terrain vehicles and jet skis. Critics worried that predatory lenders would take advantage of the new law to harm consumers. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has released its latest grades for public schools across the state, along with graduation rates and other significant school data. Terry Stoops, the John Locke Foundation’s vice president for research, analyzes the data and highlights key findings.