The N.C. General Assembly returns to work Oct. 4. In addition to gubernatorial vetoes and unresolved bills from this year’s regular “long session,” legislators could address proposed constitutional amendments and a plan to redraw judicial election maps. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, analyzes legislators’ priorities as they prepare to head back to the capital city. Many people believe science should guide public policy. That idea sounds good, but the science used to make public policy decisions can be shoddy. John Staddon, Duke University professor emeritus, is writing a book about the scientific method. He says much of what passes for science today has little to do with the empirical research that could help policymakers as they make decisions. State lawmakers are debating whether to redraw election maps for judges across North Carolina. The idea has generated plenty of debate. During a recent meeting on the topic, Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, a former judge, questioned the head of the state Administrative Office of the Courts about current plans for judicial redistricting. A Charlotte woman is suing the state over rules that block her from opening a school focusing on makeup artistry. The woman, Jasna Bukvic-Bhayani, is working with the Institute for Justice to challenge those regulations in court. Just after the lawsuit was filed, Bukvic-Bhayani, a potential student, and IJ attorneys discussed the suit during a news conference in Charlotte. You’ll hear highlights. North Carolina’s certificate-of-need restrictions continue to block medical providers from developing new facilities and purchasing major equipment unless they obtain state government’s permission slip. Katherine Restrepo, John Locke Foundation director of health care policy, discusses the latest case in which overly burdensome state CON rules stand in the way of medical innovation.