Politics

February 13, 2013 - As commissioners consider whether to approve Duke Energy's controversial electric generation plan, the legislature wants to fire all of them and let Gov. Pat McCrory appoint a new slate. But given McCrory's longstanding ties to -- and ongoing investments in -- the utility giant, watchdogs say that represents a serious conflict of interest.

February 11, 2013 - Organized by the state NAACP, the 7th annual Historic Thousands on Jones Street march in Raleigh, N.C. called for economic justice amid a legislative push for austerity.

February 8, 2013 - This month the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a landmark case challenging Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Considered the heart of the law, the section prohibits racially discriminatory election changes in covered jurisdictions, most of which are in the South.

February 8, 2013 - The mismatch between who voters chose for Congress, and the actual makeup of the U.S. House after the 2012 elections, has sparked a new debate about gerrymandering. But what's the best solution to ensure the wishes of voters are honored?

February 7, 2013 - The woman picked to lead North Carolina's early childhood education programs is facing media scrutiny for derogatory statements she's made on social media. In 2005 she was at the center of another controversy: a widely-discredited government website accused of anti-gay bias and peddling false information about contraception and abortion.

February 7, 2013 - John Droz of the American Tradition Institute, a conservative group know for attacking climate scientists, visited North Carolina this week to warn lawmakers that science is under attack -- but his presentation left the actual scientists in the room shaking their heads.

February 6, 2013 - Conservative mega-donor Art Pope has helped finance a movement to discredit mainstream climate science. Now North Carolina's budget director, he will help make important fiscal decisions for a state facing serious threats from climate change.