News-Record.com

I'm taking the family on a short trip, so don't expect any bloggy goodness out of me until Tuesday, April 11. Before I leave, here are some bits and pieces of news:

• Gov. Mike Easley Thursday is expected to address a big confab of legislators in Durham about his 2006 education agenda. You think he'll make mention of how the state should spend it's new-found lottery revenue?
• In case you didn't see, Greensboro Electrologist Trudy Brown has resigned as head of the state board of electrologist examiners following an unfavorable ruling by the state ethics board.
• If you're looking to wonk out in a really serious way and have a conservative streak, you may want to stop in on the Conservative Leadership Conference in Durham on Friday and Saturday. Click here for info on that event. The conference will feature speakers such as U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) and U.S. Senator George Allen (R-Va), and "Polling data that verifies North Carolina is a conservative state that favors conservative government."
• A new group has formed to push the minimum wage bill through the General Assembly this summer. The bill they're backing is now a co-production of Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro House member who has been pushing for a minimum wage hike for years, and Rep. Hugh Holliman, a Lexington representative who drafted language in the bill related to small business tax credits. It has passed the House and now rests in the Senate's hands. Adams and Sen. Kay Hagan say they expect to see stand-along minimum wage efforts launched in May.
• Peggy Schaefer, 47, has been named to head the North Carolina Justice Academy. According to AG Roy Cooper's new release, "The Justice Academy provides training for thousands of law enforcement officers from across North Carolina each year." Schaefer is a veteran of both the Guilford County sheriff’s office and the Greensboro Police Department.

That's it for now. Play nice while I'm away. And as always, the comment link is open.