* African American voters were a key factor behind the landslide support earlier this month in Charlotte for a half-cent sales tax for mass transit. (Charlotte Observer)
* The nation's top transportation official was in Morrisville on Monday to announce federal funding for school bus seat belts. But the numbers show children are already safer on the bus than off. (N&O)
* Reacting to what he called a growing number of gangs, N.C. House Speaker Joe Hackney appointed a 14-member committee Monday to study the issue. (Charlotte Observer)

