NET-SIDE CHATS: Gov. Beverly Perdue, who has been hammered by Republicans for a state budget that cut spending and raised taxes, released two videos on YouTube that were addressed to state workers and teachers. The videos were nominally meant to encourage state employees submit money saving ideas for cash prizes. Perdue also used the opportunity to defend the budget and her role in it. Guess it's okay for state employees to be on YouTube at work, huh?

WHENEVER, WHEREVER: Sen. Richard Burr says he'll debate anyone who wants to challenge him next year. Burr, a Republican, may find himself with a full calendar. Democrats, who continue to search for a marquee candidate, are courting former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker and U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, who join at least four others who are trying to build buzz. All the fuss comes as a poll finds North Carolina residents know very little about the two people who represent them in the Senate.

ONE DOOR CLOSES: Auditor Beth Wood settled a dispute between the auditor's office and the State Ethics Commission that arose from an incident in which a staffer from then Lt. Gov.-Beverly Perdue's office viewed ethics disclosure without supervision. It was probably helpful to have that issue off her plate, since federal investigators looking into former Gov. Mike Easley wanted to talk to Wood about any involvement she had with Easley. A spokesman said there was little to talk about.

IN OTHER NEWS: Former Democratic state Rep. Bob Hensley of Wake County died. The state lottery wants to put ticket dispensing vending machines in chain stores across the state. Elizabeth Edwards said she expects her husband, former Presidential candidate John Edwards, to take a test to settle whether he father a child with his former mistress.

Former State Rep. Robert "Bob" Hensley, Jr. died this morning at Rex Hospital from complications of leukemia. He was 62.

Hensley represented Wake County in the House from 1990 to 2002, according to a news release announcing his death.

"Bob Hensley was a spirited and dedicated public servant who fought for what he thought was right and always cared about the average citizen," said State Rep. Deborah Ross, who now holds Hensley's seat.

He was among a handful of dissident Democrats during the early 2000s who didn't hesitate to buck the will of then-Speaker Jim Black.

Hensley was born in 1947 in Wilmington.

He graduated with a BA in history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and received his law degree from North Carolina Central University Law School.

"Bob was a progressive voice for Wake County and for the people of NC. During his time in the NC House, he represented the people with courage, enthusiasm, wisdom and wit. We will miss him," said Jennifer Weiss, a Raleigh Democrat. 

Hensley was most recently in the news for representing lobbyist Don Beason who was charged in a road rage incident. 

Hensley is survived by his wife, Pat Granger Hensley and sons Preston, Chris and Robert Hensley, III.

"I want to thank our many friends and neighbors for their kindness and care during Bob’s illness. We hope that everyone will keep us in their prayers during this difficult time," said Pat Hensley.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Was Don Beason involved in another gun incident?

Assistant District Attorney Matt Godwin tried to present evidence this morning that Beason showed a gun in a threatening way while in his vehicle in a separate incident in Raleigh in early June.

But Beason's attorney, former state Rep. Bob Hensley, argued that would unduly prejudice the jury — or in this case, the judge who will decide his misdemeanor assault case today. He said there is no police report on the incident.

"That's all we have — an allegation," he said.

Details about the other incident were extremely vague since the lawyers on both sides could not get specific in front of Judge Joy Hamilton without revealing too much.

Hamilton ruled in favor of allowing the evidence.

There was an interesting role reversal in today's Don Beason trial.

Prosecutors asked Judge Joy Hamilton to bar cameras from WRAL's news team from the courtroom, reports Ryan Teague Beckwith. Defense attorneys wanted them to stay.

It's usually the other way around.

An assistant Wake district attorney said two witnesses did not want to appear on TV news, though they did not mind being in the newspaper.

Beason's attorney, former state Rep. Bob Hensley, made an impassioned speech defending freedom of the press. He cited the state constitution and said there was no good reason to close the court in the misdemeanor assault case.

"This is not a juvenile case, this is not a sexual abuse case, and this certainly is not a national security case," he argued.

Beason, a former top lobbyist, is facing a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly pointing a gun at a Raleigh couple at a gas station near Cameron Village in July.

Judge Hamilton said the cameras could stay, saying Hensley's speech might win fans in the press corps.

"They might be reporting on what you said rather than this case after all that," she said.

Former lobbyist Don Beason's court date was postponed.

Beason appeared in a Wake County courtroom this morning to sign some legal paperwork. Neither he nor his attorney had any comment on the misdemeanor charge of waving a gun at another motorist during an alleged road rage incident.

His new court date was set for Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.

Beason dressed casually in a blue polo shirt and slacks and read The New York Times while waiting for his turn before Judge James Fullwood.

He was represented by former Rep. Bob Hensley. 

A closing attorney confirms that Don Beason paid cash for a condo.

John Cargill, who worked on a real estate deal between the lobbyist and then retiring Rep. Theresa Esposito in 2002, said he has no record of a loan, indicating that Beason bought the condo outright.

"I guess it was a simple cash deal," he told Dome. 

Cargill said that such transactions, usually done by a certified check, are rare but not unheard of. 

He did not remember the deal until reading about it on Dome and said he was not sure how Beason and Esposito chose him. He said that his legal partner, then Rep. Bob Hensley, may have recommended him, or possibly Hensley's wife, Pat, who is a real estate agent.

"Sometimes I would get referrals from them," he said. 

Cargill and Hensley worked together from 1997 until this June, when Cargill left for another firm.

Three legislators were directly and indirectly involved in a real estate deal with Don Beason in 2002.

Then Rep. Theresa Esposito, a Winston-Salem Republican, and her husband Alfred sold a 1,000-square-foot condominium in Bishops Ridge in Raleigh to the lobbyist on Sept. 10 of that year. The complex is popular among legislators.

Esposito, a former co-chair of the House budget committee, retired from the legislature a few weeks later.

Connie Kowalske, the real estate agent who notarized the sale, works for Howard Realty, a firm owned by Rep. Julia C. Howard, a Mocksville Republican.

And the closing attorney on the sale was John Cargill, who was a legal partner of then Rep. Bob Hensley, a Raleigh Democrat.

The Register of Deeds office could not find a deed of trust for the property, which could indicate that Beason paid the $142,500 price in cash.