Fans coming up to the nation's capital this weekend for the Wake Forest University football game have a prominent alumnus helping with arrangements.

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, who played defensive back for Wake Forest in the 1970s, is arranging tours of the U.S. Capitol for fans, Barb Barrett reports.

So far, more than 200 people have signed up for tours on Thursday and Friday.

The Demon Deacons play Navy on Saturday in the EagleBank Bowl. For information on Wake Forest’s Capitol tours, go here.

Community groups looking for free space to hold events might want to contact the captain of the State Highway Patrol's Troop C headquarters on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh.

On Saturday night, the patrol's captain, James Williams Jr. allowed one of his sergeants, Kenneth McCray, to use the headquarters' auditorium for an awards party for his son's Pop Warner football team, Dan Kane reports.

Patrol spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin said patrol admistration didn't know about the event, and he was unaware of any other outside groups using the auditorium in the past.

But after checking into it, Clendenin said he could find nothing in the patrol's policy against it.

"It was up to the captain, and he approved it," Clendenin said.

The patrol would have to arrange for the gates of the Troop C facility to be open during weekends so community groups can use the auditorium. The gates are typically closed. Clendenin wasn't sure how the patrol would make sure that those who used the headquarters would be separated from patrol offices or equipment.

The auditorium comfortably holds 50 people and has a stage. Those who use it would have to clean up after themselves.

Is U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler gearing up for 2010?

The Waynesville Democrat told the Hendersonville Times-News that he hasn't ruled out running against Sen. Richard Burr in two years:

Shuler said he has not ruled out a run for Senate, but wants to focus now on Congress.

"First and foremost, I am going back to Washington and work on the economy," Shuler said. "At this point in time we need to focus on the economy."

The paper notes that the race would pit Shuler, a former star quarterback from the University of Tennessee, against Burr, who played defensive back at Wake Forest University.

It also notes that Shuler said he was approached about taking on Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

'It was my first term, and we decided against it," he told the paper. 

Who needs the federal government? We've got football.

Though the U.S. Census Bureau does not define the Southeastern region in its reports, another major — more important? — agency does: The Southeastern Conference.

The college athletic conference headquartered in Alabama has its own roster of states it considers to be in the Southeast:

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

It does not include North Carolina or Virginia, which are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference but are undoubtedly in the Southeast. It also skips West Virginia, a borderline case.

The definition is important because a recent political ad compares tax rates in the Southeast, which obviously differ depending on which states you include.

The House and the Senate gaveled in the short session just after noon.

Along with the state budget, they will consider bills that passed at least one chamber during the 2007 session as well as some new legislation, Dan Kane reports.

One bill was introduced in the House, to provide $660,624 for Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils serving Franklin, Granville, Person, and Vance counties.

Other bills filed on opening day included a $44.7 million request for the Smart Start child care program and legislation limiting ski resorts' liability for injuries that typically occur in skiing.

Lawmakers can also expect another visit from Appalachian State University's football team, which won its third straight NCAA Division I championship in December. Resolutions filed in both chambers would honor the team's accomplishments, which include beating football powerhouse the University of Michigan.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is standing up for NCAA sports.

The Farmville Republican is urging Time Warner to begin carrying the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, a cable channel that features local college basketball, football and lacrosse games.

Twenty North Carolina colleges and universities have agreed to broadcast their games on the channel in the 2007-08 season. Time Warner does not offer the channel, although four other cable providers are.

Jones sent a letter to Time Warner Cable Chairman Glenn Britt protesting the lack of coverage. 

"I strongly encourage you to reach an agreement with MASN as soon as possible and begin televising on basic cable the 'must have' local sports of this regional sports network," he wrote.

* Senate candidate Jim Neal wants to cut military spending, boost education spending, provide universal health care and publicly finance campaigns. (Independent Weekly)

* U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler's bill making it tougher to hire illegal immigrants gets support from his Republican challengers, John Armor, Spence Campbell and Carl Mumpower. (AC-T)

* Gov. Mike Easley, a UNC-Chapel Hill grad, doesn't think the annual matchup between N.C. State and UNC's football teams needs a nickname or trophy. (N&O)

* U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole likely to support override of veto by President Bush. Bill would spend $23.2 billion on water resources, including infrastructure. (AP)

State Sen. Fred Smith is still a Demon Deacon at heart.

At a debate at the N.C. School Boards Association meeting this morning, the Republican gubernatorial candidate mentioned his alma mater in response to a question about a 2005 law that allows some out-of-state students to get in-state tuition.

Smith said the program was designed to give athletic scholarships to out-of-state standouts being recruited to UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University.

"This initiative was for the Ram's Club and the Wolfpack Club," he said, referring to the alumni sports associations of both schools. He said it creates — literally — "an unlevel playing field."

"As a former Wake Forest football player, I am clearly opposed to this initiative," he said, provoking a hearty laugh from the crowd.

Bill Graham and Bob Orr said they also opposed the program.

State Sen. Fred Smith is stoic in defeat.

In a Dec. 6, 1959, story in the Charlotte Observer, the then-high school football player made clear his feelings after North Carolina lost to South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl.

Though he was chosen as the game's outstanding lineman, Smith was not happy:

Smith riveted his eyes on the horizon with a grim expression. "Come on, Fred," called a buddy, "smile for the man."

"The losers don't smile," sighed Smith, finally breaking into a faint grin.

All was not lost, however. The story goes on to note that college coaches from both Carolinas descended on Smith "with outstretched palms, eyes gleaming with congeniality."

Smith went on to attend Wake Forest University on a football scholarship.

Hat Tip: Maria Wygand

* John Edwards and family get two dogs: Lily and Rufus. Supporters turn campaign blog into dog-apalooza. Snarky blog mistakes kid for dog. (Wonkette)

* U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a retired NFL quarterback, throws two interceptions, coaches team that gets shut out, 28-0, in face-off with Capitol Police team. (Roll Call)

* Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand plans to introduce legislation next year to classify street rods and set new rules for titling them after controversy. (Fay-O)

* John Edwards is the only candidate selling buttons with a photo of his spouse; he and Mitt Romney the only ones with "support the troops" stickers. (NYT)