* Bill would create a study commission on licensing and regulating midwives. The state currently only allows nurse midwives with degrees.

* Greensboro blogger Ed Cone notices that U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan has finally upgraded her official Senate Web site, something he's been pushing for a while.

* A bill to ban cell phone use while driving appears dead after members of the Senate Commerce Committee appear particularly unenthused about it.

* House Health Committee is expected to consider a bill that would ban smoking in restaurants and public places in a meeting today.