* Conservative blogger Joe Guarino thinks Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan's image as a moderate Democrat is belied by her votes.

* State Senate hopes to pass budget by Passover because tax receipts will be lower than expected. (Or because they can't raise any dough?) 

* A bill would implement a $3 per ticket tax in Roanoke Rapids to help the city pay down its debt on the Randy Parton Theatre.

* U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx gets in trouble for using the term "tar baby" during a speech about the bailouts on the House floor.