* 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)

John Armor has joined the crowded field of Republicans in the 11th Congressional race.

The Highlands lawyer, who challenged then U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor in the 2006 primary, says he will run for the Republican nomination to face U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a Democrat.

He will have to beat former Henderson County Republican Party Chairman Spence Campbell and Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower first.

Taylor has not said whether he will run again for his old seat. 

Blue Ridge Now reports that Armor is concerned about the loss of agriculure and manufacturing jobs, dislikes illegal immigration and wants to improve tourism. He also took a shot at his old rival.

"I don't know if Charles Taylor — being it is Halloween — can rise from the dead," Armor said. "The sad thing is he would probably win (the nomination) in a crowded field ... (but) he would get his hat handed to him in the general election."