* Conservative blogger Katy Benningfield writes that former Lee County commissioner Chad Adams appears to be running for chairman of the N.C. Republican Party.

* Republican state Rep. Ric Killian files a bill that would give a hunting and fishing license exemption for members of the military on active duty. 

* UNC-Chapel Hill journalism prof Leroy Towns thinks the "hand wringing" over the N&O's new health care newsletter is unwarranted; liberal blogger Adam Linker disagrees.

* Greensboro News-Record reporter Mark Binker writes that a bill to extend legislators' terms to four years is not likely to gain much traction in either chamber. 

* Rep. Bruce Goforth writes a bill that would extend legislators' terms from two years to four, says it would cut PAC influence, fundraising.

* U.S. Sen. Richard Burr makes the rounds, appearing on Fox News and WPTF, at press conference and on Senate floor to speak against SCHIP, stimulus package.

* Greensboro News-Record columnist Doug Clark says Senate Republican leader Phil Berger should go over legislators' heads and talk straight to the governor.

* Conservative, gun-owning NRA member Katy Benningfield speaks out against bill allowing hunting on Sundays, cites personal safety while mountain biking.

* N.C. Spin commentator Tom Campbell praises Gov. Beverly Perdue's recent changes to the top management of the State Board of Education.

* Republican consultant Carter Wrenn suggests GOP legislators push hard to open up certain personnel records related to probation officers to score points with voters.

* Conservative blogger Katy Benningfield says the race is heating up for the next state Republican Party chair, with gladhanding all around at the county conventions.

* Independent Weekly reporter spies jawbreakers, a miniature purple hat, Texas Pete and Diet Coke on legislators' desks, but not a lot of family photos.

The National Rifle Association endorsed Robert Pittenger.

According to NRA member Katy Benningfield's blog, the gun rights group's Political Victory Fund endorsed Pittenger in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor.

It also endorsed Judge John Tyson for re-election to the state Court of Appeals.

Katy Benningfield says illegal immigrants should not be allowed at state community colleges.

The conservative blogger writes that she cannot find a single elected official or candidate willing to stand by Gov. Mike Easley's support of allowing illegal immigrants to study.

She writes the schools already do not discriminate based on race, creed or national origin.

"However, those in this country illegally are breaking the law. Lawbreakers, even if they are Hispanic, should not be pandered to, simply for votes," she writes.

She does not explain who exactly is pandering for votes, since by her reckoning no politician except the lame-duck governor is standing by the policy.

A Woodfin man may run against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole in the Republican primary.

According to conservative blogger Katy Benningfield, Victor Burgess told the crowd at a Haywood County GOP event Saturday that he would officially announce his campaign in Asheville Thursday.

In a post on Conservative Corner, Benningfield writes that he spoke to the group for about 20 minutes, saying Dole is out of touch and not focused on the threat of terrorism and communism. He also attacked filmmaker Michael Moore.

He also said she "tap dances" around important issues and said he would run "because no one else would stand up," according to Benningfield.

Update: Burgess said he decided not to run today after seeing the reaction to his speech.

"I was testing the waters," he said, "and I've decided against it."

He said his message came off as too "angry and aggressive," and he has decided he should not run for political office after all.

"I'm not a politician," he said. "I'm not skilled in speaking in those terms. I've angered a lot of people and I shouldn't have done it."