HEALTHY CHOICE? The State Health Plan will stay afloat. After much deliberation, the state House and Senate agreed to fixes that will keep the health insurance plan for state workers and teachers in the black. No one was really happy about the final plan, but both chambers agreed it was only a short-term solution.

BLEAKER NEWS: Former Gov. Mike Easley revealed a new defense in the case of his son's SUV. In filings with the State Board of Elections, Easley's lawyer argued that the SUV was a campaign vehicle in 2003. Meantime, it was revealed that the Robert Bleecker's car dealership paid taxes on the car during that time.

VERN MALONE: Four-term Democratic state Sen. Vern Malone died last weekend. A school board member and county commissioner, he had played a key role in merging the Wake County and Raleigh school systems. A funeral was held Thursday, by which time jockeying had already begun to fill his seat in the state Senate.

IN OTHER NEWS: Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski gave President Obama leadership advice, but admitted he was right about the NCAA championship. ... Former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole will join her husband Bob for a speech in Kansas. ... U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan's husband, meantime, is suing the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority. ... Forget about offshore drilling. The new talk in energy circles is offshore wind farms, and North Carolina could see some under new federal rules.

A business partly owned by U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan's husband is suing the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority.

Charles T. "Chip" Hagan is a managing member of Hydrodyne Industries LLC, according to a Dec. 31 filing with the N.C. Secretary of State's office.

The Greensboro firm is one of four companies that own hydroelectric dams on the Deep River which are suing the regional authority, arguing they will lose money if it draws water from the river.

John Kime, the authority's executive director, told the Greensboro News-Record that plaintiffs are seeking millions of dollars in damages.

A trial is set for this summer.

Hat Tip: Rhino Times