Medical tests kept Rep. Joe Kiser from Thursday's special session.

Kiser, a Lincoln County Republican and former minority leader, said he had scheduled a CAT scan long before the session was announced, David Ingram of The Charlotte Observer reports.

"I didn't feel like I could cancel or postpone what they wanted to do here," he said by telephone. He said the tests went well and that he is feeling fine.

He also said he would have voted for expelling Thomas Wright and against only a censure.

At least three Republican gubernatorial candidates will attend a luncheon next week in Asheville.

The Council of Independent Business Owners, which holds the monthly event, has invited all four candidates for the Republican nomination, and plans to hold a luncheon with the Democratic candidates next month.

Bill Graham, Fred Smith and Bob Orr have all confirmed. Patty Beaver of the CIBO said she thinks that Pat McCrory will follow suit soon.

The luncheon will take place Thursday Jan. 24, from noon to 1:30 at the Asheville Country Club.

Hat Tip: Capital Letters