Steve Troxler reached across an aisle usually reserved for walking down.

This past weekend, the Republican agriculture commissioner's son, Shawn, married the daughter of staunch Democratic supporter and activist Roni Roberg at the Long View Center in Raleigh.

The happy occasion led to more than one bipartisan moment, as many of the bride's friends and family ended up on the groom's side of the church, and vice versa, leading to a mixed crowd.

Still, Troxler stuck to his own party when it came to renting a place for the rehearsal dinner, choosing the Gov. Jim Martin building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds — named for a former Republican.

He was reportedly philosophical about the wedding. 

"You have to get votes any way you can," he said in a statement. "We both made a concerted effort to reach across the aisle."

The Board of Agriculture heard today that officials are considering adding a day to the state fair.

The fair, held in Raleigh each year, would open Thursday, with about 90 of 112 rides open. Food would be available, and likely the main draw, David Ingram reports.

The operators would call it a "preview"—but the key is they could boost the total attendance. They might also include a deal where rides were included in the price of admission that day. The talk was all speculative at this point, however.

"We feel like we need to expand the fair timewise," said Wesley Wyatt, the fair's manager.

* Republican gubernatorial candidates Fred Smith and Bob Orr cross paths at Carolina Panthers tailgate party in Lincoln County. (Lincoln Tribune)

* John Edwards to appear on Bill Maher's show on HBO Friday night; with wife Elizabeth on Ellen DeGeneres' show Monday. (Marc Ambinder)

* Secretary of State Elaine Marshall receives honor from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for targeting counterfeit and bootleg products. (Triangle Business Journal)

* Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler picks winner in sub contest at State Fair; hangs with Jared Fogle from those ads. (News 14 Carolina)

* State Treasurer Richard Moore ("press-shy") asks the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the CEO of Countrywide Financial for selling stock. (The Street)

* Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler bets two-headed raccoon, etc., will help draw 1 million to State Fair — 100,000 than the state record. (N&O)

* U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick gives emotional tribute at the funeral of her close friend, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia, who died of breast cancer. (Washington Times)

* Former Sen. Richard Burr aide Dan Woodley has taken a job for Crosby-Volmer International Communications, a public relations firm in D.C. (Roll Call)

* Attorney General Roy Cooper says meth labs have decreased because of a law restricting sales of cold medicine, but the import of meth made in Mexico is increasing. (AC-T)

* Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue visits the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina's Broyhill Home in Clyde; the staff gives her a quilt. (The Mountaineer)

* Speaking at a Winston-Salem conference, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr "hinted at sympathy for illegal immigrants" in off-the-cuff remarks, by one reporter's account. (Yes Weekly)

* Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler asks vendors and animal handlers to conserve water at the State Fair because of the ongoing drought. (News 14 Carolina)