Kay Hagan announced today that her campaign has raised $1.5 million since her candidacy began in October.

Hagan's campaign said that almost $1 million has been raised since January, and that 85 percent of her individual contributins came from North Carolina residents.

Hagan, a state senator from Greensboro, faces Chapel Hill investment banker Jim Neal in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.

"Our strong fundraising effort ensures we’ll have the resources necessary to move through the primary into the general election, to talk to more and more voters, travel the state, and continue building momentum to victory," Hagan said.

Eric Montross, left, Montross' son Andrew and Gov. Mike Easley at halftime during the UNC-Virginia Tech basketball game Saturday. (Courtesy of governor's office)

Bob Orr said the Republicans can do a better job at managing the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate said at a press conference today that Democratic control of the department has led to a lack of accountability.

"We're going to change the culture to put the public interest ahead of the special interests," he said.

The plan listed four key areas of reform:

* Appoint professionals to the Board of Transportation and ensure accountability through an open project approval process and rewards for productive department employees.

* Reorganize the department into geographic regions and place the N.C. Turnpike Authority under the department umbrella.

* Set measurable goals and establish minimum qualifications to sit on the board while reducing its size to 14 members.

* Utilize funds efficiently through consolidation and outsourcing and expand financing through the use of toll roads and public-private partnerships.

The N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers has announced its support of five judicial candidates and three Council of State candidates.

The Academy endorsed Janet Cowell for state Treasurer and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Insurance Commissioner Jim Long received its endorsement for re-election.

The group also will back Court of Appeals incumbents Chief Judge John Martin, Judge James A. Wynn Jr., and Judge Linda Stephens, as well as Supreme Court challenger Suzanne Reynolds and Court of Appeals challenger Wake County District Court Judge Kristin Ruth.

Previously, the group endorsed Beverly Perdue for governor.

Academy Chief Executive Officer Dick Taylor said the Academy will consider more endorsements as the campaign season continues.

Today in Bob Orr 101: Article III of the state Constitution, which lists the powers of the executive branch, including those that deal with administrative agencies, such as the N.C. Board of Transportation.

Orr said in a press conference this morning that nothing in the Constitution would prohibit the elimination of the board.

A campaign volunteer handed a copy of the Constitution to Orr to verify the claim.

"It's in my heart," Orr said in response to a question of whether he carries around the document in his pocket.

Orr said, however, that he would not eliminate the board because of the value in members advocating for their regions.

In another reference to the Constitution, he said the final decision in the transportation project approval process would have to fall under the executive powers granted to the governor and appointees.

Previously: Orr 101: Imperiled Education

John Edwards is thankful for a lot, according to a new campaign ad that will go on the air the day before Thanksgiving in early primary states.

The ad will run in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina through the holiday weekend, according to Edwards' presidential campaign.

Transcript after the jump.

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Four lawmakers are drafting a bill to provide full scholarships to the children of police and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

The lawmakers, all Republicans, are Sen. Richard Stevens of Cary, Sen. Fletcher Hartsell of Concord, Rep. Charles Thomas of Asheville and Rep. Thom Tillis of Huntersville plan to introduce bills in the house and senate in when the General Assembly reconvenes in May.

The scholarships would apply to state public universities or community colleges.

The state Highway Patrol is trying to figure out whether troopers padded their hours, Dan Kane reports.

The patrol gets $1.6 million from the federal government to pay troopers to patrol work zones. Troopers were falling behind on logging time for these patrols, which could have jeopardized the funding.

So in an e-mail message, Maj. Gregory Hayes told his charges to count any time they drive through a work zone, even on their way home. After Kane pointed out the message, Patrol Commander Fletcher Clay issued a clarification.

"Troopers should only document actual time spent patrolling," Clay wrote. (N&O)