Any visitor to U.S. Sen. Richard Burr’s office knows he’s a fan of the gridiron.

A black-and-white photograph of Burr’s days as a college player at Wake Forest University hangs on the wall, showing him in his uniform, carrying a ball, Barb Barrett reports.

Now, Burr is a hall-of-famer.

R.J. Reynolds High School of Winston-Salem inducted Burr on Friday into its sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony he attended.

Burr played varsity football there and was named to the all-conference and all-state teams before graduating in 1974.

He went on to play defensive back at Wake Forest University until a series of injuries forced him into early retirement his junior year.

In a prepared statement, Burr spokesman David Ward said, “Senator Burr is honored to be inducted into the R.J. Reynolds High School Sports Hall of Fame and is looking forward to adding more memorabilia to the North Carolina sports wall in his office.”

* The state's universities and colleges are being hit hard with cases of flu, most likely of the H1N1 variety.

A type of influenza easily passed among young people, H1N1 is circulating so commonly that health officials don't even test for it specifically. They simply say students have "influenza-like illness" and assume the strain is H1N1.

The largest numbers are at UNC-Chapel Hill, which through last week had nearly 700 cases. That's more than twice the 309 cases reported by N.C. State over essentially the same period, and NCSU is a larger institution.

Most other universities report far lower numbers. Wake Forest has seen about 200 cases, and Duke has had about 170. At Peace, the small women's college in Raleigh, Murray is one of 13 students to get it.

The totals are likely higher. These numbers represent only students who seek help from a campus health office. The cases are mild and so far have not led to mass absences.

More hand washing could help slow the virus spread. One professor says students need to hear how unpleasant the illness is to get them to wash up. (N&O)

* A program set up last year to help North Carolina homeowners with subprime loans avoid foreclosure has been expanded to include those with traditional mortgages.

How vulnerable is Sen. Richard Burr?

An article in Real Clear Politics this morning says that by a number of measures the Winston-Salem Republican "could be the most vulnerable Republican incumbent in the country."

But Wake Forest University political science professor John Dinan notes several advantages: He is likable, does not have the problems of Sen. Elizabeth Dole and faces no top-tier Democratic challenger.

"There are no apparent ways in which Burr has rendered himself vulnerable in his first four years," said Dinan. "Unlike Dole, who was vulnerable because of not spending time in the state and not seen as working hard enough to represent North Carolina interests, Burr has no concerns on either of these counts. His main concern is that his name recognition isn't yet as high outside of the Piedmont area as an incumbent would prefer."

The articles adds that Burr's recent efforts to block FDA regulation of tobacco and propose a Republican alternative to health care reform should raise his visibility.

MSNBC is raising the stakes:

GOP Sen. Richard Burr, who, if he wins re-election in 2010, could end up becoming a rising national star, is taking the lead for the Senate GOP on the issue of health care.

Washington types felt the same way about Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. If he'd won the governor's mansion last year in spite of the Obama blue wave, he would be in the spotlight right now as the new face of the GOP.

On a somewhat related note, Reynolds High is inducting Burr into its sports hall of fame.

A standout high school football player who played in the 1973 Shrine Bowl, Burr went on to play defensive back at Wake Forest University.

Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith also played in the Shrine Bowl and went on to Wake Forest.

WINSTON-SALEM — Vice President Joe Biden today told Wake Forest graduates that history is theirs to change.

"As corny as it sounds, this really is your moment," he said. "History is yours to bend."

Biden spoke on a brisk, sunny morning to 1,500 graduates and a crowd estimated at more than 10,000. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree, Jim Morrill reports.

Unlike President Obama's commencement address at Notre Dame Sunday, Biden attracted no protesters. In his 30-minute speech, he urged the graduates to help bring fundamental changes in the world.

"You graduates give hope that we will not only survive today but thrive tomorrow," said Biden, wearing a black robe. "We're either going to fundamentally revive our economy or we’re going to fall behind."

It was Biden's third visit to North Carolina in recent weeks, a fact not lost on Republicans.

More after the jump.

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The Democrats for decades have had their annual Jefferson-Jackson fund raising dinner in Raleigh.

But on Saturday, some 400 to 500 Democrats are expected to gather at the Durham Marriott Convention Center, Rob Christensen reports.

David Young, the state Democratic chairman, said he wanted to see the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner moved around periodically and he said Durham was a good place to start because of its strong Democratic showing in last year’s election.

The featured speaker at the $100-per plate dinner is national Democratic chairman Tim Kaine, the governor of Virginia. North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue invited Kaine, and she will be on hand to play host.

The appearance by Kaine is another indication that the Obama administration is paying a lot of attention to North Carolina. Both President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have visited the state.

More after the jump.

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Vice President Joe Biden will return to North Carolina next month to deliver the commencement address at Wake Forest University.

His office announced he will speak on Monday, May 18, at the private school in Winston-Salem, as well as give commencement addresses at the Air Force Academy and at Syracuse University, where he attended law school, Rob Christensen reports.

This will be Biden's third appearance in North Carolina in recent weeks. He also met with troops at Fort Bragg last week and was in Eastern North Carolina the week before unveiling new rural programs.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have also visited the state.

The Obama administration is paying a lot of attention to North Carolina, which he carried by a small margin in November.

Correction: An earlier version of this post had an incorrect date.

Here are the top five state colleges for earmark requests:

N.C. State University: 23 requests, seven Congressmen, $58.9 million, to study nanotechnology, pig waste, sweet potatoes, aquaculture, biotechnology and textiles, among other things.

N.C. A&T State University: 10 requests, four Congressmen, $23.8 million, to study using cattails for biofuel, retrain workers, research microelectronics and run a math literacy program, among other things.

East Carolina University: Nine requests, two Congressmen, $18.5 million, to study obesity and diabetes, help returning military personnel, research biofuels, pig waste and coastal development, among other things.

UNC-Chapel Hill: Eight requests, five Congressmen, $18 million, to study solar power, research public health trends, develop a technology curriculum, run a cancer center and start a virtual warfare center.

Wake Forest University: Two requests, one Congressman, $15 million, to study regenerative medicine.

In all, 31 colleges requested $184.5 million worth of earmarks through the Congressional delegation this year.

Other requestors included Shaw University, Bennett College for Women, the UNC School of the Arts, Winston-Salem State University, Rockingham Community College and Central Piedmont Community College.

Sen. Richard Burr will have a new spokesman next week.

Chris Walker, who has served as press secretary since late 2007, is leaving to work as communications director for former Sen. Bill Frist's education initiative, Tennessee SCORE.

A graduation of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Walker had worked for sen. Fred Thompson, at federal agencies and for the Republican National Committee before joining Burr's office.

Starting next week, David Ward will be Burr's spokesman.

Ward, a native of Raleigh and a fellow Wake Forest University alum, has worked with Walker on Burr's communications team.

In 2008, he was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People on Capitol Hill" by a local newspaper.

Another name has surfaced for U.S. attorney in the Middle District.

Former assistant U.S. attorney and Wake Forest University School of Law professor Jennifer Collins is reportedly under consideration for the federal prosecutor job in the district that includes Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Durham.

Former lieutenant governor candidate Hampton Dellinger is campaigning for the post as well.