* U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler could face trouble in a Senate primary over his vote on the stimulus and his views on abortion, some say.
* Gov. Beverly Perdue says the final stimulus package leaves the state about $150 million short of covering its $2 billion shortfall.
* Independent Weekly's Fiona Morgan wonders what it says when an ombudsman takes a job with "one of the most egregiously mismanaged and obfuscating agencies."
* Democratic firm Public Policy Polling finds 65 percent of those surveyed want to keep the schools superintendent an elected post.
