Energy standards: A debate over whether North Carolina should enact tougher energy-efficiency standards for new homes could be decided today. The N.C. Building Code Council will hold a public meeting this morning to discuss a proposal to increase home energy efficiency by 30 percent. (N&O)
Expiring tax credit: Contractors, installers and home-improvement chains are seeing a boost in business as homeowners rush to take advantage of a $1,500 federal energy conservation incentive that's set to expire Dec. 31. (N&O)
No special session: Gov. Bev Perdue doesn't plan to bring the state legislature back to Raleigh early. There had been talk of a special session to give Perdue emergency budgetary powers, but it would be too costly at $1 million a day. (N&O)
Overhaul setback: A federal judge in Virginia ruled that President Barack Obama's historic health care overhaul is unconstitutional, marking the first successful court challenge to the law. (Associated Press)
Port scrapped: State officials have pulled the plug on a controversial proposal to build a $3 billion international shipping terminal near Southport, five months after the N.C. Ports Authority was forced to delay the project indefinitely. (N&O)
