* Probation supervisor in Harnett County assigned regional managers to spend two days investigating an overturned potted plant in her office.
* Legislative aide for Sen. David Hoyle who joined the "steno pool" in 1959 celebrates a half-century of working at the General Assembly this week.
* Liberal columnist Chris Fitzsimon notes that 75 percent of the 78,000 state employees make less than $50,000 a year, 26 percent less than $30,000.
* Winston-Salem Journal reporter James Romoser signs off (for now) on his always entertaining Trail Mix blog, citing lack of, you know, elections.



