CHARGE IT: Former state Rep. Thomas Wright's 2008 obstruction of justice conviction came on a made-up charge, his lawyer argued before an N.C. Court of Appeals panel Monday. An attorney for the state told the judges that the charge fit well with Wright's actions. (N&O)
HIRING THAWED: Public universities continued to hire faculty members this year even as cuts to swelling administrative ranks put many employees out of work. The faculty hiring is the result of a strategic move by UNC system leaders to shave costs almost exclusively from the administrative side of the ledger and protect academics. (N&O)
A BETTER TOMORROW: Gov. Bev Perdue told elected education officials Monday that the state's financial picture is improving but unemployment may keep rising in the short term. (AP)
