A Carolina Journal exclusive this week from Associate Editor David Bass documented that Golden LEAF money designed to help tobacco-dependent North Carolina communities is actually funding items such as yacht slips and iPods. The Lincoln Tribune, Tar Heel Tribune, N.C. Rumors, and N.C. Senate Republicans all picked up Bass’ story, and he discussed it with Lockwood Phillips on WTKF’s “Viewpoints Radio.” Two other stories from Bass also attracted attention this week. The Lincoln Tribune, Tar Heel Tribune, and N.C. Rumors highlighted an article comparing North Carolina state government’s budget hole to the budget gaps in other states in the Southeast and across the country. N.C. Senate Republicans and Watchdog. org publicized Bass’ article on a new University of North Carolina system health insurance mandate that will force some students to subsidize elective abortions. Bass followed up this story for The American Spectator blog. In addition to Bass’ work, Executive Editor Don Carrington joined Curtis Wright on the syndicated WAAV/WFNC morning show to discuss the controversial Southport port proposal, along with other stories Carrington is pursuing. The Lincoln Tribune and Republican U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-10th, publicized Managing Editor Rick Henderson‘s exclusive report on the N.C. congressional delegation’s plans for town hall meetings during the summer recess. UNC-Chapel Hill’s regular “Carolina in the News” feature also highlighted Henderson’s article on a scathing report of UNC Public Television’s mishandling of a property rights controversy involving Alcoa and property along the Yadkin River. In other news, the Lincoln Tribune published two other CJ exclusives this week. Associate Editor Michael Lowrey documented a recent N.C. Court of Appeals ruling against state environmental regulators. Contributor Sarah Okeson discussed a new cap on fees associated with recovering property from state government. The Durham Herald-Sun reprinted Carolina Journal Radio Co-Host Donna Martinez‘s exclusive previewing Orange County’s upcoming sales-tax referendum. The N.C. Alliance for Public Charter Schools picked up Video News Editor Anthony Greco‘s report on a recent statewide public schools conference that ignored charter school issues. The Lenoir News Topic published N.C. Education Alliance Fellow Kristen Blair‘s column on cyberbullying. The Jefferson Post reprinted Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray‘s column recapping the 2010 legislative session. Speaking of Gray, she discussed the recently concluded legislative session during an appearance with Carl Lamm this week on WTSB Radio.