The surprise announcement this week that Ruffin Poole, a top aide to former Gov. Mike Easley, would plead guilty to a federal income tax evasion charge helped generate interest in Carolina Journal‘s investigative work. Executive Editor Don Carrington discussed the plea in radio interviews with Bill LuMaye on WPTF, Lockwood Phillips on WTKF, and Tom Lamprecht on WTIB. Meanwhile, the Lincoln Tribune and a blog associated with the Kinston Free Press promoted Associate Editor David Bass‘ exclusive on the Poole plea. A blog associated with the Mecklenburg County Republican Party also promoted Video News Editor Anthony Greco‘s report on Poole’s plea.