? N&O blogger Ryan Teague Beckwith rates the gubernatorial candidates on openness to media inquiries.

? Richard Moore discusses the state retirement fund and education issues before a group in Rocky Mount.

? Columnist Chris Fitzsimon writes that the candidates may finally be heading towards a debate of significant issues.

? Pat McCrory talks (scroll down) about the time he called Michael Jordan for traveling.

? Fred Smith unveils new TV ad on illegal immigration.

? Bob Orr tells a Watauga County crowd that one-party rule in Raleigh has created fiscal and ethical messes.

? Blogger and UNC-CH professor Leroy Towns doesn’t think much of the endowment-fund concept for financing the campaigns.