? The Republican primary is growing increasingly intense, reports WRAL-TV, with Bob Orr and Fred Smith aggressively challenging the frontrunner, Pat McCrory, on several issues.

? The News & Observer profiles Beverly Perdue, chronicling her rise through the state house and senate to the number 2 job in state government.

? The April Civitas poll has Richard Moore and Perdue locked in a statistical dead heat at 37-36, with McCrory leading Smith 28-19.