John Locke Foundation experts logged more road time and media air time this week. A crowd of 200 students involved with the University Scholars Program at N.C. State University heard President John Hood discuss the state of freedom in the world. Hood also discussed the Locke Foundation, the state budget and economy, and the future of journalism in a presentation to the Rocky Mount Rotary Club. (In addition to his public speeches, Hood explained to the Asheville Citizen-Times why government rules protecting or promoting western North Carolina building companies would not help the local community. He also discussed Michigan’s economic woes for a post on National Review Online’s “Corner” blog, which the Mackinac Center for Public Policy noted in its own forum. State Senate Republicans highlighted in blast e-mails this week Hood’s columns on the national health-care debate and the North Carolina sales tax.) In addition to Hood’s travels, Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray discussed state government issues in a presentation to the Sanford Lions Club. (Gray also discussed hot state political topics during an appearance this week on Curtis Media Group’s “People and Politics” radio program.) N.C. History Project Director Troy Kickler hit the road over the past two weeks with two guest speakers. Kickler hosted Kyle Scott of the University of Houston for discussions of fundamental rights in presentations at Campbell, Duke, and N.C. State universities. Kickler and the History Project also oversaw National Park Service historian emeritus Ed Bearss’ discussions at the Duplin Winery about Civil War battles and raids in eastern North Carolina. JLF Fiscal and Health Care Policy Analyst Joseph Coletti is slated to participate Saturday in the Million Med March, a rally on Raleigh’s Halifax Mall that’s designed to highlight the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. Speaking of Halifax Mall rallies, communications director Mitch Kokai discussed last weekend’s FreedomWorks “Taxpayer March on Raleigh” during an appearance this week with Curtis Wright on WLTT Radio’s “Morning Beat” program. Carolina Journal Executive Editor Don Carrington also earned radio time this week with an appearance on Don Curtis’ “Carolina Newsmakers” program on WPTF and WSJS. Meanwhile Charlotte’s Fox television affiliate, WCCB, featured two people with JLF ties this week. N.C. Education Alliance Director Lindalyn Kakadelis discussed the challenges facing the new Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board, while Meck Deck blogger Jeff Taylor critiqued five-figure bonuses awarded to the Mecklenburg and Charlotte government managers.