While the controversy over chicken nuggets boiled, the John Locke Foundation’s research staff attracted attention on a range of other topics this week. Michael Sanera, Director of Research and Local Government Studies, released a report on the money-losing Raleigh Convention Center. Sanera discussed the convention center research with Bill LuMaye on WPTF Radio and with Chad Adams on WLTT Radio. The conversation with Adams extended to other convention centers and local government boondoggles as well. The News & Observer mentioned Sanera’s critique of the Wake County sustainability task force’s final report. In addition to the report released this week, Sanera discussed with the Knightdale Town Council recent JLF research critiquing the Wake County transit plan. The Cary News covered Sanera’s recent presentation to the Apex Town Council on the same topic. The News & Observer published a column on the Wake transit plan from David Hartgen, co-author of the recent JLF report. Speaking of public presentations, Sanera and N.C. History Project Director Troy Kickler have been added to the We The People speakers’ bureau. Terry Stoops, Director of Education Studies, discussed efforts to improve North Carolina teacher quality during an appearance with LuMaye on WPTF. The N.C. Family Policy Council promoted Stoops’ recent research comparing North Carolina public school students’ academic performance to the performance of peers in economically competitive countries. The N.C. Association of Educators published a “political briefing” that attacked Stoops’ research on teacher compensation. Daren Bakst, Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies, wrote for the Fayetteville Observer about problems associated with Gov. Beverly Perdue’s recent executive order targeting judicial selection. The Carteret County News-Times and Topsail Voice quoted Bakst in an article about wind power. The latest Townhall.com column from Jon Sanders, Associate Director of Research, focuses on “blood suckers and society.”