As questions swirl around former Gov. Mike Easley?s air travel, real-estate deals, and other activity, Carolina Journal Executive Editor Don Carrington is watching closely. He offers his observations during the next edition of Carolina Journal Radio.

The General Assembly recently approved a new statewide smoking ban for restaurants, bars, and other places with public access. You?ll hear highlights from the legislative debate about the issue, along with a critique from Daren Bakst.

Another issue Daren has tracked closely is taxpayer funding of election campaigns. Former Federal Election Commission chairman Bradley Smith will join us to discuss that topic.

And Jane Shaw will discuss a critical question for the future of higher education: Are colleges more interested in their reputations than their education?